The Ataribox, Atari's first console in over two decades, has been renamed the Atari VCS, but the purpose and functions of the device are all still pretty much shrouded in mystery.
Gamers were hyped up when it was announced at E3 2017 that a new Atari console to follow up the Atari Jaguar released in 1993 is in the works. However, several months later, Atari fans are still unsure what they should be excited for.
Ataribox Renamed Atari VCS
In a press release, Atari announced that its upcoming console, previously known by the name Ataribox, will be officially named the Atari VCS. The new console takes inspiration from the design of the original Atari 2600 Video Computer System, which is also from where it patterned its name.
Atari unveiled the logo for the Atari VCS, along with images of the prototypes of the console's Classic Joystick and Modern Controller. The joystick resembles that of the Atari 2600, while the controller looks like that of the Xbox One.
What Will The Atari VCS Do?
According to Atari, it will reveal when it will start taking preorders for the Atari VCS by April. However, before that, perhaps it would be best to clearly tell customers what the console will do.
When Atari showed off its new console design after the E3 2017 announcement, we thought that it looked nice, but in a weird way. It was later revealed that the Ataribox price may go as high as up to $300, in line not with retro consoles such as the SNES Classic Edition, but rather with modern consoles such as the PlayStation 4.
At that price, gamers expect for the new Atari console to do more than just play classic Atari games. The device will be powered by a custom AMD processor and a custom Linux, but gamers are skeptical that these features, along with its retro design, will warrant a $300 price tag.
In the press release announcing the Atari VCS name, the console was described to be "so much more than a 'retro-box,'" "a completely new Atari connected device designed for today's living room," and a "new video computer system to change the way you interact with your TV." None of these provides a clear picture of what the console will do.
Atari will be showing off the Atari VCS at the upcoming Game Developers Conference, so more details should be coming soon. Hopefully, the $300 device will not pale in comparison the $80 Atari Flashback 8 Gold by AtGames.
