The grandpa of gaming computers, the Atari 400, reveals itself in the iconic color and shape.
If you are not entirely sure when gaming started to jump onto computers, you should look no further than Atari with its specialized computer line for programming and gaming. Lots of people think of Commodore or ZX Spectrum when it comes to retro computer gaming, but in reality, Atari was one of the first who mix primitive computers with video games.
During the late 70s, programming was considered very important, and being able to fuse both activities together could help kids get used to computers. Luckily, the idea was a major hit, and Atari’s line of computers, 400, 600XL, 800, and 1200XL became very popular. Although different from each other, the Atari 400 was the go-to 8-bit computer in the Atari catalog due to its affordable price and distinctive look.
Although back then these consoles would have caused a lot of pain due to their size and cost, nowadays, some people can fit the same amount of power into a clamshell. We had the fad of minifying consoles a few years ago with Nintendo bringing the NES Classic Mini to the market, and Sony following up with the PlayStation Mini too.
Retro PCs have had the same treatment later on with Commodore turning into a mini console. Retro Games, the company that shrunk the size of Commodore VIC20 has now returned with an Atari 400 model.
Named THE400 Mini, it will include 25 classic games from the Atari 400’s library, such as Millipede and Boulder Dash, and will be compatible with games of other Atari consoles like 2600 or 7800. It will be included with a classic 4-way controller that Atari is known for, and thanks to its USB ports, it can be loaded with other programs that are suited for Atari’s 8-bit computer line- even BASIC Programming language if you so desire.
THE400 Mini has a price point of $100 and will be available on the 28th of March, 2024. If you want to dive into the actual retro gaming PC world, THE400 Mini could be a great opportunity.
