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Ataribox now Atari VCS, preorders start in April

At GDC 2018 this week, Atari will display its long-awaited and freshly branded retro console.

Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
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Lori Grunin
atari-vcs-family-adjusted

The console with prototypes of the new joystick and controller.

 Atari

We started hearing about the reboot of the Atari 2600 Video Computer System in the summer of 2017, with info dribbling out about what it looked like, the hardware and price, and an announcement of preorders starting December 14 -- only to hear on the day the preorders were supposed to start that they would be delayed. 

Watch this: New Atari console plays modern games. (Wait, what?)

Now Atari is getting the hopes of the faithful up again, announcing that it will be showing the new console starting on March 21 at Game Developers Conference 2018 (GDC), along with prototypes of the Classic Joystick and Modern Controller, and that preorders will begin in April. Still no word on the price, though.

Oh, and it's got a real name now, the Atari Video Computer System, or Atari VCS for short. I kinda liked "Ataribox," but that wouldn't look as cool with the disco-era font in the new logo.