THE400 Mini, a half-sized version of Atari’s 8-bit, 1979 computer console that includes 25 classic Atari games, including Millipede, Star Raiders II, and more, is now available, PLAION and Retro Games have announced. THECXSTICK, an enhanced, updated recreation of the iconic CX40 Atari joystick, is included, enabling players to relive the gameplay experiences of the 1970s and 1980s.
Store links:
- Amazon ($119.99)
- Atari Shop ($119.99)
Features:
- A half-sized version of the distinctively styled Atari 400, emulating the whole 8-bit Atari range from the 400 to the 800XL, and the Atari 5200 home console.
- Also included is a recreation of the classic Atari CX40 joystick, with an additional seven seamlessly integrated function buttons.
- The ability for players to side-load their own games via a USB stick, with support for cartridge, disk and cassette ROMs.
- Players can rewind time and save their games.
- HD TV output via HDMI, with 50/60Hz compatibility.
- 5 USB ports which allow for the addition of a modern keyboard, extra joysticks and more.
- Look and feel of 1979: THE400 Mini has been lovingly crafted using modern technology, from the hard-to-match colours of the original machine to the authentic textures of the plastic casing and membrane keyboard, no compromise was made relative to the iconic 1970s look and feel of the original Atari 400.
A launch trailer:
Contents:
- THE400 Mini home computer
- THECXSTICK USB joystick
- HDMI cable
- USB power lead (power adapter not included)
- Quick start manual
Pre-installed games include:
- Airball: Navigate through a 150-room mansion, avoiding hazards while solving puzzles.
- Asteroids:Â Your ship is trapped in an asteroid belt, blast boulders and enemies to survive.
- Basketball:Â Dribble, shoot and pass your way to sporting success.
- BattleZone:Â Save the world in this shoot ’em up by outmanoeuvring rebel Supertanks and UFOs.
- Berzerk:Â Blast robots, escape Evil Otto and dodge laser fire in this frantic shoot-em-up arcade game.
- Boulder Dash:Â Dodge boulders, collect jewels, escape caves and complete puzzles solo or with a friend. Â
- Bristles:Â Help Peter the Painter paint walls while escaping enemies in this colourful platformer.
- Capture the Flag:Â Capture the flag in this action 3D maze game.
- Centipede:Â Wield a bug blaster to clear the enchanted mushroom patch in this coin-op classic.
- Crystal Castles:Â Guide Bentley Bear through Bethilda’s maze, avoiding enemies while utilizing power-ups.
- Elektraglide:Â Race futuristic motorbikes and avoid obstacles across the UK, USA and Australia.
- Encounter!:Â Command a starship in this space shooter while surviving fast battles with strategic agility.
- Flip and Flop:Â Control Flip the Kangaroo and Mitch the Monkey in a daring Zoo escape platformer.
- Henry’s House: Navigate as tiny Henry in this platformer, collecting items, finding keys and escaping traps.
- Hover Bovver:Â Play as Gordon Bennet in this quirky maze game.
- Lee:Â Master martial arts in this classic platformer.
- M.U.L.E.: Turn-based strategy in which you colonize a planet and outwit settlers. Play solo or with friends.
- Millipede:Â Play as the Archer in this Centipede sequel and prevent the bugs from taking over.
- Miner 2049er:Â Control Bounty Bob in this action platformer while destroying mutants and collecting items.
- Missile Command:Â Defend cities with your missiles in this classic shoot ’em up.
- O’Riley’s Mine: Play as miner Tim O’Riley and collect treasure, avoid hazards and work your way back to the top.
- The Seven Cities of Gold:Â Explore, negotiate, and establish colonies in this ground-breaking action strategy game.
- Star Raiders II:Â Pilot the Liberty Star and destroy Zylon bases in this renowned space shoot ’em up.
- Wavy Navy:Â Command a ship, avoid missiles and planes, and become the strategic leader of the navy.
- Yoomp!:Â Guide a rhythmic bouncing ball through suspended levels in this unique platformer.
PLAION has suggested that more titles may be included:
…there is something rather special hiding within the innards of this perfectly formed homage to one of Atari’s best capers. While the two companies involved in the creation of THE400 Mini don’t want to give too much away, it is quite possible that there may be more to this mini system than the previously advertised 25 games. Given Easter is upon us, perhaps Atari fans will be able to add another couple of Easter Eggs to their chocolate haul.
Discussion (7 replies)
Join Discussion →There's my 1st computer. My dad helped me upgrade it with a 48K ram kit that was actually a 32K card/pcb that you had to solder the additional 16K onto. Later got a mechanical-type keyboard for it which was a total pia to install because the old-style connectors were not re-enforced with anything and the ribbon had like 50 pins on it you had to manually align and plug into the board. Throughout the years we added plethora of component upgrades including multiple tape drives, disk drives, 1st color printer, thermal printers, the interface accessory, and more. At one point I even remember swapping out the RF connector that was internally attached and adding a coaxial for better image quality. I still curse you DOS 3.0 and the games you broke back then!
Just to add. A friend of a friend back then had access to someone at Lucas Games and had got me early copies of a few games. One of them was actually based on movie The Last Star Fighter, also had Behind Jaggi Lines and Ballblazer. Those were so much fun which. I guess LST/BJL was later repackaged as Star Raiders II but also as Rescue on Fractalus!. Years later I read about another Star Wars game that basically keep most of the same plot. I don't really know the DNA behind them all but spent hundreds of hours replaying those games and they had pretty amazing graphics for the time.
Or save some bucks and play DRM free on your PC ... GoG link
I'm honestly surprised that there's enough of a market for this retro stuff. I've gone through my phases with it and yeah, you can pretty much find most it, legally, all over the internet for free or close to.
I do the same thing with the phases. It keeps my attention for a time, then I'm off onto something else after a while.
Yep, my last round was in 2019. Re-played Ultima III / IV a bit but and put in a chunk with M.U.L.E., a game I'd dearly love to see a modern remake (I tried to few attempts that came out in the last decade or two but the original is still the best). I sort of miss Racing Destruction Set but mostly burnt out with car games these days. Kind of miss Pinball Construction Set as well but I imagine a modern version would be far too complex for me to enjoy. I already had hundreds of games back in the day, either store-bought or through friends so moving on isn't so hard given the time already put in.
Sort of the same with those old MS-DOS games. I think most of us have our moments but are essentially done although I would mind a modern remake of Out Of This World.
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