The PC Mode allows for a large amount of customization and emulation, which provides even more opportunities to revisit classic titles, and the inclusion of a traditional Classic Joystick is a fun (if somewhat novel) way to both remind and let players interact with games in the way they were originally designed. The following games are available to play through the Atari VCS Vault, and contain both Atari 2600 and Atari Arcade titles.įor players who enjoy returning to old titles time and time again, the Atari VCS is a viable but expensive option that can possibly become an all-in-one device for retro gaming.

Unfortunately, actually using the system and navigating the menus with the controller - specifically when using the Atari VCS as a games console - feels far slower than it should, and the VCS' internal fan noise can be a bit distracting.

USB and Bluetooth devices like keyboards, mice, and other accessories can also be connected to the Atari VCS, which helps make navigating the platform in PC mode much easier. The controllers feel slightly lighter than they should but are functionally strong and continue to work well even after being dropped multiple times. Two controllers come with the Atari VCS - a classic joystick which is perfect for retro games like Pong, and a more modern, traditional controller with dual joysticks, a D-pad, four face buttons, and two triggers on each side. Related: Atari's Breakout: Recharged Brings Brick Breaking To The Modern Age The console itself comes with an AMD Ryzen R1606G processor and includes an open M.2 SSD socket for users who want to increase the Atari VCS' internal storage and memory.

Netflix, Hulu, and other services are all readily available, and players can even utilize the VCS to play games through services like Google Stadia and Amazon Luna. In PC Mode, the Atari VCS allows players to access their existing game libraries, use emulators, and can even run different kinds of PC operating systems like Windows and Ubuntu. The Atari VCS isn't just a gaming console, it also functions as a mini PC and streaming device.

Atari vcs reviews