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Atari has announced THE 800XL, a full-size recreation of its 8-bit home computer, with U.S. preorders open at $219.99 and shipping expected in late April 2027. The product is a new machine designed by Retro Games Ltd. and announced by Atari. It is not a revival of the original 1980s production line. What Atari has published so far is a set of feature and compatibility claims. Independent hands-on testing of how closely the machine matches the original had not been published at the time of writing.
What Atari has announced
THE 800XL is a modern recreation of the Atari 800XL, the 8-bit home computer Atari introduced in 1983, according to the Atari product page. Atari announces the hardware, and Retro Games Ltd. is credited as its designer, as described in the Retro Games Ltd. announcement. Both companies present it as a new product that keeps the original’s look while adding current display and game-loading options.
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Atari’s product page puts the goal in its own words:
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute“THE 800XL retains the look and feel of the original, including a full-sized mechanical keyboard, baked in Atari BASIC, and a working cartridge slot, while adding features designed for modern displays and gaming setups.”
#1 Best Overall
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My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro: Retro Video Game Console with 200+ Games, Wireless Joysticks, RGB LED Lights
- Officially licensed Atari titles. Titles include Asteroids, Centipede, Millipede, Breakout, Missile Command, Crystal Castles and many more. Game save options.
- Packed with over 200 built-in Atari games + bonus titles. Pac-Man & Galaga not included. Full Game list listed below.
- Includes Atari console, games instructions, 2 wireless joysticks, USB power cable, HDMI cable, and user manual. System connects directly to TV.
- Includes two 2.4 GHz wireless joysticks, inspired by the original Atari joysticks, include paddles for paddle games like Breakout, Warlords and many more.
- User Guide Languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Japanese and Arabic. Dynamic RGB LED lights.
That sentence is the maker’s description, not an independent assessment.
Features Atari lists
- Full-size mechanical keyboard, the layout the original machine is known for.
- Atari BASIC, built in.
- A working cartridge slot, with the compatibility limits covered below.
- HDMI output, with PAL (50Hz) and NTSC (60Hz) support.
- USB loading for software images in cartridge, disk, and cassette formats from USB flash drives.
- Four USB-A ports for additional controllers and USB storage.
- 25 built-in games, according to Atari’s 2026 product listing.
- An included THECXSTICK, an eight-button joystick.
Atari does not describe the internal processor, chipset, or whether the machine uses emulation or FPGA hardware. Readers should not assume any of those details until the maker publishes them.
Built-in games and save features
The product page lists 25 built-in titles: Airball, Asteroids, Basketball, BattleZone, Berzerk, Boulder Dash, Bristles, Capture the Flag, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Elektraglide, Encounter, Flip and Flop, Henry’s House, Hover Bovver, Lee, M.U.L.E., Millipede, Miner 2049er, Missile Command, O’Riley’s Mine, The Seven Cities of Gold, Star Raiders II, Wavy Navy, and Yoomp!
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Atari also lists four save slots per game and a rewind feature that goes back up to 40 seconds. Both are features of the modern build, so they should not be read as behavior of the original hardware.
Display and software loading
The HDMI output supports 4:3 and pixel-perfect display modes and optional CRT filters, and the product page lists 12 display frames. Atari describes USB loading as a way to run software from a flash drive, so a single drive can hold a library of images rather than requiring physical media for each title. The sources reviewed do not say what capacity or file-system formats the drive must use.
Cartridge and software compatibility
Atari says the cartridge slot supports “most” Atari 400, 800, XL, and XE cartridges. The product page also describes support for Atari 8-bit computer software and Atari 5200 software. The word “most” matters. Atari does not state that every cartridge or software image runs, and no independent test confirms the list of exceptions. If a specific cartridge is important to you, check it against Atari’s own compatibility information before ordering.
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- Officially licensed Atari merch. Relive the rush of the original console video game system in this retro Atari gear. Get ready to hit the target playing Pong, Asteroids, Centipede, Yars Revenge and more!
- Perfect graphic apparel for fans of Video Games, Gaming, Gamer Fashion, Arcade Games, Game Consoles, Retro Fashion, Vintage Style, and Streetwear. Have you played Atari today?
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Prices and shipping by region
Prices and dates differ by region and may change before the machine ships. The figures below were current in the sources reviewed.
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| Region | Listed price | Shipping | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $219.99 (preorder, per Atari) | Expected late April 2027 | Atari product page |
| United Kingdom | £199.99 (preorder, as reported) | Not stated in the reviewed report | Video Games Chronicle |
| European Union | No price cited in the sources reviewed | April 23, 2027 (shipping start) | Plaion Replai EU product page |
Retro Games Ltd. also gives April 23, 2027 as the shipping start date in its announcement. The UK price comes from a press report rather than a retailer page, so check the current figure before you pay.
Announced specifications and verified performance
Everything above comes from the maker’s own statements or from press coverage of them. None of it is independent verification. The following points have not been established by any source reviewed:
- How closely the keyboard, sound, and video timing match the original 800XL.
- Whether the cartridge slot runs the full library Atari names, or only the “most” it qualifies.
- Input latency and display quality on modern televisions and monitors.
- Whether the machine’s processor and emulation approach affect software that depends on exact hardware timing.
- Final manufacturing volume and whether the April 2027 date holds.
Who this is for
The announcement fits three kinds of buyers. Readers who want a working Atari 8-bit setup without sourcing old hardware get a complete package on paper. Collectors who value the original keyboard layout and the cartridge slot get both as stated features. Readers who need original hardware behavior for development, preservation, or exact timing will need evidence the maker has not yet published.
Before ordering, confirm the region and price on Atari’s page, confirm the shipping window with the seller, and list the cartridges and software you plan to use so you can check them against the compatibility claim.
The Bottom Line
THE 800XL is a new Atari 8-bit recreation with a full-size keyboard, a working cartridge slot, HDMI output, USB software loading, and 25 built-in games, priced at $219.99 for U.S. preorders with shipping expected from late April 2027. Treat the cartridge compatibility and original-hardware fidelity as unproven until independent testing is published.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
