Is the Atari VCS Still Good in 2024? Deep Dive Review of Two Years with the Modern Retro Console

[@tomevil6]

Great video! I fixed the problem of the fan blasting all the time by removing the thermal pad that it comes with and putting some proper thermal paste on the processor, the fan barely runs now with proper heat distribution. Upgrading the RAM also helps...

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Thanks for the tip. I’m not really a modder so that sounds scary lol but it may be very simple to do. I’m happy to not upgrade as I mainly want to use it for whatever Atari put out on the App Store

[@robertm8380]

You didn't put oil on the ball bearings on the fan. I heard it lubricant it run better for PC not sure for VCS

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@robertm8380 that’s an interesting thought. Hmmmm

[@islygon]

I love my VCS! I don't plan often, but I love quick, fun, classic style games.. both the old originals, and the new indie titles that are available. It is a great second console as you said, or for those that really don't have the time or energy for the big AAA titles these days. Great video! Thanks for the in-depth review!

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words 😃 and yeah I often don’t have time for huge story based games these days so the VcS has been awesome for pick up and play games

[@YorkiesTV]

Great video! I think this may be the best description of the VCS that I've seen so far. Great coverage and very fair. Well done.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Thank you! Glad you liked the video. I think the VCS is great, and could get better and better if they keep pushing it

[@redleader7988]

Better than ever in 2024!

[@GeekBattleGaming]

I’m really excited to see what games come out for it this year. In 2023 Mr Run and Jump, Haunted House, Doodle Taxi and Food Fight were all great

[@MattPilz]

I really need to carve more time out to enjoy mine. I picked up some of the Recharged games and the 50th Anniversary plus Atari Mania but other than that have not installed really anything on it, nor upgraded or repartitioned it. I bought it on the $99 Best Buy sale so it was a real bargain and I have no complaints about it. I know many argue it wasn't worth $200 or $300 but I disagree from a hardware perspective alone. You would have a tough time buying any NUC/micro PC of comparable and upgradeable specs for less. Plus the controllers are nice and of decent added value themselves.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Yeah agree with all that. Atari need to relaunch it and highlight all the modern games on there as well as being able to play all the classic stuff

[@FastTquick]

As someone who has no nostalgia for Atari or any of its games, I believe the Atari VCS is an underrated gem. I’ll definitely pick it up at some point, but at a reasonable price.

[@ObsidianContraption]

Great review! I particularly liked all the Doodle Taxi footage 😉

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Doodle Taxi is a top 5 game for me on the system. Love the art style. It’s not perfect, but really like the uniqueness of it

[@ObsidianContraption]

@@GeekBattleGaming Thanks! 😁 i worked on it too and coordinated the soundtrack.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@ObsidianContraption that’s awesome. Really enjoyed the soundtrack. Would love to see a more fleshed out version of the game - always thought the story with the witch should have been incorporated into the gameplay somehow!

[@ObsidianContraption]

@@GeekBattleGaming i have some ideas... Have you played it since the last update?

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@ObsidianContraption when was the last update? I’ll have to check it out. Been at least a couple of months

[@jzlhola]

Great video, I'm really enjoying my VCS a lot! and I'm not a tinkerer at all, just playing awesome Antstream, the recharged games with the Classic controller that feels amazing, discovering new titles in the store (including new 7800 and 2600 stuff) and more... I have a PS5 , Xbox ONE and a Switch and I been using the VCS more, and I haven't even loaded emulators, Steam or used it as a PC....

[@cryptocoffee13]

I've thoroughly enjoyed mine for 3 plus years both as a PC and as a gaming PC. I hope they provide updated controllers officially licensed. I mainly use 3rd party ones or one of my arcade sticks. 🎉

[@GeekBattleGaming]

I think they should give it a re-launch of sorts - there’s a cool library of games now that people would loved if they’d all been there at the start

[@MylesSmith-q4y]

Some homebrewers are making USB games for VCS where they can plug into a usb port on the console.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Oh yes, I vaguely remember hearing about this. Do you remember what games these were at all?

[@MylesSmith-q4y]

@@GeekBattleGaming Well not exactly but I'm glad you have a positive response bro and with this modern baby called the Atari VCS some even still call the Atari Box like I do Atari Fans can now have all the 3D Homebrews of their dreams and it even has upgradable hardware.

[@MylesSmith-q4y]

@@GeekBattleGaming Excuse me bro if I'm getting a little carried away.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@MylesSmith-q4y it’s all cool lol. It took me a while to not say Atari Box too

[@BLAKKHALO74]

This was very informative. I, wouldn’t put it up against the biggies; PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo & PC gaming but I would have no problem having this as a side-companion to my other gaming consoles. I’m very impressed and thank you again.

[@bigfoxgamingbro7526]

You need to restart your console from the system power area to fix the issues with the store

[@Jorge.Painkiller]

The console is the redemption Atari needed in the console market and it's everything OUYA tried to accomplish

[@rockerteen8300]

Quadriplegic here! The vcs is great! I stick the joystick up my bumhole and I can play the games by wiggling around and bouncing for the fire button!

[@GeekBattleGaming]

This is the weirdest most unexpected comment of the day. You have earned a cookie

[@ridiculous_gaming]

I have unboxed my VCS and put it into a showcase, yet I have never booted it up. I like the look and the retro-new look.

[@Gorilla_Jones]

Just got mine for the Labor Day sale for $119 It's not meant as a competitor for the PS5 lol.

[@squirlmy]

The thing about the Atari VCS, hobbyist developers can use the VCS for Atari homebrew, but all the others; Atari 400 Mini. 2600+ and 7800+ are unable. I guess it just didn't inspire enough to try homebrewing, gamers do tend to be passive consumers.

[@MrBaloo5]

I’ve been a console gamer all my life I’m primarily an Xbox gamer and mobile gamer primarily on iOS I have all consoles except ps5 Don’t really have time to play as much anymore So playing a lot of smaller games from the AppStore and Xbox sometimes I love retro games and I love indie games So I’ve been thinking about getting a steam deck but been looking at this since it was announced through nostalgic lenses So what I’m asking is this or steam deck?

[@Apollo-71]

I know this is a few years old but I have been contemplating whether to buy one recently mainly for the PC mode for the following; Skyrim, Final Fantasy 1-14, Guild Wars 2, League of Legends, Overwatch 2, Paladins, Borderlands series, D&D Neverwinter, Valorant. Does anyone know if I'd be able to play any if not all of the listed games?

[@adm712]

The VCS is a fantastic system. I love how you have the option of playing oldies, modern games and can use the system as a streaming device. Also Xbox Game Pass games run very well on it. Flight Simulator runs just as well on the VCS as it does on my Xbox Series S.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Yeah it’s great for so many eras of gaming. Hope they push it for a wider release

[@EllinoItalos]

Ebay has these for $200. I'll wait for it to continue to drop in price.

[@ItsMeMattCarter]

What game is at 16:03 ?

[@robertm8380]

I have controller problems with the modern controller how do you reset it

[@GeekBattleGaming]

What are the issues? I’ve found Atari’s support to be really helpful, so maybe go to their website and create a support ticket

[@adm712]

On the back of the modern controller, on the top, you will see a teeny tiny hole. Turn on your VCS and link your modern controller via Bluetooth. Then take the tip of a paper clip stick it in this hole. The controller will turn off. Then plug the controller in USB port go to settings-calibrate controller and you should be in business.

[@robertm8380]

@@GeekBattleGaming The issue is the orange joy stick on modern controller soon as I move it goes into drift mode

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@robertm8380 try contacting Atari’s support on their website. They’re usually pretty quick

[@b.o.4492]

I got the zip code bug and haven’t played it since.

[@michaelrichardson5562]

Ive had mine since launch paid £450 i believe and yeah get me a time machine gorgeous looking console wooden but damn its 💩

[@desoft8b]

Ahora sólo disponible en EEUU. Una pena porque a mi siempre me gustó y esperaba comprar una y quizás desarrollar para ella pero ahora no será posible.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Who knows, if it continues to sell then maybe it’ll get released elsewhere like the Gamestation Pro and the 2600 plus

[@mikemonk4375]

I never understood the point of it. Apparently neither did Atari, as they not only stopped producing them, but can’t give the overstock away.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Atari are still supporting it. It may reenter production at some point as Atari have made new deals with companies to produce hardware products

[@sammiches6859]

It's for sale on their website and also Best Buy right now. I think they had a gap in production, but must plan to keep making them at this point.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@sammiches6859 they should keep it going. Nothing to lose in doing so really

[@kghhgkgk6322]

Don't understand why you don't show what you're talking about...

[@Lyoko42o]

what game is at @2:42 ??!!

[@GeekBattleGaming]

It’s called Doodle Taxi - a bit like Crazy Taxi

[@Lyoko42o]

@@GeekBattleGaming thank you!!

[@cyrollan]

VCS rules!!!!

[@griveros25]

Did not buy it as did not included Atari 800 XL games.😢

[@michaelhband]

👍👍👍❤❤❤/|\

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Glad you enjoyed the video!