The ATARIBOX is going to be a DISASTER | RGT 85

A brand new batch of information hit today about the Ataribox, and honestly, it looks pretty rough for the system. What's wrong? Let's find out!
RGT 85 - Po Box 5161 - Pinehurst, NC, 28374
Patreon: / shawnlong
Shirts: rgt85.spreadshi...
Twitter: @ShawnLong85
Facebook: / shawnlongne
For more great retro content visit www.gamester81.com

[@BeatEmUps]

Real Wood?

[@Kevinb1821]

BeatEmUps did he lose a bet? What’s up with the shirt

[@theautisticgamer1860]

BeatEmUps the only wood i like is the ozzy kind

[@skulkap45]

BeatEmUps ha. Lol

[@obliviousmode575]

My real wood just went limp at the price point and lousy email presentation.

[@dj_ath]

BeatEmUps 2000 yr old sequoia wood.

[@TheTomo910]

Skyrim atari edition

[@bunnyboyking5215]

Tank *SPOILER ALERT* Bethesda: Our plans for Skyrim Atari Edition have been scrapped in favor of Fallout 4 Switch Edition. Please Understand.

[@RetailArchaeology]

Why do I feel like Mike Kennedy is somehow involved with this?

[@fixman88]

Who is that?

[@RetailArchaeology]

Fixy Clary look up the Coleco Chameleon fiasco for the whole story.

[@fixman88]

Retail Archaeology Oh him. I thought that name seemed familiar; I know all about the Coleco Chameleon mess.

[@Marc-pu1wm]

LMFAO!!!...I just wrote a comment and referenced the SNES in the Jaguar shell and then I looked down and saw this. Too damn funny lol

[@bunnyboyking5215]

Retail Archaeology It could be worse. Dalas Review could be in the marketing for this hunk of junk. I can't wait to see Jim Sterling tear this Steam Machine wannabe a new one.

[@MattyFinesse]

Dude RGT85, your rants are very entertaining and well delivered. I really enjoy watching you call out scumbag moves from scumbag businesses. I hope your channel gets huge

[@RGT85]

Thank you bud!

[@nikiiv]

Weren't you the same guy predicting that Switch will fail? At least one of them

[@qphlat2726]

Dude, why would you spend $300 on this when you could just buy the "Atari Flashback Classics" for PS4 and/or Xbox one for dirt cheap. Plus you have your streaming services already on a reliable consoles that will have amazing exclusives. Just saying, their are 2 volumes of these with 50 games each on them. You should get your Atari fix right there. And if not and their is some special rare gem of game that's not on those collections, just use an emulator. Unless this thing gets some seriously neat games on it that are exclusive to the "ATARIBOX" bury its grave now.

[@Ziko577]

Agreed. This is just unnecessary and pointless. This will be no more than another failed modern console like the Ouya.

[@megacide84]

Qphlat 27 So true... I snagged both Atari Flashback titles on PSN awhile ago when it went on sale for $10 a piece.

[@Michael-be7uw]

Real wood lol the only people who are crazy enough to spend $300 on the system are the same people who will spend $1,000 on a new iPhone

[@RGT85]

that real wood though

[@Michael-be7uw]

RGT 85 maybe if it was laminated it would be 150 bucks LOL

[@thecommunistgamer9017]

Michael 1980 My new iphone is made out of wood!😃(I hate apple as much as this..... thing)

[@Michael-be7uw]

TheCommunistGamer LOL not just any kind of wood dogwood these companies should be ashamed of themselves

[@mikemmc1730]

Michael 1980 most people will buy that iPhone and you know that....wont be me though

[@mg6506]

Ooo real wood Linux system.. just like the wood you took from the tree to make this..it's dead. No game list? No teaser of games? RGT85 I'm with you on this

[@alexlelel]

It's BSD, no way for Sony using Linux because there are lots security researchers finding exploits and publishing them potentially with those exploits PS4 getting jailbroken like its predecessor. Also not to mention Sony got trouble using GPL licensed software for greedy propuse.

[@EastyyBlogspot]

Getting some retro vgs/ coleco chameleon vibes from it, and they went to indie gogo as no prototype is needed for that site

[@bunnyboyking5215]

Eastyy EXACTLY! I think this is gonna flop & lead to Atari being bought out by a bigger company.

[@rexcrockett6110]

Eastyy I agree and Ouya, lol

[@GeoNeilUK]

Ouya was a Kickstarter project and it's not like any Kickstarter has been successfully funded then took the money and ram (ZX Vega+ anyone?)

[@doczombiex]

GeoNeilUK Don't forget the Smach Z.

[@GeoNeilUK]

"Don't forget the Smach Z." Already had, thanks for reminding me. That was at least as ridiculous as the Chameleon.

[@KWKBOX]

I am backing the Atari Chameleon instead.

[@DeevDaRabbit]

KWKBOX Do you mean the Coleco Chameleon?

[@sonicheadfuck]

REAL WOOD!

[@BeatEmUps]

sonicheadfuck You rang?

[@agbaya5314]

R E A L W O O D

[@bunnyboyking5215]

sonicheadfuck You know what that means? Your console is vulnerable to termites unless it's been treated to be immune to them.

[@RetroSho]

300 bucks, won't tell what games will be on it. Has to compete with multiple emulators, pi boxes, linux boxes, and original Atari/clone systems. They are fucking insane, lmao.

[@AlexPrime86]

$250-300 for this is thing is nuts

[@escoofimpakt]

ActivesiN Intel makes a mini pcs for $150 that runs windows 10 so they basically can run emulators that's a better option

[@gavinmontgomery253]

uhh sir its $249-299

[@AlexPrime86]

Gavin Montgomery my gawd you're right, this changes everything, I'll take two

[@omegafire6253]

ActivesiN ,would real wood convince you, i think it would. No one could compete with Attari if it has real wood. Screw portability. Screw 4k, when you have real wood on your console nothing could compete, not even the pc.

[@AlexPrime86]

if they have multiple types of wood then its game over, pack it up xbox, ps4 and switch its OVER

[@atariboy9084]

Half-Life 3 Is The Packin Game For ATARIBOX confirmed. AT this point its maybe the ONLY thing that would save this Dumpster Fire of a system.

[@RGT85]

hahahaha

[@TheLastLineLive]

John Calcano if it has Half life 3 as an exclusive it would sell 10 million systems at launch.

[@GeoNeilUK]

The Atari Box is going to fail, it's going to be vaporware... but the Dreamcade is a brilliant system? How is the Atari Box any different to the Dremacade? Because from what I see... The Atari Box is a PC-based console with a customised interface dedicated to playing retro and low end PC games. The Dreamcade is a PC-based console with a customised interface dedicated to playing retro and low end PC games. As opposed to a Windows 10 based console which is nothing like a PC. Piracy concerns that didn't cross your mind when you were promoting the Dreamcade. Yes, Atati are an actual software house who have the rights to a back catalogue of their own games and relationships with other developers. And every criticism you raised about the Atari Box could also be raised about the Dremcade with this. Atari seem closer to finalising the hardware, they haven't sent out any "demo" or "beta" units that were based in hardware that they could never sell for the announced price. Crowdfunding - that thing that Dreamcade are using, something that you don't have a problem with. Also, Atari have announced a realistic price. The price Dreamcade announced is not going to fly if their retail model is anything like the demo model you so heavily promoted, that your viewers were asking you about performance. We know what we're getting from Atari, we still know nothing about the Dreamcade. How are Dream Arcades going to turn a profit from selling the Atari Box at $100? What's it going to be based on? Why are you so angry about them using real wood in a console? Why are you so angry about this when you're so heavily into the Dreamcade? Apart from the Atari Box is competing directly with the Dreamcade. Retrogamers are also writing the Dreamcade off as well. That's why Atari Age don't like you. You're attacking this while promoting an identical product. I also find it pretty galling that you call the Atari Box vapourware, the Dreamcade is *MUCH* closer to being vapourware than the Atari Box.

[@vivisect53]

Atari box/Atari vcs is still not released or even shown working. Besides, its a cheap Linux pc with a fancy case so who cares.

[@oxygeninterface]

it's a scam. nothing more than a quick cash-grabbing scheme. they're exploiting the "atari" name brand with the expectation that people will become so infatuated in nostalgia that they'll just impetuously fork over their money without reason in hopes of reliving their childhood.

[@JDXWrestling]

oxygeninterface after hearing what he said im getting some Coleco Chameleon vibes from this thing. Yeah sounds a little fishy.

[@akenawell]

So it's a multi media device with apps based more on PC technology than traditional dedicated game consoles for around $250-300....so just like the current console generation. I don't see the issue. They said they wanted to get back into the console market and are doing so with a similar system to the current generation. I'm not saying it's gonna be a hit or even a good product, but I'm missing what the real problem is here. They seem to be delivering on exactly what they said they would. Wait until they give information on current game titles before writing it off and calling it crap.

[@tazgamerplays]

Microsoft was criticized, when announcing the Xbox one, for taking about the multimedia side of the Xbox more than the gaming side. Atari didn't pay much attention to that reveal apparently.

[@mikailernendaz6955]

I have real wood in my pants.

[@BlakeTheSnake98]

Did you know the ATARIBOX is made with real wood?

[@trinitysingularityzombiech7836]

Skeletor 64 do trees even grow in China?

[@MobileDecay]

Real yummy wood. 😊

[@agbaya5314]

Skeletor 64 thanks for telling me. I wood never have known!

[@Kane-B]

Your rage gave me real wood!

[@Luffym17]

Uhuhuh wood... uhuhuh

[@trizzynahhh5736]

Kane B lol

[@zombiecrusher1100]

Kane B hahahahaha! Love it.

[@brucemcfarling7810]

You know how to get a $300 Linux computer with real wood to hook up to your TV? Find a used laptop on ebay for $200, and pay a carpenter $100 to laminate it with real wood. The Linux can, of course, be installed for free.

[@DanniDolphin]

We want ET 2...lol.

[@bunnyboyking5215]

Danni Dolphin In AVGN 3 The Bullshit Is Not Enough.

[@TheToyBoy1978]

Danni dolphin yeah, and it has to be made within 5 weeks again! That will be the Ataribox killer app! ;)

[@DanniDolphin]

I totally agree. ET phone home again! bhahaha

[@Brad772006]

Danni Dolphin it would be hard to make a sequel to the best game EVER!!

[@codyandfriendsplay12]

Full on console seller!! Lol

[@handtohand94]

i wouldnt be so quick to judge. ain't no way it'll be a huuuge success, but I'd wait to see what games are on there when the indiegogo launches because that'll be everyone's introduction to it. The press release wasn't really meant to blow any minds really. Just remind people that it existed before the funding happens. If it can keep up with a modern machine graphically i may be interested.

[@joseluisruiz3789]

Hmmm. I'm not interested anymore Now that I know what its going to be and what it's going to cost. I'm actually more excited for the SNES Classic as i never got a chance to own an SNES as a kid. lol

[@teenkitsune]

You know, they may get into more important information later, I feel it's still early to judge.

[@unforgiven665]

> "Linux makes it like a computer than a console" > *Looks at the XBOX One*

[@jamesgarlick4573]

unforgiven, wasn't "more computer than console" pretty much what the XBOX series and PS3/PS4 all about? I mean, I remember when the XBOX original marketed itself as a "gaming console with the power of a PC" and i remember reading articles about hacking the 360 and PS3 to make them cheap gaming computers because back in 2007 (despite being $600) they were as powerful as a mid-range gaming PC for half the cost lol

[@holdtehmayo]

PlayStation uses Linux too.

[@thefans779]

do u remember first playstation and first xbox all people in their mind assume their will fail

[@yellowblanka6058]

If it has a CPU, RAM and an output to a display it's technically a computer, hence the 2600 being dubbed the "Atari 2600 Video Computer System" when released. Modern consoles are nothing more than low-end, locked-down PCs.

[@GeoNeilUK]

> "Linux makes it like a computer than a console" _> Looks at the _*_Dreamcade_* FTFY

[@HAL_NOVEMILA]

I think that Atari is trying to do their own version of the Nvidia Shield... Which in my opinion if done correctly could be a compelling product

[@triviavesta6899]

Atari should partner with Sega to release a new system that plays games from both catalogs from Atari 2600/Genesis to Jaguar/Dreamcast. The Atari with Blast Processing. Do the Math.

[@bunnyboyking5215]

Trivia Vesta I think Sega would rather sell itself to Konami #HitTheLever

[@wizzgamer]

Maybe Jack Tramiel is back from the grave as he always said the hardware is more important than the games which is why he had them released a way over powered handheld (The Atari Lynx) and skip a generation with the 64-bit Atari Jaguar which both flopped due to them being obsessed with the hardware than the actual games.

[@dmoore0079]

wizzgamer the Lynx wasn't really overpowered at the time (I believe the Game Gear was technically more powerful from a graphics processing standpoint, and the Turbo Express was even more powerful). The trouble was, it didn't have any game titles that grabbed anyone's attention. What killed the Jaguar was that it was a nightmare to take advantage of its custom hardware, so most programmers just utilized the 68000 and called it good. The result: most games looked almost exactly like Genesis and Snes ports, and people thought it was a ripoff. Tempest 2000 and Alien vs Predator showed a little of what was possible, though.

[@wizzgamer]

The Lynx was overpowered when you consider it was more powerful than the main home console when it launched Nintendo's 1983 Behemoth the NES plus it had some advanced features graphical features that the Snes and Mega Drive could only dream off mode 7 for one which was more advanced than the Snes mode 7.

[@dmoore0079]

wizzgamer I never knew it had any special graphics mode, but then again, Stun Runner looked amazing on it. Despite that, it still could only display 16 colors at a time.

[@wizzgamer]

But apart from the lack of colour it was a powerful 16-bit handheld. Yep stun runner looks stunning and wouldn't have been possible on any other handheld till the GBA.

[@PizzaReviewTime]

I'm probably gonna do a video about it. I loved the old school Atari 2600 and would love to see this take off and be a success. You make a lot of solid and valid points, but dismiss it as vaporware kinda quick. To be fair, without any info on new games we can't really tell yet.

[@KingShadowOmega]

@RGT 85 So they're going to crowdfund it...on Indiegogo which doesn't require a prototype (although some have), and it's going to be $300?! What could they possibly put in this machine to make it strong enough to play current gen gaming?! Atari is not Microsoft or Sony...they don't have the same resources or marketing! PLUS X1 and PS4 are $250, but being sold at a loss! The Switch is surprisingly powerful for being essentially a tablet, but it's sitting at $300 being sold at a profit. You mean to tell me this crowdfunding is going to allow them to push out a competitor?! Yeah I'm with you...this thing is going to be a disaster!

[@mickmickymick6927]

If Atari made a max 16-bit console that could run all the old games, but also started publishing and developing new retro-style games that would be exclusive, including demakes (think Halo 2600) it might have a small but profitable market.

[@rynnetaylor1277]

I laughed as soon as I saw the title. My friend was wondering who/where would be carrying it. I told him the Ataribox will be found in the AtGames section at Dollar General. Good video as usual.

[@RGT85]

+Rynne Taylor if it makes it that far. Lol

[@GeorgeLightpost]

No matter if it succeeds or fails it's not worth getting that worked up over dude. Woosa!

[@whitener75]

Epic rant RGT- love it! 😀 This system was doomed before it even started and $250- $300 price point??? Jesus...but hey there's wood!!!!

[@green1096]

I have real wood right now!

[@singletona082]

Shades of OUYA. This is so not gonna end well. And it's gonna drag any other effort that ACTUALLY NEEDS CROWD FUNDING BECAUSE THEY DON"T HAVE THE NAME RECOGNITION AND POTENTIAL TO GET LEGITIMATE INVESTORS THAT ATARI CAN down the toilet. Anyone remember the GCW Zero? Leaving aside post kickstarter supplier problems. They went into a kickstarter with emulators, working games, working units to demo. OUYA went in with RENDERS. Not real units. Nothing physical. FUCKING RENDERS and grabbed up the mindshare and made everyone go 'meh' RIGHT WHEN THE ZERO NEEDED PEOPLE TO SHOW IT LOVE.

[@arcticridge]

for $300 i'd expect every atari game ever made to be on it, 2600 at least

[@RepsUp100]

How can you say it will be a disaster by knowing so little about the hardware used, that is essentially what you are paying for really - seems like the top model will be $299 for a mini-PC with larger storage than the $249 version that most likely comes with a controller and uses the latest AMD technology which I assume custom Zen + Vega APU, that alone justifies the price... Linux distro is free. Although, I do think the PR is pretty bad.

[@SpecialXperienZ]

This is an epic Atari failure for the new age!!

[@ArcadeFreak-gw5rp]

Sean i could not agree with you more. The grave was already opened before the announcement and now that they announced what they did they jumped in the grave. No way will this waste of time get funded. I am someone that grew up playing atari playing nes playing coleco and i was not excited when they first announced it i was curious but all that went away when i heard 250 to 300 bucks for this thing. In no way shape or form will this thing be successful.

[@drunkenobserver5708]

It will be interesting to see if you change your tune when they send you a free one to review

[@korky7775]

This may or may-not be the best idea Atari have come up with .... BUT .... lets not forget all the great fun we had on our 2600 consoles ..Atari did give us some really great memories and for that i will be forever grateful.......

[@tuwile284]

As someone who bought and enjoyed the Atari Jaguar and Lynx, I was excited what the AtariBox might be. The $250-$300 price point is high but if the emulation is done well and the games are good, then I would buy it (I figured it would be around $100-$150). I feel yesterday's press release killed all hype for the system. No games were talked about except that it plays classic Atari games. You can buy classic Atari games cheap on any modern console and on the PC. I was hoping they would talk about Tempest 2000 and Iron Soldier (licensing AvP might be hard but would have made this a insta-buy for me). I would have picked this up if it had good Jaguar emulation. Lynx emulation would have been a bonus. At this price point I feel Jaguar emulation is a must. The homebrew scene is growing and would be nice if this project would support that too. The Lynx had some good games on it too: A.P.B., Klax, Ninja Gaiden (arcade), Rampage, Rampart and RoadBlasters. The Jaguar and Lynx haven't been emulated on a home console yet so this would have been a big selling point. Since Atari wanted to crowdfund this, KickStarter would have been the better option with videos of games running on their system. Also, Atari should have waited until CES or E3 with playable machines for people to try out at the show before starting their crowdfunding for this. I never backed a project on Indiegogo and only successful project on Indiegogo that I can think of is the Skullgirls DLC characters. KickStarter is risky enough but the majority of the projects that I backed on there have seemed safe to back. I have never felt that way with Indiegogo which is why I won't back anything there. Until Atari ships these to game outlets for preview, I agree with you that the AtariBox feels like vaporware. Their letter should have ended with this. PS: Do the Math

[@astra_raven]

360p squad

[@bunnyboyking5215]

SkywardFox LOL!

[@pourgoi_6100]

im 80% 360p 18%240p 2% rest of resoultions

[@SupaBubbaMusic]

Klonoa 3 please

[@2112dorf]

I'm 45 years old, and have been playing video games for over 42 years. The hype surrounding the 2600 upon its release was 100% deserved. "Space Invaders..in my house!" Indeed. I traveled the country, and have played many Atari arcade machines over the years. What I would prefer to see is an Atari multicade unit that contains not only obscure titles (Marble Madness 2, Peter Pack Rat), but also includes a "vector" mode so we can play Star Wars and Red Baron with crisp, straight lines. Then, I would like to see new Atari properties, such as those that may be featured on this new console. If Atari is trying to grab retro gamers, I think they need to offer us something totally different, like the machine I just described.

[@ColeslawVariant]

Cain't wait for Predator Vs. Tempest.

[@DarrenMcCowan280470]

Assume, assume, assume - let's just wait a little longer before we shout "failure" - but heh, you're one of the first to "review" something you actually know nothing about. Well done

[@kekbur249]

They want crowd funding? And then charge the price of ps4/xbox/switch? They must be fucking nuts and/or just gonna grab the donation cash and then ghost. If they were going to market this at sub $200-$150 AND have new Atari games then they would have had a chance

[@ClockworkBard]

I expected to be disappointed. I didn't expect them to announce crowdfunding on a product that already exists in multiple other forms. Somewhere on a whiteboard at Atari it just says: "MintBox - $300 somehow + real wood = $$$"

[@2112dorf]

It also would be cool if Atari featured the arcade machine (described below) in multiple formats. Stand up "Star Wars" style. Sit down "Pole Position" style. Interchangeable controllers for special games (Star Wars, Road Blasters, a steering wheel, etc.). I would pay some serious money for such a machine, instead of paying $300-$500 or more for every "new" console that comes around.

[@eskomies]

Funniest thing on this (rightful) rant was when in the middle of "getting into games" I was shown an advertisement of Destiny 2 for PlayStation 4! That ad had more game content then we had seen from AtariBox ever :)

[@fixman88]

I agree with you 100%, this whole thing is going to fall hard. It does nothing existing hardware can't do at a fraction of the cost and the people pushing it seem utterly clueless. This thing looks like an answer to a question nobody is asking.

[@TheT3rr0rMask]

Wouldn't be opposed to he idea of a Linux system but at this price point? Price was one of the issues of the steam machines. If you want an open system for gaming you have plenty of options for less money like the Nvidia Shield along with tons of other android tvs and Windows set top boxes

[@heavylobster4339]

Nintendo Switch reveal: You can play Zelda, Mario, Splatoon, and Skyrim on the go! Ataribox reveal: Here's a $300 block of wood that can stream stuff or something...

[@xWindreaderx]

If I'm paying that much for a wood edition Ataribox, Wood from BeatEmUps better be in the box when I open it.

[@Badbufon]

i am sure they are planing in a virtual console with atari roms for 5 bucks each..... god, i dont know if laugh or cry.

[@Crateix]

I just saw a video recently about gamers who criticize ideas and games before they are finished and that is why developers are very reluctant to demonstrate and show what they are currently working at. This video is a good example because you have RGT right at the beginning yelling how awful this concept is. RGT in the future instead of saying how awful something (a game, an idea, a concept, etc.) is before its actually made, clearly articulate in a manner that does not involve yelling at why it will fail instead of assuming it will like at the end of your video. You made some points that could very well change the product to succeed but they are lost in your rambles unfortunately.

[@digitalizeddeath]

Bro, its cool Atari is even doing anything. This is why most companies dont even try. Enjoy it for what it is or just take a hard pass. I bought it, im playing Doom 2016 on Debian so. Doom modern on Atari, just like way back with the Jag. This is awesome.

[@mss490]

I'll still wait for the games. It can still be great, and the pricing doesn't really bug me; Nintendo can sell a tablet as a $300 console, Atari can sell a wooden PC as a $249-299 console. I _would_ call out Atari on this sort of thing, but I've already become so numb with Nintendo, I can still wait and give the AtariBox a chance to show off its games, at least.

[@CoinOpTV]

this announcement seems to add more details regarding atari blocking dreamcade ... i kickstarted the dreamcade but will skip on the ataribox

[@adultmoshifan87]

I REALLY want to see Sega make a new console, but not like this! I hope to see something that’ll restore gaming to its original user friendly state! I’m sick of all these unending updates and mandatory installs! If I were Sega, I’d launch a new console and call it the Superbeam! Features would include: - 4K output with 8K available via future update - up to 12 player one-box multiplayer - no day-one updates for 1st party titles - installation of games to hard drive possible, but NOT required - voice recognition built into all controllers as standard - backwards compatibility with physical Sega CD, Saturn and Dreamcast game discs - voice control which allows multiple commands in one go (for example: “Superbeam, go to Netflix, Bojack Horseman, season 3, episode 2”) - dual analog controller with A B C X Y and Z buttons, trigger, bumper and start buttons - deluxe controller also available, which can be used as a separate handheld and play downloaded Genesis, Master System, Game Gear and VMU games, and listen to MP3s

[@Tom_Van_Zandt]

I'm fine with my Atari 2600 and my PC. I don't need a separate console that claims to do both well.

[@rwxstudio7173]

They probably haven't even figured out what games will be on the console yet. Project Ataribox has been teasing us since day one (simply a short video of a prototype unit, no music, no narration).

[@schtive81]

Pitfall is owned by Activision. I think this machine is much closer to a Steambox. It will use an 86x CPU and graphics solution from AMD, it will use a custom Linux distro with its own custom DE. By the sound of it, you will be able to install Steam for Linux on this machine and gain access to most of that library... but then it still comes down to the specs and how well this machine will be able to play any of those games. Steam Linux does have a library of 4000+ games, more indie than Triple AAA at this point, but there is still a sizable enough library and it is growing. The press statement also implies that you will be able to install games from other services on this device too, such as GOG, which has about a library of 750+ Linux games. But as for original games... I don't see too much out of this beyond Tempest 4000 (which is in development), and other Atari published games. If the specs are alright, it might be kinda cool as a top set box for the TV. But otherwise, yeah... not sure where they are going with this...

[@TheLastLineLive]

If this thing is at that price point with access to Steam and being as open ended as they're claiming, that would make it very interesting to me. Part of the reason steam machines never took off is due to the high price point and other hurdles it had, but if they can manage to iron some of that out, this could be a great box. I don't have confidence it'll play lout like this though, or if it'll even meet its crowdfunding if this is even the plan.

[@Frank_D]

I really wanted this to be good. So far the most impressive thing about this console is just how fast I went from being excited about this to completely forgetting it was a thing until I saw today's photos. That's how mediocre this system is.

[@Zobeid]

If Atari were going to crank out a series of revamped arcade classics like Tempest 4000, I'd be all over that. Sadly, the info they've released seems to show they have no clue what they're even doing with this thing.

[@themidnightbarber524]

Who's gonna buy an Atari Box? People who want to play old Atari games. How much would they pay for it? Probably $50-80. Screw it, let's charge five times that and give the people something they don't even want!

[@RGT85]

Bingo!

[@shyguyshawn82oldman]

wood + beat em ups shirt... i see what you did there

[@ikeyasector]

Although the price is a bit insane (which the price is still pending and I think it was a bit premature to suggest what it may cost at this time), I'm still interested in seeing how this plays out. There has been allot of information dumped recently that has made me more optimistic. It's just too soon to say whether this will be a success or a flop. I think going the Linux route was a very smart move, but what it needs more than anything is a killer app at launch. Atari has a crap load of IPs that they can do allot with if they do it right. They will have to figure out a way to drop the price of the system because I really don't see anyone spending anything over $200 on something they aren't sure if they'll even want to keep it. I really do wish them success. Thankfully they aren't trying to compete with anyone. Just doing their own thing. It's just going to be interesting to see how this plays out.

[@drakon32]

The original XBOX was technically a PC and so have its successors.

[@roslolian11]

I have actually been watching several videos that break down the atari box, and I think yours is the best because you talk about how the AB fails to give a compelling reason to buy it. I think Atari would've been better of trying to be the SNES/Nes killer than trying to compete with the big boys, except with no exclusives of their own. What were they thinking? Lol Too bad because the form factor actually looks great. Maybe if it cost 100 bucks it would be a good media box rather than a gaming system.

[@paulefird8422]

I hate how the entertainment industry asserts that it deserves money from stuff they came out with 10, 20, 30 plus years ago.

[@jorisdevreese9482]

this guy was kinda doing the same when nintendo announced the switch... i'm not saying this "atari box" is going to be great or whatever, i don't even really care about atari.. just saying .. dude u don't have to overreact like that

[@NyuuLP]

Basically: "Remember the Coleco Cameleon? Yeah, that's what we're doing. And for some reason we still believe people will support us."

[@escoofimpakt]

If people want to play emulators on a mini pc you know intel makes mini pcs for $150 that'll ru. Windows 10can handle up to Dreamcast emulators a way better option if you want to play retro games and watch movies off it or stream netlix too

[@DanDoesGame]

RIP!!! lol Woody the Wood Pecker needs to be on that beautiful wood console to make it worth $250-$300 :) lol

[@themegaman91965]

Honestly, I am NOT surprised at all. Atari has pretty much bit the dust in '95, and now they want to try the console market again, even though they know well they won't be able to pull it off at all, since we already have three sturdy competitors. Heck, even Sega would have a far better shot at getting back into the console market than Atari, but then again, they'd need the talent and resources they used to have...

[@morgancampbell172]

Dude, it was just an email...wasn't suppose to be anything official.

[@Embrio4119]

I think your missing the point of this box. It's literally just a steam machine. Yeah, kinda pointless, but for those that don't have a pc or something already, ataribox is a box that plays pc games.

[@jaym5118]

I guess we all need to face the truth. Atari will never be great again. And that's sad. I'd rather buy a second Switch console and keep it stored than to pay that much for this.

[@PhilomathBret]

Saying it's going to be vaporware doesn't mean it's going to be terrible. It means it won't be released.

[@sloebone7399]

This is talking about the original attempt at crowdfunding December 2017 with delivery in May 2018. Not the current June 2018 money grab with a 2019 disappointment, um, delivery date. So they’ve taken your money, the original launch date happened months ago and they don’t even have a prototype yet.

[@BriansManCave]

I hear what you are saying man! Being the retro guy I am who grew up with the original systems I have been hesitant to do any kind of video on this topic. I finally decided to say something, so my next video will be my thoughts (which are almost like yours) ... and yes what of the games?!!?!?!

[@Thomaniac]

This exactly is why i'm looking forward to see more of the RetroN 77 coming up. Great video man!

[@puertoricansithlord4129]

RGT85, your rants are so funny to watch. Love your comments. You're absolutely right, this is just a disaster. I mean, who exactly is gonna pay that much for a paperweight made out of "REAL" wood when the competition has a huge backlog of great games to play right now, and can stream, play music and games, etc? So sad to see Atari end like this

[@Peckingbird]

A Linux nerd this sounds really interesting. The idea of downloading my GOG games to it and playing on the TV sounds good. Saves me risking my laptop being in the living room with an angry and destructive niece. There is no console version of CrossCode yet, but would love to play that with the ease & comfort of a console. That cost though... Scares me away something chronic. Edit: "Real wood sells consoles!"

[@TechnoSinister]

How much do you want to bet it has flexible funding

[@Hero190909]

You know the rage is real when there's sweat beading down the forehead... Loved the video!

[@thecommunistgamer9017]

Basically its a $300 retropie (retropie is a linux distro). I think for starters a company like Atari has no business crowd funding. And second, they need to go hard or go home. They need to come back hard as nails with a current gen console that has Atari made games and 3rd party support, exclusive games etc. Maybe throw in virtual console/retro games at 99 cents each. Other than going hard, they need to not go at all.

[@fredwinnickii5122]

I do agree, you should be hired to help Atari. Scrap the real wood! I grew up with Atari amongst other things but you're right. they just dug their own hole. They're not getting a cent of me!

[@Marc-pu1wm]

I've been skeptical about this project ever since I heard about it and this new info is really interesting. Crowd funding does not look good this far into this console's campaign, there's too many bad examples about crowd-funded gaming systems. But I must say, there is something that caught my attention...all of these clone systems and emulator boxes all have little ARM processors in them, even the OUYA had an Nvidia Tegra based ARM processor, but this system is going to have a customized discreet Radeon GPU by AMD...WTF???...this could possibly make the Atari Box completely capable of modern gaming, the only thing that scares me is the size of this device, which tells me that there's going to be an external power brick (no problem), but it's so small that it couldn't possibly have a good enough cooler to handle a good gaming chip, right?...But then I looked at my Nintendo Switch and realized that as long as the chip's architecture is good they can run it at a slower clock speed with lower voltage and get less heat while still being capable of modern gaming. So, this system could be a total flop with nothing but vaporware and a few old Atari games, or they could work out a good deal with AMD and build decent little gaming boxes and it could possibly work out. But I remain skeptical because of the crowd-funding initiative, ever since that Coleco Chameleon fiasco where they stuffed that SNES into that Jaguar shell I've had a bad taste in my mouth whenever I hear gaming systems and crowd funding.

[@llothar68]

Atari has nothing to do with Atari anymore. In 2001 they only sold the trademark. So they can't even legally release old games without extra negotiating a license for them.

[@timlarkin4471]

The email gives me the impression that Atari consists of just one man who's not very good with HTML, but pretty good with Blender.

[@ScottyDont00]

I'm a member on AtariAge and I love your channel. Keep up the good work.

[@janthony8]

Buy a 3D printed 2600 raspberry pi case and call it a life for Atari.

[@escoofimpakt]

janthony8 or an Intel compute stick and just put it in the cartridge slot of a real 2600and it'll do way more that a rasberry pi for just $99

[@Badbufon]

but that doesnt have REAL WOOD you moron!

[@janthony8]

Robed Figure lol

[@janthony8]

Bryan Escober basically everything is gonna be worth doing vs buying this pos

[@reloadpsi]

Okay. Atari were a big deal in home computing back in the day, but as game developers they were a flash in the pan.

[@ryzmaker11]

I'd be more excited about a new, in-house developed Atari game for the Falcon or the Jaguar than about a new Atari console unless the latter does something really special (other than being made of wood). Still, even if only reasonably successful, it would be pretty cool to see Atari again in the hardwares business.