GDC 2018 | The Ataribox is real, and it's more computer than gaming console

Despite all the delayed pre-orders, small dribbles of information, and mountains of speculation (including some on our behalf), the Atari VCS (formerly the Ataribox) made its physical debut at GDC. However, the Atari VCS appears to be less a game console and more a full-fledged computer.

Atari COO Michael Arzt told Tom’s Hardware that the machine will indeed run Linux (or, at least, a derivative of Linux) with its own Atari-themed UI. The device can be controlled through either a classically-styled joystick or a more modern gamepad. Users can also connect a keyboard and mouse through either USB or Bluetooth.

Due to it’s Linux-based OS, the Atari VCS will be able to run any game currently available for Linux, including Steam titles. The console will also ship with a collection of older Atari classics, but it’s not clear if these will be pre-installed or available as a separate purchase. Atari is encouraging indie developers to create new titles specifically for the machine as well.

So, how powerful is the machine? What games can it run? Can it be used for streaming media? These are good questions and, sadly, ones for which we are still awaiting answers. Atari still hasn’t released much information since the snippets we caught this fall, those being the AMD APU powering the system and the decent amount of I/O (3x USB, HDMI w/ 4K support, Ethernet, MicroSD card slot, WiFi).

It’s reassuring to see a physical prototype, but there are still plenty of questions that need answers. We'll hopefully learn more about the system soon, as Atari is scheduling the device for pre-order in April. The machine’s price is as yet undetermined but should land somewhere between USD $250-300.

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