The system will come with 25 games, a copy of the vintage Atari joystick, and five USB connections.
The prayers of all of us who are enthusiasts of Atari computers have been answered: a tiny console is finally on its way to being released. The400 Mini is an emulated Atari 8-bit system that has been released by Retro Games Ltd. and Atari. It is a miniature form factor that is a spitting image of the X-wing-Starfighter-like 400 after it has been hit with a shrinking beam.
The Atari 400 and 800 were released in 1979 as the company’s first attempt at a home computer that also happened to be an outstanding game system. For those of you who are not aware with it, the Atari 400 and 800 were launched around the same time. The Atari 400 and 800 were the first genuine gaming personal computers because, in addition to a faster variation of the superb 8-bit MOS 6502 CPU that was included in the Apple II and Commodore PET, they also had Atari’s specialised ANTIC, GTIA, and POKEY coprocessors for graphics and sound. This made them the first people to utilise personal computers for gaming.
You needed the 800 for a number of reasons, including additional memory and a keyboard that was similar to a typewriter. The Atari 400, which featured a membrane keyboard, did not have all of the prominent features. However, the 400 displayed the same design and served as the initial introduction to computer gaming and programming for a great number of individuals. Although I owned and liked the 800, I continue to believe that the 400 is one of the most aesthetically pleasing computers that has ever been manufactured.
In spite of the fact that the architecture of the platform has remained virtually precisely the same throughout its thirteen years on the market, the 400 Mini is capable of emulating the whole Atari 8-bit range, beginning with the 400/800 and continuing through the 5200 SuperSystem, the XL, and the XE. A total of 25 games are preloaded onto the 400 Mini, and additional games can be added via a USB stick. As was the case with the company’s previous TheC64 Mini (for the Commodore 64) and TheA500 Mini (for the Commodore Amiga 500), the system features a carousel menu that allows users to choose the games they wish to play. In addition to that, it comes with TheCXStick, which is a reproduction of the original Atari joystick and features “an additional seven seamlessly integrated function buttons” that are not seen in the image.
Based on the video and the advertisement language provided by the company, it is evident that The400 Mini will include a variety of games, including but not limited to Bruce Lee, Berzerk, M.U.L.E., Star Raiders II (which was once known as The Last Starfighter for those of you who played the game for the first time from less than trustworthy sources), Millipede, and Miner 2049er. Moreover, the console has a pause button, four save spaces, and even a 30-second rewind capability, which is, of course, a sacrilegious feature for players who are dedicated to the game, but I’ll give it a pass. The fact that it has a staggering five USB ports and can output 720p via HDMI at either 60 or 50 frames per second (NTSC/PAL) further suggests that it is capable of supporting four-controller play with games such as M.U.L.E. You may also customise the frame surrounding the game by selecting one of twelve different options, similar to how RetroArch works.
An HDMI cable, a USB cable for power (but not an AC adapter like the two Commodore consoles), and a Quick Start manual are all included in the system. The controller is also included. On March 28th, it will release in the United Kingdom. It has not yet been announced how much it will cost or when it will be released in the United States, but you can guarantee that it will be released here just like the others. If The400Mini is as good as the other Retro Games systems, then it will be another feather in the cap for Atari Interactive’s revival, which has already been marked by the company’s superb Atari50 collection, reissued Atari 2600+ console, and purchases of important properties such as Digital Eclipse, MobyGames, and AtariAge.
The answer is yes, of course; you can play the same games by running Altirra, Atari800MacX, RetroPie, purchasing a MiSTer for lower latency or to plug to a CRT, collecting genuine and impressively reliable Atari gear, or doing a myriad of other things. These small consoles, on the other hand, are quite collectible and still provide a great deal of entertainment when it comes to jumping directly into a game on a large screen. Now, all that is required of us is a full-size version of “The400” that has a keyboard that is operational, much like TheC64.