Image Credit: Atari
Atari has renamed the AtariBox to the Atari VCS. This console is going to be based on PC technology. From the looks, it is very retro-inspired. The prototype will be on display at this year's GDC. The prototype itself is great news, as many people were concerned there wouldn't be a prototype before crowdfunding, which made people uneasy about crowdfunding this in the first place.
Another plus is the inclusion of a modern controller as well as a more retro-style joystick. A few months ago, Atari released pictures of the joystick, and my concern was if this was going to have modern games as well, how would you get away with a one-button joystick? A one-button joystick would be fine for many retro games pre-Intellivision/Colecovision, but not so great for anything newer than that. So a more modern controller being included is very welcome.
I'm not sure how I feel about it being a consolized PC, since my PC could do the exact same thing. I hope it won't be an emulation box, though I'm sure there will be emulators included to play many retro games.
I think the biggest gripe I have with this system now is the name. It's called the Atari VCS. The problem here is we've already had a system called the Atari VCS. If you know your video game history, this was later known as the Atari 2600. The Atari 2600 was not known by that name upon release, but by the name "Atari VCS".
This is going to cause confusion among those of us who are into retro gaming and know the history. Now when someone is talking about the Atari VCS, is it what eventually became the 2600, or the more modern system? Also, this may not seem like a big deal to younger gamers who may not know about the Atari 2600/VCS, but someone may want use Google to find out more about the new Atari VCS, only to find information on the Atari 2600 which they're really not all that interested in.
On top of that, the Atari VCS is not a very attractive-sounding name by current naming conventions. Right now you have:
- Nintendo Switch
- XBox One X
- Playstation 4
- AtariOne (though this may be too much like XBox One, admittedly)
- Atari Rebirth
- Atari Resurrection
- Atari Revolution
- Atari NewGen (as in New Generation)
- Atari Generations (given the fact that it will play both retro games and modern games)
- Atari Awakening
In comparison, the name "Atari VCS" just isn't sexy, in my opinion. Considering this is kind of a rebirth or resurrection for Atari, I could give several suggestions. After all, what good is criticism without suggestions for improvement? So here are my suggestions:
Those are just a few names I can think of. I'm sure many of you can think of better names.
What are your thoughts on the AtariBox being renamed? And what are your overall thoughts on the Atari VCS? Will they actually be able to launch this product? And will it be successful? Sound off in the comments below!
You can read more about the Atari VCS at https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/19/atari-unveils-atari-vcs-its-first-home-game-console-in-9-years/
Also, expect a video coming soon.