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Atari is reissuing its 1983 home computer as a modern plug-and-play device that includes a working cartridge slot, 25 built-in games and an option to write code in the original BASIC. The recreation, called THE 800XL, is available for pre-order at $219.99 and is slated to ship starting April 23, 2027.
A modern take on an 8-bit classic
The new unit preserves the low-profile, beige look of the original while updating the connections for today’s TVs and peripherals. It features a full-size, 57-key mechanical keyboard and a functioning cartridge slot, but swaps legacy video outputs for an HDMI port.
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Atari revives 800XL with keyboard, cartridge slots and BASIC
Display options include both 50‑Hz PAL and 60‑Hz NTSC modes, with 4:3 and pixel‑perfect settings. Buyers can also enable optional CRT-style filters to mimic the softer look of vintage televisions.
Hardware conveniences extend to four USB‑A ports for controllers or external storage and a USB‑C power input. An HDMI cable and a USB‑C power cable are included in the box, although a separate power adapter is required.
What’s inside: games, cartridges and conveniences
THE 800XL ships with 25 built-in titles spanning arcade and home‑computer favorites. The roster includes Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, BattleZone, Berzerk, plus home classics such as Boulder Dash, M.U.L.E. and Miner 2049er.
Two extra games — Castle Crisis and Super Breakout — are tucked away as unlockables, activated when an analog controller is connected.
Owners of original cartridges can use the slot for many titles from the Atari 400, 800, XL and XE lines, and the system accepts cartridge, disk and cassette images from USB storage. Atari also lists compatibility with some software developed for the 5200 console. Modern conveniences include four save slots per game and a rewind feature.
It’s worth noting the onboard game selection mirrors the library offered with Retro Games Ltd.’s earlier THE400 Mini. If your sole aim is to play those built-in titles on a modern TV, this device does not expand that catalog.
Programming returns
Where THE 800XL diverges from many retro plug‑and‑play boxes is its focus on being a programmable computer. Switch to Classic Mode and the machine exposes Atari BASIC, allowing users to write, save and run their own programs.
That capability echoes the way early home machines once invited owners to tinker rather than merely play. While contemporary laptops and abundant online resources make learning to code easier today, having a single, self-contained environment can still appeal to hobbyists and newcomers alike.
Emulation versus hardware authenticity
Retro Games Ltd. designed the product and PLAION REPLAI will manufacture and distribute it under license from Atari, but the company has not published detailed specifications about the internal architecture. That omission leaves open whether the system relies on modern emulation or a more direct hardware recreation.
Functionally, accurate behavior of games, cartridges and BASIC will likely satisfy most users. Collectors and preservationists, however, may scrutinize compatibility more closely: Atari’s statement that the cartridge slot supports “most” originals implies some titles could be problematic.
THE 800XL arrives into a market already populated by other revivals, from the ZX Spectrum Next to Retro Games Ltd.’s own THE400 Mini and a full‑sized Commodore 64 remake. What sets this release apart is its explicit encouragement to experiment with code, not just to relive old games.
Accessories and ergonomics
Atari is also offering an updated joystick, branded THECXSTICK, which preserves the classic look while adding eight buttons to expand functionality. The new pad aims to feel familiar, though its layout departs from the minimal originals.
Practical details matter: an included HDMI cable and USB‑C cable simplify setup, but purchasers must supply a compatible power adapter to complete the kit. That small extra step is increasingly common among recent retro hardware releases.
