Atari 50 is a comprehensive tribute to the legacy of Atari, featuring an interactive documentary and video game compilation. The project includes archival footage, emulated classics from the company’s catalog, and six newly developed games. Developed by Digital Eclipse, the project was released in 2022 to coincide with Atari’s 50th anniversary and is available on a variety of platforms, including Atari VCS, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series. The developers have also hinted at additional updates and features to be added at a later date. 

Atari 50 is the best of the series so far, and it has a nine out of ten rating on IGN, the highest in the franchise.

An Opportunity to Play All Your Favorite Classics

Preserving old video games can be a challenge, particularly when it comes to presenting them to new audiences. However, the developers at Atari have managed to achieve this feat with perfection. With the numerous ways to play classics in 2023, such as mini consoles, retro collections, modern re-releases, subscription services, and updated hardware, it can be difficult to place these games in their proper context, particularly for older titles like Adventure on the Atari 2600. Thankfully, a massive new release by Digital Eclipse, which celebrates Atari’s 50th anniversary, is the most impressive retro collection I have ever encountered. This impressive collection is available on almost every console, including the PC, allowing me to make full use of my PS5 by playing Asteroids. The collection is extensive, and thorough, and does an outstanding job of explaining why these games are so significant.

Atari 50 is a colossal collection, consisting of over 100 games that span several decades of gaming history. While the majority of the games originate from the 2600 and arcade systems, there are also titles from various platforms, including PC games, and 7800 updates. Beyond the games themselves, Atari 50 is packed with a wealth of additional content, including short documentaries featuring the original developers, rare photographs, magazine articles, comic books, and high-quality renditions of classic Atari box art. For the most dedicated enthusiasts, some games even allow for the viewing of original code. All in all, Atari 50 offers a massive and comprehensive celebration of Atari’s legacy that is sure to impress both old-school gamers and new generations alike.

The Collection Features Interactive Timelines

The Interactive Timelines lie at the core of Atari 50, featuring an immersive blend of historical trivia, digital artifacts, new interviews lasting over 60 minutes, documentary footage, and playable games that seamlessly integrate into a singular experience. The beauty of the Timelines is that when you encounter a game, you can dive right into it without losing your progress, providing the freedom and liberty to fully immerse yourself in the game and carefully explore its intricacies. 

Interesting Varieties Of Atari Games

Atari 50 offers an extensive selection of over 100 games that span seven distinct platforms, including Arcade, 2600, 5200, 7800, Atari 8-bit computers, and, for the first time ever on modern consoles, Atari Lynx and Jaguar. Whether you want to relive the classics like Tempest 2000, Asteroids, and Yars’ Revenge, or delve into lesser-known titles, Atari 50 has it all in one convenient package. To ensure I had access to as many games as possible, I made sure to have extra storage when I first got the game. 

Unique Graphics that Works Well for the Theme

When it comes to graphics, the Atari 50 video game is not known for its realism. Instead, they had a unique charm that was all their own. The graphics were simple, often consisting of basic shapes and colors, but it is still able to convey the action and excitement of the game. The graphics are an upgrade to all the series in the game’s franchise. For example, in Space Invaders, the aliens were nothing more than rows of tiny, pixelated creatures marching steadily down the screen, but the sound effects and gameplay made it an unforgettable experience. And who could forget the colorful, bouncing dots of Pac-Man as he chomped his way through a maze?

The interface of Atari 50 was equally simple but effective. The game is played using a joystick and one or two buttons, and the controls are simple and easy to learn. The onscreen menus were basic, often consisting of just a few lines of text, but they got the job done. One thing I particularly loved about Atari 50’s interface was the colorful, distinctive box art. Each game had its own unique design, and even if you hadn’t played the game before, you could get a sense of its style and genre just by looking at the cover.

Simple and Addictive Gameplay

One of my favorite games in  Atari 50 is Space Invaders. There’s something about the simplicity of the gameplay and the iconic pixelated aliens that makes it so addictively fun. Another classic game that’s always a blast to play is Pac-Man. Chomping your way through the maze and avoiding the ghosts is still as fun and challenging as it was back in the day. If you’re in the mood for some high-speed action, you might want to try out the game Pole Position. It’s a racing game that puts you behind the wheel of a Formula One car, and the fast-paced gameplay and challenging tracks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

There’s always the game called Missile Command. In this game, you must defend your cities from incoming missiles by shooting them down with your own missiles. It’s a challenging game that requires quick thinking and precise aim. I love it so much. It reminds me of war films, where shoulders kill enemies from the top of the castle towers. Atari 50 is just like getting everything in a single place. There are so many other things I love about this game.

Conclusion

Being a fan of this franchise, I felt incredibly excited when I first learned about this game compilation. From the very beginning, Atari 50 captured my heart, and it continues to do so even now. I’ve never come across anyone who dislikes this game, and I’m confident that you won’t either.