The best Atari retro console depends on the library you own: the Atari 2600+ suits anyone who wants the classic one-button joystick feel and cartridge play, the Atari 7800+ suits buyers who want broader controller compatibility and the bundled wireless gamepad, the THE400 Mini suits fans of Atari’s 8-bit computer games who want USB loading, and the Atari Gamestation Go suits players who want a portable with a built-in library. None of them replaces a gaming PC, but all of them connect to a monitor over HDMI, which makes them easy to add to a desk setup.
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Start with how you want to play
Atari currently sells several very different products under the same brand, and the right pick comes from answering three questions before comparing specs.
- Do you own original cartridges? The 2600+ and 7800+ both read 2600 and 7800 cartridges; the 400 Mini and Gamestation Go do not.
- Do you want to sit at a TV or monitor, or move around? Only the Gamestation Go has its own screen and battery.
- Do you care about original controllers? The 2600+ and 7800+ use the classic DB9 plug, so decades-old joysticks and paddles still work.
At a glance
| Console | Best for | Key stated details | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atari 2600+ | Authentic cartridge play | Plays 2600 and 7800 cartridges, HDMI (720p per Time Extension), CX40+ joystick and a 10-in-1 cartridge included, USB-C power | One one-button joystick in the box; some cartridges do not run because it uses software emulation |
| Atari 7800+ | Controller flexibility | Plays 2600 and 7800 cartridges, HDMI with a 16:9 or 4:3 switch, two DB9 ports, wireless CX78+ gamepad, 80 percent of original size, includes Crystal Quest cartridge | TechRadar’s review headline criticizes the controller; no wall plug supplied |
| THE400 Mini | 8-bit computer games and USB loading | 25 built-in games, 720p at 50 or 60 Hz, THECXSTICK USB joystick, five USB-A ports, HDMI | No cartridge slot; keyboard on the unit is cosmetic; no power adapter |
| Atari Gamestation Go | Portable play | 7 inch display, 200+ games, six control types, Wi-Fi, HDMI out, USB-C, microSD, battery listed at 4 to 5 hours, about 0.55 lb | Tom’s Hardware thinks the price may be a stretch for retro fans; processor is not officially confirmed |
Atari 2600+: the nostalgia machine
The 2600+ is a smaller version of the original that replaces the RF cable with HDMI. Reviews report backward compatibility with the vast majority of 2600 and 7800 cartridges, though Atari’s “up to 99 percent” claim comes with a few cartridges that fail, because the console emulates the hardware rather than using a binary-compatible chip. Destructoid reports that it uses Stella for 2600 games and ProSystem for 7800 games. ScreenRant played original Ms. Pac-Man (7800) and Frogger (2600) cartridges without trouble, and Time Extension found the 720p picture sharp and bright. Atari also lists a widescreen mode.
The box includes a CX40+ joystick, built to the original specification, and a 10-in-1 cartridge. The downsides are shared by most reviewers: only one joystick is supplied, which limits two-player games, and 7800 games that need two buttons will not work properly with the one-button CX40+. Original 2600 and 7800 controllers also connect.
Atari 7800+: the flexible cartridge machine
The 7800+ is 80 percent of the original console’s size and has an enlarged cartridge socket designed to reduce sticking. Atari and its stockists list a single HDMI port, a USB-C power port, and a switch between 16:9 and 4:3. The front has two DB9 controller ports, and the CX40+ joystick and CX30+ paddle work with it. The standard kit includes the console, a wireless CX78+ gamepad with its dongle, a Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest 7800 cartridge, an HDMI cable and a USB-C cable, but no wall plug. Atari also sells a controller bundle that adds a 4-in-1 cartridge with Breakout, Canyon Bomber, Night Driver and Video Olympics.
GamesRadar says the 7800+ may be the better choice for people who grew up with the original 7800 rather than a 2600, and RetroOnly recommends it for broader controller compatibility. TechRadar’s headline says the games are great but the controller is not, so owners of original joysticks or paddles may prefer the DB9 route.
THE400 Mini: a computer, not a cartridge console
THE400 Mini, made by Retro Games Ltd as a replica of the Atari 400 computer, ships with 25 built-in games from Atari’s 8-bit hardware, outputs 720p at 50 or 60 Hz, and includes the THECXSTICK USB joystick, a 6 foot HDMI cable and a USB-C to USB-A power cable. It has HDMI out and five USB-A ports, four on the front for controllers, and you load your own software by USB. A USB keyboard is needed for games that expect one, since the unit’s keyboard is cosmetic. How-To Geek notes that the 25 included games may not suit everyone and that modern keyboard layouts do not match the original, while VGC calls it a fantastic tribute and says the joystick is its sticking point. GamesRadar reported a clean 720p signal with no lag. RetroOnly places it as the choice for Atari 8-bit and 5200 software, and it is not meant for original cartridges.
Atari Gamestation Go: the portable option
Made with My Arcade, the Gamestation Go has a 7 inch display, 200+ games and six control types: paddle, trak-ball, d-pad, bumpers, numeric keypad and A/B/X/Y buttons, with SmartGlow lighting highlighting the controls that suit each game. It has Wi-Fi for updates, HDMI out, USB-C for charging and external controllers, and microSD expansion. The built-in battery is listed at 4 to 5 hours, and it weighs about 0.55 lb. Tom’s Hardware reviewed it for its range of physical controls and said the price may be a stretch even for retro diehards, and it only speculates about the processor. One reviewer called it the most comprehensive Atari-focused handheld they had tried.
Pick X if… decision table
| Pick | If you… |
|---|---|
| Atari 2600+ | own or plan to buy 2600 cartridges and like the original joystick feel |
| Atari 7800+ | want 7800 games, wireless play or to reuse original DB9 controllers |
| THE400 Mini | want Atari 8-bit computer and 5200-era software and are happy with USB loading |
| Gamestation Go | want a handheld with a large built-in library and varied controls |
| Tiny Arcade Atari 2600 Mini | want a small, low-cost novelty rather than a full console |
Compatibility and setup notes
- Displays: all of these use HDMI, so a PC monitor with a free HDMI input works.
- Power: the 7800+ and 400 Mini boxes do not include a wall plug, so you need a USB power supply.
- Two-player games: the 2600+ ships with one joystick; extra DB9 controllers have to be sourced separately.
- Cartridge care: older cartridges can be dirty; Atari’s enlarged socket on the 7800+ is meant to reduce sticking.
Which one fits a PC gamer’s desk
A console that outputs HDMI can share a monitor with a PC if the monitor has a spare input or if you use an HDMI switch. The 2600+ and 7800+ are the better fit for a shelf of cartridges, since you plug games in and play without menus. The 400 Mini behaves more like a small computer, so it suits players who enjoy loading titles from a USB drive. The Gamestation Go is the only one that works away from a display, which makes it the natural choice for a travel bag or a bedside table. Whichever you choose, plan for the extra controller, power adapter and HDMI input before you buy.
Budget tiers
- Budget: the Tiny Arcade Atari 2600 Mini and the THE400 Mini sit at the lower end.
- Mid-range: the 2600+ and 7800+ are priced at roughly the same level, according to coverage that lists both near the same list price.
- Premium: the Gamestation Go costs the most of the group.
Alternatives
- Emulation on a PC: Destructoid notes the 2600+ itself uses Stella, an emulator you can also run on a PC, though you must own the games legally.
- Multi-system retro consoles: GamesRadar’s best retro console roundup covers boxes that play several brands rather than only Atari.
- Intellivision and ColecoVision revivals: itechguides groups these with Atari for buyers who want rival libraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Atari 2600+ play my original cartridges?
Atari says it plays the vast majority of 2600 and 7800 cartridges, and reviewers report most work. A few do not run, because the console emulates the hardware.
What is the difference between the 2600+ and 7800+?
Both play 2600 and 7800 cartridges over HDMI. The 7800+ ships with a wireless gamepad and works well with original controllers, while the 2600+ ships with the classic one-button joystick.
Can I play Atari 8-bit computer games on the 7800+?
No. For Atari 8-bit and 5200-era software, RetroOnly points to the THE400 Mini, which has 25 built-in games and USB loading.
Do these consoles work with a PC monitor?
Yes, they output HDMI. The 2600+ and 400 Mini are described at 720p, so expect scaling on high-resolution monitors.
Is the Gamestation Go worth it over a console?
It suits players who want to move around, with a 7 inch screen and 4 to 5 hours of battery life listed. Tom’s Hardware questions whether the price suits all retro fans.
Can I use my original Atari joysticks?
Yes on the 2600+ and 7800+, which use the DB9 connector. The 7800+ also accepts the CX30+ paddle, and reviewers note original 2600 and 7800 controllers work on the 2600+.
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