When the Atari V🌱CS mini PC launched back in 2021, I wasn't really sure who it was for. It certainly looks the part, and I get the allure of a modern day gaming experience that caters to old school players, but I couldn't vibe with the $400 price tag. However, I now feel like I could put this 2600-inspired machine to good use as an indie gaming battle station, especially since it's current sitting under $200.

That's right, you can grab the Atari VCS thanks to a half-price discount. This is something of a nose dive compared to both its MSRP and typical going rate, as it normally sits around the $300 mark. For under $200, it's also not bad for what is a relatively capable 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:gaming PC laced with some 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:retro console goodness. I mean, I can't think of any other tiny rig that comes with 100 free classic Atari games, a mo♛dern take on the 2600 joystick, and a wireless gamepad, can you?

Reading back that last sentence, I am aware that the Atari VCS is a confusing product. Just know that if you do decide to whack $200 on it, you're effectively investing in a AMD mini PC with a VEGA APU, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 32GB MMC storage, and a M.2 slot for SSD upgrades. That should help contexualize things in terms of price, as it's easy to mistake it for something like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Atari 2600+ or even a mini console.

Should you buy the Atari VCS?

It's safe to say the Atari VCS targets retro gamers with its 2600 cosplay and easy access to the company's classics. ꦛBut, I actually think this could be an incredible machine for 💧Indie fans for a low-spec way to explore their Steam library without buying a full-blown rig.

This isn't the first time I've explored this idea, and my default pick for the job is the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Ayaneo Mini PC AM01. That machine is quite similar to the Atari VCS in that it uses an AMD VEGA chip, resulting in a system designed to handle lower-spec releases at 1080p. For a bit of a performance picture, I ended up playing a chunk of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on that tiny rig and managed to hit 60fps consistently. In theory, you could be able to pull off similar✃ tricks with the VCS, and if you're not too fussy about frame rates, it'll handle a chunk of your Steam backlog at 30fps low settings.

What you'll want to get out of your head right away is the idea of playing🃏 high-spec games on the Atari VCS. You'll want to upgrade the machine's RAM and pop in a larger SSD before really treating it like a proper Windows machine, but even then, its 4GB VRAM isn't going to like outings like Cyberpunk 2077. That said, it will run a surprising number of recent games, like Sonic Superstars and Tomb Raider Remastered, and plenty of Indie romps are going to run nicely at 1080p.

Of course, I'm also a gaming handheld reviewer, and there's a case to be made for picking up a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Steam Deck OLED or even the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Asus ROG Ally instead. The main draw here is that it'd enable you to head outside with the portable PC and use a Steam Deck dock to consolize thing🥂s when at home, but you'll certainly end up paying more than $200.

Technical gubbins aside, my main reason for wanting the VCS is the fact it looks like a modern Atari 2600. Taking those ridges from the original design and adding them to a contemporary box makes for a slick device, one I could see myself using as a main living room PC. At the moment, I use the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Ayaneo AM02 to stream from my main PC upstairs and mess around 💦wit💞h Steam, but if that system didn't exist, I'd probably be using this '80s-inspired miniature instead.

Looking for more discounts? Swing by 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Black Friday Steam Deck deals and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Black Friday PC deals. Alternatively, check out 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Black Friday TV deals if you need a new living room screen.