Atari Giving Away Xbox 360 Portable That Looks Like an Atari 2600

How’d you like a sweet Xbox 360 portable? How about if we sweetened the pot even more by making it look like an old Atari 2600? Well if you enter this contest over on Facebook now, you could be the proud owner of such an awesome franken-console.

atari 2600 xbox 360 portable

The guys over at Atari are celebrating the 40th anniversary of PONG by giving away this retro-styled Xbox 360 portable. It’s got a complete 360 system, along with a built-in LCD monitor, and a nifty woodgrain Atari 2600 styling package.

All you need to do to enter is to head on over to this Facebook page, and follow the directions by December 2nd for a chance to win this awesome bit of geeky goodness. Sadly, for our international readers, the contest is only open to U.S. residents.


Video Game Pasta Bowl: Spaghetti Invaders?

If you know me, you know two of my greatest loves are video games and carbs. Now, I can enjoy these two pleasant pastimes simultaneously, thanks to this video game inspired pasta bowl.

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Clay artist Keith Phillips of Mudstuffing created this wheel-thrown stoneware pasta bowl and embellished it with screenprinted images of Space Invaders and an Atari 2600 joystick. Notice how the largest invader is trapped under a big glass dome? Why wasn’t that a weapon in the original game? It sure seems more humane than blowing them away with a laser cannon.

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So if you like your spaghetti served with a side of Space Invaders, head on over to Etsy now, where you can grab this video game pasta bowl for $42(USD).


Atari mobile games lineup announced

When it comes to mobile gaming, you can choose one of two routes – take a smartphone or tablet, or pick from a dedicated handheld console. Atari has decided to jump aboard the smartphone/tablet route this time around, delivering their collection of iOS and Android titles such as RollerCoaster Tycoon­, Dungeons & Dragons: Warbands, Atari Casino, and Outlaw. Outlaw is a totally new take on an original Atari arcade hit, where it will arrive on iOS this coming November, not to mention iOS gamers will also see the first time release of RollerCoaster Tycoon and Dungeons & Dragons: Warbands. Do bear in mind that Android gamers will not be left out for the above mentioned titles, either.

Dungeons & Dragons: Warbands will cost $2.99 for the iPad this coming December, with Steam, Facebook and Android versions on their way as well. We do expect this turn-based strategy game to be quite the hit as you play one of four factions. Atari Casino would be free for iOS as it is released later this year, and folks who have this gambling addiction might just want to give the virtual one-arm bandit a go instead of losing real cash in the real world. Oh yeah, did we mention that Deer Hunter will be coming over to Facebook as well? [Press Release]

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Atari offering Greatest Hits for free to celebrate 40th anniversary, Oldsmobile seat control can actually work as an Atari joystick,

RollerCoaster Tycoon coming to iOS and Android in early 2013

Atari has reportedly confirmed plans to release RollerCoaster Tycoon for iOS and Android, resurrecting the iconic title for a new generation of mobile gamers. The game is one of a number of classics Atari has decided to re-fettle for smartphones, Slide To Play reports, and will be joined by Atari Casino, Outlaw, and an update to Centipede: Origins.

“We’ve spent this year focused on developing mobile games based on some of Atari’s most iconic and enduring franchises,” CEO Jim Wilson said of the ported titles. “Our upcoming lineup should make clear Atari’s strategy to work with the strengths of our key franchises and offer our expanding global audience of mobile gamers a collection of accessible and fun consumer experiences.”

Exactly how RollerCoaster Tycoon will be modified for mobile play hasn’t been revealed, though since it’s not expected to arrive on Apple and Android devices until Q1 2013, Atari has plenty of time to decide. For those who managed to miss the game first time around, the 1999 classic puts the player in charge of a virtual theme park, giving them control over the rides as well as maintenance.

The original allowed for both pre-configured rides and user-created rides to be created and deployed, but it’s unclear whether that will follow on in the new mobile versions. Meanwhile, Outlaw will feature hand-drawn graphics and Western-themed gameplay, and will be a free download in November.

Atari Casino will also be free, and available later in 2012, with slot machines, blackjack, and other games to play. Finally, Centipede: Origins will be updated with new maps, gadgets, items, and new challenges that can be played against friends. It will be released in November.

[via Pocket Tactics; Image via RCTGo]


RollerCoaster Tycoon coming to iOS and Android in early 2013 is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Atari Paddle Earrings and Cufflinks Help You Breakout of Your Fashion Rut

I always wonder what became of paddle controllers. You know, like the ones that you used to play the Atari 2600 with back in the day. There are certain types of games – especially paddle ball and driving games – that lend themselves well to the single-axis analog control these primitive input devices provided. Well even if you can’t play your PS3 or Xbox 360 with a paddle, you can still have paddle controllers in your life, albeit as jewelry, not to play games with.

atari paddle controller earrings

These nifty little Atari 2600 paddle stud earrings were created by Catrina’s Toybox as a follow-up to her equally nifty Atari 2600 joystick earrings. These tiny paddles measure about 1cm in length, and are handmade from polymer clay and resin – along with a tiny Atari paddle sticker for added detail.

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They’re also available as somewhat larger (1″ long) cufflinks, so guys and girls can both get in on the retro paddle action. I always wanted to play Super Breakout in formalwear, didn’t you?

atari paddle controller cufflinks 1

Perhaps the niftiest thing about these mini paddle controllers is that they actually turn from side-to-side. You have to be careful with them and not spin them all the way around, as they are delicate. Not that I didn’t break one or two actual Atari 2600 paddle controllers in my time.

atari paddle controller cufflinks

Both the paddle controller earrings and the cufflinks go for $25(USD) a pair – which, coincidentally is about what you’ll pay for a pair of real paddle controllers. Be sure to check out Catrina’s Etsy shop for many more great geeky jewelry items to add to your collection – including some great Hostess Twinkie earrings, sure to last about as long as the actual snack cakes.


Engadget Giveaway: win an exclusive Atari 2600 with PC components!

Engadget Giveaway win an exclusive Atari 2600 with PC components!

We’re not going to beat around the bush here: this is one of the most exciting contests we’ve hosted in a long, long time, and you’ll definitely want to enter. Our friends at Atari were kind enough to give us an extremely limited-edition (there are only two in existence) Atari 2600 gutted with modern PC components and signed by Atari founder Nolan Bushnell — and one lucky soul will be able to call this beauty their very own! The gaming company is doing this to promote the 35th anniversary of the 2600’s original release, as well as its latest creation, arcade.atari.com, which is an HTML5-driven, multitouch-supported hub that lets you play eight classic Atari games online (including Pong and Centipede). Not only that, the team — consisting of Atari and the Internet Explorer team — put together an SDK to help you build your own games on the classic platform. After you enter to win (all you have to do is leave a comment below), make sure you head over to the Arcade to spend countless more hours in the land of nostalgia.

Note: For bragging rights, feel free to post your high score as your comment entry.

Engadget Giveaway win an exclusive Atari 2600 with PC components!

Continue reading Engadget Giveaway: win an exclusive Atari 2600 with PC components!

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Engadget Giveaway: win an exclusive Atari 2600 with PC components! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atari and Zynga team up to reboot Breakout in ‘Super Bunny Breakout’ on iOS

Atari and Zynga team up to reboot Breakout in 'Super Bunny Breakout' on iOS

Atari may be little more than a vestige of its former self, but that isn’t stopping the publisher from crafting new versions of its classic games. “Super Bunny Breakout,” for example, is a project created with Ville-crafter Zynga, and it’s a new spin on Atari classic Breakout. Not to be outdone, Zynga’s added its own Zynga-esque flavor to the game, which means … in-app purchases. Yes indeed, rather than a regular ol’ ball bouncing around a stage, Super Bunny Breakout has players bouncing “a daredevil rabbit with an appetite for revenge — sadly, that rabbit (and his friends) have seasonal affective disorder (or something) and can’t help but lose energy. How to replenish that energy? You’ll “collect or purchase coins via in-app purchase,” apparently. Despite the stink of in-game purchases, Super Bunny Breakout costs $0.99 and is currently available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch through iTunes.

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Atari and Zynga team up to reboot Breakout in ‘Super Bunny Breakout’ on iOS originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atari 2600s get PC innards, 22,857 times more processing power

Atari 2600s get PC innards, 22,857 times more processing power

Atari games redesigned in HTML 5 may bring back a flood of nostalgia, but they leave out a key part of the gaming experience: the classic hardware. Hard Drives Northwest filled that void by gutting a limited number of authentic Atari 2600s and stuffing them with modern PC components. Packing a Core i7 3.4GHz processor, the retro console now boasts 22,857 times more processing power than it did in its heyday, according to Microsoft’s calculations — more than enough oomph to handle the recent remakes. Other internals include 8GB of RAM, a 120GB SSD and a Radeon HD 6570 graphics card with 1GB of video memory. With support for USB 3.0 and 2.0, eSATA, DisplayPort, DVI and HDMI, the system is well stocked on the connectivity front. Finally, the signature of Atari founder Nolan Bushnell acts as the cherry atop the faux wood grain-toting package. While the souped-up machines aren’t up for sale, a pair of them are slated for a giveaway. Glamour shots and the full set of specs await you at the source.

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Atari 2600s get PC innards, 22,857 times more processing power originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atari 2600 Joystick Earrings are a Joy to Wear

Gamer girls with a taste for retro consoles will get a tiny thrill from these handmade earrings, done up to look like miniature Atari 2600 joysticks. I always loved the firm, digital feeling of the old 2600 joystick – it worked great for arcade style games.

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They’re made by Etsy seller Catrina’s Toybox, using polymer clay. She used a touch of paint to add the detailed directional markers, and even gave it that worn feel that used to always happen after your sweaty palms were resting on the joystick for marathon Pitfall sessions.

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You can get your hands (and ears) on a pair of these Atari 2600 joystick earrings for $25(USD) over on Etsy. Catrina says she’s got more geeky crafts in the works, so we’re looking forward to checking those out as well. Hopefully, she has some paddles on the way – I always enjoyed Super Breakout.


Gamestop pondering a move into vintage games

Gamestop pondering a move into vintage games

GameStop CEO Paul Raines is planning on adding a vintage games store to the company’s online offerings. The outlet has been amassing warehouses full of classic titles that were traded in over the years, and the chief sees a “sales opportunity” in going toe-to-toe with sites like eBay. There are still several problems to overcome, including conditioning, sourcing and refurbishing the hardware abused by our younger selves — but at least we might be able to replace our busted SNES controllers without worrying about getting outbid at the last minute.

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Gamestop pondering a move into vintage games originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 11:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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