Atari and Activision have somewhat of a turbulent history, but the two publishers are teaming back up in the name of new cartridges. The collection will provide vintage console fans with the chance to nab 12 standard edition releases, including Pitfall!, River Raid, Kaboom!, and H.E.R.O, and if you're feeling really fancy, you can add 39 "deluxe" boxed classics to your shelf with ludicrous price tags.
The Atari x Activision Collection almost feels like two old pals finally falling back in. While there hasn't been any real animosity between the two publishing giants, the developer of '80s hits like Pitfall and River Raid originally broke away from the retro console maker in 1979 to become the first-ever third-party developer for the 2600. Let's just say the four programmers who started the legendary company, David Crane, Alan Miller, Bob Whitehead, and Larry Kaplan, weren't happy with their treatment at Atari, and the rest is history.
Of course, even though those grudges were left back in the '80s, the two companies evolved as seperate entities. That matters today since we now have shiny new systems like the Atari 2600+ remake ($129 at Amazon, FYI) accompanied by real carts and even retro handhelds like the Activision Super Pocket loaded up with the developer's classic capers. Normally, you have to opt for something attributed to Atari or Activision, but the new cart collaboration unites the two after almost 50 years.
If you're simply seeking physical Activision cartridges you can play using original hardware or the new Atari 7800+ or 2600+ emulation-based remakes, you're looking at $34.99 / £27. That batch of cardboard releases sticks to just 12 of the console's third-party greats, but you can go absolutely wild and pick up the four "Deluxe" collector's boxes at a staggering $249.99 / £261 a pop.
I should note that with the Treasure, Speed, Secrets, and Victory Deluxe boxes, you're getting a bunch of feelies with each of the 39 games. You'll be treated to collectable patches and pins to stick on your denim jacket, and if you somehow have $999.96 / £1,006 (?!) for the "Complete Collection", you'll also get a mysterious to-be-announced collectable item.
For just shy of $1,000, I'd personally be expecting a solid gold Atari, but I don't want to yuck anyone's collectable yum. At the same time, the Atari x Activision clearly isn't geared towards casual players who want to embrace physical retro gaming, as even the $35 MSRP tied to the standard editions is a little steep.
I'm not completely down with the price tags, but I do appreciate the sentiment behind the Atari x Activision collection. In a statement marking the reveal, the company's VP of hardware, Matt Burnett, acknowledges the historical significance of the breakup that happened way back in the '70s.
هەفتانە هەرسکردنەکان، چیرۆکەکانی ئەو کۆمەڵگایانەی کە خۆشت دەوێن و زۆر شتی تر
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/retro/48-years-later-atari-is-finally-reuniting-with-activision-to-bring-back-cartridges-but-im-holding-out-for-more-than-pitfall
