Atari's 50th Anniversary Celebration Expands with 39 More Classic Games
Atari, a pioneering force in the early home video game console market, continues to celebrate its legacy. Following the success of Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, released in 2022, a significantly enhanced Extended Edition is set to launch on October 25th, 2024. This new version will include a massive expansion of its already impressive collection.
The original Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration featured over 90 retro games, spanning from the Atari 2600 to the Atari Jaguar, and included remasters of beloved titles like Yar's Revenge, Quadratank, and Haunted House. The collection also offered a fascinating five-part interactive timeline detailing Atari's history.
The Extended Edition, arriving on all major consoles and the Atari VCS, adds a staggering 39 games to the mix. This expansion also introduces two new timelines: "The Wider World of Atari" and "The First Console War."
"The Wider World of Atari" will showcase 19 playable games alongside eight video segments, highlighting Atari's enduring impact on the gaming world. This section includes new interviews, vintage advertisements, and historical artifacts, meticulously researched and compiled by Digital Eclipse.
"The First Console War" delves into the legendary rivalry between the Atari 2600 and Mattel's Intellivision during the early 1980s. This timeline features 20 playable games and six video segments, recounting the battle that ultimately saw Atari emerge victorious, albeit briefly before the 1983 video game crash.
While the specific titles included in the expansion remain undisclosed, Atari has confirmed a deep dive into the classic 1980 shooter Berzerk, alongside lesser-known late-80s titles and fan favorites from Mattel's M Network division.
A physical release for Nintendo Switch and PS5 is also planned. The Switch version will include a Steelbook with bonus items such as Atari 2600 art cards, miniature arcade marquee signs, and an Al Alcorn Replica Syzygy Co. business card. The physical Switch edition will retail at $49.99, while the standard digital edition will be priced at $39.99.
