NEW: Atari 2600 Plus Pac-Man edition

4.0 /5

NEW: Atari 2600 Plus Pac-Man edition

A true piece of history has been released. It's a retro console, but it feels like it has just been teleported from your childhood room. The top-notch feeling of nostalgia hits you as soon as you open the packaging of this beautiful console. The Atari 2600 Plus, placed on the TV stand, reminds you of a movie set from the late '70s. There’s something special about that yellow box, definitely more than in various retro designer lamps and decorations.

pac-man game card — Pac-Man double feature

pac-man double feature game card - front side — Pac-Man double feature

Connections

The console has ports for 2 controllers, an HDMI output, and a USB-C power port. Additionally, it has switches for:

game difficulty,
aspect ratio change 14:9/4:3,
TV type,
Game Select,
Game Reset,
Power.

back side of Atari 2600 Plus Pac-Man edition

The front panel, where the old ghosts from the gang and the Atari logo are, conveniently lights up when the console is powered on. This detail stands out especially in an evening setting and further decorates your living room. The Atari 2600 Plus Pac-Man edition comes with a wireless CX40 Plus joystick and the game Pac-Man: Double Feature. The wireless controller is identical to the old one in every way, with a couple of essential details that make a difference. At the very top of the stick is a Pac-Man design. The ring around the stick is decorated with details like power pellets and dots (which are embossed). Additionally, alternative sticks that match the ghost gang have also been released for sale.

This console edition comes with one controller, which means that for two-player gaming, you'll need to spend extra money to get an Atari controller or you will have to use one of the supported 9-pin D-controllers. One small downside… Definitely the excessive stiffness of the D-controller itself, so you'll likely have to hold the controller with both hands for a while, but since it's a wireless controller, that becomes a much smaller issue. It's particularly interesting that the D-controller comes with a USB adapter.

console back side Atari 2600 Plus Pac-Man edition with directional joystick on it and wireless dongles — D-Controller with connectors

connectors for d-pad — D-Controller with connectors

Hardware

Although the appearance of the Atari 2600 Plus Pac-Man edition remains true to the original, the interior does not. Namely, this upgrade for the CX-20 controller definitely could not have been achieved with just a firmware update, but rather required a hardware revision that is more similar to the 7800+ than the 2600+ as that would disable support for the CX-20. This hardware revision is definitely present in the new 2600+.

On a large television, the picture is neat and sharp, and the 2600 Plus is clearly visible even on a modern panel. The joystick is somewhat stiffer, but it will probably loosen up a bit with use over time. So, that's definitely a downside. It would have been much better if it were softer, but hey, we're going for that retro feel. Back then, it wasn't a problem, and you were happy to play a round… of any arcade! This time - with a wireless controller…

You can start the game by inserting the card into the good old card slot. You can hear the tension of the metal spring. The card is a 2-in-1 edition, allowing you to choose which game you want to play. So, you can play the original Atari 2600 version or the “new” version for Atari 7800. The new version is by Bob DeCrescenza and is definitely a must-try since it’s made by a legend. DeCrescenzo studied the source code of the original arcade game and tried to recreate that feeling as faithfully as possible. Not only did he succeed, but he almost perfected it. Of course, there are also game enhancements like player speed boosts and random maze generation. Along with the game, you receive a manual that nicely displays the combination matrices that can be achieved through various option combinations.

yellow Atari 2600 Plus Pac-Man edition powered on with ATARI sign lighting on the right of the console, blinky, pinky, inky and dinky on the left chasing pacman and on the right to the console the directional controller with pacman details on it — Powered on console

The main point of the 2600 Plus line is that it reads physical cartridges for the 2600 and 7800. This is a lifesaver for attic collections and good old archives, and additionally - Atari maintains an official compatibility list that is constantly updated. The old scene on the AtariAge forums is still the fastest when it comes to reporting where something is glitching or which title needs firmware attention. The point is simple. Most classics work, a few exotic titles won't.

Verdict

If you already have original cartridges or want a physical connection with games, the 2600 Plus Pac Man Edition is an excellent bridge between the CRT era and 4K cabinets. If you want a plug and play catalog of hundreds of titles without fiddling around with media, there are mini consoles and collections with built-in games that offer an easy life. This is a device for people who love the crunch of plastic and the smell of old manuals… or for those who want to be that. I have definitely already ordered a few extra game cartridges!

We definitely recommend this console to all retro gaming enthusiasts.

A copy of the console for testing purposes was provided by distributor Colby and manufacturer Atari