Atari opens pre-orders for THE 800XL: the return of the legendary 8-bit home computer from the 80s

In 2027, Atari is set to release THE 800XL - a replica of one of its personal computers from the 80s. The device features a mechanical keyboard, an improved THECXSTICK joystick, a cartridge slot, and 25 built-in games.

Atari has announced THE 800XL — an exact replica of the 8-bit home computer from 1983 that introduced millions of people to the world of gaming, programming, and digital creativity.

The “new product” combines authentic style with modern convenience: a full-size mechanical keyboard, HDMI output, 25 built-in games, and a cartridge slot that supports most cartridges from Atari 400, 800, XL, and XE.

It will also be possible to load your own games and programs from USB flash drives thanks to support for cartridge, disk, and cassette images. When playing built-in projects, third-party software, or inserted cartridges, you can save at any time (4 save slots available per game) and instantly rewind gameplay by up to 30 seconds.

THE 800XL trailer from PLAION UK's YouTube channel

With THE 800XL, you can write and save your own programs in the built-in Atari BASIC language. Enjoy perfectly scaled images via HDMI output with PAL (50 Hz) and NTSC (60 Hz) support, an authentic 4:3 aspect ratio, pixel-perfect display mode, and additional filters that mimic CRT TVs.

Plus, you can personalize the screen's appearance with 12 decorative frames. The kit includes an improved THECXSTICK joystick — a modern replica of the iconic Atari joystick with eight built-in action and function buttons subtly integrated into the classic design.

Additional controllers and USB drives can be connected via four USB-A ports, and power can be supplied using the included USB-C cable. The list of built-in games is as follows: Airball, Asteroids, Basketball, BattleZone, Berzerk, Boulder Dash, Bristles, Capture the Flag, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Elektraglide, Encounter, Flip and Flop, Henry’s House, Hover Bovver, Lee, M.U.L.E., Millipede, Miner 2049er, Missile Command, O’Riley’s Mine, The Seven Cities of Gold, Yoomp!, Star Raiders II, and Wavy Navy.

THE 800XL is available for pre-order now for $219 (18,620 rubles). The release and shipping of the device are scheduled for April 23, 2027.