Image credit: Em Flint for Kyusai
The Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition is a tangible personification of the angular style of the 70s. Awash with the familiar canary yellow of Pac-Man, this stylish device delivers the ultimate retro experience for those who want to recapture the intoxicating days of playing Pac-Man on the Atari 2600 for the first time.
Released to celebrate Pac-Man’s 45th anniversary, it’s evidently intended for veteran fans and retro-gaming connoisseurs. But beyond its sleek plastic design and Pac-Man: Double Feature cartridge, does The Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition deliver enough to warrant its $169.99 price tag? It’s a fair question, especially for those who already own an Atari 2600+.
More than just a pretty face
Not everyone agrees that the Atari 2600+ is an attractive console, but I defy anyone to set eyes on the Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition and not be captivated by its looks. Although its color is garish, it unashamedly signals that its sole purpose is to entertain; it’s a conduit of fun.
Still, attractiveness matters for naught if it ends up being nothing more than a colorful conversation starter. Although I’ve been painfully reminded of my subpar Pac-Man skills since unboxing this nostalgic gem, I’m happy to report that this isn’t a case of style over substance.
The Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition delivers two Pac-Man games in one, accessed through the dip switches on the cartridge. There’s no need to turn the console off before flipping those switches, which adds an extra level of convenience.
Its most appealing feature, however, is its backward compatibility. Although this is a special edition console, you’re not restricted to only playing Pac-Man 7800 or Pac-Man 2600. Arguably, this makes it an ideal purchase for retro gaming enthusiasts, assuming you don’t already own an Atari 2600+, of course.
Essentially, this is an Atari 2600+ with a flashy paint job. Unless you have an insatiable love for Pac-Man and/or are an avid collector, you’re paying a decent amount of money for nothing more than a blast from the past with a novelty facelift.
An unvarnished, authentic experience
More often than not, when a modern version of a classic console is released, the issues of the past are addressed and improved. That isn’t the case here. As endearing as it is that Atari has stayed true to the original design and mechanics of the console, its rigidity can hinder your enjoyment. I’m specifically referring to its joystick.
Atari joysticks are known for being stiff, and the Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition is no exception. Perhaps this wouldn’t prove such a noticeable problem if you were playing a slow-paced title, but when you’re being chased by Blinky, Inky, Pinky, and Clyde, speed is of the essence, as is accuracy. Something which this controller doesn’t provide.
Rigidity issues continue with the Pac-Man cartridge itself, specifically when trying to remove it – it felt almost stuck, with me having to gently wriggle it out while grimacing at the awkward noise it made.
I know the Atari is known for being robust, but it feels almost too robust for its own good at times. Those unfamiliar with Atari cartridges may also find inserting a game confusing, as the artwork faces away from you rather than toward. Again, this is a traditional feature, but it’s awkward nonetheless.
For someone such as myself, who’s never owned an Atari, I don’t have the same rose-tinted nostalgia glasses that long-time fans have. That being said, I find myself enchanted by the Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition, warts and all. In many ways, the Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition would lose its charm without this level of authenticity.
FAQs
Simplicity is at the heart of the Atari, meaning that setting it up for the first time is straightforward.
Despite being perfectly designed for two players, only one joystick is provided. To purchase an additional joystick, it’ll cost you approximately $39.99.
Although previous Atari 2600+ joysticks have been wired, the Pac-Man Edition comes with a wireless controller, which connects to the device via a USB dongle.
Re-released versions of original Atari 2600 titles set you back roughly $29.99 each when bought new; however, you may be able to find second-hand titles for much cheaper.
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