The 80s are back as Atari announces imminent 2600 console relaunch

The gaming experiences of the 1980s are making a comeback with the return of the cult Atari 2600 console and its classic joystick. — Photo: Atari/Plaion/dpa

TOKYO: Nostalgia buffs and Luddites rejoice: Atari is reviving its pioneering 2600 video games console, complete with HDMI connectivity to enable the device to play 1980s classics on the latest monster flat-screen TVs.

The company said it would work with games developer Plaion to launch "a modern day faithful recreation of the pioneering console that first appeared in 1980." The reborn 2600, set for a November 17 launch, might be a technological dinosaur compared to the latest Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony devices, but it is to come with 10 gaming classics, including Adventure, Combat, Yars Revenge, and Missile Command.