Skip to main content GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love Search GamesRadar+ View Profile Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Tabletop Gaming Toys & Collectibles Retro Gamer Newsletters Total Film Gaming Magazines Why subscribe? Subscribe from just £3 Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love Try a single issue or save on a subscription Issues delivered straight to your door or device From£9.99Subscribe now The Fantastic Four: First Steps Donkey Kong Bananza Switch 2 Starter Pack Recommended reading Did I wake up in 1982? A new Commodore 64 is coming, and the nephew of the ZX Spectrum creator is making a handheld This tiny Atari console is naturally great for Pac-Man, but I use it to play one of the most cursed retro games from the '80s The Super Pocket is still keeping the heart of physical gaming alive, and the latest retro handheld flavors are distracting me from the Switch 2 3 years later, my favorite retro game collection is getting fresh DLC complete with the "first-ever re-release" of the broken Pac-Man port that became the best-selling game of the pre-Nintendo era Prime Day doesn't always provide retro console riches, but here are three gadgets I'd actually grab This mini arcade machine is my favorite retro game room gadget, and it makes for a phenomenal conversation starter The Super Pocket retro handheld is cheaper than a Switch 2 game, but you'll want to grab one before that potentially changes A new Atari 2600 is coming that "perfectly honors the timeless spirit of Pac-Man," but I'm more excited for its free cartridge Phil Hayton 23 July 2025 The Atari 2600+ Pac-Man edition even keeps a hint of woodgrain! When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Atari / Phil Hayton) More ways to play Atari games RetroN 77 |$74.39 at Amazon Atari 2600+ | $124.79 at Amazon It's time to get that old box of carts back out, as a new Atari 2600+ console with Pac-Man vibes is on the way. The special edition console celebrates the puck-shaped arcade star's 45th anniversary with a very yellow getup, complete with glowing ghosts and a matching joystick. However, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't more interested in this system's pack-in game. In a press release, Atari says it is "thrilled to be collaborating with Bandai Namco once again" on the new Pac-Man 2600+ console. The iconic character's creators also say the best retro console contender "perfectly honors the timeless spirit of Pac-Man, blending nostalgia with fresh experiences to reconnect new and existing fans with one of gaming’s most iconic characters.” The Pac-Man 2600+ comes in at $169.99 / £127.40, and pre-orders are set to kick off today. It hasn't hit any of the usual storefronts yet, but it is a chunk more expensive than the 2023 model in the US. Whether or not the MSRP is tied to the ongoing tariff situation is uncertain, but bear in mind that it's a special edition of the console with a new aesthetic design. You may like Did I wake up in 1982? A new Commodore 64 is coming, and the nephew of the ZX Spectrum creator is making a handheld This tiny Atari console is naturally great for Pac-Man, but I use it to play one of the most cursed retro games from the '80s The Super Pocket is still keeping the heart of physical gaming alive, and the latest retro handheld flavors are distracting me from the Switch 2 (Image credit: Atari) I'm a pretty big Pac-Man stan, and while we don't talk about the original Atari 2600 version of the game in this house (it's bad), I'm glad the pizza-shaped menace is getting a second chance on the console. The system certainly offers up one of the nicest ways to gump down ghosts since it's rocking 720p HDMI output and fully cartridge support, and it also supports both 2600 and 7800 cartridges. On that note, the Atari 2600+ Pac-Man edition actually comes with a "brand new" version of the arcade caper that leverages 7800 tech. For those of you who don't speak retro console nonsense, that virtually means it looks and sounds better, but the cursed 1982 version. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Atari / Bandai Namco) (Image credit: Bandai Namco) If you're big into Atari, you'll be aware that there are homebrew versions of Pac-Man for the 7800 already out there. Whether or not this new edition is a port of one of those or something different entirely remains to be seen, but it does mean you'll get to play the game '80s players should have gotten in the most authentic way possible. I'd personally still ditch the CX40 joystick, as I've never been a fan of its mushy feel, but that's very much a subjective decision. Controversially, I don't think it'll be players looking for a proper retro console workhorse who are eyeing up the Atari 2600+ Pac-Man edition. In truth, I think it'll appeal more to the collectors out there who want to pay true tribute to the puck as they turn 45. Sure, it'll also help you play original carts in HD, but it's going to look pretty sick in a game room with its aggressively yellow housing and illuminated Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde ghosts. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. (Image credit: Atari) If you look closely at the new design, you'll also be able to spot that it retains a hint of woodgrain at the front. The Pac-Man edition is actually pretty in keeping with the original "Darth Vader" VCS, which features an all black design. I imagine most players would prefer the brown OG system over that variant, so adding in a splash of Pac-Man is a clever way to stealth release the model. Of course, if you've got no love for the original VCS, you might want to consider the Atari 7800+ instead. The features are all largely the same in that it boasts a cartridge slot and runs games at 720p using baked-in emulation. However, you're getting Bentley Bear's Crystal Quest, a homebrew NES-style sequel to Crystal Castles, and wireless gamepads included, not to mention the design fully embodies the '80s console's look and feel. (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) If you're really not fussed about physical cartilage support, or prefer the world of 8-bit microcomputing, there's also an Atari 400 Mini out there. It's an adorably small take on the company's first home computer that'll run your old ROMs, and it's unique in that it'll play 5200 games too. It can also tap into much fuller software features than the other consoles, like save states, meaning it's more than just the original system with HDMI output. (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) I've been covering retro consoles professionally for a large chunk of my adult life, and I can't quite get over how many OG systems are getting revamped models in 2025. I mean, a new Commodore 64 is in the pipeline alongside a handheld by the ZX Spectrum inventor's nephew, so now is an amazing time to explore an era of gaming you potentially missed. It might have felt like the mini console craze ended after the NES and SNES Classic Editions, but approachable plug-and-play systems are absolutely on the rise. More retro consoles at Amazon Hyperkin Retron 2 HD | $74.99 $65.97 at Amazon Miyoo Mini Plus | $60.99 $56.99 at Amazon Looking for more ways to play the classics? Swing by the best gaming handheld for portable options. You'll also want to peek at the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck dock if you're using Valve's portable PC. Phil Hayton Social Links Navigation Hardware Editor Phil is the Hardware Editor at GamesRadar and joined the team in 2023. In the past, they've also contributed to the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, the BBC, and PCGamesN, but these days, they specialize in testing the latest gaming handhelds, monitors, TVs, and PC components. They're also extremely nerdy about retro consoles and playing the classics on both new and old systems. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Did I wake up in 1982? A new Commodore 64 is coming, and the nephew of the ZX Spectrum creator is making a handheld This tiny Atari console is naturally great for Pac-Man, but I use it to play one of the most cursed retro games from the '80s The Super Pocket is still keeping the heart of physical gaming alive, and the latest retro handheld flavors are distracting me from the Switch 2 3 years later, my favorite retro game collection is getting fresh DLC complete with the "first-ever re-release" of the broken Pac-Man port that became the best-selling game of the pre-Nintendo era Prime Day doesn't always provide retro console riches, but here are three gadgets I'd actually grab This mini arcade machine is my favorite retro game room gadget, and it makes for a phenomenal conversation starter Latest in Hardware A Pokémon Legends Z-A Switch 2 bundle is coming October 16, but I'm sad it's not a limited edition console MSI Claw A8 price leaks seeming point towards an absurd MSRP, and I'm already heartbroken for the handheld For $30, this Switch 2 case is my knight in shining Nintendo armor Did I wake up in 1982? 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