23 Oct 2025
ATARI’S 800XL™ HOME COMPUTER RETURNS
Retro Games Ltd. brings back Atari’s best-selling 8-bit computer with mechanical keyboard,
25 built-in games, cartridge support and HDMI connectivity
Retro Games Ltd. brings back Atari’s best-selling 8-bit computer with mechanical keyboard, 25 built-in games, cartridge support and HDMI connectivity
Pre-Orders Available Today; Shipping April 23, 2027
NEW YORK – Oct. 8, 2026 – Atari today announced THE 800XL™ – a faithful recreation of its best-selling 8-bit computer, bringing the iconic machine and its extensive collection of games and software to a new generation. Designed by Retro Games Ltd., renowned for their authentic recreations of 1980s hardware, THE 800XL retains the look and feel of the original, including a full-sized mechanical keyboard, baked in Atari BASIC, and a working cartridge slot, while adding features designed for modern displays and gaming setups. The hardware, manufactured and distributed by PLAION REPLAI, is available for pre-order now for USD $219.99, GBP £199.99, EUR €219.99 and AUD $349.99, with shipping beginning on April 23, 2027.
“The 800XL represents an important moment in Atari’s history, when home computers were becoming a gateway to gaming, programming and creativity,” said Matt Burnett, VP of Strategic Operations at Atari. “It gave an entire generation the opportunity to discover what they could do with a computer, while offering an incredible catalog of games and software. That combination is what makes the 800XL such an important part of Atari’s legacy, and working with Retro Games Ltd. and Plaion we are excited to bring back this modernized version.”
First introduced in 1983, fans consider the 800XL the jewel in the crown of Atari’s line of personal computers. The unique, low-profile form factor housed a computer and cartridge slot within a full-sized keyboard. With 64KB of memory, custom chips for advanced graphics and sound, and built in BASIC, the original 800XL epitomized Atari’s position at the intersection of personal computing and gaming.
“The 800XL was one of those rare machines that really showed what an 8-bit home computer could be capable of,” said Stuart Chiplin, COO at Retro Games Ltd. “When recreating it, we wanted to capture not just how the original looked, but what made it such a compelling computer – the freedom it gave people to play, program and create. A lot of work has gone into making THE 800XL feel authentic while bringing the experience up to date for today’s players.”
25 Built-In Games
With support for Atari 8-bit home computer software, THE 800XL gives players access to decades of classics. Players can instantly enjoy 25 built-in titles or load their own games and software from USB flash drives with cartridge, disk and cassette image support.
The 25 built-in games are:
- Airball™, Asteroids®, Basketball™, BattleZone™ and Berzerk™: Five classic arcade-inspired titles spanning action, shooting and sports.
- Boulder Dash®, Bristles, Capture the Flag, Centipede® and Crystal Castles®: A mix of arcade, puzzle and strategy classics.
- Elektraglide, Encounter, Flip and Flop, Henry’s House and Hover Bovver: A selection of driving, shooting and platforming games.
- Lee, M.U.L.E., Millipede®, Miner 2049er® and Missile Command®: More Atari 8-bit favorites featuring strategy, platforming and arcade action.
- O’Riley’s Mine, The Seven Cities of Gold, Star Raiders® II, Wavy Navy and Yoomp!™: A final selection featuring exploration, strategy, space combat and arcade action.
Of the 25 built-in titles, eight are licensed Atari first-party games and 17 are licensed third-party games. Two additional titles - Castle Crisis and Super Breakout® - are hidden on the game carousel and can be unlocked by connecting an analog controller.
8-Bit Support
The original supported decades’ worth of games, applications and home-grown software development. With a working cartridge slot, and the ability to load and run programs via USB, THE 800XL supports software created for the Atari 400™, 800, XL and XE 8-bit computers, as well as games developed for the Atari 5200® console, giving users access to a vast library of gaming and computing history.
Atari BASIC
With Atari BASIC built in, the new 800XL allows a new generation to discover the simple thrill of writing their first program, while returning homebrew developers can pick up where they left off decades ago. Programs can be written, saved and loaded, making THE 800XL a computer to experiment with as much as a machine to play games on.
Modern Connectivity
THE 800XL adds modern quality of life improvements in a form factor for modern households, including:
- HDMI for Modern Displays: HDMI output supports PAL (50Hz) and NTSC (60Hz) with authentic 4:3 and pixel-perfect display modes, plus optional CRT filters
- USB Connectivity: Four USB-A ports support additional controllers and USB storage devices, while power is supplied via the included USB-C cable
- Save and Rewind Gameplay: Save progress at any time using one of four save slots per game and rewind gameplay by up to 30 seconds, whether playing built-in games, side-loaded software or cartridges
Putting the “Joy” in Joystick
Completing the package is a refined THECXSTICK, Retro Games’ modern recreation of Atari’s iconic joystick, designed to capture the feel of the original while adding extra versatility. The joystick features the classic fire button and seven integrated action and function buttons discreetly built into its classic design. The package also includes a USB-A to USB-C power cable, HDMI cable and a Quick Guide.
“There is something gloriously unapologetic about the Atari 800XL,” said Namer Merli, Senior Product Marketing Manager, PLAION REPLAI. Today our technology comes in black, white, silver and glass. “In 1983, apparently the future came in brown, cream and burnt orange … and it looked fantastic. But what I love most about THE 800XL is that it captures an entire way of experiencing technology. Real keys, real cartridges, a proper joystick, BASIC programming, games, secrets and discovery.”
Pre-order THE 800XL today on atari.com, plaionreplai.com and a wide range of retailers worldwide; shipping begins on April 23, 2027.