ATARI GAMESTATION PRO

Thought I'd start a thread about the new Atari Gamestation Pro (GSP) from MyArcade.

I've been interested in in since it was previewed at one of the American game shows earlier in the year. It's now due out within the next month and has evolved into a neat looking little unit that comes with two joysticks with spinner controls and a selection of Atari 2600, 5200, 7800 and Arcade games built in. Importantly it also has a Micro-SD card slot included as well and you can add your own Atari/Nes/Megadrive etc games to it. Amazon UK don't have a price for it yet, but Argos have it on pre-order for £119.

Here's the first YouTube review of it courtesy of GenXGrownUp


So what do you think folks, does this appeal to anyone here? Or how about the Atari 2600+ as an alternative?

 

Hmmm.... I'll keep me eyes peeled, Al... you never know, as I keep coming back to the 7800 as an attractive retro console option.

Just went through that video and at 1st I didn't like the look of the poor number of 5200 and 7800 titles but of course at the back of your mind you remember that this thing has an SD card slot... lo and behold, as well as the arcade bonus titles - and other console games - you can actually add a shedful more 5200 & 7800 titles etc.

It's a winner, mate.

I like it.

A lot

 

The 7800 versions of Asteroids, Centipede and Galaga are my favourites of all the home conversions.

Overall, the 7800 is a cracking little system. I've now pre-ordered a GSP from Argos

 

If anyone now wants to know what I wants for Chrimbo.... !!

 

The Atari2600+ is essentially a 7800 in a 2600 style case. It plays games from both systems just like the 7800, but with HDMI output. The bit I don't care for is that it is emulated, not FPGA. So I'll stick with my 7800 and it's S-video mod upscaled to VGA through my adapter/upscaler.

The Game Station Pro supports the 5200 and arcade titles too and has an SD slot for future possibilities. I believe it is also emulated too...

By the way, even though the Game Station is licensed from Atari and made by My Arcade it appears to be fully supported by Atari as a product along side the 2600+, and can be purchased from the Atari.com store (which has now been changed from AtariVCS.com to just Atari.com) just like the 2600+ and Atari VCS 800.

https://atari.com/blogs/newsroom/my-arcade-releases-the-atari-gamestation-pro-with-200-games

 

That's right, both units are software based emulation rather than FPGA as the cost would be prohibitive.
I'm not bothered on the methods used to emulate, as long as it feels close enough to the original. And right now, probably around 90% of my retro gaming is done under emulation anyway.

What I am looking forward to is an easy way to plug a compact little unit into the living room TV or take on holiday with me and have lots of my favourite Atari games ready to play. The GSP probably fulfills that role best with it's SD card an easy use of rom files.

One of the Atari team likened the 2600+ to the experience of playing your old vinyl with a new turntable and I quite like that idea. Also the 2600+ looks cute as hell with it's light up Atari logo on the front lol.

As Matt says as well, the GSP looks to be getting fully promoted by Atari which although perhaps seeminly a strange move that puts it into competition with the 2600+ is a nice thing to see. On the other hand, as Atari have licensed the 2600+ to be manufactured by a third party they probably win either way and get wider brand recognition in stores and online over the Christmas holidays.

I also think if Atari get things right with brining out new cartridges at a decent price they could create a decent niche market for people who collect or want to just play some old school games.

 

Agreed, Al.

I'm looking for portability too and the joy of either rediscovery of old games (but improved in the graphics and sound departments - not to mention those controllers being so sweet) or brand new experiences as I've played next to zero 5200/7800 Atari console conversions so that's a whole lot of new Atari gaming for me ahead - game on!

 

The 7800 is vastly underrated I think. Not so sure about the 5200 personally with it's analogue controller and keypad.

Further reports appearing now that the GSP supports the Xbox Series X wireless controller.

 

Seems like Costco in America now have the GSP available in store for $80.

 

Amazingly one of the Costco USA stores had the GSP on special offer at $49.97 a few days ago. Talk about a bargain!

Over here I have been having a great time playing around with it. Atari, Gameboy, NES, Master System and Megadrive emulation are all top notch. PC Engine will be good when they sort out the button configuration. SNES likewise, although you then see it start to struggle with the music in some games. Hopefully the next firmware update won't be far away.

It has now been moved from the man-cave to under the TV in the living room as the wirless controllers make it ideal for playing from the settee. I've tried a lot of similar machines in the past, bu the GSP is by far the best yet for playing old roms without having to start hacking the system.

 

50 bucks in the states, 150 bucks to send it to you

It sounds a nice system as I've said before...I've been playing as much as I can, I just keep testing emulated games on this mini PC and I'm just blown away. Was reading a review from last year of a earlier version of what I have and it says that running PCSX2 (PS2) with Gran Turismo 4 got him 15fps, I ran it and got a solid 60fps, even on the more testing filled screens. The same guy said Outrun Coast to Coast (a fave of most folks) ran at 30fps with dips, again a rock solid 60 here. I'm wondering if he's mistaking games that are locked to 30fps, which some are because they could not give a solid 60fps (or 50fps in PAL land) so they bolted it at 30 so to give smooth gaming.

The nice thing is that I'm playing more and really enjoying it, the neck has been kind and not totally spoiled the gaming. Anyway Al, you enjoy that machine, it's clearly floating your boat. Hope they get the music and pad sorted, it really would be an even more cracking system with that.

 

60 fps, that's impressive Paul! Outrun Coast to Coast is certainly one of my favourites.

Good that you are also getting to enjoy a bit of gaming again as well. Between your PC and PS5 you will be well sorted this Christmas. I'm still using my old desktop pc for emulation purposes (up to Saturn) and want to spend a bit of time playing some racing games on my PS2 over Christmas if I get the chance.

Also waiting on the new beta firmware coming out for the 2600+. I was in two minds about keeping it or not, but it's just such a lovely feeling machine to play on. The update should improve colours in the PAL palette and swap the fire buttons for 7800 games.

Happy gaming mate!

 

Same to yourself...

 

Great to hear you guys enjoying yourselves - especially Paul overcoming some of his chronic aches and pains - and getting the most from your emulations and equipment.
Al, I deffo will seek one of those GSPs in the New Year - many thanks for the bargain basement price updates... I will track one down this side of the pond that is also at a best price once I've put a few quid by... hopefully, that's all I'll need

 

Hmmm... tempting, lads:

 

Go for it Andy, really enjoying it so far. I've hardly even touched the included 'bonus' arcade games as I've been playing with the 7800 side of it so much. Well worth the money.

p.s. that Amazon supplier is the same one I got my GSP from

 

C'mon, it's Xmas time, time for a treat...

 

You guys are making that offer IMPOSSIBLE TO RESIST.... now where's Bev's credit card??

 

I maxed Bev's card out getting the PS5 and PC

 

So Andy, did Bev give you access to the flexible friend?

 

I'm pretty sure she did...He's a man with a look in his eye...

 

Pretty sure that's just a nervous twitch from being an Oric owner.

 

Lol....

 

If only, lads, if only...

 

Still having lots of fun with the GSP. I did put a heap on roms on to an SD card but it all became a bit overwhelming so I cut it back to my favourite games on other consoles (Sensi Soccer, Dragon's Fury, Test Drive, Outrun, etc) and the Trebor 7800 romset. It's amazing the speed difference between some of the PAL and NTSC releases. My Arcade have a few new releases being announced at CES next week and a couple could possibly be new controller styles for the GPS so will be interesting to see what is released.