Christmas has always been an exciting time, and though I am well into my adult years, I still get an intense excitement leading up to Christmas. Not only do I now get excited for my now six year old son, but I still seamed to have kept the inner child excitement for myself. Although I am now far too busy to spend endless hours playing video games, I am still and will always remain a gamer at heart.
From the feeling of opening a new system or game, to the smell of a freshly opened video game magazine, I love every aspect of gaming, and love creating new memories with my son to add to my already amazing memories from when I was a kid. One such example was a recent remake of a child hood memory. When I was a young kid, my parent, my sisters, and I would join around the TV every Wednesday night to play Megamania on the Atari 2600. This was our family game night, and the competition was intense. I recently had the idea to try to rekindle the feeling by having a game night with my wife and son, this time with Megamania on the Atari Flashback 8 Gold edition by At Games. The night was just as fun as I had remembered as a child, and the timeless game never gets old to me.
As we near closer to Christmas day, kids and adult around the world are preparing their Christmas list, so I thought that I would take a few minutes to create a list of top Atari products for your Christmas list this year.
The Atari Speakerhat
From the newly released Pong edition Speakerhat, to the popular Blade Runner version, the Atari Speakerhat has been getting some great reveiews for its great look and amazing quality speakers that sit on the bottom side of the bill. The Pong, Fuji Blackout, Royal Blue/White, Black/White, and Bladerunner versions can all be purchased at www.Atarilife.com.
At Games Atari Flashback 8 Gold Activision Edition
With this years Atari Flashback releases from At Games, there are several to choose from, and which one makes it to the top of your Christmas list depends on what games you wish to have. Because I had preordered the Atari Flashback 8 Gold Edition from Gamestop, and had it the day of the release, The Flashback 8 Gold Activision Edition is at the top of my Christmas list. With 10 more games than the 8 Gold, the Activision addition packs a good gaming punch for any fans of the Atari 2600 and the Activision franchise.
At Games Atari Flashback 8 Gold Edition / 8 Gold Deluxe Edition
Coming in at a close second to the Activision edition is the Atari Flashback 8 Gold edition. With 120 games, wifi controllers, hdmi output, and additional features such as save and rewind, the latest Atari Flashback 8 Gold consoles by At Games are definitely a must have for any retro gamer this Christmas. The Flashback 8 Gold Deluxe Edition comes with two additional wired paddle controllers. MegaMania, H.E.R.O., and River Raid have already given me plenty of enjoyment. A top ten list of games on the Flashback 8 Gold Console might be a great idea for a future article. https://atgames.co/collections/the-atari-flashback-lineup
At Games Atari Flashback 8
For a budget gift on the list, the Atari Flashback 8 brings an incredible list of 105 games. Though not as many games, wired controllers, and no hdmi output, the At Games Atari Flashback 8 console will still bring hours of gaming fun. https://atgames.co/collections/the-atari-flashback-lineup
At Games Atari Flashback Portable
At Games released the original Atari Flashback Portable just in time for the Christmas season last year, and I have had many hours of portable Atari gaming fun over the past year. One of the key features of the portable is the built in SD card slot, which allows gamers to play games saved on an SD card. This years portable console comes with 70 games, including Pacman. https://atgames.co/collections/the-atari-flashback-lineup
Atari Flashback Classics Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 for Xbox One and PS4
Packing 50 classic Atari games in each volume, the Atari Flashback Classics Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 by At Games is a great stocking stuffer for any retro gamer. Grab your Xbox One or PS4 controller, and enjoy the Atari classics.
pQube ‘Atari “Retro” Handheld' and 'Atari "Retro" Plug and Play TV Joystick'
A sleek new Atari 2600 portable has hit the scene, complete with wood grain, and a serious nostalgic look to it. Packed with 50 built in games, the Atari Retro Handheld by pQube has a 2.4" screen and A/V output. The Atari Retro Plug and Play TV Joystick has 50 built in games with A/V out and a unique “button on top” function that combines the classic Atari 2600 design with classic Arcade design! Both systems are available exclusively through Funstock Retro in the UK, and only available to purchase outside of the US/NA regions. http://pqube.co.uk/atari/
Atari Official Merchandise from Rock.com
Get your official Atari fan an official Atari shirt, hoodie, blanket, or one of many other great Atari branded items for Christmas at Rock.com. Featuring some of the most iconic games such as Missile Command, Asteroids, Centipede, and Pong, the list of Atari merchandise available is sure to be appreciated by any Atari fan. https://www.rock.com/brand/atari
Centipede Board Game - Exclusive Atari 2600 Edition
If you are in the mood for a game of Centipede, but want to get away from technology for a while, then the Centipede Board Game is the perfect gift to have on this years Christmas list. Available at ThinkGeek, the Centipede board game brings the feel of the original Atari 2600 video game to the table top. http://www.thinkgeek.com
The Ataribox
If you are in the mood for a game of Centipede, but want to get away from technology for a while, then the Centipede Board Game is the perfect gift to have on this years Christmas list. Available at ThinkGeek, the Centipede board game brings the feel of the original Atari 2600 video game to the table top. http://www.thinkgeek.com
The Ataribox
Though not yet released, an Atari Christmas wishlist would not be complete without including the Ataribox. The retro/modern gaming console has been the talk of Atari fans since the early teasers, and as more information gets released, Atari continues to have fans at the edge of their seats with anticipation for the next major Atari console release. Many fans have a side wishlist of their own of games they would like to see released for the new console, and Atari Edge will be working on a list of games we would like to see released for the Ataribox in a future article. https://ataribox.com
