Overview
Pre-orders for the Atari-licensed THE 800XL are now open. This is a modernized yet faithful recreation of the classic 8-bit home computer popular in the early 1980s. While it comes with era-appropriate features like built-in Atari BASIC and a working cartridge slot, this remake includes a mechanical keyboard, 25 built-in games, save states, four USB ports, and HDMI connectivity. It also comes bundled with THECXSTICK joystick. THE 800XL is priced at $219.99 and is scheduled to ship on April 23, 2027.
The recreation aims to capture the original way of experiencing technology by combining real keys, physical cartridges, and BASIC programming with modern conveniences like USB ports and HDMI output to appeal to both newcomers and veterans.
Features and Games
The design maintains the look and feel of the original hardware. Among the 25 built-in games are titles such as Star Raiders II, Asteroids, Centipede, Battlezone, and Missile Command. Additionally, two extra games, Castle Crisis and Super Breakout, can be unlocked by plugging in an analog controller.
The complete list of pre-installed games includes Airball, Asteroids, Basketball, BattleZone, Berzerk, Boulder Dash, Bristles, Capture the Flag, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Elektraglide, Encounter, Flip and Flop, Henry’s House, Hover Bovver, Lee, M.U.L.E., Millipede, Miner 2049er, Missile Command, O’Riley’s Mine, The Seven Cities of Gold, Star Raiders II, Wavy Navy, and Yoomp!
The system features a working cartridge port that supports most original Atari 400, 800, XL, and XE cartridges.
Hardware Specifications
The original Atari 800XL was powered by the MOS Technology 6502B processor and supported by custom ANTIC, GTIA, and POKEY chips with 64KB of RAM. Detailed technical specifications for the internal hardware of THE 800XL have not yet been fully detailed.
Specifications:
Faithful design features a working cartridge slot and full-size mechanical keyboard.
25 built-in games, including Centipede, Missile Command, M.U.L.E., and Battlezone.
The cartridge slot supports most Atari 400, 800, XL, and XE cartridges.
Also features support for software created for 8-bit computers and the Atari 5200 console.
Load your own games and software from USB flash drives with cartridge, disk and cassette image support.
4 save slots per game.
Rewind feature allows you to skip back up to 40 seconds.
Built-in Atari BASIC.
HDMI output with PAL (50Hz) and NTSC (60Hz) support, authentic 4:3 and pixel-perfect display modes, plus optional CRT filters.
Choice of 12 display frames.
Includes updated THECXSTICK, a modern recreation of the joystick with eight buttons.
Connect additional controllers and USB storage devices via four USB-A ports.
Pricing and Availability
The revamped model is available for pre-order now priced at USD $219.99, GBP £199.99, EUR €219.99, and AUD $349.99.
