Atari’s 800XL Returns as a Modernized 8-Bit Computer

Atari has announced THE 800XL™, a faithful recreation of its best-selling 8-bit home computer, bringing the classic machine and its extensive games and software library to a new generation. Designed by Retro Games Ltd., known for recreating 1980s hardware, it preserves the original’s appearance and feel with a full-sized mechanical keyboard, built-in Atari BASIC and a working cartridge slot, while adding features for modern displays and gaming setups.

Manufactured and distributed by PLAION REPLAI, THE 800XL is available to pre-order for USD $219.99, GBP £199.99, EUR €219.99 and AUD $349.99. Shipping is scheduled to begin on April 23, 2027.

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“The 800XL represents an important moment in Atari’s history, when home computers were becoming a gateway to gaming, programming and creativity.”

Matt Burnett, Atari’s VP of Strategic Operations, said the computer let an entire generation explore what they could do with a computer, backed by an impressive catalogue of games and software. That blend, he said, makes the 800XL a significant part of Atari’s legacy. Atari is excited to bring back a modernized version in partnership with Retro Games Ltd. and Plaion.

The 1983 original, recreated

Introduced in 1983, the 800XL is regarded by fans as the crown jewel of Atari’s personal-computer range. Its distinctive low-profile case combined the computer and cartridge slot in a full-sized keyboard. Equipped with 64KB of memory, custom chips for advanced graphics and sound, and built-in BASIC, the original stood at the crossroads of home computing and gaming.

Stuart Chiplin, COO at Retro Games Ltd., described the 800XL as one of the rare machines that demonstrated the potential of an 8-bit home computer. In recreating it, the team aimed to reproduce not only its design but the freedom it offered people to play, program and create. He said considerable work went into keeping THE 800XL authentic while bringing the experience up to date for today’s players.

Twenty-five games included

THE 800XL supports software for Atari’s 8-bit home computers, giving players immediate access to 25 built-in games. Users can also load their own titles and programs from USB flash drives, with support for cartridge, disk and cassette images.

The built-in lineup spans arcade, puzzle, strategy, driving, shooting and platform games, as well as exploration and space combat:

• Airball™, Asteroids®, Basketball™, BattleZone™ and Berzerk™: five arcade-inspired selections covering action, shooting and sports.

• Boulder Dash®, Bristles, Capture the Flag, Centipede® and Crystal Castles®: a blend of arcade, puzzle and strategy classics.

• Elektraglide, Encounter, Flip and Flop, Henry’s House and Hover Bovver: driving, shooting and platforming games.

• Lee, M.U.L.E., Millipede®, Miner 2049er® and Missile Command®: Atari 8-bit favourites spanning strategy, platforming and arcade action.

• O’Riley’s Mine, The Seven Cities of Gold, Star Raiders® II, Wavy Navy and Yoomp!™: a final group featuring exploration, strategy, space combat and arcade action.

Eight of the 25 built-in titles are licensed Atari first-party games; the other 17 are licensed third-party games. Two more games, Castle Crisis and Super Breakout®, are hidden on the game carousel and can be unlocked by connecting an analog controller.

Access to the Atari 8-bit library

The original 800XL supported decades of games, applications and home-grown software development. With its working cartridge slot and the option to load and run programs through USB, THE 800XL can run software made for the Atari 400™, 800, XL and XE 8-bit computers, as well as games created for the Atari 5200® console. That opens the door to a broad library of gaming and computing history.