Atari 800XL Remake Is Coming with HDMI and Cartridge Slot

Remember the Atari 800XL? That iconic '80s microcomputer might have been before your time, but if you're into retro gaming, you've probably heard of it. Well, guess what? It's making a comeback. Retro Games Ltd has just announced an official remake of the Atari 800XL, and it's not just a tiny plug-and-play box—it's a full-sized recreation with a working keyboard, HDMI output, and a physical cartridge slot. Yes, you read that right: you can actually plug in your old Atari cartridges.

The news comes after trademark applications surfaced back in May, so we had a hunch something was up. Now it's official: PLAION describes the machine as "a faithful recreation of its best-selling 8-bit computer." That's exactly what Retro Games Ltd does best, and this time they're going all out. The 800XL remake will come with 25 built-in games, so even if you don't have a stack of carts lying around, you'll have plenty to play right out of the box.

But here's the catch: the price. The Atari 800XL remake will set you back $219.99 / £199.99. That's a bit steep, especially when you consider that the Atari 400 Mini—a smaller, plug-and-play version that can run the same games—is only $88.84. The 400 Mini lacks a full keyboard and cartridge slot, but it does come with built-in games and USB support for ROMs. So if you're just looking to play the classics, the 400 Mini might be the more budget-friendly option.

So why the higher price for the 800XL? It's likely the cartridge slot and the full-sized keyboard, plus the 25 built-in games. But it's worth noting that the Amiga 1200 remake, also from Retro Games Ltd, is priced at $189.99 / £169.99—so the 800XL is even pricier than that. Prices for these retro remakes are creeping up, and it makes you wonder if the build quality will justify the cost. Retro Games Ltd will need to deliver a premium feel to match that price tag.

One interesting observation: based on teaser renders, the 800XL remake looks slightly smaller than the original. If that's true, it's closer in size to the Atari 600XL, which was a smaller version with 16 KB RAM instead of 64 KB. Back in the day, that meant it couldn't run later XE games out of the box, but with emulation, that's not really an issue anymore. Some might have preferred a 600XL remake, especially since emulation could handle the entire 8-bit library anyway. But Retro Games Ltd is going with the 800XL branding, even if it's not wearing the Atari name this time around.

The cartridge slot is a huge plus for collectors, but let's be real: those metal 8-bit carts aren't easy to find. If you're hoping to run games off a cassette tape, you're out of luck—this remake doesn't support that. FPGA-based rivals like the Commodore 64 Ultimate offer full hardware replication, while emulation-based systems like this one often fall short in comparison. Still, for many players, the convenience of HDMI and built-in games will be enough.

At the end of the day, the Atari 800XL remake is an exciting prospect for retro enthusiasts. It's got the classic '80s design, a cartridge slot, and a full keyboard—what's not to love? But with a price over $200, it's got a lot to prove. Will the build quality and emulation live up to expectations? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, if you'd rather take your retro gaming on the go, check out the best retro handhelds. What do you think—will you be picking up the Atari 800XL remake?