Atari Brings Back the 800XL Computer With HDMI, Mechanical Keys and 25 Games

A familiar beige computer from the early 1980s is coming back, but this time it will connect to a modern television without hunting down an old video adapter. Atari has opened preorders for THE 800XL, a recreation of its classic 8-bit home computer with a full-size mechanical keyboard, built-in Atari BASIC, a working cartridge slot and 25 preinstalled games.

The machine is priced at approximately ₱13,807.89 (US$219.99) on Atari's US website, with shipping scheduled for late April 2027. The peso figure is only an exchange-rate conversion, not an official Philippine retail price. Atari has not confirmed a Philippine launch, local warranty arrangement or peso MSRP in the information reviewed for this article.

Explore Atari's official THE 800XL product page.

What exactly is THE 800XL?

THE 800XL is a modern recreation of the Atari 800XL home computer, not a newly designed high-performance PC. Its appeal is the original experience: a keyboard you can type programs on, old-school software and a library of games from an era when a home computer was often both a learning tool and a gaming machine.

The original Atari 800XL arrived during the 1980s home-computer boom. The new device preserves its recognizable appearance while adding practical features for people who no longer own a CRT television or a stack of floppy disks. Retro Games Ltd. designed the recreation under the Atari license, according to launch coverage and Atari's product materials.

This distinction is important for anyone expecting a modern Windows desktop or a plug-and-play way to run current PC games. THE 800XL is intended for classic 8-bit software and retro computing. It is not a substitute for a gaming laptop or desktop.

Mechanical keys, cartridges and USB loading

Atari says the full-size mechanical keyboard works with built-in Atari BASIC, so owners can do more than select a game from a menu. They can experiment with commands and programs in the language many early home-computer users learned on. For hobbyists, that may be the product's biggest attraction.

The cartridge slot is functional and supports most original Atari 400, 800, XL and XE cartridges. The word 'most' matters. It is not a blanket promise that every cartridge, peripheral or third-party modification will work. Anyone buying the computer to use a specific old cartridge should check compatibility before placing an order.

The machine can also load games and software from USB flash drives, including cartridge, disk and cassette images. Atari says it supports software made for the Atari 8-bit computers and Atari 5200 console. That is software support through the system's loading features, not a claim that an Atari 5200 cartridge can physically fit into the 800XL cartridge slot.

There are four USB-A ports for compatible controllers and storage devices. Atari includes THECXSTICK, a redesigned version of its classic joystick with eight buttons. That should make the package usable without sourcing an original controller, though enthusiasts may still prefer their own peripherals.

Twenty-five games and a rewind button

Atari lists 25 built-in games, including Asteroids, Centipede, Berzerk, Missile Command, Millipede, M.U.L.E., Boulder Dash and The Seven Cities of Gold. It is a varied selection that ranges from arcade action to more thoughtful computer-game design.

A built-in library is useful for someone who has never owned an Atari computer, but it is not a complete archive of every 8-bit release. Owners who want to explore beyond the included games can investigate compatible cartridges and legally obtained software images. The product page gives the full list of preinstalled titles.

There are modern conveniences, too. Atari specifies four save slots per game and a rewind feature that can move back up to 40 seconds. These features are designed to make difficult older games more approachable. The machine also offers HDMI output with 50 Hz PAL and 60 Hz NTSC options, a 4:3 aspect ratio, pixel-perfect display modes, optional CRT filters and multiple display frames.

See Atari's official compatibility and feature FAQ.

What it costs in the Philippines

The official US preorder price is approximately ₱13,807.89 (US$219.99), calculated using the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' October 8, 2026 reference rate of ₱62.7660 per US dollar. This is not an official Philippine MSRP, and it does not include any possible shipping charge, import fee, tax or foreign-exchange spread. A buyer paying through a card or marketplace could see a different peso total.

Atari says preorders are open now and units are expected to ship in late April 2027. That is a planned shipping window, not a guarantee of delivery to Philippine addresses or a confirmed local release date. Before ordering internationally, check whether the seller accepts Philippine addresses, what the final checkout charges are, and how returns or warranty claims would work.

Check the BSP exchange-rate reference.

Who is it for?

THE 800XL is most interesting for collectors, people who grew up with Atari computers and curious newcomers who want to understand how early home computing felt. A mechanical keyboard and BASIC support make it more than a miniature nostalgia console. It can also be a hands-on introduction to older programming ideas and the limitations that shaped early games.

There are sensible reasons to wait. The device has not shipped yet, so independent reviews cannot establish keyboard feel, emulation accuracy, cartridge compatibility across a large collection or reliability over time. Those details matter more than the product render for someone spending money on a niche retro machine.

Atari has confirmed the features, US preorder price and late-April-2027 shipping target. Philippine pricing and availability remain unconfirmed. For now, this is a promising return for an old computer, not a reason to assume it is already on local store shelves.