Atari’s iconic 800XL home computer is coming back. Announced on 8 October 2026, THE 800XL is a full-sized recreation of the 1983 machine, complete with a mechanical keyboard, working cartridge slot, built-in Atari BASIC and modern HDMI connectivity.
Designed by Retro Games Ltd. and manufactured and distributed by PLAION REPLAI, the system is available to pre-order now for £199.99 in the UK, with shipping set to begin on 23 April 2027. US pricing is $219.99, with a European price of €219.99.
More than a nostalgia machine
Unlike the smaller THE400 Mini, THE 800XL keeps the original machine’s full-size keyboard design. Atari BASIC is built in, allowing users to write, save and load programs, making this as much a recreation of the home-computing experience as a way to replay old favourites.
The functional cartridge slot also sets it apart from purely digital retro systems. USB storage supports cartridge, disk and cassette images, with Atari confirming compatibility with software created for the Atari 400, 800, XL and XE computer families, as well as games developed for the Atari 5200.
25 built-in games and two hidden extras
THE 800XL ships with 25 licensed games, including eight first-party Atari releases and 17 third-party titles. The lineup includes:
- Asteroids, BattleZone, Berzerk, Centipede and Missile Command for classic arcade action.
- Boulder Dash, Miner 2049er, M.U.L.E. and The Seven Cities of Gold for a taste of what made the Atari home computer library distinctive.
- Elektraglide, Encounter, Star Raiders II and Yoomp! among the other included games.
Two additional games, Castle Crisis and Super Breakout, are hidden in the game carousel and can be unlocked by connecting an analogue controller.
Modern connections with classic character
HDMI output supports both PAL 50Hz and NTSC 60Hz, plus 4:3 and pixel-perfect display modes with optional CRT filters. The system also offers four USB-A ports and USB-C power.
Quality-of-life features include four save slots per game and the ability to rewind gameplay by up to 30 seconds, including while using cartridges or software loaded from USB.
The package includes THECXSTICK, a modern take on Atari’s classic joystick, with a familiar fire button and seven additional controls. An HDMI cable, USB-A to USB-C power cable and quick guide are also supplied.
A reminder of when gaming and computing went hand in hand
Originally launched in 1983, the 800XL combined 64KB of memory with a keyboard, BASIC programming and an extensive software library. Its revival comes at a time when retro gaming hardware increasingly aims to offer a hands-on experience rather than just a collection of emulated games.
For £199.99, the appeal will come down to how faithfully it recreates that original experience. The keyboard, cartridge compatibility and programming support give THE 800XL a stronger identity than a straightforward plug-and-play console, although hands-on testing will be needed to judge how well it delivers.
THE 800XL is available to pre-order now, with shipping beginning 23 April 2027.
Watch THE 800XL in action
Source: Atari / Retro Games Ltd. / PLAION REPLAI announcement, 8 October 2026, via GamesPress. Product claims and compatibility are manufacturer-stated.