Atari THE400 Mini Review: Old School Computer Video Games Are New Again

howtogeek.com:

Back in 2018, Retro Games Ltd. released THEC64 Mini, a plug-and-play console and computer modeled on one of the best-selling computers of all time, the Commodore 64. That was followed in 2019 by a full-sized THEC64 and THEVIC20, complete with working keyboards, as well as THEA500 Mini in 2022, which miniaturized the popular Commodore Amiga 500. Now, nostalgic Atari 8-bit computer fans get to join in on the fun with THE400 Mini.

THE400 Mini

THE400 Mini is a plug and play retro game console based on the popular Atari 8-bit computers from the late 1970s and beyond.

• Easy-to-use
• Authentic-looking mini replica
• 25 built-in games
• Can add more games
• Clever joystick design

• 25 included games may not be for everyone
• Can be picky about USB accessories
• Modern USB keyboard layouts don't match original Atari layouts

Design: Model Plug-and-Play

Atari launched the Atari 400 and 800 computers back in 1979, eventually releasing a series of relatively minor technical updates with different case designs, including the 1200XL, 600XL, and 800XL in 1983, the 65XE, 800XE, and 130XE in 1985, and the XEGS in 1987. Atari also released a large console, the Atari 5200 SuperSystem, in 1982, that, although not directly compatible, used a similar architecture as the computer line. THE400 Mini emulates the basic functionality of all of these systems but is specifically modeled after the Atari 400 design.

With so many different case designs to choose from and good arguments for each, mimicking the look of the Atari 400 in mini form is somewhat controversial. With that said, the 400 was meant as the entry-level model versus the more professional 800, complete with an initial 8K of memory and an infamous membrane keyboard, targeted more to games and light computing than its more expensive sibling.

THE400 Mini is a wonderful half-scale replica of the