Atari will be partnering with UK-based streaming service Antstream Arcade to bring thousands of retro games to their upcoming console, the Atari VCS. The service will be available on day one of the console's launch, which is slated for March 2020.
The Atari VCS, priced at $250, is a Linux-based game console that's somewhere between a retro system (like the NES Classic), a Steam Machine, and a streaming platform. The console will launch with 101 classic Atari games already installed and a store to purchase modern games as well. As an open platform, users can develop, install, and easily share their own games too. Under the hood the console has an AMD Ryzen processor and Radeon graphics. Essentially, the VCS is like a budget PC. You can even boot the system in "sandbox" mode and install other operating systems like Windows. No physical games will launch for the console; every game is intended to be downloaded online or accessed through the streaming service.
Antsream Arcade is a videogame streaming service that's currently only available in the U.K. However, since Atari didn't mention the service being region locked, it's likely that VCS owners in at least the U.S. will be able to access the service by the time the console releases. This new version of Antstream, dubbed the "Atari Edition" will offer 50 exclusive Atari titles at launch, but will be updated on "a steady basis" according to a press release. This is in addition to an existing library of over 2,000 games included in the base version of Antstream Arcade.
According to the press release, Antstream will offer "enhanced" versions of old games with new features such as multiplayer in addition to direct ports. Each game will be playable with either the Atari VCS Classic Joystick or a more modern controller. The service also includes a global leaderboard and social challenges.
The full list of launch games hasn’t been revealed. So far, only Adventure, Pong, Night Driver, Tempest 2000, Yars’ Revenge, and re-releases of Atari compilations for other consoles have been confirmed.
The Antstream app offers a 30-day free trial with subscription options available for $9.99/month or $7.99/month (total $95.88) for a yearly subscription.