Atari and PLAION REPLAI have released the Atari 2600+ PAC-MAN Edition, a modern reinterpretation of one of gaming’s most familiar consoles. The system pairs the recognizable look of the late 1970s hardware with current standards in connectivity and usability. Designed as both a collector’s piece and a functioning game console, it pays tribute to PAC-MAN, a character synonymous with the golden age of arcades.
The PAC-MAN Edition keeps the design language of the original Atari 2600 but adopts a bright yellow finish, illuminated front icons, and matching accents across the body and controller. It includes a wireless CX-40+ joystick, styled after the original but updated with modern internals for responsive play. For players seeking extra flair, PLAION is offering separate themed controllers in colors representing PAC-MAN’s ghost adversaries — red for Blinky, pink for Pinky, blue for Inky, and orange for Clyde. Each uses wireless connectivity while preserving the physical feel of Atari’s classic joystick design.
The console sells for about $150 (£129.99), while each additional controller costs around $35 (£29.99). It’s available through major retailers and Atari’s online store. Inside the box, players get a PAC-MAN Double Feature cartridge containing two games: the 1982 version of PAC-MAN for the Atari 2600 and PAC-MAN for the 7800, which more closely captures the arcade original.
While the hardware looks vintage, the internals are contemporary. The Atari 2600+ PAC-MAN Edition outputs video through HDMI, uses a USB-C power connection, and supports both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios for modern televisions. That balance of nostalgia and functionality mirrors Atari’s broader push in recent years — reviving its legacy hardware and catalog while reintroducing them with updated engineering.
Executives at Atari and PLAION frame this collaboration as a nod to gaming’s shared heritage. Beyond the sentiment, it represents an ongoing commercial strategy: using recognizable retro platforms to reach collectors and younger players alike. The Atari 2600+ PAC-MAN Edition fits into that plan cleanly, offering an accessible bridge between the analog past of home consoles and the convenience of today’s display and power standards.
