Atari has announced plans to close its Atari VCS store soon and end support for the console. Released in 2021, the Atari VCS is a PC-console hybrid that can play many classic games. Atari marketed it as a modernized version of the Atari 2600, which was originally called the Video Computer System.
The VCS faced a rocky road before reaching production. Atari tried to boost interest with new game releases but ultimately seemed unhappy with its sales. Some even believed the VCS contributed to the company's major financial losses in 2021 and 2022 (via Time Extension). Still, many fans of Atari's retro games loved the console and saw it as a welcome addition to their collections, despite its hefty $399.99 price tag.
In a shocking announcement, it's been confirmed that BioWare is permanently shutting down and work on the new Mass Effect is being scrapped.
On October 21, 2026, Atari announced that it had "stopped onboarding new games, and [it] will be shutting down the Atari VCS software store early next year." The shutdown will take place on February 1, 2027, and the announcement also means the console will no longer receive firmware updates. That said, Atari seems to have plans to help current owners continue playing their classic games and discover new titles after the shutdown.
According to Atari, an upcoming OS update will remove the VCS's reliance on the company's infrastructure, allowing users to run their retro games offline. Meanwhile, Atari plans to release its Home Brew app on all VCS devices , allowing owners to discover new titles.
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