Pre-orders are now open for THE 800XL, an Atari-licensed remake of the classic 8-bit home computer. Retro Games Ltd's version keeps era-appropriate touches like built-in Atari BASIC and a working cartridge slot, but upgrades the experience with a full-size mechanical keyboard, HDMI output, four USB-A ports, and 25 built-in games. The design is meant to be faithful to the original, though Tom's Hardware notes that actual build quality would need hands-on testing to confirm.
Compatibility is a major selling point: the cartridge slot supports most Atari 400, 800, XL, and XE cartridges, and users can load their own software from USB flash drives using cartridge, disk, and cassette image files. Modern conveniences include four save slots per game, a rewind feature that skips back up to 40 seconds, and display options covering PAL/NTSC, authentic 4:3, pixel-perfect modes, and CRT filters.
The pre-order price is $219.99 (or £199.99 / €219.99 / AU$349.99), with shipments scheduled for April 23, 2027. That is below the original 800XL's $299 launch price. One notable caveat: the bundled THECXSTICK is a modern recreation of the classic CX40 joystick, which Tom's Hardware describes as "glaringly unergonomic" and likely to leave an impression on your palm's tendons.