Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration
- November 11, 2022
- Digital Eclipse
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration offers a completely new, very fun way to explore several decades of Atari arcade machines, consoles, handhelds, and PCs.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration" is a compilation of over 150 classic and modern Atari games. The game features a mix of arcade, console, and home computer titles, as well as new interpretations and collaborations. With history, music, and art sections, players can explore the evolution of Atari and its impact on the video game industry.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is a beautifully crafted interactive documentary that provides a comprehensive look at Atari's history, featuring interviews, archival footage, and a timeline of significant events.
- The collection includes over 100 games from various Atari platforms, including classic titles and modern reimaginings, making it a must-have for fans of retro gaming.
- The emulation quality is excellent, with many games running smoothly and offering a nostalgic experience, particularly for titles like Tempest 2000 and other arcade classics.
- Some notable games, particularly from third-party developers like Activision, are missing from the collection, which may disappoint fans hoping for a more complete experience.
- The controls for certain games can be inconsistent, and there are reports of input lag and other technical issues that detract from the overall gameplay experience.
- While the historical content is rich, some players may find the older games less engaging due to their simplistic mechanics and dated graphics, making it less appealing for those unfamiliar with Atari's legacy.
- monetization13 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is heavily criticized for its lack of transparency and community engagement, with users reporting negative experiences when attempting to report bugs. However, the collection offers a rich historical context through extensive documentation, including interviews, advertisements, and design materials, which enhances the overall value for players and history enthusiasts alike. Despite some games not holding up well, the comprehensive presentation of Atari's legacy is praised as a significant draw for fans.
“If you try to report a bug, community managers will erase you and call you a liar, making insane claims that are disproven by their own advertising.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems like the game is designed to push players towards spending more money rather than enjoying the content.”
“The in-game purchases are overwhelming and detract from the overall experience, making it feel like a constant money grab.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a strong appreciation for the storytelling in games and documentaries related to Atari, emphasizing their ability to evoke emotional connections and provide rich narratives. While the storytelling is praised for its detail and context, some critiques mention a lack of coverage on certain aspects, such as corporate politics and the broader impact of third-party developers. Overall, the narrative elements are seen as a key strength, enhancing the player's understanding and appreciation of the games' significance.
“The storytelling in these films is so compelling that it fosters a deep emotional connection with the subject matter.”
“The attention to detail and storytelling is unmatched by any other product.”
“The only flaws in the presentation come down to corporate politics—the dawn of third party developers is a huge part of the Atari story and while that's covered here, you can't actually play Pitfall or Kaboom or whatever.”
“You don't just jump blindly into a game; it gives you a story of why that game mattered, so even if you don't like it, you can still appreciate it.”
“It's all set in a timeline that provides full context to the long story of a company that was at the top of the world and slowly fell apart.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics in this collection are praised for their faithful representation of classic vector graphics games, showcasing a high level of polish and attention to detail. Notable highlights include the remastered "Yars' Revenge," which allows players to toggle between classic and modern visuals, and the newly programmed "Swordquest: Air World." Overall, the presentation is enhanced with high-resolution artwork, promotional materials, and a wealth of historical content, although some users noted that the enhanced graphics sometimes overshadow the original low-res aesthetics.
“The polish, visuals, and care taken show passion in every pixel.”
“The two biggest treats are the graphically remastered Yars' Revenge built on top of Howard Scott Warshaw's original VCS code (you can toggle between classic and modern graphics on the fly), and the never-before-released Swordquest: Air World, newly programmed from the ground up based on Tod Frye's original notes.”
“Great video graphical presentation.”
“Probably uses more graphics processing to make the games look low-res than the original games had at all.”
“Yars Revenge enhanced basically just Yars Revenge but with an HD graphics filter option slapped on.”
“There's lots of neat interviews, lots of promotional artwork and even cartridge box recreations (all in a very nice high resolution, save for maybe the video being compressed some).”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the reviewed games and collection is highlighted by amusing moments in gameplay, such as the comedic premise of "Ninja Golf" and the entertaining cut scenes in "Cloak and Dagger." Additionally, the exclusive developer interviews provide a mix of humor and insight, with memorable anecdotes that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the collection is praised for its rich content and the lightheartedness it brings to the gaming experience.
“Also, Ninja Golf was so very, very funny! I will need to see if I can find a used copy for my 2600. I think my wife would have a good laugh at that one.”
“There's a lot of funny moments in the interviews, and it's a wonderful peek behind the scenes.”
“You get a treasure trove of fun facts, ads, and interviews with the people that made Atari, well, Atari (shoutout to the drugs interview, my favorite one; it's really hilarious).”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight significant improvements in replayability, noting that the update enhances game functionality and user navigation. Many classic games included in the collection offer substantial replay value, making this update a superior experience compared to previous titles.
“For those who love a trip down memory lane with their collection of games, many with tons of replay value.”
“This update beats the recharged title for replayability by a large margin.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its compelling storytelling, which fosters a deep connection with the subject matter. Additionally, the significance of Atari 50 in game preservation is emphasized, as it offers a rare opportunity to experience classic titles and unreleased prototypes on modern platforms for the first time.
“The storytelling in these films is so compelling that it fosters a deep emotional connection with the subject matter.”
“However, the role Atari 50 is playing in game preservation can't be ignored here, considering how for a lot of these titles, especially for the 400/800, Lynx, and Jaguar, this is essentially the first time these games have ever seen a proper re-release on a modern platform in any capacity. This isn't even touching on the number of never-before-released prototypes that are included in the collection.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay in *Haunted Houses* offers a mix of engaging elements and frustrating experiences, featuring a 3D reimagining of classic haunted house themes with new locations and mechanics. However, the overall quality is inconsistent, with some players finding it enjoyable while others encounter significant shortcomings.
“Haunted House is a 3D reimagining of the classic haunted house experience, featuring new locations and mechanics.”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while early games like Tempest X3 on the PS1 struggled to capture the right musical feel, the evolution of game music has been significant and rewarding. This progression highlights how foundational elements, such as music, have transformed from groundbreaking features to essential components of modern gaming.
“Even on the Sony PS1 with Tempest X3 (which is a decent game), they didn't quite get the feel right and the music was off.”
“Seeing this evolution is rewarding because the absolute bare essentials of gaming are drip-fed, and you get that context when something we take for granted was once absolutely groundbreaking, like music or color sprites.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users express frustration with stability issues, feeling that their investment was wasted due to extensive troubleshooting without resolution.
“I feel like I've wasted my money; sadly, I spent so much time troubleshooting it that my refund window is gone.”
“The game crashes constantly, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I can't believe how often it freezes; it's incredibly frustrating.”
Critic Reviews
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Switch Review @atari
The homage Atari truly deserves, to finally include playable Lynx and Jaguar titles.
88%Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration review
Fifty years is a long old time to remain even slightly relevant in the games industry, and whilst this package probably wont win too many new fans, it gives retro fans a great walk down memory lane.
80%Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Review
That it’s called 'The Anniversary Celebration' rather than 'collection' is a substitution of phrases that couldn’t be more apt. With its smooth, fast, and perfectly-pitched interface, and rich, thoughtfully created content, Atari 50 really is an honouring of the company that founded the industry. It’s true that its content is going to have a greater appeal to an older generation of gamers, to today’s parents (and grandparents) who grew up in the whirlwind of the '70s and '80s arcade scene. For them, reliving moments and experiences that used to cost a pocketful of coins will be joyful. For others, understanding the appeal of a lot of these games will take work, and few of the titles outside of the Lynx and Jaguar catalogues are easy to pick up and play for the uninitiated. At the same time, Atari 50 is so thorough and engrossing a retro gaming tunnel, akin to exploring a virtual museum, that it transcends its target audience somewhat. For those interested in video gaming’s history, the unearthing of the past, and for gamers not afraid of what today is considered rudimentary, there’s a great deal of enjoyment to be had in this trip down memory lane.
80%
