I ’ve seen a raft ofgaming handheldsatCES 2025this calendar week , and they all do more or less the same affair . The Atari Gamestation Go , however , is a refreshing change of footstep . As you’re able to tell , it ’s a retro handheld play gimmick , with over 200 Atari games preloaded right on at your fingertip , include three dissimilar versions of Pac - Man . In many manner , it ’s a portable version of the Atari Gamestation Pro , a diminutive home console variation — but so much good .
Before I move any further , it ’s crucial to know that although “ Atari ” is in the name , both the Gamestation Go and Pro are made by a company cry My Arcade . It ’s a company that knows a affair or two about nail the specific of what makes playing retro colonnade games feel particular , especially after envision some of itsother announcements at the show . The Atari Gamestation Pro has a 7 - inch 16:9 display , of course , and it felt great to roleplay on . The handheld was comfortable to hold , and quite light .
The controls are what make this finger special though . Anyone can just put some old retro games on a handheld , after all — the Gamestation Go really goes the additional nautical mile to bring back these games in all their glory . It has a joystick , a D - pad , a trackball , four buttons , and a numberpad . That ’s a lot of different option , and some only work in sure game .
For example , the numberpad is designed exclusively for Atari5200 games , while the trackball is for millepede . So , pull up an Atari5200 game , and the numberpad will alight up , while milliped will light up the trackball . That ’s especially important since not everyone will be intimate with every game in the historic library . But really , it ’s these controller that really make for out the retro experience in an authentic way .
The Gamestation Go comes with a microSD scorecard slot , as well as internal storage , though the capacity has n’t been detailed yet . And if you want to play multiplayer , it has two USB - C port to secure in wired control , whether that ’s an Xbox or Playstation restrainer or one of My Arcade ’s more appropriate retro controllers . finally , there ’s HDMI out and a establish - in kickstand , for when you require to hook it up to a larger screen .
My Arcade did n’t have any information on battery life , regrettably , and some of the computer software was still in production — so not all the games could load . But I ’d be lying if I did n’t have some serious fun playing a quick game ofAsteroidin my brusque time with it .
The Atari Gamestation Go will be out sometime in the third one-fourth of 2025 and will cost $ 150 .
My Arcade has also harbinger theGamestation Retro . I saw this one as well , though it did n’t wrick on , as it was only a prototype .