Atari and Activision release 39 classic games on physical cartridges, with a premium collector's bundle priced near $1,000
Atari has partnered with Activision to release a physical cartridge collection of 39 classic games, including titles like Pitfall! and River Raid. Standard editions cost $34.99 each, while a deluxe set with all games and extras reaches $999.96. The collection emphasizes physical media and collector appeal, with special packaging and accessories for higher-tier editions.
The collection rolls out in four themed waves, with the Treasure Collection arriving in November 2026 and the final Victory Collection following in fall 2027. Each Deluxe Edition includes ten games except the Secrets Collection, which contains nine, and comes with woven patches, enamel pins, and a collector slipcase. The Ultimate Deluxe Set adds twelve metal trading cards plus one undisclosed collectible item.
All cartridges are engineered to work across original Atari 2600 and 7800 consoles as well as the modern 2600+ and 7800+ systems. Standard Edition cartridges feature a sleek black design with newly created full-color manuals, while Deluxe cartridges use vibrant, colorful shells intended to stand out on a shelf. Individual titles like Pitfall! and River Raid remain available separately for budget-conscious buyers.
This release could strengthen the niche market for physical retro gaming, appealing to collectors who value tangible ownership as major console makers move away from discs. The steep $999.96 price point may limit the Ultimate set to dedicated enthusiasts, but the $34.99 individual cartridges could attract casual nostalgia buyers. The venture's success may signal whether physical reissues remain commercially viable or serve primarily as premium collector products.