See the history of Atari’s Rivalry with Mattel like never before, showcased through 19 new playable titles, video interviews, and more
New York, NY (November 8, 2024) — Today, publisher Atari and developer Digital Eclipse are delighted to announce the launch of The First Console War, the second DLC for Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. Delve deep into the story of how Atari navigated its first major competitor in the console market—Mattel’s Intellivision.
In concert with the second DLC release, the Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Expanded Edition physical release is also available now on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 for $39.99. This physical release contains the original game and both DLCs.
A Steelbook version for Nintendo Switch, which will include Atari 2600 art cards, miniature arcade marquee signs, and an Al Alcorn Replica Syzygy Co. business card, is also available now for $49.99 USD.
Watch the Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration – Expanded Edition Launch Trailer:
YouTube | Download
The First Console War DLC features additional interviews, more vintage ads, and even more never-before-seen historical artifacts, all interwoven to reveal the previously untold story of Atari and Mattel’s intense rivalry. Highlights from the timeline include unique and often overlooked innovations and hidden gems from the late 1980s, video interviews with industry professionals like Activison’s David Crane and Garry Kitchen, and much more!
The First Console War games list includes:
- Air Raiders – 2600 M Network
- Antbear – 2600 M Network (unreleased, based on Stern IP)
- Armor Ambush – 2600 M Network
- Astroblast – 2600 M Network
- Frogs & Flies – 2600 M Network
- International Soccer – 2600 M Network
- Dark Cavern – 2600 M Network
- Star Strike – 2600 M Network
- Super Challenge Baseball – 2600 M Network
- Super Challenge Football – 2600 M Network
- Swordfight – 2600 M Network (rare, unreleased)
- Sea Battle – 2600 M Network (rare, unreleased)
- Tower of Mystery (unreleased prototype, recently rescued)
- Video Pinball – 2600
- Basketball – 2600
- Hardball – Atari 8-bit (XE)
- Final Legacy (prototype) – 5200
- Xari Arena – Atari 8-bit
- Desert Falcon – 7800
The First Console War Key Features:
- Video interviews with M Network programmer Jane Terjung, Activision’s David Crane & Garry Kitchen (worked on/published for both platforms), homebrew programmer Dennis Debro, and historians Leonard Herman & Mike Mika
- A brand new timeline explaining the challenge to Atari’s VCS by Mattel’s Intellivision–the first major rivalry in console games
- 19 more Atari arcade classics, including rescued prototypes like Tower of Mystery and rare, unreleased M-Network titles like Swordfight, Antbear, and more
This second DLC is another major expansion to Atari 50’s catalog of content. Through 19 additional playable games and eight video segments, this new DLC tells the story of Atari’s first major rivalry in the console market. Showcased in video interviews with M Network programmer Jane Terjung, video game historians Leonard Hermand and Mike Mika, and more, The First Console War delves deep into the video game console market’s landscape of the era and ultimately explains how and why Mattel made the decision to create games for its biggest competitor.
The DLC is available now on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Series X|S, and PlayStation 4 and 5. In early 2025, owners of the original game on the Atari VCS will receive the DLC content for free in an update to the game.
A press kit for Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Expanded Edition can be found at https://uberstrategist.link/Atari-50-Expanded-Edition.
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About Atari
Atari is an interactive entertainment company and an iconic gaming industry brand that transcends generations and audiences. The company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment, and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 unique games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. The Atari family of brands includes game developers Digital Eclipse and Nightdive Studios, the publishing label Infogrames, and the community-based sites AtariAge and MobyGames. Atari has offices in New York and Paris. Visit us online at Atari.com.
Atari shares are listed in France on Euronext Growth Paris (ISIN Code FR0010478248, Ticker ALATA) and OTC Pink Current (Ticker PONGF).
©2024 Atari Interactive, Inc. Atari wordmark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.
PRESS CONTACT
Brett Buren, Tabitha Beidleman, and Jordanne Laurito
ÜberStrategist Inc.
pr@uberstrategist.com
1-646-844-8388
Press Kit: https://uberstrategist.link/Atari-50-Expanded-Edition
