Atari 400 Mini review: A timely reminder not all iconic computer design is by Apple

Atari's niche retro computer expertly gets the mini console treatment.

Atari 400 Mini review; a retro console on a retro themed background
(Image: © Future / Atari)

Our Verdict

A wonderful tribute to one of the 8-bit eras oddest curios, the Atari 400 Mini highlights a lesser-known library of titles while placing the power in players’ hands to expand upon it greatly via emulation. This, combined with the retro console’s sleek, miniature design and incredibly easy setup, is sure to make it popular amongst Atari’s most ardent audience, although its overall appeal might be too niche to the more general player base.

For

  • Faithful design and aesthetic
  • Emulation is endless
  • Expanded CX40 joystick is additive
  • Highlights obscure 8-bit games

Against

  • No manual or mains plug
  • A lot of 2D platformers included

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Between the recent launch of the Atari 2600+ last year and several upcoming remakes for some of the brand's most iconic games, Atari is in a bit of a golden spot currently. The latest evidence for this is none other than the Atari 400 Mini, a shrunken-down version of one of gamings most niche home computer systems that  launched in 1979, released with the intention to spotlight a slightly lesser-known time in Atari's 8-bit era. 

And true, while the Atari 400 Mini forgoes the 2600+’s adoration for all things analogue in favour of a more traditional focus on emulation, it’s still a worthy entry into the retro mini console market space and in many ways is one of the best retro consoles release recently, despite technically being a retro computer. 

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The Verdict
8

out of 10

Atari 400 Mini

A wonderful tribute to one of the 8-bit eras oddest curios, the Atari 400 Mini highlights a lesser-known library of titles while placing the power in players’ hands to expand upon it greatly via emulation. This, combined with the retro console’s sleek, miniature design and incredibly easy setup, is sure to make it popular amongst Atari’s most ardent audience, although its overall appeal might be too niche to the more general player base.

Carlton Hill
Games writer

Carlton is a video game journalist who grew up playing 16-bit consoles in the late 1990s, quickly developing a love for all things RPG and FPS. His favourite video game is Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped on the original PlayStation, which he’ll defend as having the very best 3D platforming in a game that doesn’t include the word “Mario”. In addition to Creative Bloq, you can find him writing words about games in places like Debug Magazine, WhyNow Gaming and more.