The Atari Gamestation Go works as intended. However, the unique built-in controls, including the paddle and trackball, would benefit vastly from user-configuration options. Some rendering issues I saw in classic vector games also take some shine off this handheld, which should be better for its price.
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Atari officially launched the Gamestation Go handheld retro gaming console a couple of months ago, and we were lucky enough to acquire one recently. This is quite a departure from the best PC gaming handhelds we usually test, but it still packs in buckets of fun for those with a taste for retro.
Fuelling the Gamestation Go’s potential success are several special features. Probably the most alluring features of this 7-inch handheld are its pleasing array of retro arcade--appropriate controls, and My Arcade’s inclusion of a whopping 200+ classic games from Atari, Jaleco, Namco, and others built-in.
The combination of a bumper selection of classic console and arcade titles, alongside those unique for its form factor controls, should make this product a winner. However, the price, compared to portable retro-gaming alternatives out there, and a failure to play to its strengths, means we are marking it down quite strongly.
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Design of the Atari Gamestation Go
The Atari Gamestation Go takes its cues from the most popular PC handheld designs right now. In other words, it looks a lot like a Steam Deck or ROG Ally – from a distance. Once you take a little more time to absorb what you are seeing, though, some interesting differences will catch your eye.
Scanning beyond the now familiar 7-inch landscape form factor, several things become obvious. To the right, there is a numeric keypad. That’s different. But to the right are some of the most important physical controller design ‘innovations’ – in our experience. From top to bottom, you will see an integrated paddle/dial/spinner; below that, there’s a more familiar D-pad, and below that a trackball. Control options like these can really impact the retro-gaming experience – and there are several famous Atari console and arcade games that used controls like paddles and trackballs to differentiate the gaming experience.
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
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