Atari 800XL returns for $219.99 with HDMI and 25 built-in retro games

The Atari 800XL home computer is making a comeback with a mechanical keyboard and a cartridge, but it won’t ship until April 23, 2027. This throwback comes courtesy of Atari and Retro Games Ltd. The companies announced the 800XL on October 8, 2026, promising a full-sized recreation of the iconic 1983 home computer priced at $219.99.

The new Atari 800XL will also feature HDMI output alongside USB-C power. Retro Games Ltd. designed the home computer, while Plaion Replai handles production and sales of the upcoming retro PC. Pre-orders opened on the announcement date.

Instead of listing the model’s features and specifications, Matt Burnett, Atari’s VP of Strategic Operations, leaned into the 1983 home computer's history. He stated:

“The 800XL represents an important moment in Atari’s history, when home computers were becoming a gateway to gaming, programming, and creativity.”

He continued, “It gave an entire generation the opportunity to discover what they could do with a computer while offering an incredible catalog of games and software. That combination is what makes the 800XL such an important part of Atari’s legacy. Working with Retro Games Ltd. and Plaion, we are excited to bring back this modernized version.”

From what’s shown so far, the 800XL boots to a carousel displaying 25 built-in games, a cartridge icon, and anything loaded via USB. Each game gets four save slots and can be rewound up to 30 seconds using the same tools as the 400 Mini. The 800XL outputs video via HDMI at PAL 50Hz or NTSC 60Hz with a 4:3 aspect ratio and pixel-perfect modes, along with optional CRT filters and 12 display frames.

You can also switch to Classic Mode, and the 800XL, according to Retro Games Ltd., “becomes a true home computer behaving exactly like the original classic Atari machine.” You can use Atari BASIC, run programs, and load image files via a USB drive. Connectivity options include four USB-A ports for storage and controllers, while power is supplied via the USB-C port.

The 800XL also features a cartridge slot, but it supports only some original Atari 400, 800, XL, and XE cartridges. Atari hasn’t provided a list of what’s supported and what isn’t. Also, it’s unknown what’s under the hood of the Atari 800XL.

For now, the mechanical keyboard is built in, and the housing no longer needs an adapter because it is powered through a single USB-C port. You’ll need a 3-amp USB-C power cable, which won’t be included with the new Atari 800XL.