Game: Atari 50: The Wider World of Atari DLC
Genre: Action, Arcade, Education
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam (Windows), PS4, Xbox and Atari VCS)
Developer|Publisher: Digital Eclipse | Atari
Age Rating: EU 16 | US Teen
Price: US $7.99 | UK 6.69 | EU € 7,99
Release Date: September 26th, 2024
A review code was provided, and many thanks to Uber Strategist.
Atari 50: The Wider World of Atari – A Journey Through Gaming History
Atari has long been a cornerstone of the video game industry, with numerous re-releases of its classic 2600 catalogue on various platforms and handheld systems. However, Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration revolutionized the retro gaming collection experience. Celebrating 50 years of one of gaming’s most iconic companies, Atari 50 didn’t just present a library of old games.
It created a digital museum where players could delve into the history and creation of these games while enjoying them firsthand. The collection goes beyond the Atari 2600, including arcade titles and games from Atari’s lesser-known systems like the Jaguar and Lynx, making it an essential purchase for any retro gaming enthusiast. Now, with the release of the first of two planned DLCs, The Wider World of Atari, there’s even more reason to revisit this treasure trove of gaming history. The new DLC adds more games, interviews, and insights into what made the original collection such a landmark in retro curation.
An Expanded Timeline
The Wider World of Atari introduces an additional timeline to the already rich museum-style interface of Atari 50. This new timeline adds more interviews, pictures, and, of course, more games. Like the base game, navigating the timeline is seamless, allowing players to glide through the curated content, pausing to explore detailed information or zooming in on pictures for a closer look. When you decide to play a game, it loads instantly, letting you jump straight into the action without any delay. The experience truly feels like walking through a virtual museum but with the added bonus of being able to play the exhibits.
One of the great features of this collection is its accessibility. Whether you’re a seasoned gaming historian or someone new to Atari’s legacy, the information is presented in bite-sized, digestible chunks that make learning enjoyable. The additional timeline in The Wider World of Atari continues this approach, making it easy for players to absorb the history without feeling overwhelmed. As with the original collection, this DLC can be enjoyed on the Switch in both TV and handheld modes, further adding to the feeling of having a personal gaming museum at your fingertips.
Highlight Moments: Breakout and Atari’s Unsung Heroes
One of the standout moments in this new timeline was learning more about Breakout’s background. Though I was familiar with some of the game’s development stories, it was fascinating to hear Atari engineer Al Alcorn share new perspectives on the game’s creation. His insights added fresh layers to the already well-documented history of one of Atari’s most famous titles.
What I particularly loved about this new content, however, was learning about Atari’s unsung heroes, like graphic designer Evelyn Seto. Her work on arcade marquees, 2600 game packaging, and the creation of the now-iconic Fuji logo is finally given the spotlight it deserves. It’s stories like these that elevate The Wider World of Atari beyond a simple collection of games, turning it into a deeper exploration of the people who shaped gaming history. This is the kind of content that will resonate with players of all knowledge levels. You don’t need to be a gaming expert to appreciate the value of these insights. In fact, the new interviews and background stories might just inspire you to dive deeper into gaming history yourself.
The New Games: Highlights and Hidden Gems
Of course, for many players, the main attraction of The Wider World of Atari will be the additional 19 games that have been added to the collection. These include a mix of arcade and console classics, with the standout for me being Berzerk. This iconic arcade game has you navigating through rooms, blasting away cyborgs, and avoiding the menacing smile of Evil Otto, arguably one of the most terrifyingly cheerful characters in gaming history. Not only does this DLC include the original arcade version of Berzerk, but it also offers ports for the Atari 2600 and 5200, as well as the arcade sequel Frenzy, a lesser-known gem that I didn’t even realize existed.
Other games added in this DLC include some of the more niche titles released during the late life of the Atari 2600, like Desert Falcon and Off the Wall. These games, while not as universally beloved as some of Atari’s more famous titles, still hold a special place for collectors and retro enthusiasts.
That said, not all the games in the collection have aged well. Some of them, to be frank, never played particularly well to begin with. But that’s part of the charm of Atari 50 and its expansions—these games are presented as they were, warts and all. The ability to read about their development, view their original manuals, and even tweak things like control mapping and dip switch settings on arcade games adds layers of appreciation for the history behind them. These features, combined with save states and screen filters, make exploring even the clunkier titles a more enjoyable experience.
Conclusion: A Night at the Digital Museum
The Wider World of Atari is a fantastic addition to the Atari 50 collection. It delivers more of what made the original game such a standout: fascinating historical insights, a beautifully curated museum-like presentation, and, of course, more classic games. If you enjoyed your first trip through the digital halls of Atari history, this DLC offers a great excuse to jump back in. And for those discovering Atari 50 for the first time, The Wider World of Atari provides yet another reason to pick up the base game and experience one of the most comprehensive presentations of retro gaming ever made.
While not everyone will find themselves captivated by the classic games on offer, after all, these titles are often simplistic by today’s standards, the historical value of the collection is undeniable. For retro gaming fans, this is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Final Verdict: I Like It a Lot
Do you like our content? Support LadiesGamers on Patreon!
Check out our Tiers and Benefits and join us.