Atari 50: The First Console War Reignites a Retro Rivalry

Do you want the chance to relive a pivotal moment in video game history? You’ll get to do so in Atari 50: The First Console War.

Atari and Digital Eclipse are taking players back to the dawn of the console wars with the release of Atari 50: The First Console War, the second DLC expansion for the acclaimed Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. This expansion delves into the heated rivalry between Atari’s VCS and Mattel’s Intellivision, offering a fascinating glimpse into the early days of console gaming.

A Blast from the Past

As we explored in our review of the base game, Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is a treasure trove of gaming history, offering a curated collection of classic Atari games, interactive timelines, and behind-the-scenes documentaries.

The First Console War expands upon this foundation, adding a new chapter to the Atari story.

Relive the Rivalry

This DLC pack explores the challenges faced by Atari as Mattel’s Intellivision emerged as a major competitor in the console market. Through exclusive interviews with industry veterans and historians, The First Console War sheds light on the strategies, innovations, and key moments that shaped this early console rivalry.

New Games and Historical Insights

The First Console War introduces 19 new playable games, including rare and unreleased titles like Swordfight, Antbear, and the recently rescued prototype Tower of Mystery.

The expansion also features new video interviews with M Network programmer Jane Terjung, Activision’s David Crane and Garry Kitchen, and more, providing valuable insights into the era’s gaming landscape.

Get your eyes on the full list of games…

• 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

Key Features

• New Timeline: Explore an interactive timeline that chronicles the rivalry between Atari and Intellivision.
• 19 New Games: Experience classic Atari titles, including rare and unreleased gems.
• Exclusive Interviews: Hear from industry veterans and historians about the first console war.
• Historical Artifacts: Discover vintage ads, behind-the-scenes materials, and other fascinating artifacts from Atari’s history.

A Must-Have for Atari Fans

Atari 50: The First Console War is a must-have for fans of retro gaming and anyone interested in the history of video games.

With its combination of playable classics, insightful interviews, and fascinating historical content, this DLC pack offers a captivating look at a pivotal moment in gaming history. It’ll be even more interesting if you previously checked out the Wider World of Atari DLC.

Available Now and in Physical Format

The First Console War DLC launches today alongside the physical release of Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration Expanded Edition on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. This physical edition includes the original game and both DLC packs, offering a complete and comprehensive Atari experience.

Atari 50: The First Console War is available now for £6.69 on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. We’ll point you to the Xbox Store, but make sure you dive into the history of gaming, relive the excitement of the first console war, and experience the legacy of Atari.

The First Console War Description

It’s about to go down! Well before the current day console wars dominated social media and message boards, Atari’s VCS and Intellivision collided in the first major video game rivalry in 1979. The battle only intensified when Intellivision started making games for the VCS, its fiercest rival’s machine! In a series of exclusive interviews, the game makers who lived through the first console war explain how and why this unique chapter of video-game history unfolded.