Atari Anthology
| Atari: 80 Classic Games in One! | |
|---|---|
 North American console box art | |
| Developer(s) | Digital Eclipse |
| Publisher(s) | Atari Interactive |
| Engine | RenderWare |
| Platform(s) | Windows, Xbox, PlayStation 2 |
| Release | Windows
|
| Genre(s) | Various |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Atari: 80 Classic Games in One! is a 2003 video game compilation developed by Digital Eclipse and published by Atari Interactive for Microsoft Windows; it was also released as Atari Anthology for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The title is a compilation of 80 video games previously published by Atari, Inc. and Atari Corporation from the 1970s and 1980s, reproducing Atari's games from its arcade and Atari 2600 game console platforms. Many games permit one to play each title at varying speeds, with time limits, or with a shifting color palette.
Extra contents include original arcade artwork and scans of the instruction manuals for the Atari 2600 games, video interviews with Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell, Windows desktop themes, DirectX 9 runtime, and Adobe Reader 5.1 English version. Support for Stelladaptor 2600 to USB interface, and 24-bit color wallpapers for Asteroids, Centipede, Missile Command, Pong, Super Breakout, and Tempest themes are available as patches. The Xbox version had online multiplayer through Xbox Live which was shut down on April 15, 2010. Atari Anthology is now playable online using replacement online servers for the Xbox called Insignia.[3][4]
Games
[edit]The following is a list of games included in the releases.[5][6]
Marketing
[edit]As part of Atari's 40th anniversary, free download of Atari: 80 Classic Games in One! was also available in packs of General Mills boxed cereal products, including Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Honey Nut Cheerios, Cheerios and Cocoa Puffs.[7]
A free Atari: 80 Classic Games in One! CD could also be found inside General Mills boxed cereals in Canada.[8]
Atari Anthology includes the following changes:
- The Windows desktop themes, DirectX 9 runtime, and Adobe Reader 5.1 English version have been removed.
- The Atari 2600 titles Atari Video Cube, Backgammon, and Hangman have been added.
- The Atari 2600 titles A Game of Concentration, BASIC Programming, and Codebreaker have been removed.
- Unlockable game challenges, which add challenges by reaching predetermined goals in specific games.
Atari Classics Evolved
[edit]Atari Classics Evolved was published for PlayStation Portable in 2007 and includes 11 arcade classics from Atari Anthology (such as Asteroids and Super Breakout) and also 50 unlockable Atari 2600 titles. Also, every arcade title has an "evolved" version with new graphics and sounds. To unlock the 2600 games, the player must win all awards in all arcade titles.
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PC | PS2 | Xbox | |
| Metacritic | 70%[11] | 66%[10] | 68%[9] |
| Publication | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PC | PS2 | Xbox | |
| GameSpot | 6.6/10[12] | N/A | 6.8/10[13] |
| IGN | 7.2/10[15] | 6/10[14] | N/A |
| Retro Gamer | N/A | N/A | 90%[16] |
| X-Play | 3/5[17] | N/A | N/A |
The console versions of the game received "mixed or average" reviews, while the PC version received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[9][10][11]
Mike Davies of Retro Gamer complimented the release, specifically highlighting the 18 arcade games included, including that "some people have complained that the vector games are not emulated 100% accurately, but we can't find fault."[16] Davies described the navigating through the games as a "real pain" finding the interface good-looking but difficult to use.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Atari: The 80 Classic Games". Digital Eclipse. Archived from the original on March 12, 2005. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ van Leuveren, Luke (November 28, 2004). "Updated Australian Release List - 28/11/2004". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ "Insignia - Atari Anthology". insignia.live. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
- ^ Xbox, Pure (November 16, 2023). "Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement 'Insignia' Now Supports 150 Games". Pure Xbox. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
- ^ Humphries, Scott (January 27, 2004). "Atari: 80 Classic Games in One Review". IGN. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ Harris, Craig (November 30, 2004). "Atari Anthology". IGN. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ General Mills & Atari Giveaway![usurped]
- ^ Atari Games in General Mills Cereals
- ^ a b "Atari Anthology for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ a b "Atari Anthology for PS2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ a b "Atari: 80 Classic Games in One for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ Tracy, Tim (January 8, 2004). "Atari: 80 Classic Games in One Review". GameSpot. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ Tracy, Tim (November 24, 2004). "Atari Anthology Review". GameSpot. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ Harris, Craig (November 30, 2004). "Atari Anthology". IGN. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ Humphries, Scott (January 28, 2004). "Atari: 80 Classic Games in One Review". IGN. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ a b c Davies, Mike (2004). "Retro Reviews". Retro Gamer. No. 11. Live Publishing. p. 19. ISSN 1742-3155.
- ^ Rubenstein, Glenn (February 17, 2004). "'Atari: 80 Classic Games in One' (PC) Review". X-Play. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
External links
[edit]The 80 Classic Games
[edit]- Atari Inc. Atari 80 Classic Games in One page
- Digital Eclipse Software, Inc page
- Digital Eclipse support page for Atari: The 80 Classic Games
Anthology
[edit]- Digital Eclipse Software, Inc page: Playstation 2, Xbox
- Atari page: Playstation 2, Xbox
