THE 800XL brings Atari’s 8-bit computer design back with a working keyboard and cartridge slot. Atari’s product page lists U.S. preorders at $219.99, with shipping expected in late April 2027. The recreation includes 25 games, an eight-button joystick and HDMI output, while keeping Atari BASIC available for people who want to write programs as well as play.
The original 800XL arrived in 1983. Retro Games Ltd. designed this recreation, while PLAION REPLAI handles manufacturing and distribution. The October 8 announcement gives April 23, 2027 as the shipping start. PLAION’s store lists that same date. These are preorder plans, rather than confirmation that units have reached customers.
THE 800XL keyboard and cartridge support
The full-size mechanical keyboard is central to THE 800XL’s appeal. For example, PLAION says users can write and save their own Atari BASIC programs. That gives the machine a computing role alongside its game carousel, instead of reducing the old computer to its appearance.
Atari describes the cartridge slot as supporting most Atari 400, 800, XL and XE cartridges. Keep that qualification in mind if you are buying it for a particular collection. The company also lists support for Atari 5200 games, but does not describe the slot as accepting physical 5200 cartridges.
Alternatively, owners can load software from USB flash drives. Supported files include cartridge, disk and cassette images. This provides a separate route into the older software library. However, these format listings do not establish compatibility with every cartridge or software image.
THE 800XL games, HDMI and USB
The included selection covers titles such as Centipede, Missile Command, Boulder Dash and M.U.L.E. Retro Games says the 25-game library comprises eight Atari first-party titles and 17 licensed third-party games. It also identifies two hidden extras, Castle Crisis and Super Breakout, which require an analog controller to unlock.
Four USB-A ports accommodate controllers and storage, while HDMI supports PAL at 50Hz and NTSC at 60Hz. Display options include 4:3 presentation, a pixel-perfect mode and CRT filters. There are four save slots per game and a rewind function.
One specification needs caution: Atari currently lists up to 40 seconds of rewind, while Retro Games and PLAION list 30 seconds. The official materials disagree, so buyers should seek clarification before treating either duration as settled.
Watch THE 800XL Announce Trailer [USA] on YouTube. Video: Retro Games.
Regional prices and what to check before ordering
Alongside the $219.99 U.S. listing, the announcement gives UK pricing of £199.99, euro pricing of €219.99 and Australian pricing of AUD $349.99. These are the announced regional amounts, not currency conversions or a calculation of your delivered cost. Check the relevant retailer’s shipping coverage and checkout total.
PLAION’s EU store takes payment at checkout and says preorders ship as stock arrives. Its package list includes the wired THECXSTICK, an HDMI cable, a USB power cable and a Quick Guide. However, the package does not include an AC adapter. Those terms describe that storefront; check your seller’s terms before ordering elsewhere.
For buyers following the wider retro-hardware market, our coverage of PLAION REPLAI’s Neo Geo AES+ delay is useful context for the importance of shipping schedules. THE 800XL’s stated appeal is more specific: a usable keyboard, BASIC and support for older Atari software. How well the finished hardware delivers that experience will require hands-on testing.
