Atari VCS (2021 console)

The Atari VCS is a home video game console produced by affiliates of Atari, Inc. It plays contemporary games and streaming entertainment via AtariOS, a Linux-based operating system that allows users to install other compatible games, including those compatible with Microsoft Windows. Its exterior encasing design is intended to pay homage to the original Atari's 1977 Atari 2600 and is named after the acronym of that console's original name, Video Computer System (VCS). The system was first revealed as Ataribox in June 2017 and partially crowdfunded starting in May 2018. After several delays, the console was expected to ship in March 2020, but was delayed again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial units for backers were shipped in December 2020, while the console had a general release in June 2021, in Australia, New Zealand and then in North America; shipping was initially restricted to the United States only by Atari and official distributors before it was expanded to include Canada by October 2021. The VCS has not been released in European, African or Asian territories. In March 2023, Atari announced it was releasing 100 numbered-edition consoles that were held in reserve.