Was wondering if I did something wrong with the 5200 files, next time I boot it up I'll tend to this. Otherwise everything else I migrated over to the USB drive worked like a charm - and thanks to you mentioning that file reading limit per page I split the folders up with roughly 200 ish max for each of the folders created, there is pretty much zero lag when you browse the folders it surprised me. Unrelated but I did take the opportunity to update the firmware on the C64 and A500 mini's I had too as they were both old versions, all patched now ^_^
The Atari 8-bits are still my favorite home computer. I have a 400 and 800XL as well 3 5200's in my collection of retro home computers and video games. They just seemed so awesome when they came out. Hopefully, my mini pre-order will show up this weekend.
Similar story to you. After selling my 400, and then 800XL Ended up with an XE from eBay. Saturday morning, if Amazon delivers it'll be like Xmas '82 all over again!
I was one of those who was not going to get this due to Star Raiders not being included. I have my old Star Raiders cartridge but alas my Atari 800 is no more. I would love some hints as to where I could find the Rom file for that game or if you could make a video for Dummies on how to find the file on the internet or what you need to get it from the ROM cartridge to a USB stick.
@@roccopassarette5060 Sounds like a second reqeust for an expansion video. BTW, there's a link in the video description to a full set of disk images on the Internet Archive in case you want to start exploring.
Search for star raided atari rom Copy it (8kb) to a memory stick Plug into 400 mini Select and load it Pull out memory stick Add external keyboard Enjoy I just did ... sure I can play this on Pi, Windows etc. But I just wanted a simple console that I could load in seconds.
I'm another longtime Atari 8-bit fan, got a 48K Atari 800 in 1982 when I was in high school (was a joint Chrstmas or birthday gift with my 1-year younger brother), and this mini 400 is really cool. I was thinking through the video, "Does it have Atari Basic?", and sure enough, it does! Made me real happy, as learning BASIC was my principal activity with my 800. Well, that and once I got a disk drive (a 1050), the typical "nerd" games of Infocom text adventures, SSI wargames, the classic early EA releases, and Flight Simulator II. I had little interest in the typical 8-bit arcade games, aside from Star Raiders (the only other game cart I had from those pre-Tramiel days was Eastern Front). I think I actually resented Atari for trotting out yet more releases of the same tired arcade games that I left behind with the VCS/2600.
Great review of The400 Mini. Thank you for going in-depth into the functionality as well as loading multi-disk games. I'm looking forward to getting mine & to start messing around with it. 👍👍
Thanks so much John for taking time out to give us such an extensive and excellent review. My 400 mini is coming later this week. Of course Ill know more how I feel about it when I get it, but based on what I saw here, Ill probably continue using original 5200, XEGS and 130 XE as my go to 8 bit and keep the mini just to add to collection or as an 8 bit backup..
Great video, Jon. Thank you so much for the detailed walkthrough which looks easy but would have set you back some serious time to prepare and shoot. I never had anything from the Atari line in the 80s (too costly) but I got a whopper of a present - Apple II in 1984. I mention this because many of my beloved games are also on the 400 Mini. That’s why I’ve purchased a mini and eagerly awaiting its arrival in the next few days.
Thanks so much! Your Atari videos have been very comprehensive and incredibly helpful. I am loving the 400 mini, it’s clear they’ve really put a lot of thought into it.👍
Good evening Jon ! I’m watching this video over and over again , I grew up with the C64, I now discover what a great system the 400 is. Thanks for the content and wish you the best !!
Catchy tune, indeed! I love all of the "mini" tunes. The C64 Mini tune was my favorite, but this earworm is taking over. Looking forward to my 400 Mini arriving soon!
Love your videos! Great to see a guy who also like Atari. I am a younger viewer, )14 yo) and I love your content, but can you do like kinda a let’s play like you did with adventure, and donkey Kong? Or do pc-man for the 2600 because I loved that port because of the fast mode on there! Also classic game room is back broadcasting from 2085.
@@GenXGrownUp John, I think it might be a good Idea to redo basic fun’s number 14 pac-man. Check on the ghosts movement, they all seem to act random, also the power pellets by stage 5, they don’t flicker white, they turn white for a frame before turning into the bad colors.the game actually runs at half the speed, and pac-man doesn’t round corners. But the ghosts do?!? I know you haven’t done one of those in a while. I love how you take your time to give to your audience! Great things come slow, and soon you’ll be at 50 thousand subs here soon! Have you played Atari today?
I’m going to get me a job and get me this computa look at these games. I’ve never known about this old Atari computer in general. Think I might get into it. And I want to make a game too. Awesome review. Love, GenZYungman
I think your videos consistently get better and better. This was a helpful review of the 400 Mini. I got my 400 in either 1979 or 1980 before they shipped with 8KB RAM, I paid for that upgrade because mine shipped with 4KB. To be honest, access to Atari Basic might be big selling point. I wasted hours programming basic on my old 400 although there was an addictive soccer game on the original that would be amazing to play again. Your video got me reconsidering my decision, I was going to pass on the 400 Mini; not anymore.
Jon, *THANK YOU* so much for this outstanding rundown of the Atari 400 Mini. You have saved me invaluable time setting mine up when it arrives here in Sweden (hopefully today - Thursday). I’ve been a subscriber for a couple of years now, but after this detailed vid I had to become a channel member as well.
How very kind of you, Grasshopper! I'm always happy to hear that one of my videos has helped someone out. I appreciate you watching! You'll have to let me know how your experience with THE400 Mini goes! 😁
Awesome video! Thank you for taking all the time and effort. I am super impressed with all the features that they put in this. Your video helps this a lot!
As many here the 400 was my first computer and I've wished for a modern solution for as long as I can remember, got mine in today looking forward to it but glad John is getting it all figured out beforehand!
Hello Jon. I like what you do with this channel. It's a great escape from all of the craziness in the world. I'm not a hard core ethusiast but I do think it's all very interesting as I do most things from the 80's. This 400 mini stuff is all exploratory for me as I couldn't afford most of this stuff when I was a kid. It's great that it exist now. I'm still getting use the Atari Game Sation Pro and what it has to offer thanks to this channel. This 400 Mini looks like loads of fun as well. Thanks for another great video.
Fantastic review! I didn’t grow up with 400/800, but the 2600 and got the XEGS as a teenager, so this wasn’t on my radar. But your review is so thorough and your enthusiasm have me wanting one!
That 400 Mini absolutely kicks ass... In my early teens, I used to have a fully upgraded Atari 400 and I spent hours and hours on that thing... I have got to get one of these... :)
Ok, you sold me, I ordered mine. My first computer was an Atari 800 and I was holding out for news of a mini 800 but the section on programming hit the "sitting in the glow of a TV pecking at 2 am pecking at the keyboard with an open copy of the latest Antic" nostalgia button. Good times. Great review and thanks for all you do.
...and then getting the corrections in the next issue of Antic, explaining why I could never get the damn thing to run! 😁 I hope you enjoy it - thanks for the kind words.
I cannot wait for mine to arrive (pre-ordered from Amazon UK)! I had an Atari 800 back in the early 80s; it was by far the best home computer at the time for me over the ZX Spectrum and C64; I loved that beast of a machine with games like Star Raiders, Rescue On Fractalus, and so many others, it was fantastic! I was working at a local family owned shop at the time, and very stupidly (in retrospect) traded it in for the new 800XL when it came out!! 😞 The XL was a great machine, and it came with the matching tape and disc drive, but it didn't have that 'feel' of the original - the original's brute force size and weight was so impressive! And now it's worth a bloody fortune on Ebay!! 😳 Oh well, my 400 mini arrives on Saturday I believe, so it's late (I don't know why), but I am so really looking forward to getting back to that system that I loved 40 years ago... 😊 👍
Great video Jon. The authoritative word on everything Atari as always. I'm looking forward to taking delivery of my 400 Mini this weekend hopefully :-) Keep up the awesome work!
Thank you for another great and conclusive video. I am so looking forward to playing (Bruce) Lee once again plus Jumpman Jr., Donkey Kong, and Zombies. As I am used to the PAL versions the toggle is a really nice option.
Best review by far and I believe I've practically seen them all. Definitely the most comprehensive. The USB stick chapter really helped show me how the system works with rom files. Definitely sold me on buying one. That Joystick is pretty awesome. Hopefully works on a PC/MAC.
I got an Atari 800 XL when the power supply on the C64 I got for Christmas blew out. The store didn't have a replacement so I "settled" on the Atari. I had so much fun programming that thing from magazines with my dorky little tape recorder. I later got an XE with a proper disk drive.
Thank you so much, Jon, for such an indept review of the 400 mini, I'm expecting mine any day now and can't wait to get stuck in and re-explore all those classics I played as a kid, I can almost smell the nostalgia from back in the day, I'm sure they will update certain aspects of the machine, for me I'd love to have be able to include custom bezels for making it more in tune Atari experience and allow custom cover art for your own games you bring via the USB stick that would be the ultimate. So looking forward to what you do next and thanks for a great video
Really excited to revisit the Atari 8-bit range, I had an Atari 800 for years and it is my all time favourite home computer. My Atari 400mini is likely to be delivered tomorrow. I live in Australia so the distribution has been well organised!
The fact that you can add your own games and you dont have to bother with hackchi CE, is a godsend. I have all the atari 8 bit stuff and getting to add what i want is making me want to buy this system🙂
Things they need to improve upon: Fullscreen mode (no Bezels). On the fly 50/60Hz switching. Saving Basic Programs to the USB-Stick. Automatic system detection via suffix (.a52) must be the 5200 system, right?
John, this review makes an Atari 8 bit fan, like myself, proud. The next Atari to be released console? I would like the 1450XLD that was never released or simply an Atari 800 maxie, as you have brought up.
Because of this console I became a game developer, I worked on a lot of the Atari 2600 line a few 5200. Now I have just about every home console running on a phone it’s crazy.
About 6 months ago I didn't have a single Atari system. In a few days this will be my 4th one. \o/ Great review, sir. Really looking forward to getting this.
Atari has buried their foot on the accelerator this year. So much happening with them. I also understand that more downloadable content is coming up for Atari50! 🎉🎉🎉😊 I can't wait to see the 400 Mini modded with more games in your next video, or, maybe in this one?
Great review for The400 Mini. Thank you for going in-depth into the different features & multi-disk functionality. Can't wait to get mine & start messing around with it. 👍👍
Good review buddy. I'm getting really tired of modern gaming and it's abundtely poor quality and high price. I'm going to gravitate back to retro gaming and I love these minis for consoles and computers. I have to say, I really like this one.. These computers like this and C64, etc were way ahead of my time so I obviously never owned any but I have to say, they have a ton of charm.
Those of us who bought the C64 Mini and found it disappointing (one way or another, possibly several) look at this with a different set of initial expectations. However, credit where it is due, I had never heard anyone say "Atari 400" out loud even once in my life (not even in a podcast or youtube video) prior to the announcement of this mini console: it has revived interest in a software library that NEARLY been forgotten.
it would be soooo cool if they have made it a little bigger and with a real cartridge reader (as for the atari 2600+), THAT would have been really amazing ! Great Video by the way !
lol I thought I was the only one to remember 'Bristles' too. A friend had an Atari 800 back in the day (thanks to Ebay I have one now) but I did have a 130XE later so could play those games I remembered fondly. But the music and the revealing words after each level take me right back to those happy times!
Looks good will look for one after your review, to me it's got the same issues as the A500 mini regarding the mapping, I do wish they fix that up, they need to do Atari ST Maxi and A500 Maxi, some PAL games will run slow compared NTSC games as well and might find some hidden gems as Euro and America got well different ports in a bad way
I’m surprised (Bruce) Lee was so playable for you on the CXStick. I find it to be almost unplayable because the character auto ducks or jump when you push left or right. Only if I play the game with a Xbox 360 controller or something like that does Lee control better… Weird… I’ll have to look into it more.
Hey, MJR. Your character will definitely jump more than you want him to (topping those ladders or trellises or whatever they are), but THECXSTICK feels very precise and I didn't encounter too much accidental hopping or ducking. Another side effect of the ol' single-button controller we inherited from the VCS - a second button for jump would be very welcome for Bruce Lee! 🕹️ P.S. Thanks for stopping by. Since you visited does that make me "legit" now? 😉
Fantastic review! Saved me a lot of faffing about. Mine arrived yesterday. Just wondered how you organised your 8-but games into folders, did you do them all manually?
I did them all manually. Even though there are literally thousands of disk/cart/cass images, I was just moving them in blocks of 250 or so, so it's wasn't all that time-consuming.
Thank you for the reply! I downloaded a ROM sorting programming - for initial A-Z sorting, and I going to manually sort from there. The folders don’t seem to show more than 250 files when viewing on the 400 as far as I can tell. Thanks again!
@@PaulWadsworth1970 Right. The limit is 256 entries, so I just rounded down to 250 in case I ever want to add one or two disk images to any given folder. No need to live on the ragged edge!
Great video! My unit arrived as I was watching yesterday. Not sure if anyone has mentioned this below - I found that I could import and export files from the "BASIC" .atr file using the Disk Expolrer tool in the Altirra emulator. Was able to add a .BAS program, see it listed in the DOS directory and run it. Thanks again for a great video.
Thanks again Jon. I'm having a play right now with separate folders on the USB flash drive (due to file limit of 256). Also attempting to look at options for files that seemingly crash (perhaps me not knowing which games are for which system yet).
I had a C64 and only got to play on an Atari 400 a few times (remember a Pac-man clone, plus Star Raiders). At the time, had a 2600 so the 400 was amazing. M.U.L.E. is one of my all-time favorite games. I think the Atari version has better graphics and sound. We used to play 3 and rarely 4 player MULE on the C64 - had to share joysticks, plus use the keyboard. I always wanted to play this with 4 sticks...I think I need to pick one of these devices up. It looks great. I also miss that style of joystick.
Amazing review, as I knew it would be from GenX Jon. I am looking forward to this mini. I grew up in a C64 house, with the exception of the Atari 2600, so I did not experience the Atari 8-bit line personally. I had a friend or two that had an 800, but well I don't have to tell you about the rivalry that existed between 8-bit brands back then, LOL. Now to find the game collections for download that seem to be disappearing these days with all the crackdowns on emulation sites. Should be fun.
I contacted Amazon about my 400 mini that was defective, well you talk about service I told them last night about replacement unit and. This morning I got a message from Amazon that my replacement has been shipped and will be here to tomorrow!
USB CX-40!! Now I can play H.E.R.O. on my PC emulator. I've never been able to play that game well without using the original Atari stick so I have to fire up one of my 2600s whenever I want to play that game (probably my favorite 2600 game).
Several things that they really need: 1. A config option to specify that a particular program needs to be run in PAL or NTSC. 2. It should have a web store to buy and download any of the other games that Atari has the rights to. 3. A method to create your own packages that can be installed just like the built-in games.
All sound like cool additions. I don't believe this little plug-and-play was really intended or marketed as a platform for expansion or development, but as a creative consumers, it's easy to see around the corner to things we'd like to do once we see what's been done so well so far.
@@GenXGrownUp I agree. I do think requiring a factory reset between PAL and NTSC is really stupid and should be fixed. There are a good number of games from the 90s that only run in PAL If they had been thinking of doing a web store to sell more games, they would have included WiFi, which would have raised the cost. But hopefully fans will figure out the format and find a way to add or otherwise customize the built-in games. The emulator community should have developed a container format long ago that includes all the settings for each game that could have worked for this.
Right. And you won't find a review showing games in full screen because it's not a display option. For games you add, you can adjust both the vertical and horizontal width, but it will always be bordered. It bugged me at first, but like letterboxed DVDs in the'90s, after a time I no longer noticed the border.
Great in-depth review! Will we finally be able to use a CX40 style joystick on a Retro Pie without an adapter? Better yet use the new CX stick on the Atari VCS to play 2600 games.
Nice review. I keep seeing mention of "games" in regards to the images you can load. Obviously that's the target market, but the 8bit software library is SO much more than just games, and included things like productivity software, language compilers, endless types really. Are there any known restrictions on what kind of software images it lets you run?
You're so right. If you wanna run SynCalc or AtariWriter you definitely can. The real limitation is getting files in & out of those programs, since there isn't any sort of disk mounting available. You're kind of limited (in my experience so far) to using those applications inside THE400 Mini bubble.
Waiting for mine to arrive. I would love to be able to purchase the media kit. I wish they would put that up for sale as an option. Love your informational video. Can you send a link on where you can get the keyboard stickers to put on a modern keyboard.
I hope you get loads of fun out of it. I said the same thing back when that 2600+ kit hit last year -- make it available as a "Collector's Edition" or similar to anyone who wants one, right? Check the video description for links to the key decals.
I got my pre ordered 400 mini from Amazon just yesterday and of course I got a defective one. It will come on and you can start to play a game and it just shuts itself off! I tried several power units 5 V 1 amp and it did the same thing. I ‘m sending back to Amazon for replacement . I hope no one else has had a problem!
The cable colors make this extra. That joystick is something, right? I kind of palm my joystick (ha ha) like you. Wonder how easy it would be to hit the buttons around the stick (primarily the West button). Is it manageable? Bro, expanding this thing is SO easy. Such an amazing feature for software dummies like me. LOL Not into basic but it will be interesting to see if a save option is found or created and to see if there is an influx of basic programmers. GREAT video, man.
This is answered A LOT of questions. Of course I'm going to try to run Diamond v 3 and 3rd party basic and newer homebrews that look gorgeous like time pilot.
🚨 R E V I E W U P D A T E S 🚨
• I was mistaken - Atari 5200 ROM images should have the .bin extension - NOT .a52
Was wondering if I did something wrong with the 5200 files, next time I boot it up I'll tend to this.
Otherwise everything else I migrated over to the USB drive worked like a charm - and thanks to you mentioning that file reading limit per page I split the folders up with roughly 200 ish max for each of the folders created, there is pretty much zero lag when you browse the folders it surprised me.
Unrelated but I did take the opportunity to update the firmware on the C64 and A500 mini's I had too as they were both old versions, all patched now ^_^
Just got a message mine is ready for pickup at the post office 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Atari Party at Patrick's house tonight! 🥳
@@GenXGrownUp got home, unpacked and installed it, then I cooked dinner :)
The Atari 8-bits are still my favorite home computer. I have a 400 and 800XL as well 3 5200's in my collection of retro home computers and video games. They just seemed so awesome when they came out. Hopefully, my mini pre-order will show up this weekend.
No wonder I can't buy one , you've got them all😂😂
Similar story to you. After selling my 400, and then 800XL Ended up with an XE from eBay. Saturday morning, if Amazon delivers it'll be like Xmas '82 all over again!
Would love a "For Dummies" guide to getting other games on a stick-drive if possible, for those who aren't as techy. Great video!
Heh. I'm sure you're no dummy, but if there's enough demand I could certainly do that.
I was one of those who was not going to get this due to Star Raiders not being included. I have my old Star Raiders cartridge but alas my Atari 800 is no more. I would love some hints as to where I could find the Rom file for that game or if you could make a video for Dummies on how to find the file on the internet or what you need to get it from the ROM cartridge to a USB stick.
@@roccopassarette5060 Sounds like a second reqeust for an expansion video. BTW, there's a link in the video description to a full set of disk images on the Internet Archive in case you want to start exploring.
Search for star raided atari rom
Copy it (8kb) to a memory stick
Plug into 400 mini
Select and load it
Pull out memory stick
Add external keyboard
Enjoy
I just did ... sure I can play this on Pi, Windows etc. But I just wanted a simple console that I could load in seconds.
I would totally go for a "For Dummies" video!
Jon, the quality and content of your videos is really outstanding. Thank you!
I appreciate that! Thank you for watching! 😁
Wow that 400 mini looks awesome! Great job on the massive review, Jon.
Thanks for watching!
I'm another longtime Atari 8-bit fan, got a 48K Atari 800 in 1982 when I was in high school (was a joint Chrstmas or birthday gift with my 1-year younger brother), and this mini 400 is really cool. I was thinking through the video, "Does it have Atari Basic?", and sure enough, it does! Made me real happy, as learning BASIC was my principal activity with my 800. Well, that and once I got a disk drive (a 1050), the typical "nerd" games of Infocom text adventures, SSI wargames, the classic early EA releases, and Flight Simulator II. I had little interest in the typical 8-bit arcade games, aside from Star Raiders (the only other game cart I had from those pre-Tramiel days was Eastern Front). I think I actually resented Atari for trotting out yet more releases of the same tired arcade games that I left behind with the VCS/2600.
This is the review I've wanted! Thank you!
Great review of The400 Mini. Thank you for going in-depth into the functionality as well as loading multi-disk games. I'm looking forward to getting mine & to start messing around with it. 👍👍
Thanks so much John for taking time out to give us such an extensive and excellent review.
My 400 mini is coming later this week. Of course Ill know more how I feel about it when I get it, but based on what I saw here, Ill probably continue using original 5200, XEGS and 130 XE as my go to 8 bit and keep the mini just to add to collection or as an 8 bit backup..
Great video, Jon. Thank you so much for the detailed walkthrough which looks easy but would have set you back some serious time to prepare and shoot. I never had anything from the Atari line in the 80s (too costly) but I got a whopper of a present - Apple II in 1984. I mention this because many of my beloved games are also on the 400 Mini. That’s why I’ve purchased a mini and eagerly awaiting its arrival in the next few days.
Thanks so much! Your Atari videos have been very comprehensive and incredibly helpful. I am loving the 400 mini, it’s clear they’ve really put a lot of thought into it.👍
Glad to help! 😁
Thanks for the great, in depth review Jon. I too am waiting patiently for an 800XL Max!
Good evening Jon ! I’m watching this video over and over again , I grew up with the C64, I now discover what a great system the 400 is. Thanks for the content and wish you the best !!
Hi there, and thanks for watching. I'm very much enjoying my Mini! 😁
Catchy tune, indeed! I love all of the "mini" tunes. The C64 Mini tune was my favorite, but this earworm is taking over. Looking forward to my 400 Mini arriving soon!
Oh man. Programming in BASIC is such a cool addition. 🤩
Love your videos! Great to see a guy who also like Atari. I am a younger viewer, )14 yo) and I love your content, but can you do like kinda a let’s play like you did with adventure, and donkey Kong? Or do pc-man for the 2600 because I loved that port because of the fast mode on there!
Also classic game room is back broadcasting from 2085.
Ms. Pac-Man sounds like a great pick. I'll put it on my idea list. Thanks!
@@GenXGrownUpNo problem.
@@GenXGrownUp John, I think it might be a good Idea to redo basic fun’s number 14 pac-man. Check on the ghosts movement, they all seem to act random, also the power pellets by stage 5, they don’t flicker white, they turn white for a frame before turning into the bad colors.the game actually runs at half the speed, and pac-man doesn’t round corners. But the ghosts do?!? I know you haven’t done one of those in a while. I love how you take your time to give to your audience! Great things come slow, and soon you’ll be at 50 thousand subs here soon! Have you played Atari today?
I’m going to get me a job and get me this computa look at these games. I’ve never known about this old Atari computer in general. Think I might get into it. And I want to make a game too. Awesome review.
Love, GenZYungman
Hope you enjoy it!
I think your videos consistently get better and better. This was a helpful review of the 400 Mini. I got my 400 in either 1979 or 1980 before they shipped with 8KB RAM, I paid for that upgrade because mine shipped with 4KB. To be honest, access to Atari Basic might be big selling point. I wasted hours programming basic on my old 400 although there was an addictive soccer game on the original that would be amazing to play again. Your video got me reconsidering my decision, I was going to pass on the 400 Mini; not anymore.
Jon, *THANK YOU* so much for this outstanding rundown of the Atari 400 Mini. You have saved me invaluable time setting mine up when it arrives here in Sweden (hopefully today - Thursday). I’ve been a subscriber for a couple of years now, but after this detailed vid I had to become a channel member as well.
How very kind of you, Grasshopper! I'm always happy to hear that one of my videos has helped someone out. I appreciate you watching! You'll have to let me know how your experience with THE400 Mini goes! 😁
Looks like a solid device overall, congrats on a huge review week! 🎉
Awesome video! Thank you for taking all the time and effort. I am super impressed with all the features that they put in this. Your video helps this a lot!
As many here the 400 was my first computer and I've wished for a modern solution for as long as I can remember, got mine in today looking forward to it but glad John is getting it all figured out beforehand!
Excellent review. I'm already looking forward to the future videos showing the system's modding with new firmware and games. :)
This system looks amazing! I would love to see a C64 mini vid from you! ❤
Hello Jon. I like what you do with this channel. It's a great escape from all of the craziness in the world. I'm not a hard core ethusiast but I do think it's all very interesting as I do most things from the 80's. This 400 mini stuff is all exploratory for me as I couldn't afford most of this stuff when I was a kid. It's great that it exist now. I'm still getting use the Atari Game Sation Pro and what it has to offer thanks to this channel. This 400 Mini looks like loads of fun as well. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks for the kind words and for watching. I'm very thankful and humbled that you enjoy my work! 😁
Fantastic review! I didn’t grow up with 400/800, but the 2600 and got the XEGS as a teenager, so this wasn’t on my radar. But your review is so thorough and your enthusiasm have me wanting one!
That 400 Mini absolutely kicks ass... In my early teens, I used to have a fully upgraded Atari 400 and I spent hours and hours on that thing... I have got to get one of these... :)
Love your enthusiasm, expertise, joy of all things Atari, honesty and your wonderful & entertaining videos. Best Wishes !!!
Brilliant review...the best I've watched...can't wait for the arrival of my 400 Mini...my 800XL was my favourite childhood home computer!
Ok, you sold me, I ordered mine.
My first computer was an Atari 800 and I was holding out for news of a mini 800 but the section on programming hit the "sitting in the glow of a TV pecking at 2 am pecking at the keyboard with an open copy of the latest Antic" nostalgia button. Good times.
Great review and thanks for all you do.
...and then getting the corrections in the next issue of Antic, explaining why I could never get the damn thing to run! 😁 I hope you enjoy it - thanks for the kind words.
Thanks again jon for bringing more enjoyable content coverage on mini gaming platforms!
I cannot wait for mine to arrive (pre-ordered from Amazon UK)! I had an Atari 800 back in the early 80s; it was by far the best home computer at the time for me over the ZX Spectrum and C64; I loved that beast of a machine with games like Star Raiders, Rescue On Fractalus, and so many others, it was fantastic! I was working at a local family owned shop at the time, and very stupidly (in retrospect) traded it in for the new 800XL when it came out!! 😞 The XL was a great machine, and it came with the matching tape and disc drive, but it didn't have that 'feel' of the original - the original's brute force size and weight was so impressive! And now it's worth a bloody fortune on Ebay!! 😳
Oh well, my 400 mini arrives on Saturday I believe, so it's late (I don't know why), but I am so really looking forward to getting back to that system that I loved 40 years ago... 😊 👍
Thanks Jon for this informative video, I'm waiting for mini to try this little beast out !
You're welcome. Thank you for watching! 😁
Great video Jon. The authoritative word on everything Atari as always. I'm looking forward to taking delivery of my 400 Mini this weekend hopefully :-) Keep up the awesome work!
Fantastic review as always!
Thank you for another great and conclusive video. I am so looking forward to playing (Bruce) Lee once again plus Jumpman Jr., Donkey Kong, and Zombies. As I am used to the PAL versions the toggle is a really nice option.
Great review - thank you. I've gone back and forth on whether this is for me or not, and really appreciate you sharing your experience with it.
Glad it was helpful!
Best review by far and I believe I've practically seen them all. Definitely the most comprehensive. The USB stick chapter really helped show me how the system works with rom files. Definitely sold me on buying one. That Joystick is pretty awesome. Hopefully works on a PC/MAC.
I got an Atari 800 XL when the power supply on the C64 I got for Christmas blew out. The store didn't have a replacement so I "settled" on the Atari. I had so much fun programming that thing from magazines with my dorky little tape recorder. I later got an XE with a proper disk drive.
I loved my 800, and later upgraded to the 800XL and then that same 130XE. Truly a great '80s computing platform.
The feature to add your own games is awesome. And thank God someone put a mapping controller option. Nice review my friend!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Im glad to see the beige cables were not just for the fancy press kits
Agreed!
Thank you so much, Jon, for such an indept review of the 400 mini, I'm expecting mine any day now and can't wait to get stuck in and re-explore all those classics I played as a kid, I can almost smell the nostalgia from back in the day, I'm sure they will update certain aspects of the machine, for me I'd love to have be able to include custom bezels for making it more in tune Atari experience and allow custom cover art for your own games you bring via the USB stick that would be the ultimate.
So looking forward to what you do next and thanks for a great video
Really excited to revisit the Atari 8-bit range, I had an Atari 800 for years and it is my all time favourite home computer. My Atari 400mini is likely to be delivered tomorrow. I live in Australia so the distribution has been well organised!
The fact that you can add your own games and you dont have to bother with hackchi CE, is a godsend.
I have all the atari 8 bit stuff and getting to add what i want is making me want to buy this system🙂
Things they need to improve upon:
Fullscreen mode (no Bezels).
On the fly 50/60Hz switching.
Saving Basic Programs to the USB-Stick.
Automatic system detection via suffix (.a52) must be the 5200 system, right?
John, this review makes an Atari 8 bit fan, like myself, proud. The next Atari to be released console? I would like the 1450XLD that was never released or simply an Atari 800 maxie, as you have brought up.
Me too. They did this right.
Wow....the controller is awesome. Amazingly thoughtful update while looking old.
Because of this console I became a game developer, I worked on a lot of the Atari 2600 line a few 5200. Now I have just about every home console running on a phone it’s crazy.
That's great!
Nice review. It brings back so many memories of my 800 XL. Any news if any brick and mortar stores will be selling this?
Thanks for watching. I'm not privvy to distribution plans - you'd have to ask Retro Games.
So many memories.. can't wait. Great review!
Thanks for watching!
About 6 months ago I didn't have a single Atari system. In a few days this will be my 4th one. \o/ Great review, sir. Really looking forward to getting this.
It's a beautiful sickness! 😉
That looks terrific. I'm glad I pre-ordered, and I'm looking forward to getting mine...
Atari has buried their foot on the accelerator this year. So much happening with them. I also understand that more downloadable content is coming up for Atari50! 🎉🎉🎉😊 I can't wait to see the 400 Mini modded with more games in your next video, or, maybe in this one?
No kidding - I'm so happy to have lived long enough to see Atari coming back to life!
Foot on the accelerator indeed. I just placed another order for more Atari stock shares $PONGF :)
Great review for The400 Mini. Thank you for going in-depth into the different features & multi-disk functionality. Can't wait to get mine & start messing around with it. 👍👍
I’m so excited for this…should be arriving Friday!
Good review buddy. I'm getting really tired of modern gaming and it's abundtely poor quality and high price. I'm going to gravitate back to retro gaming and I love these minis for consoles and computers. I have to say, I really like this one.. These computers like this and C64, etc were way ahead of my time so I obviously never owned any but I have to say, they have a ton of charm.
Thanks for the great review!!
Been looking forward to the review even though I bought it already and know I'm gonna love it!
Those of us who bought the C64 Mini and found it disappointing (one way or another, possibly several) look at this with a different set of initial expectations. However, credit where it is due, I had never heard anyone say "Atari 400" out loud even once in my life (not even in a podcast or youtube video) prior to the announcement of this mini console: it has revived interest in a software library that NEARLY been forgotten.
Hopefully, this turns out better, especially since they are charging nearly double what the C64 Mini was when that launched.
it would be soooo cool if they have made it a little bigger and with a real cartridge reader (as for the atari 2600+), THAT would have been really amazing ! Great Video by the way !
lol I thought I was the only one to remember 'Bristles' too. A friend had an Atari 800 back in the day (thanks to Ebay I have one now) but I did have a 130XE later so could play those games I remembered fondly. But the music and the revealing words after each level take me right back to those happy times!
Mine is coming Friday. How about using the atari trackball?
Great system, and great review John. As an Atari 8-bit fan I love it.
You and me both!
Looks good will look for one after your review, to me it's got the same issues as the A500 mini regarding the mapping, I do wish they fix that up, they need to do Atari ST Maxi and A500 Maxi, some PAL games will run slow compared NTSC games as well and might find some hidden gems as Euro and America got well different ports in a bad way
Awesome video
I’m surprised (Bruce) Lee was so playable for you on the CXStick. I find it to be almost unplayable because the character auto ducks or jump when you push left or right. Only if I play the game with a Xbox 360 controller or something like that does Lee control better… Weird… I’ll have to look into it more.
Hey, MJR. Your character will definitely jump more than you want him to (topping those ladders or trellises or whatever they are), but THECXSTICK feels very precise and I didn't encounter too much accidental hopping or ducking. Another side effect of the ol' single-button controller we inherited from the VCS - a second button for jump would be very welcome for Bruce Lee! 🕹️
P.S. Thanks for stopping by. Since you visited does that make me "legit" now? 😉
Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic review! Saved me a lot of faffing about. Mine arrived yesterday. Just wondered how you organised your 8-but games into folders, did you do them all manually?
I did them all manually. Even though there are literally thousands of disk/cart/cass images, I was just moving them in blocks of 250 or so, so it's wasn't all that time-consuming.
Thank you for the reply! I downloaded a ROM sorting programming - for initial A-Z sorting, and I going to manually sort from there. The folders don’t seem to show more than 250 files when viewing on the 400 as far as I can tell. Thanks again!
@@PaulWadsworth1970 Right. The limit is 256 entries, so I just rounded down to 250 in case I ever want to add one or two disk images to any given folder. No need to live on the ragged edge!
Great video! My unit arrived as I was watching yesterday. Not sure if anyone has mentioned this below - I found that I could import and export files from the "BASIC" .atr file using the Disk Expolrer tool in the Altirra emulator. Was able to add a .BAS program, see it listed in the DOS directory and run it. Thanks again for a great video.
Oooooh, I've never tried using that part of Altirra. Thanks for the tip!
This emulator offers much more than I thought it would. Good video Jon:)
It does! They really spent the time to make it polished.
Thanks again Jon. I'm having a play right now with separate folders on the USB flash drive (due to file limit of 256). Also attempting to look at options for files that seemingly crash (perhaps me not knowing which games are for which system yet).
I had a C64 and only got to play on an Atari 400 a few times (remember a Pac-man clone, plus Star Raiders). At the time, had a 2600 so the 400 was amazing. M.U.L.E. is one of my all-time favorite games. I think the Atari version has better graphics and sound. We used to play 3 and rarely 4 player MULE on the C64 - had to share joysticks, plus use the keyboard. I always wanted to play this with 4 sticks...I think I need to pick one of these devices up. It looks great. I also miss that style of joystick.
Amazing review, as I knew it would be from GenX Jon. I am looking forward to this mini. I grew up in a C64 house, with the exception of the Atari 2600, so I did not experience the Atari 8-bit line personally. I had a friend or two that had an 800, but well I don't have to tell you about the rivalry that existed between 8-bit brands back then, LOL. Now to find the game collections for download that seem to be disappearing these days with all the crackdowns on emulation sites. Should be fun.
Look forward to getting mine from Amazon this week!
I contacted Amazon about my 400 mini that was defective, well you talk about service I told them last night about replacement unit and. This morning I got a message from Amazon that my replacement has been shipped and will be here to tomorrow!
Woot! Glad to hear.
USB CX-40!! Now I can play H.E.R.O. on my PC emulator. I've never been able to play that game well without using the original Atari stick so I have to fire up one of my 2600s whenever I want to play that game (probably my favorite 2600 game).
Several things that they really need:
1. A config option to specify that a particular program needs to be run in PAL or NTSC.
2. It should have a web store to buy and download any of the other games that Atari has the rights to.
3. A method to create your own packages that can be installed just like the built-in games.
All sound like cool additions. I don't believe this little plug-and-play was really intended or marketed as a platform for expansion or development, but as a creative consumers, it's easy to see around the corner to things we'd like to do once we see what's been done so well so far.
@@GenXGrownUp I agree. I do think requiring a factory reset between PAL and NTSC is really stupid and should be fixed. There are a good number of games from the 90s that only run in PAL If they had been thinking of doing a web store to sell more games, they would have included WiFi, which would have raised the cost. But hopefully fans will figure out the format and find a way to add or otherwise customize the built-in games. The emulator community should have developed a container format long ago that includes all the settings for each game that could have worked for this.
"FULL SCREEN ?" , does the unit run in full screen as I can not find one review showing games in full screen as this would be a downer
Right. And you won't find a review showing games in full screen because it's not a display option. For games you add, you can adjust both the vertical and horizontal width, but it will always be bordered. It bugged me at first, but like letterboxed DVDs in the'90s, after a time I no longer noticed the border.
@@GenXGrownUp Thanks for the quick reply. I know its a 4:3 aspect, but having a full screen 4:3 with black bars and 16:9 still would be good
@@MichaelYates Options are always nice to have.
thanks for the vid! i purchased the cx40 joystick. im curious to see how it works with stella on a PC. KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON!!!
So is there a way to use a trackball????
Great job on your review. Top notch. Conan - Nice choice!
Great in-depth review! Will we finally be able to use a CX40 style joystick on a Retro Pie without an adapter? Better yet use the new CX stick on the Atari VCS to play 2600 games.
Nice review. I keep seeing mention of "games" in regards to the images you can load. Obviously that's the target market, but the 8bit software library is SO much more than just games, and included things like productivity software, language compilers, endless types really. Are there any known restrictions on what kind of software images it lets you run?
You're so right. If you wanna run SynCalc or AtariWriter you definitely can. The real limitation is getting files in & out of those programs, since there isn't any sort of disk mounting available. You're kind of limited (in my experience so far) to using those applications inside THE400 Mini bubble.
A bit random, but your video reminded me how much I WISH I STILL HAD MY COMMODORE 64!!!😔😢😭
Waiting for mine to arrive. I would love to be able to purchase the media kit. I wish they would put that up for sale as an option.
Love your informational video.
Can you send a link on where you can get the keyboard stickers to put on a modern keyboard.
I hope you get loads of fun out of it. I said the same thing back when that 2600+ kit hit last year -- make it available as a "Collector's Edition" or similar to anyone who wants one, right?
Check the video description for links to the key decals.
This unit looks pretty awesome. I really wanna play Wavy Navy. That looks totally fun. It seems very clever. The altered Galaga theme is so cool.
Quick question....
Is it 4 save states per game? Or total on the system? Thanks!
Many thanks for your awesome showcasing! 🙂
My pleasure! Thank you for watching! 😁
Thank you for testing the sound in PAL-mode. Much appreciated! Luckily the sound in PAL-mode is fine! Now I am going to buy one ;-)
That was just for you! 😁
@@GenXGrownUpThe left and right bracket keys [ ] work fine with my USB keyboard. I will try to find the inverse key ;-)
I got my pre ordered 400 mini from Amazon just yesterday and of course I got a defective one. It will come on and you can start to play a game and it just shuts itself off! I tried several power units 5 V 1 amp and it did the same thing. I ‘m sending back to Amazon for replacement . I hope no one else has had a problem!
I'm sorry you had that experience. I hope your new unit arrives quickly for you!
My delivery date is supposedly Friday. Can't wait. I'll probably throw together my own little video about it.
Great job Jon!
Where did you get the keyboard decals?
Link in the description! 👀
This is exciting! I'll be there!
The cable colors make this extra. That joystick is something, right? I kind of palm my joystick (ha ha) like you. Wonder how easy it would be to hit the buttons around the stick (primarily the West button). Is it manageable? Bro, expanding this thing is SO easy. Such an amazing feature for software dummies like me. LOL Not into basic but it will be interesting to see if a save option is found or created and to see if there is an influx of basic programmers. GREAT video, man.
They need to do this for the Trs-80 color computer 1-3 (maybe put model 1-3) and the Apple IIc.. Though I doubt that Apple would ever allow that.
Interesting. Since the TRS-80s had built-in monitors, they could instead go with the Tandy CoCo, and include TRS-80 support as well.
Hover Bover is said with a hard 'v'. It's a play on a slang British pronunciation of 'Bother' 'Bovver'. Great review, many thanks.
thank you for a super detailed review :-)
I'm waiting very patiently, for the 65xe/130xe mini...finger crossed
(If allowed by copyright and/or your ethics) can you try Shamus and see if it works?
This is answered A LOT of questions. Of course I'm going to try to run Diamond v 3 and 3rd party basic and newer homebrews that look gorgeous like time pilot.
I just ran the modern Scramble homebrew on the live stream and it was flawless!