Atari has been releasing updated versions of classic consoles lately, like the 2600+ replica console in 2023 and the 7800+ in late 2024. They even come with physical cartridge releases containing old-school games like Berzerk, Space Duel, and Ninja Golf. But hold on to your wallet, folks, because Atari just dropped the bomb that these physical copies are gonna cost you more now, all thanks to tariffs.
In an email sent out to customers on April 30, Atari spilled the beans about the price hike, blaming President Trump’s trade war with China for the increase. Starting May 5th, all game cartridges will see a 10 percent price bump. Yep, that means both the 2600 and 7800 cartridges are not safe from the tariff storm.
Atari’s lineup of ’80s-inspired gaming gear includes the wood-paneled 2600+ and the sleek 7800+, along with the Atari 400 Mini and VCS digital gaming set top boxes. Prices for these bad boys seem to be staying put, but the replica cartridges are going up from $30 to $33. So, if you’re looking to snag the whole collection, get ready to shell out over $60 just for tariff-related price hikes. Ouch!
Atari isn’t the only one feeling the trade war heat. Anbernic, maker of those Game Boy lookalikes, has stopped all shipments to the U.S., and controller maker 8bitdo is feeling the pinch too. Nintendo hit pause on Switch 2 pre-orders and jacked up accessory prices by 5 bucks. And word on the street is that Sony might have to do the same for the PlayStation 5 if these tariffs stick around after the current U.S. stock runs out.
“We know this might hit ya where it hurts, and we want you to know we didn’t make this call lightly,” Atari wrote in the email. “We tried to soak up some of the extra costs, but we can’t take it all on the chin. We’ll keep you posted on any more adjustments we might have to make as the global trade saga unfolds.”
So, there you have it, folks. Get ready to dig a little deeper into your pockets for those Atari cartridges. It’s all fun and games until tariffs come knocking on your door.
