Atari’s Retro Handheld Is Finally Up for Preorder, Ships This October
The gaming device will retail $179.99
Nearly two years after its debut at CES 2024, the long-awaited Atari Gamestation Go handheld is finally on the way. Retro accessory maker My Arcade has opened preorders for the device at $179.99, with shipping slated for October 2025.
The price is slightly higher than the $149.99 figure teased at CES, but fans will be getting more than just nostalgia for their money. The Gamestation Go will ship with over 200 preinstalled games, spanning classics from Atari and Jaleco, and arcade staples like Pac-Man.
Plus, the array of nostalgic control option alongside the standard D-pad and buttons, provides a paddle controller, trackball, and numeric keypad—accurately recreating the quirky interface of original Atari systems. Even better, the control needed for any game lights up, guiding users seamlessly
The device features a 7-inch display for modern portability, while still offering a respectable four to five hours of battery life per charge. For gamers craving an authentic retro experience without digging through eBay for vintage hardware, the Gamestation Go aims to be a one-stop handheld time machine.
But the Gamestation Go arrives in a crowded market. Devices like the Retropian Color offer over 10,000 retro games for under $100, with a compact 3.5″ display and six-hour battery life. On the higher end, handhelds like the Super Pocket Neo Geo Edition deliver beloved Neo Geo titles in a truly pocketable form, albeit with fewer titles.
Where the Gamestation Go really shines is with its faithful, authentic input mechanisms—something users rarely get with generic emulation handhelds. As GamesRadar puts it, this device “combines nostalgia with innovation,” offering what could be the most faithful portable delivery of the Atari experience yet.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
Another angle to this Gamestation Go debut could be due to retro handhelds now being more than niche novelties and rather a growing market. The retro handheld console market was valued at $1.82 billion in 2024, and is projected to climb to $3.61 billion by 2033, thanks to a robust compound annual growth rate of 7.8% (via Growth Market Reports).
Though Nintendo reigns supreme with about 38% of the global portable market, other players like Sony (31%) and third-party brands such as Atari perhaps want to carve out their corners in this billion-dollar industry.
The Atari Gamestation Go may not claim the throne in raw specs or sheer game volume, but it stands out for its authenticity. Its rich game collection, retro-accurate controls, and illuminated guidance make it a nostalgia-fueled device with thoughtful design. In a competitive handheld space filled with emulators and modern hybrids, this one wants to please die-hard Atari fans with the real, tactile experience.
