Polymega introduces Atari physical games, system update, and Atari Pro Module for 2600 and 7800 games!

[PowerDubs]

https://armchairarcade.com/perspectives/2024/11/01/polymega-introduces-atari-physical-games-system-update-and-atari-pro-module-for-2600-and-7800-games/

 

 

[famicommander]

40 bucks for such a small list of games seems insane compared to what you get on Atari 50 or the Atari Super Pocket.

[PowerDubs]

Did you read the article?

 

Polymega Collection is an ongoing series of important classic and contemporary games on physical media, playable exclusively on Polymega. Our editions include the original title game, its international releases, as well as additional examples of games that influenced the work and those which were eventually inspired by it.

Each release includes one or more discs that are compatible with Polymega. The first is the primary game, in DVD format. Additionally, some releases include bonus game discs that can be played on original game consoles, as well. Each release is region free, and will work on Polymega regardless of where you are or what language you speak.

Unlike most modern game releases, Polymega Collection games include carefully crafted visual companions, reversible slip covers, obi-spines for international collectors, and more. And, exclusively for early adopters, a limited edition Polymega Collection pin is included with each release!

The best thing about Polymega Collection is that in many cases, we're bringing games to Polymega that would be otherwise unplayable using an element module, such as arcade games. Of course, we're also providing support for several new systems that might not otherwise be compatible with Polymega.

Immerse Yourself in Lifelike Arcade Action

Built exclusively for Polymega Collection games, Immersive Mode gives you a brand new way to play games on Polymega that draws you into the action like never before. Starting a Polymega Collection Arcade game gives you a view that realistically presents the arcade machine as if you were standing in front of it, fully playable.

From here you can enter the virtual display controls, and adjust your view to zoom out to see more of the machine, or even rotate your view and monitor so that you can see the arcade machine in its upright entirety, perfect for vertical shooters and other games you're sure to want to play as you build your Polymega Collection Library.

We're working with some of the best game publishers from across the console gaming landscape and have dozens of games in production for the coming months. The best news? The first two Polymega Collection games, ASTEROIDS and KARATE CHAMP are available for purchase today and will ship within the next week. Check out the new Games section of Polymega.com to see whats on offer.

Also coming in System Software Update 1.1.32

• New and Improved Virtual Display filters with multi-depth scanline modes, an improved Composite filter, and new RF and Black & White modes.
• Hundreds of new Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 games have been added to the Polymega database to get you ready for the release of the upcoming Atari Pro Module (details coming soon).
• Ability to permanently restore most of the original PM01 pack-in games that were removed in a previous update.
• Bug fixes for latency issues, unwanted noise effects, and more!

- Team Polymega

[TopDrawer]

Just now, famicommander said:

40 bucks for such a small list of games seems insane compared to what you get on Atari 50 or the Atari Super Pocket.

This tbh. Such a whatever product.

If they want to do prestigeous, Criterion Collection-tier levels of collectors' physical releases, you really have to pump up the quality of what the release will offer.

It would've made MUCH more sense if they made Atari 50 the very first installment of the collection, alongside maybe Digital Eclipse's Gold Master titles (Karateka, Tetris Forever, Llamasoft game).

Seems kind of a cop out, specially considering the issues that the console allegedly already has on top of it all.

[digdugnate]

Meh.  Physical product, oh boy!

[+Cheez26]

I see people here are gonna prefer the cart-based experience of Atari Plus consoles.

In all seriousness, this leaves me with more question on what Polymega is because I haven't seen it out in the wild nor Amazon. I would like to see a pic of the console itself tbh along with physical media library it currently has.

[PowerDubs]

9 minutes ago, r_chase said:

I see people here are gonna prefer the cart-based experience of Atari Plus consoles.

 

Which is why Polymega said- "the upcoming Atari Pro Module (details coming soon)"

 

 

[PowerDubs]

1 hour ago, digdugnate said:

Meh.  Physical product, oh boy!

 

Well... that is a big part of the Polymega- you can use all your old carts / discs from many platforms.

 

There will also be a Polymega digital storefront though.

[+Cheez26]

5 minutes ago, PowerDubs said:

 

Which is why Polymega said- "the upcoming Atari Pro Module (details coming soon)"

 

 

That still doesn't answer my question of "what does the Polymega itself look like physically?" I feel like I've seen prototypes that look like a top-loader Wii.

Edited November 2 by r_chase

[mr_me]

You can find pictures online. The base unit has a DVD drive, slot in front, for emulating CD based systems. You have to get add-on modules that sit on top of the dvd drive that provide a cartridge slot and controller ports, a different module for different cartridge based systems. These DVD collections are a bit odd since the Polymega was meant to play original media.

Edited November 2 by mr_me

[Giles N]

2 hours ago, r_chase said:

I would like to see a pic of the console itself

There are several YouTuber reviews

 

 

 

Here is the official site

 

https://polymega.com/

 

 

Picture mash-up

 

(Base unit, ie playing CD-ROM discs like Saturn, Sega32X, Turbogrxf, PS1 and more)

 

Edited November 2 by Giles N

[Hydro Thunder]

Still minimal interest in the Polymega but just have to say... the soundtrack for that initial Atari Video was freaking AWESOME.  👍

[+Zeptari]

I feel like the inclusion of the Asteroids/Missile Command Lynx cart invites my conclusion this whole package should have been a collection of both titles. 

[JPF997]

I must say that Polymega physical collection is gorgeous, the new  discs make those classic Atari games feel like vintage Vinyl records, very cool .

Edited November 2 by JPF997

[PowerDubs]

2 hours ago, mr_me said:

These DVD collections are a bit odd since the Polymega was meant to play original media.

 

Original media, new media, digital store front.... it's an ever expanding ecosystem.

 

I'm most excited for the light gun next month!

[M-S]

18 hours ago, PowerDubs said:

Each release includes one or more discs that are compatible with Polymega. The first is the primary game, in DVD format. Additionally, some releases include bonus game discs that can be played on original game consoles, as well. Each release is region free, and will work on Polymega regardless of where you are or what language you speak.

I'm curious to know what they meant by this, the only CD based console by Atary is the Jaguar CD, which isn't supported, so I guess these will be rereleases for Playstation and Sega CD?

 

It seems like the Polymega is trying to position itself as a DVD based Evercade, plus cartridge adapters and a digital store. The Polymega could be a much better platform in the future, but it costs $549 and doesn't ship worldwide, while the most expensive Evercade console that didn't come with games wasn't sold by more than $120.

[JPF997]

5 minutes ago, M-S said:

I'm curious to know what they meant by this, the only CD based console by Atary is the Jaguar CD, which isn't supported, so I guess these will be rereleases for Playstation and Sega CD?

 

It seems like the Polymega is trying to position itself as a DVD based Evercade, plus cartridge adapters and a digital store. The Polymega could be a much better platform in the future, but it costs $549 and doesn't ship worldwide, while the most expensive Evercade console that didn't come with games wasn't sold by more than $120.

Polymega didn't used to be that expensive (early backers got them for 250 $ if Im remembering correctly) the reason the console has exploded in price these past few years is because Playmaji literally ran out of money, if it wasn't for Atari buying 53% of the company Playmaji would have been bankrupt by now and the entire Polymega console and ecosystem would have gone away with them.

[Austin]

5 minutes ago, JPF997 said:

Polymega didn't used to be that expensive (early backers got them for 250 $ if Im remembering correctly) the reason the console has exploded in price these past few years is because Playmaji literally ran out of money, if it wasn't for Atari buying 53% of the company Playmaji would have been bankrupt by now and the entire Polymega console and ecosystem would have gone away with them.

And nothing of value would have been lost.

[JPF997]

9 minutes ago, Austin said:

And nothing of value would have been lost.

Huh a lot of people that invested in the Polymega console and ecosystem would have been screwed if Playmaji had simply gone bankrupt, Atari did a great thing for gaming bringing Polymega back to life.

 

[Trebor]

So since Polymega utilizes Linux, and is emulation-based, leveraging emulators such as Kega Fusion, MAME, Mednafen, and Mesen, what emulators will it be utilizing for its Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 emulation?

[M-S]

44 minutes ago, JPF997 said:

Huh a lot of people that invested in the Polymega console and ecosystem would have been screwed if Playmaji had simply gone bankrupt, Atari did a great thing for gaming bringing Polymega back to life.

 

In a way they were already screwed up because they expected an FPGA console rather than an emulator. And only in the last year Playmaji started delivering all the features they promised to have on day one.

[Austin]

49 minutes ago, JPF997 said:

Huh a lot of people that invested in the Polymega console and ecosystem would have been screwed if Playmaji had simply gone bankrupt, Atari did a great thing for gaming bringing Polymega back to life.

Oh, darn.. people took a risk on something totally unproven (or guaranteed) and may have lost out. Woe is them. It happens.

Edited November 2 by Austin

[mr_me]

15 hours ago, Trebor said:

So since Polymega utilizes Linux, and is emulation-based, leveraging emulators such as Kega Fusion, MAME, Mednafen, and Mesen, what emulators will it be utilizing for its Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 emulation?

Which Polymega systems are emulated with Mame?

 

There are a couple of obvious and high quality emulators for Atari 2600 and 7800 that are GPLv2 licensed.

 

14 hours ago, M-S said:

In a way they were already screwed up because they expected an FPGA console rather than an emulator. And only in the last year Playmaji started delivering all the features they promised to have on day one.

It was always introduced as software emulation. The fpga was part of some "hybrid" technology that would interface software emulation with cartridges directly for better compatibility but that didn't happen. Doesn't make a whole lot of difference to the CD based systems anyway.

[Trebor]

2 hours ago, mr_me said:

There are a couple of obvious and high quality emulators for Atari 2600 and 7800 that are GPLv2 licensed.

Understood, though still curious about the answer to my question, perhaps I need to be more specific:

 

What are the names of the emulators Polymega will be utilizing for its Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 emulation?

[+swlovinist]

I was always on the fence about the Polymega.   I personally think it is too expensive but nice that it is indeed continuing to live on.   I tried to reach out to them several times and radio silence.    Still interested in seeing if they create a VCS interface as that is something I would seriously consider.