Atari

Atari 2600 My Play Smartwatch: Retro Gaming Meets Modern Wearable Technology

Owen H

20 Mar 2025 — 2 min read

Credit: Atari

Atari has expanded its wearable technology offerings with the release of the Atari 2600 My Play Watch, a smartwatch that combines nostalgic gaming functionality with contemporary smartwatch features. Priced at £59.99/$79.99, this new device represents Atari's continued efforts to capitalise on its gaming heritage while entering the competitive wearable technology market and a follow up to their "luxury" watch with Nubeo launched in January of this year.

Technical Specifications and Features

The Atari 2600 My Play Watch features a 1.75-inch full-colour touchscreen display with a resolution that, while modest by premium smartwatch standards, proves sufficient for running emulated Atari 2600 games. The device comes pre-loaded with ten classic Atari titles, including Asteroids, Breakout, and Centipede, allowing wearers to enjoy brief gaming sessions directly from their wrist.

Beyond its gaming capabilities, the My Play Watch offers standard smartwatch functionality including health monitoring features such as heart rate tracking, blood pressure monitoring, and step counting. The watch also supports Bluetooth connectivity for notifications, call alerts, and music control when paired with a smartphone. Battery life extends to approximately 7 days in standard mode or 3-4 days with moderate gaming usage.

Atari's Wearable Technology History

This release builds upon Atari's previous ventures into the wearable technology space. The company launched the Atari Speakerhat in 2017, combining headwear with integrated speakers, and the Atari Gameband in 2018, a crowdfunded smartwatch project that ultimately faced production difficulties and limited distribution.

The My Play Watch appears to address previous shortcomings with a more refined approach, focusing on affordable pricing and realistic expectations regarding technical specifications. Unlike the ambitious Gameband, which promised advanced features at a premium price point, the My Play Watch positions itself as an accessible entry-level smartwatch with added gaming appeal.

Value Proposition Assessment

At its £59.99/$79.99 price point, the Atari 2600 My Play Watch occupies a competitive position in the budget smartwatch segment. While it cannot match the advanced health features, processing power, or display quality of premium offerings from Apple, Samsung, or Fitbit, it provides basic smartwatch functionality at an accessible price.

The inclusion of playable Atari games serves as the primary differentiator in a crowded market of similarly priced wearables. For casual users seeking basic smartwatch capabilities with added nostalgic value, the device represents a reasonable investment. However, consumers prioritising comprehensive health tracking, seamless ecosystem integration, or extended app support would likely need to consider higher-tier alternatives.

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