Atari is shutting down the software store on its Atari VCS console early next year and has already stopped adding new games to it.
The company shared the news in a notice dated October 21st on its Atari VCS page. According to the announcement, VCS owners will be able to buy games through February 1st 2027. Atari said owners will still be able to play the games they have bought and downloaded to their console once the store is gone.
"The Atari VCS has earned its spot alongside the many console platforms Atari has launched over the past 50-plus years," the Atari VCS Team wrote. "We want to thank our dedicated players and creators for bringing such great content to the VCS, and for building a vibrant community."
The notice did not give a firm closing date for the store itself beyond "early next year". Atari pointed owners who want more information to its Discord community.
What the Atari VCS is
The Atari VCS is a cross between a games console and a PC, styled after Atari's first console. It first shipped to customers in December 2020, and Atari stopped selling it directly in 2025, according to the same page.
Out of the box, the system runs Atari's own operating system for games and streaming. A PC Mode lets owners load Linux or Windows instead, and the hardware can be upgraded with an M.2 SATA drive or more RAM. It runs on an AMD Raven Ridge 2 APU (accelerated processing unit) with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of built-in eMMC storage.
