The Wider World Of Atari Review (PlayStation 5)

Rating: 8
Author: Jim Smale

by Jim Smale · October 1, 2024

The Wider World Of Atari Review, The Wider World of Atari, this DLC features 19 playable games and eight video segments set in a brand-new timeline. Delve deep into stories from Atari’s history, highlighting how the company has influenced creators and fans over the decades.

The Wider World Of Atari Review Pros:

8 Bit to arcade graphics.
13.89GB download size. (this includes the base game download size)
The DLC has its own seperate entry on the main menu.
19 new games –
- - - Berzerk – 2600
    - Berzerk Voice Enhanced – 2600
    - Berzerk – 5200
    - Berzerk – Arcade
    - Frenzy – Arcade
    - Red Baron – Arcade
    - Sky Diver – Arcade
    - Avalanche – Arcade
    - Destroyer – Arcade
    - Super Bug – Arcade
    - Football – Arcade
    - Stellar Track – 2600 (Sears exclusive)
    - Submarine Commander – 2600 (Sears exclusive)
    - Steeplechase – 2600 (Sears exclusive)
    - Atari Video Cube – 2600
    - Desert Falcon – 2600
    - Off the Wall – 2600
    - Sky Diver – 2600
    - Avalanche – Atari 8-bit
The Wider World Of Atari has its own timeline section like the main game timelines did complete with new videos, games, promo art, and box scans.
The game library is the shortcut to just the games and can be filtered to year or console and includes the old and new additions.
Gameplay is a mix as you have sports titles, shooters, platformers, etc.
An excellent addition to the game.
I like how they implemented it as it looks and feels like it was there the whole time.
You get to see how Atari reacted to the arrival of the NES.
You can launch games from the timeline.
Bonus materials including –
- Unusual and underappreciated Atari 2600 innovations, as well as hidden gems from the 1980s
- A spotlight on the artist Evelyn Seto, who helped create Atari’s iconic logo
- The community’s quest for unreleased prototypes and the preservation of gaming history
- Archival and contemporary interviews from employees, fans, and homebrew developers
An excellent mix of games and mini-documentaries laced with beautiful art and promo shots.
The DLC timeliness goes from 1978 to now.
A timeline explored the percentage system is back.
All videos have a subtitles toggle option. You can fast-forward and pause the video.
You can reset games.
All games can be quit and return you back to the main menu.
High-resolution scans of the original game manuals.
Original images and clippings.
The timelines are easy to navigate and use.
A must for all Atari and retro gaming fans.
High-quality video and voice in the videos.
Every game has a fast save/load feature.
Each game has a screen mode, filter, and border settings.
Stick settings can be adjusted – Invert the axis and sensitivity sliders and set it as a relative or absolute type.
Has around 40 minutes of new video content.

The Wider World Of Atari Review Cons:

No new trophies.
Doesn’t offer any accessibility options.
No cheats or adjustments are built into any of the games.
Doesn’t have any online leaderboards.
The way it’s laid out makes it seem like it has more images than anything else and does initially look underwhelming.

Related Post: Ara History Untold Review (Steam)

The Wider World Of Atari:

Official website.

Developer: Digital Eclipse

Publisher: Atari

Store Links –

PlayStation

8/10

Graphics - 8/10
8/10

Sound - 8/10
7/10

Accessibility - 7/10
7/10

Length - 7/10
10/10

Fun Factor - 10/10

8/10

Summary

The Wider World Of Atari offers a nostalgic journey through the evolution of Atari, featuring a mix of 8-bit to arcade graphics. The DLC, which has a download size of 13.89GB, includes 19 new games such as various versions of Berzerk, Frenzy, Red Baron, and more. Each game is accessible from a dedicated section on the main menu, making it easy to navigate. The timeline section, similar to the main game, is enriched with new videos, games, promotional art, and box scans, providing a comprehensive look at Atari’s history.

The game library is well-organized, allowing players to filter games by year or console, and includes both old and new additions. The gameplay variety is impressive, featuring sports titles, shooters, platformers, and more, which adds to the overall appeal. However, there are no new trophies, accessibility options, cheats, or online leaderboards, which might be a downside for some players. The initial layout might seem underwhelming due to the abundance of images, but it integrates seamlessly, giving the impression that it was always part of the game.

One of the highlights is the ability to see how Atari responded to the arrival of the NES, with games launchable directly from the timeline. The bonus materials are a treasure trove for enthusiasts, including insights into unusual Atari 2600 innovations, a spotlight on artist Evelyn Seto, and the community’s efforts to preserve gaming history. The DLC also features archival and contemporary interviews with employees, fans, and homebrew developers, adding depth to the experience.

The mix of games and mini-documentaries, complemented by beautiful art and promotional shots, makes this DLC a must-have for Atari and retro gaming fans. The timeline spans from 1978 to the present, with a percentage system for exploration. Videos come with a subtitles toggle option and can be fast-forwarded or paused. Players can reset games and return to the main menu easily, and high-resolution scans of original game manuals and images are available. The timelines are user-friendly and easy to navigate.

In summary, The Wider World Of Atari is an excellent addition for fans of Atari and retro gaming. It combines a rich mix of games, high-quality video content, and insightful bonus materials. Despite some limitations like the lack of new trophies and accessibility options, the DLC offers a nostalgic and informative experience that is well worth exploring.