Atari has recently announced a price increase for its physical game cartridges, a decision influenced by rising tariffs related to ongoing trade tensions. The price hike will apply to all game cartridges for both the Atari 2600 and 7800 systems, starting May 5th, 2024. The cartridges, which previously retail at $30, will see a 10 percent increase, bringing the new price to $33.
Impact of Tariffs on Retro Gaming
This change is part of a broader trend affecting various companies in the retro gaming market. Atari, known for its classic consoles like the wood-paneled 2600+ and the streamlined 7800+, has recently followed up the release of its 2600+ with the 7800+, both featuring a lineup of classic games including titles such as Berzerk and Ninja Golf.
Despite the increased cartridge costs, prices for the actual consoles and accessories appear to remain stable. However, for collectors looking to purchase a complete set of cartridges, the tariff increases could lead to a substantial overall cost increase of over $60.
Industry-wide Responses
Atari’s announcement follows similar actions taken by other companies affected by tariffs. For example, Anbernic has ceased shipments to the United States, and controller manufacturer 8bitdo has also temporarily halted its U.S. shipments. Major console manufacturers like Nintendo have previously paused pre-orders for the Switch 2 and increased accessory prices by $5 due to tariff-related costs. Sony may also be forced to raise PlayStation 5 prices if tariffs persist following the depletion of their current U.S. inventory.
Atari’s Commitment to Transparency
In their communication to customers, Atari expressed a commitment to transparency regarding the price adjustments. They acknowledged the potential impact on their consumer base and emphasized that the decision was not made lightly. Despite efforts to absorb some of the costs, Atari indicated that rising expenses from the global trade climate necessitated this increase.