tech e blog

At first glance, this handheld system may look like something you'd find in stores now, but it's actually a custom built Atari 2600 portable. It features a 5-inch display, vacuum formed styrene plastic case, integrated stereo speakers, and 32 built-in games. Continue reading for a video. Click here for first picture in gallery.

Though it may look like a real Atari 2600 console, with 2-controllers, we don't recommend playing Pac-Man on the faux console, as it's just a masterfully decorated cake. Click here for one more pictre.

An awesome work of baked goodness, everything you see in the picture is edible other than the board that the cake sits on. I can't get over the details on this cake. From the perfectly black and red joysticks, to the woodgrain icing on the console and the tiny Atari logo, it's just mind-boggling

So you've seen what Super Mario Galaxy would look like on the SNES, now check out this Atari 2600 makeover of the original game. Video after the break.

While it's not perfectly accurate (there's no way the 2600 could have produced those original NES sounds or the relatively crisp text at the top of the screen), but it's still fun to watch

That's right, a seller is offering an ultra rare 1981 Atari Super Breakout LCD prototype on eBay -- currently at $510. Auction page. Click here for first picture in gallery.

Unfortunately these were created well before Nintendo released the GameBoy which revolutionized the handheld gaming industry. As a result the Atari management didn’t feel that the sluggish handheld market at the time was worth pursuing, so the plug was pulled on these before they ever went into production

In 1983 (before AutoCAD), high school student "Rob Marquardt painstakingly drafted not only the exterior of the stick to show off his mad isometric drawing skills, he went through the trouble of diagramming out all of the gory internals of the classic digital gaming controller." Click here for first picture in gallery.

While it might not be a 100% accurate rendition of the Atari controller, you have to admire his creativity and persistence

Retro computing clearly drove the Atari 1500XL's design, instead of being an afterthought as with most other laptops currently on the market. Going the classic route doesn't mean that you have to give up cool features. Inside, you'll find a 14.1-inch LCD display, 512K SRAM, 4x OS, full-sized keyboard, 1010 cassette player, and a 1050 disk drive. However you choose, its spacious Atari 600XL shell means you'll have plenty of options when attempting to build your own. Video of this laptop in-action after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

Master modder Ben Heckendorn was recently organizing files on his computer when he came across an old folder with past Atari projects. We've selected a few of our favorites for your viewing enjoyment. Starting with the Atari 2600 Portable (above), which uses a "very heavily hacked" four switch motherboard -- features a 1.5-inch PS1 LCD display and a convenient top-loading cartridge slot. Video after the break. Click here for more pictures.

Just when you thought you've seen everything, AtariMuseum managed to uncover Atari's very first commercial. Hit the jump to watch.

I will warn you, the sound is really bad, but it doesn't take away from the strangest part of the commercial, the male maid. The cowboy in the foreground is speaking to what i can only assume is is wife, Doreen, and asking her to come back home. Apparently she went out to play Pong and never came home