The 7800 GameDrive Plays Retro Gaming ROMs on Atari Consoles

Last Updated on June 3, 2023

Retro gaming ROMs aren’t easy to load on an old Atari console – until now!

Want to get some extra games running on your classic Atari console? The 7800 GameDrive is a cartridge-sized add-on for Atari 7800 systems that lets you load old Atari game ROMs onto original hardware.

The Atari 7800 video game console was released by Atari Corporation back in 1986. It was the successor to the Atari 5200 and was designed to compete with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and other popular consoles of the time. The Atari 7800 was notable for its backwards compatibility with the Atari 2600, allowing players to play a wide variety of classic 2600 games on the newer console. As such, it is one of the first consoles to support backwards compatibility.

Developed by RetroHQ (a chap called James), the cartridge also bundles in RGB modifications, enabling the Atari 7800 to be connected to modern displays. Oh, and it plays Atari 2600 titles, too!

A first look at the Mega7800 and 7800GD features in action on an NTSC 7800. Crisp RGB, DUAL POKEY and YM2151 coming to a 7800 near you, soon!

Thanks to @topapate, @tailchao, Jamie Blanks, Mark Watson, @ultraembedded (plus those I've forgotten!)https://t.co/maiKwkh3jG

— : RetroHQ : (@TheRetroHQ) January 26, 2023

The cartridge is designed to be compatible with retail titles and should run homebrew retro gaming ROMs too.

For games that require additional hardware (such as custom chips/expansions) the 7800 GameDrive includes an FPGA with the required hardware variations to accomodate this. For RGB-out, you’ll need a Genesis 2 RGB/component cable.

Sadly, at the time of writing there is no clue as to release date or price for this device. View the video above for a more detailed look at the 7800 GameDrive.