We’re quickly approaching the biggest trade show event for the amusement/arcade industry (IAAPA 2017) and with that, news of upcoming products that we can expect to find at the show is beginning to trickle out.
Remember The Atari PONG Table?
Earlier this year, we reported that the independently made Atari PONG table was looking to secure funding for a broad release. While looking to be made for homes, they also were going to build a coin-op version for interested commercial venues to get their hands on. I hadn’t heard anything about it since then, until an interesting announcement showed up in my inbox this afternoon.
China-based arcade manufacturer Universal Space (also known as UNIS) has announced the following via press release:
Calinfer S.A partners with UNIS Technology for manufacturing, sales, and distribution of ATARI PONG® Table.
We are excited to announce that UNIS has partnered with Calinfer S.A, the inventor of the ATARI PONG® Table to manufacture, market, and sell this product around the world.
ATARI PONG® is recognized globally and the pending release of a consumer home table product already has a tremendous response from the media.
UNIS Technology is excited to work with Calinfer on this incredible product.
I reached out to UNIS about this and was told that the Atari Pong Table that will be at IAAPA 2017is headlining a new UNIS Home amusement division. They will be discussing future plans for the coin-op version in due time. You can read more about the table on the official Atari Table Pong project page.
This also marks the second time in the past year that the Atari name and logo are returning to the arcade. At last year’s IAAPA, Coastal Amusements appeared with Breakout, a videmption recreation of Atari’s other popular ball & paddle concept. What do you think of this news?
The holographic look is excellent, maybe “the next big thing” for arcades. Together with the upcoming home console “Atari Box” it could lead to a successful comeback of the Atari brand.
It’s actually all electro-mechanical – those blocks aren’t projections but real blocks held to the surface using magnets 😉 Still, Atari is trying quite hard to revitalize their brand…we’ll see how it goes in the long run
Yes, it’s just a holographic look, but actually physical objects to play with. A very unusual technique, and the manufacturer videos don’t show many details about it. Reminds me to air hockey.