Atari Mania

 Switch
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Gaming Age
    Oct 13, 2022
    100
    Atari Mania is a fun and challenging microgame experience for just about anyone who likes games. The concept, games and the overall presentation is both equal parts classic and innovative. Even after a long play session, I was drawn back to it to get further into the vault and challenge more mini games! I do wish you could unlock the actual Atari games you collect the artwork for, but not having those isn’t a deal breaker by any means. This is a great game to represent Atari’s 50 years of innovation and rich history that is the foundation of what we have today. Check this one out if you want a great challenge while reliving gaming’s incredible past.
  2. TouchArcade
    Oct 19, 2022
    80
    As a WarioWare-inspired affair, Atari Mania falls a little short of that series while still being good enough to be of interest to those enjoy quick-fire gaming. If we look at it as a celebration of Atari, it’s very well done. There are lots of little details in here for the true-blue fans, and the sense of humor hits the right spot as far as I’m concerned. The Switch version has some technical issues that mean you’re probably better off playing it elsewhere unless portable play is critical for you, but if the Switch is your only (or preferred) option, it’s playable enough to get into.
  3. COGconnected
    Oct 10, 2022
    78
    Atari Mania is an absolute blast. The world includes a number of puzzles that adds variety to the speedy microgames formula. While the company lacks the same number of mainstream icons as Nintendo, the implementation of popular IPs is masterful. The controls are a little stiff and performance did falter at times, however, the love and admiration for the classics are palpable. With its imaginative mashups, nostalgia-filled collectibles and extremely addictive gameplay loop, Ataria Mania is a must for retro enthusiasts.
  5. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Mar 30, 2023
    75
    Atari Mania doesn't get everything right, but it's so full of heart and reverence for these ancient properties that it's really hard not to love. [Issue #64 – March/April 2023, p. 34]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. ZTGD
    Oct 25, 2022
    75
    Atari Mania is a great trip down memory lane with a unique twist on the micro-game genre. There are misses here, but there are just as many hits in the mini-games. For kids like me who grew up with these consoles it is fun to see them interpreted in a new way. I wish it was more polished, but this has truly primed me for the massive 50th Anniversary Collection set to release in November.
  7. Video Chums
    Oct 11, 2022
    70
    Atari Mania offers a solid collection of microgames that are a lot more enjoyable if you're a fan of the classic arcade games represented in them. With that in mind, the overall experience could have been smoothed out a lot more to match its wily moustachioed competitor.
  8. Pure Nintendo
    Oct 12, 2022
    65
    Atari Mania’s mash-up of microgames presents a chaotic blast of nostalgia, but the general repetition and some frustrating difficulty dampen the mood pretty quickly. Its unique approach to retro gaming is, therefore, best enjoyed by those with fond memories of playing all these games back in the day.
  9. NintendoWorldReport
    Oct 12, 2022
    65
    Atari Mania is endearing and enjoyable despite some stumbles, especially if you hold some form of nostalgia for the old Atari brand. I had a good time with this even if I felt like I was waiting too long between batches of mini-games. The overworld puzzles ended up being one of the cooler parts of this package. I just wish the mini-games erred more on the side of WarioWare excellence as opposed to the muddy middleground.
  10. Gamezebo
    Nov 17, 2022
    60
    It’s a shame, as Atari Mania has clearly been made with love and care and certainly doesn’t feel like a cash-in – but it can’t fail to pale a little in comparison to Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration.
  11. GamersRD
    Oct 30, 2022
    60
    Atari Mania takes the concept of microgames to another level, mixing them up to create crazy sections of fast-paced games. However, the unpolished controls and unfair difficulty will turn off those fans that are looking for fun.
  12. SECTOR.sk
    Nov 8, 2022
    50
    Atari Mania could be a really fun retro game for both old and young, but the developers failed to translate the imaginative concept into fun gameplay. There is a lot of variable content, but the unresponsive controls cause a lot of frustration.
  13. KeenGamer
    Nov 4, 2022
    50
    Atari Mania wants to be a love letter to the golden age of Atari. It wants to be a fresh spin on old games. The end result is the equivalent of trying to play an Atari 2600 on a modern TV. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The repetitive microgames and technical issues mar what should be a fun anniversary gift to a legendary company. This anniversary gift is a bit underwhelming.
  14. Universo Nintendo
    Nov 14, 2022
    40
    Make no mistake: Atari Mania isn't a collection nor a compilation of games from the Atari era, but instead it's a homage in an explorational format plus games remixes.

User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 2 out of 2
  1. BadMoonArisin
    Jan 8, 2023
    3
    By the time I was playing video games, the NES was in full swing, so I completely missed the Atari age. I was always curious, but the gamesBy the time I was playing video games, the NES was in full swing, so I completely missed the Atari age. I was always curious, but the games just weren't enough to catch my attention. Atari Mania though, with its promise of remixed games into rapid fire micro games a la Wario Ware, had my attention.

    Sadly, the game just does not stick the landing, even before the gameplay starts. Controls are sometimes bad, which is a bit worse than being bad all the time, because there's a glimpse of the game working the way it should in there, and then just other times it doesn't. Menus are a slog to get through and feel like they were coded to work on a Leapfrog machine. And your main character awkwardly twitches through the hub world as you explore.

    The micro games themselves hurt the most, because the premise of Atari Mania is a real gem. But combine aforementioned hit or miss controls with games that just usually aren't clear most of the time on what you're supposed to be doing or even what you're controlling, as well as a steep difficulty curve, and you've got a fairly unpleasant game here. I can't see people who grew up with Atari enjoying this, and its not going to win over anyone that didn't.

    A for effort though. This is still a decent idea and if Atari can pick up the pieces and take a second run at this I'd be curious to check it out.    … Full Review »
  2. doctommaso
    Nov 3, 2022
    3
    This game has an endearing quality when you first boot it up. The characters and vibe are appealing, with some colorful humor and catchyThis game has an endearing quality when you first boot it up. The characters and vibe are appealing, with some colorful humor and catchy music. Unfortunately, the mini-games' horrid and at times nonsensical controls, with sometimes unclear objectives, result in an unnecessarily frustrating, rather than fun, experience. As a result, the brilliant concept of a melting pot of remixed classic Atari games is largely ruined. This title might possibly be worth a pick-up at heavy discount, if you are a huge old-school Atari fan.… Full Review »