Compare Atari 7800 Plus vs Nintendo Wii U
In this technical comparison between the Atari 7800 Plus and the Nintendo Wii U, we analyze the key features to help you choose.
Choosing between these two Home Consoles models often comes down to your budget, with prices around $129.99 / £99.99 and $299.99 (Basic) / $349.99 (Deluxe).
| Specifications |
Atari 7800 Plus |
Nintendo Wii U |
|---|---|---|
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| Launch | ||
| Version | November 2024 | November 2012 |
| Performance | ||
| CPU | Rockchip RK3128 SoC (Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A7) | 1.24 GHz Tri-Core IBM PowerPC "Espresso" |
| GPU | ARM Mali-400 MP2 | 550 MHz AMD Radeon "Latte" |
| GPU Power | Optimized for high-accuracy 8-bit emulation | ~352 GFLOPS |
| RAM | 256 MB DDR3 | 2 GB DDR3 (1 GB reserved for System, 1 GB for Games) |
| Storage | 256 MB eMMC (Internal firmware only) | 8 GB (Basic) or 32 GB (Deluxe) Internal Flash |
| Expandable | No internal storage; relies on physical game cartridges | Supports SD/SDHC cards and USB External HDDs (up to 2 TB) |
| Disc Drive | None (Physical Cartridge Slot for 2600 and 7800 games) | Proprietary 25 GB High-Density Optical Discs (Blu-ray based) |
| Video Output | ||
| Resolution | 720p HD (via HDMI) | 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i |
| Max FPS | 60 FPS | 60 FPS |
| HDR | No | No |
| VRR | No | No |
| Ray Tracing | No --- Display Features: Toggle switch on the back for 4:3 (Original) or 16:9 (Widescreen) | No |
| Audio | ||
| Formats | Two-channel Stereo via HDMI | Six-channel (5.1) Linear PCM via HDMI |
| Headphones | No direct jack; uses HDMI audio or 3rd-party adapters | 3.5mm jack located on the GamePad |
| Connectivity | ||
| HDMI | 1x HDMI Out | 1x HDMI 1.4 |
| USB | USB-C (for Power and Firmware updates) | 4x USB 2.0 (2 front, 2 rear) |
| Ethernet | No | Requires USB-to-Ethernet adapter (No built-in port) |
| Wi-Fi | No | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | Used for the included wireless controller (via 2.4GHz USB adapter) --- Legacy Ports: 2x DB9 (9-pin) ports for original Atari joysticks/paddles | Bluetooth 4.0 (primarily for Wii controllers) |
| Services | ||
| Online Multiplayer | No | Nintendo Network (Free until 2024 shutdown) |
| Cloud Saves | No | Not natively supported (mostly local) |
| Subscription | No | None (Standard online was free) |
| Remote Play | No -- Emulation Engine: Uses Stella (for 2600 games) and ProSystem (for 7800 games) | "Off-TV Play" (Stream games directly to the GamePad) |
| Controller | ||
| Included | 1x CX78+ Wireless Gamepad | 1x Wii U GamePad (6.2-inch resistive touchscreen) |
| Features | Two-button design, 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C rechargeable, includes DB9 adapter for use on original 1980s hardware | Built-in Camera, Mic, NFC, Motion Control, TV Remote functionality |
| Compatibility | ||
| Backward | Native support for nearly all original Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 cartridges | Full native support for Wii Discs and Wii controllers |
| VR Support | No | No |
| Physical | ||
| Dimensions | 9" x 6.5" x 2.3" (Approx. 80% the size of the original 7800) | 6.8" x 10.5" x 1.8" (172 x 268 x 46 mm) |
| Weight | 17.5 oz (1.09 lbs) | ~3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) |
| Color | Black with silver trim (Retro ProSystem aesthetic) | White (Basic) or Black (Deluxe) |
| Power | ||
| Consumption | Low-power draw; powered via USB-C (5V) | ~75W Max (Very efficient compared to its peers) |
| Misc | ||
| Inside the Box | Console, Wireless CX78+ Gamepad, Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest (7800 Cartridge), HDMI Cable, USB-C Power Cable | Console, GamePad, AC Adapters, HDMI Cable, Sensor Bar (Deluxe included stands and Nintendo Land) |
| Price | $129.99 / £99.99 | $299.99 (Basic) / $349.99 (Deluxe) |
| Full Details | 7800 Plus - Full Specifications | Wii U - Full Specifications |