Cold take, but Infogrames really was poison for just about every company & brand it amoeba-ed. Ocean, GT Interactive, Humungous Entertainment...even old ailing Atari (properties, not its people) via the Hasbro Entertainment buyout. All got wrapped up into a top-heavy, mismanaged juggernaut that eventually fell to pieces, only rebuilding well into their Atari SA rebrand.

Atari Anniversary Edition isn't too interesting on its own. The 12 games included were harder to access back then, sure, but the DIY arcade revival & emulation scenes have obviated the issue. (Hence why Atari 50 is so commendable, going well beyond just the usual roster by adding "what if"-style games and supplements galore.) Emulation quality's alright, and it certainly seems playable on every platform it reached. I can think of worse compilations to spend an evening with.

What strikes me, though, is the "anniversary" bit. Anniversary of what, exactly? Centipede? Tempest? Asteroids Deluxe? Those three share equal billing with the other nine, though. Infogrames' idea of matching a lightweight arcade compilation with this much pomp and circumstance is hilarious. No doubt the team at Digital Eclipse liked the paycheck, but who did they think the rainbow armadillo was fooling? My dad, I suppose. It's the one Dreamcast game he played much, and thankfully our local barcade can slake that thirst.

It's a shame that Digital Eclipse didn't get more of a chance to do here what they can now. I suppose that's just corporate reality and the publisher shooting for a quick buck, value be damned. Even DE's earlier PS1 Atari collection had a bonus documentary unlike this. Dark days. All this makes it easier to appreciate the old game compilations we get today, inching closer and closer to the style of box-set release you get from Criterion, Arrow, and other boutique film shops. Let's hope things continue to improve—that curated redistribution of notable classics can further unshackle from the fetters of simple nostalgia.