PAX West 2026 - Atari Brings the Goods From Toy Story to Godzilla and a Few Remasters
Atari is a company that shall forever exist in the future. The classic console maker that dominated the 80s with their systems and games has been seeing a grand resurgence lately, becoming a publisher of some highly anticipated games. Bringing their fusion of retro-gaming and newness to the gaming sphere, Atari had plenty of exciting offerings for PAX West this year.
Whether it was revisiting the classics with Godzilla and Toy Story, decorating the perfect lifestyle with Barbie, sneaking through the shadows of Thief: Remastered, or destroying your enemies in SiN: Reloaded, there was something for everyone at the Atari booth, and it made for an enjoyable experience. I got to play some of the games myself, and here they are below.
Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered
Originally released in 2002, Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee is an action arcade brawler set within the Godzilla universe. Players choose their monsters and take on the whole planet, fighting various monsters while warding off an invasion by a sinister alien race. The game was known for it's easy-to-pickup gameplay, making for many great gaming memories playing and fighting, most especially on the Nintendo GameCube. The game has had quite the legacy, despite it being released only on three platforms at the time.
Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee features 12 monsters and a multitude of arenas to play in. Players use their monsters' own unique strengths and abilities to duel it out and fight hard. There are 12 monsters total, from Mechagodzilla to Ghidorah. The game allows players to use melee attacks, energy attacks, and even throw entire skyscrapers at each other.
My time with Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee was absolutely wonderful. I played as Ghidorah while my opponent played as Godzilla. It was a quick demo where we battled to the death. However, it was remarkably exciting. The game was rebuilt in Unreal Engine, making for sharper textures, graphics, and details. Playing as Ghidorah felt just right, with the right amount of weight and gravity. It felt great firing my energy beam and tossing entire buildings while crushing tanks.
Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee looks like a throwback title that will undoubtedly excite kaiju fans, especially with Godzilla: Minus Zero launching into theaters soon. With online multiplayer, local co-op, and a host of unlockables, Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee is shaping up to be a fantastic brawler! Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee launches November 3rd, 2026 on all platforms, with a physical copy launching for Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5
Disney/Pixar Toy Story: Retro Roundup!
In 1995, the world's first fully 3D animated movie was released: Toy Story. This watershed moment in cinema and animation was the dam-bursting moment that changed entertainment forever, leading to the likes of ReBoot, Beast Wars Transformers, and all the way to cinematic hallmarks such as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. This past Summer, Toy Story 5 returned and made well over $1 billion at the box office. It's a legacy that continues to this day. People love these characters.
Toy Story created an entire legacy of video games in the mid-90s, from platformers to racers to action. The digital magicians over at Disney | Pixar released Toy Story: Retro Roundup, which coincides with a remaster of the video game version of Toy Story 3. Toy Story: Retro Roundup includes 5 games, remastered for modern eras. These include several versions of each game, making a total of 11 versions.
I took time to play Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000), and I blasted and raced my way through the level. The game features the same PS1-era graphics and gameplay, but it also features modern-day improvements like a rewind feature and reworked controls. Playing the game felt like playing a modern title, and it even featured FMV from the cartoon show. I was shown more of the collection, which includes interviews, behind-the-scenes takes, cheat codes, and other enhancements.
Toy Story: Retro Roundup is set to be another fantastic collection from Digital Eclipse, following last year's stellar Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection. Coupled with the PS1 classic A Bug's Life being featured, and coinciding with the release of the Toy Story 3 video game, there is bountiful enjoyment to be had with Toy Story: Retro Roundup. The game launches on October 15th, 2026 for all platforms.
Thief: The Dark Project Remastered
While Metal Gear and Metal Gear Solid helped invent the term "stealth action," Thief was the one to do it differently. No guns. No advanced technologies. Just a reliance on light, shadow, and instincts. While Metal Gear Solid stole the spotlight in 1998, Thief: The Dark Project had a name to make for itself. Thief: The Dark Project is getting a remaster from the fine people at Nightdive Studios. This is the same house that remastered Star Wars: Dark Forces, Blood: Refreshed Supply, and System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Edition.
Thief: The Dark Project was the first game to use light and shadow to portray stealth. Hiding in the shadows increased your chances of success, while light would expose you to enemies. It was the first game to utilize sound as well, which was innovative for the time. When most first-person games were about combat and shooting. The game was about staying hidden and completing your objective swiftly.
My time with Thief: The Dark Project Remastered was stellar. The game uses the proprietary KEX Engine, and it shows. The game looks remarkable with the improved textures and graphics, while also utilizing modern controls on a gamepad. The game looks and feels old-fashioned, as stealth and sneaking are paramount over combat, but there's still a sword to swing if things get spicy.
Other nice features include the cutscenes being presented in their pixelated glory, and new missions being added for the final release. Thief: The Dark Project is shaping up to be another wonderful release from the studio and a great remaster for those yearning to dig into the dark side. Thief: The Dark Project arrives in 2027.
SiN: Reloaded
In 1998, the Quake II engine was pushed to its limits with the game, SiN. Using the latest technology at the time, SiN introduced players to Blade, a security agent in a dystopian cyberpunk world. When a pharmaceutical company introduces DNA-altering drugs to the masses, Blade steps onto the field to stop the drugs and end the reign of Alexis, the CEO of SiNTEK Industries.
Playing SiN: Reloaded felt great, albeit a bit challenging. The original SiN was the first shooter to introduce a damage system in which certain parts of the body can be damaged. However, it was a rip-roaring good time to use the game's plethora of weapons against enemies, such as miniguns and shotguns. The game sounded good too, with remixed audio.
SiN felt great to play on a modern gamepad, and the quality-of-life improvements don't stop there. The entire game has been overhauled, from the graphics to the user interface. Additionally, the game is getting the Wages of SiN pack, with extra missions as well. Players can swap between old graphics and remastered graphics as well.
Like Thief: The Dark Project, Nightdive Studios is dedicated to bringing classic PC games to modern audiences, especially on console. For SiN: Reloaded, it's been a long wait. The entire game is being remastered on the studio's proprietary KEX Engine, which is no small feat. However, the wait is almost over as the game launches on September 24th, 2026.
RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks
The original theme park sim returns! RollerCoaster Tycoon Wonderworks brings the classic simulator back to today's gaming audience. The game brings back the tried-and-true theme park management with a new physics engine, deep customization, and a new roller coaster builder. Players can keep their efficiency up right down to the employees. RollerCoasters Tycoon Wonderworks is set to be a wonderful return for the theme park builder, and it heads to Steam Early Access soon.
Barbie Rewind
Like Toy Story, Digital Eclipse is giving its treatment and care to the Barbie universe. Barbie has had her fair share of video games and made quite an impact over the decades. Now, players can live the glam life in Barbie with 16 games. From Barbie Horse Rescue to Barbie Blue Ribbon Race, players can decorate their dream house with hundreds of customizable options, while also exploring her history in American and video game culture. Barbie Rewind arrives November 12, 2026.
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