Atari Acquires Implicit Conversions to Bolster PS1 and 32-Bit Era Game Emulation

Atari has acquired Delaware-based retro emulation studio Implicit Conversions, known for its advanced Syrup Engine, in a move designed to expand Atari’s capabilities for emulating and re-releasing PlayStation (PS1) and other 32-bit era games on modern platforms.

Atari announced on April 24, 2026, that it had purchased Implicit Conversions, a studio specialising in porting and emulating games up to the 32-bit era, especially those from the PlayStation 1 library. Implicit Conversions is notable for its proprietary Syrup Engine, which currently supports emulation for seven classic gaming systems, including the Sony PlayStation. Support for PlayStation 2 is actively in development, setting the stage for a significant expansion of Atari’s retro re-release initiative.

Syrup Engine: Strengthening Atari’s Suite of Retro Tools

The Syrup Engine, developed by Implicit Conversions, is engineered to facilitate the porting of 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit era games to contemporary gaming hardware. This fills a capability gap for Atari between its two previous acquisitions, Digital Eclipse, focused on 8-bit and 16-bit games, and Nightdive Studios, which specialises in remastering polygonal games for enhanced resolutions and frame rates.

“Implicit Conversions’ ability to work with 32-bit era games using their proprietary Syrup engine complements our existing expertise with 8 and 16-bit era games,” Atari CEO Wade Rosen said. “Alongside the Bakesale Engine (Digital Eclipse) and the Kex Engine (Nightdive), we now have an enviable suite of proprietary tools, and more engineering talent that will enable us to continue to expand our capabilities across our own catalog as well as the back catalogs of our IP partners.”

Prior to finalising the deal with Atari, Implicit Conversions collaborated with Digital Eclipse on the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, specifically handling the porting of the three PlayStation 1 entries in the compilation, as well as contributing to the Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition. Digital Eclipse, itself acquired by Atari in 2023 for up to $20 million, earned industry recognition, including being named VGC’s Developer of the Year 2024 for its interactive museum timelines and commitment to contextualising classic games.

With the addition of Implicit Conversions and its Syrup Engine, Atari now possesses a robust stack of emulation technologies:

• Bakesale Engine (Digital Eclipse) – 8-bit/16-bit emulation and interactive retrospective experiences.
• Kex Engine (Nightdive Studios) – Polygonal remasters with enhanced resolution and framerate support.
• Syrup Engine (Implicit Conversions) – 8-bit/16-bit/32-bit system emulation, with PS1 support and PS2 coming soon.

Inside Implicit Conversions and Future Plans

Bill Litshauer, head of operations for Implicit Conversions, emphasised the synergy with Atari in a statement published on the studio’s website:

“Over the last year, we’ve worked with Atari through Digital Eclipse on the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Collection, Rayman, and more titles that we’ll be announcing later this year. As we described it to them, it was like we found long-lost cousins.”

He continued:

“We share the same passion for classic games – honouring the original versions, adding historical content / context, and preserving them for the future.”

According to Litshauer, one of the primary reasons Atari pursued the acquisition was Implicit Conversions’ expertise in PlayStation emulation and ongoing development with their PS1 emulator project, Waffle.

“One of the main reasons Atari was interested in our company was due to our PlayStation experience and our ongoing work with [PS1 emulator] Waffle. While we will likely expand our repertoire and assist with projects in the broader scope of Atari’s longterm vision, our primary focus remains with continuing to develop for Pancake (PS1), developing Waffle (PS2), and then setting our eyes to the future with Benedict (PS3).”

This acquisition signals Atari’s intention to maintain and expand its leadership in the preservation, accurate emulation, and contextual re-release of classic video games, covering an unbroken span from 8-bit originals to upcoming PS2 and potential PS3 projects. With the expanded engineering team and emulation technologies, Atari can address gaps in retro re-release portfolios and deliver enhanced experiences for both players and preservationists.

Key Facts:

• Atari acquired Implicit Conversions on April 24, 2026.
• Syrup Engine currently supports 7 classic systems, primarily the Sony PlayStation (PS1); PlayStation 2 support is in development.
• Implicit Conversions contributed to Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection (PS1 games) and Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition.
• Past acquisitions: Digital Eclipse (2023, up to $20 million) and Nightdive Studios.
• Focus Keywords: Atari, Implicit Conversions, retro game emulation, Syrup Engine, PlayStation ports.

As the retro gaming market continues to expand, Atari’s integrated approach, combining Digital Eclipse’s interactive content, Nightdive’s remastering, and Implicit Conversions’ 32-bit expertise, positions the company as a frontrunner in authentic classic game preservation and next-generation reissues.