Atari Flashback 2?

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:44 am

So, what does everyone think about this?

To me, it seems pretty cool. With 40 games, a miniature 2600 console with two original style joystick controllers, how can you go wrong?
I've read that the controllers are authentic as the originals...even down to the pin-out interface.
I've also read that the console can be "hacked" with the addition of a cartridge port to be able to play all Atari VCS games. PLus, its got composite video...forget about the UHF "rabbit ears" shit.
Any thoughts? $29.00 US doesn't seem too bad, plus it seems WAY better than the previous release with those ugly/uncomfortable 5200 style joysticks.

Hey, its even loaded with "shooty" games!!!
YARS REVENGE!!!!!

Thunder Force · Post by **Thunder Force** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:48 am

I want a Colecovision...

(too bad licensing issues will prevent that from ever happening)

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:48 am

What I'm waiting for is a new way to play the 2600 version of "Warlords" with the original "dial" controllers...imo, that is still the best pure multiplayer experience to be had in all of gaming, if you've got a semi-rowdy bunch who don't mind really old stuff. I swear, one day wars will be declared and fought after a close game of Warlords.

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:04 am

BulletMagnet wrote:What I'm waiting for is a new way to play the 2600 version of "Warlords" with the original "dial" controllers...imo, that is still the best pure multiplayer experience to be had in all of gaming, if you've got a semi-rowdy bunch who don't mind really old stuff. I swear, one day wars will be declared and fought after a close game of Warlords.

Well, you do know that a single player Paddle game was released with Warlords, right?

BTW: I love Warlords too! In fact, I've just converted a few younger friends to it, and they are hooked!! (DreamCast Atari Collection/arcade versions)
Its still playable with the Dreamcast controller, but paddles would be swell!

Post by **BulletMagnet** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:15 am

Heh, a friend of mine had the DC arcade version too...it was okay, but imo for pure madness the 2600 is even better....and you've gotta use the paddle. A controller will do, I guess, but it just ain't the same.

Accutron · Post by **Accutron** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:30 am

Eh, it looks better than the first Flashback...they got rid of the mini painline controllers, and the architecture is authentic, but I don't see a lot of advantages over owning a real 2600 with a personalized collection.

Original Atari sticks aren't anything special...they're just as horrible now as they were in 1977. At least you can use a Genesis pad with it though.

Anyone badass enough to wire up their own cartridge port almost surely has a real 2600 already, and shouldn't have any problems installing composite on it. A more worthy project would be transferring the exclusive game roms from the Flashback 2 onto a 2600 cart.

They still haven't bothered to include Solaris, the best shooter on the 2600, absent from all compilations.

Also, the thing is hideous. The nostalgia factor is overshadowed by the fact that the wood-grain VCS is one of the ugliest consoles ever made, and the Flashback 2 is even nastier with its bright, round buttons.

Most improvements of the Flashback 2 over the first Flashback are geared towards people who would already own a real 2600. Everybody else should buy Atari Anthology for PS2.

sethsez · Post by **sethsez** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 7:13 am

Accutron wrote:Eh, it looks better than the first Flashback...they got rid of the mini painline controllers, and the architecture is authentic, but I don't see a lot of advantages over owning a real 2600 with a personalized collection.

This is easier to buy and it takes up much less space, while giving you a ton to play with for one purchase.

Most improvements of the Flashback 2 over the first Flashback are geared towards people who would already own a real 2600. Everybody else should buy Atari Anthology for PS2.

This is more authentic than that collection, due to it being the actual hardware rather than emulation or reprogramed games. Additionally, you're assuming that people interested in this kind of thing would own a PS2, which they may not.

Personally, I think this looks great. It's probably the best plug and play console to come out of this fad, it shows a good deal of respect for the original products, and personally I love the cheesy as hell woodgrain look.

TWITCHDOCTOR · Post by **TWITCHDOCTOR** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:45 am

I'm pretty much with Seth here on this one.
I loved my VCS back in the day...I sold it complete with around 50 games back in 85', so its been a while, and I never had a problem with the controllers, or the overall "look".

BTW: Genesis controllers also worked with the ColecoVision...something else I loved back as a young teen.

The current collections for XBOX and PS2 don't really cut it for me, because they're simply not authentic enough to warrent a purchase.
However, the Flashback 2 IS tempting, and the price is right. Sure, you could buy a real 2600 for about the same price with some games...good luck getting it to work properly though.

The Eidolon · Post by **The Eidolon** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 7:06 pm

Well, there are some "new" games from current 2600 homebrew
authors. And the controllers are compatible with the old systems,
which is a big plus if you have a 2600 or Atari 8-bit (or ST) and
want a couple extra working joysticks. I've heard good things about
it on the AtariAge boards, where some of the designers of the new
games post regularly.

--The Eidolon

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 7:32 pm

So all of the flaws of the first Flashback have been fixed for the second one?