Customer Reviews

Atari Flashback Game System

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The hardware is nice, but the software screams "rush job." Like the JAKKS all-in-one units, the Flashback uses a different hardware platform than the original chipset these Atari games were designed to run on. As a result, we get copies of copies of old arcade games, with a lot lost in the translation. Collision detection is off, sounds are missing, and the game set isn't as good as the games from over twenty years ago that it pretends to collect. For the price, you'd be better served by finding a flea-market Atari or settling for the Jakks Atari joystick or paddles.

UPDATE: Atari is making a completely new version of the Flashback console, using updated Atari 2600 VCS hardware, joysticks with the original "classic" feel, and 40 games built in. The console will include 3D Tic-Tac-Toe, Adventure, Adventure II, Aquaventure, Arcade Asteroids, Arcade Pong, Asteroids Deluxe, Atari Climber, Battlezone, Caverns Of Mars, Centipede, Combat, Combat 2, Dodge'm, Fatal Run, Frog Pond, Hangman, Haunted House, Human Cannonball, Lunar Lander, Maze Craze, Millipede, Missile Command, Off the Wall, Outlaw, Pitfall, Quadrun, Radar Lock, Return To Haunted House, River Raid, Saboteur, Save Mary, Secret Quest, Space Duel, Space War, Video Checkers, Video Chess, Wizard, Yars' Return, Yars' Revenge ... and some secret hidden "easter eggs." All indications point to this being THE plug-and-play system to own. It's supposed to be available by late July 2005. Search for Amazon #B00093DHIK to order one.

Skip the original Flashback in this listing unless you simply have to have them all!

Stay away and wait for the Flashback 2.0, which looks much better. They really messed this one up. The sounds and graphics look like someone did them from memory rather than first playing them on a real atari. Worst is ADVENTURE. This has always been a favorite of mine, and was sad to see that the programmer's room was screwed up in the Jakks emulation, but here, it seems to not exist at all! There is something peculiar and thin looking about the graphics throughout and the gameplay is not the same at all (just try moving diagonally). The dragons don't so much chase you as simply impale themselves on the sword, and the bat's AI is very strange. I'd be curious to hear if anyone was able to find the dot or access the programmer's room easter egg in this version. Some of the other games were decent, but the klunky joysticks ruin the enjoyment.

Being an avid classic gamer, I had been excited to pick up one of these Atari Flashback units since I first heard about its development. Once I finally plugged it in and played the games... well, let's just say I'll be returning it to the store.

Apparently, this console was a rush-job, developed in only ten weeks, and it shows. Instead of running on the original hardware, these games are being emulated. This leads to all sorts of graphical glitches and gameplay problems. Desert Falcon has so much flicker that it's all but unplayable. I was unable to select different tracks/surfaces in Sprintmaster. The ship in Asteroids doesn't drift when you fire the thruster. There is no gravity in Gravitar. The list goes on...

In fairness, some of the games played flawlessly - Adventure comes to mind, and the previously unreleased Saboteur. The paddle games (Breakout, etc.) were faithfully represented, but I found them too hard to control with the joystick controller.

I am extremely disappointed because this console had so much promise. I sincerely hope that Atari can perfect the system and release a new version.

On one hand, the Atari Flashback console features a pretty diverse selection of games. It's also interesting to note that Centipede and Asteroids are the Atari 7800 versions. Centipede actually sort of sounds like the arcade version, but Asteroids, as has been mentioned elsewhere, doesn't quite feel the same without the "drift" after firing your thrusters. As for the Atari 2600 games, there are several classics included and several clinkers. The main reason I bought this console was for the 2600 game "Solaris". The game seems complex and is rather challenging. It combines outer space flight with "rescue missions" on the planet surfaces. It was graphically impressive for its time and to this day rates as a unique and different game. "Yar's Revenge" is also an oldie but a goodie and performs flawlessly here. And if you're looking for a true classic, "Adventure" is represented very well here. While the graphics are extremely primitive and the sound is nonexistent, it features a wealth of things to do and accomplish. Good stuff.

Like others have mentioned, there are several problems with this system as well. The 7800 game "Desert Falcon" is just pathetic. The frame rate must be 2 frames per minute or something... it simply doesn't perform well at all. The biggest loser of the bunch though in my opinion has to be "Warlords". This 4-player "Breakout"-style game features a seizure-inducing screen jump that occurs every time a brick is destroyed. There is just no way this game can be enjoyed at all. And finally, the joysticks themselves can cause serious carpal tunnel effects. They are much smaller than the old 7800 sticks that they were inspired by, and after playing a game that involves a lot of trigger action (Solaris for example), my hand felt like it wouldn't open back up!

Overall, it's a fun system for nostalgia lovers... if you can get past some of the glitches. For the price, it's a great bargain though, and if you're a fan of any of these old games and don't have the originals, it's definitely worth a look.

Of course you're not eyeing this as the latest in graphics and technology. Rather, you're looking at it for nostalgic or retro enjoyment. This was the case with my wife, who missed her old Atari from when she was a kid. So I decided to pick one up for her that we could relax to after the kids went to bed.

Overall, it's not a bad job. It features one previously unreleased game (which I feel ought to have remained unreleased) as well as nineteen of everyone's favorites from the original Atari. Some of the games included are Breakout, Yar's Revenge, Centipede and Millepede (I can understand one or the other, but were both of these really necessary?), Asteroids, Desert Falcon, Gravitar, Food Fight, Crystal Castle and a number of others.

Like other retro-Atari products now being released, I find that games originally intended to be played with a paddle don't play as well with a joystick. Additionally, and I don't know how this was managed given how simple the programming in comparison to today's games, but somehow Atari lost some of the original programming in transfering these games. So certain minor things (like sounds and other effects) are missing from the original.

Take Asteroids for example -- in the original, the space ship would continue to drift after you released the thrusters. In this version, however, the ship just stops moving when you stop the thrusters. So expect some minor changes.

One thing my wife and I did appreciate was the instruction book that refreshed our memory about the background of each games, as well as explained what each level means. Since a number of the games can be set to nine or ten different levels, each with its own subtle variations, you're not left scratching your head. Of course the games aren't too difficult to figure out, but it is still nice to know what each mode adds or omits -- particularly if it activates the second player.

Which brings me to another advantage this holds over most other retro-Atari products; that is, the second joystick that allows two player options. A lot of these games really aren't that fun to play alone, or the novelty soon wears off when playing them alone.

This system really fulfills its nostalgic and retro purposes because you can enjoy it with your friends, or alternatively cuddle up in bed or on the couch with your spouse and just enjoy an evening home. And this adds a lot to the fun of this project.

I admit, I don't happen to be too terribly impressed with this product, but I commend Atari for the effort (for a much better job, try the Flashback 2 when they get the second version out in stores). A lot of the disappointment comes from both a.) the NES-on-a-chip style hardware, and b.) the games were not re-programmed very coherently.

I do have to say, that since it IS "NES-on-a-chip", it could be used for other projects. Another thing is that the joysticks are FAR more comfortable than the original Pro-Lines, and those with some electronics know-how can make adapters to use these on their computer

This atari isn't really bad,but the atari flashback 2 is way better.The console is pretty and has some good games(e.g. centipede),but desert falcon is HORRIBLE!Asteroids on the 40's machines was much better.I like "Centipede","Air-sea battle","Planet smashers","Sky diver",and "Yars' revenge".I don't think some other games on this product "made it".It is really cool though.I personally like it,but there are many people who might rather buy an "Xbox360".So,my final verdict is:If you like 40's games,get this,or even better,get an Atari Flashback 2.

Well, I heard about this system, bought it, and one thing immediately came to mind. Why, if the wanted to market a classic Atari console, would they make it in the shell of a 7800? Not that it matters, but who acutally owns a 7800? Oh well. The games are fun, but the emulation of the sounds are not all there due to the use of a different chipset. I eventually got to the point where i became hooked on the games to the point that I Ebayed myself an actual 7800 Prosystem. I wound up paying about 10 times the [...] dollars I spent on the Flashback. Classic gaming bang for the buck, you cant go wrong with this system. Combo it with a Flashback 2, set it up, turn down the lights, and enjoy it all old school!

I bought this for my boy for Xmas even after reading all the naysayers. It's a good cheap atari substitue. Remeber it is atari! The only way it could be better in my opinion is to buy the orginal thing.

I have very little to say: No Enduro, no River Raid, no Pac-Man and no Pitfall.

The best games of the 2600 console are missing, making the hole product pointless.

Sorry, but for me, it looks like a great idea was lost. A shame.