The Atari Flashbackbrand is a series of dedicatedhome video game consoles designed, produced, published and marketed by Atari, Inc. from 2004 to 2011. Since 2011, the consoles have been designed, produced, published and marketed by AtGames under license from Atari. They are 'plug and play' versions of the classic Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 consoles; rather than using ROM cartridges, the games are built-in.
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The systems are powered by an AC adapter (included), come with a pair of joystick controllers, and use standard composite video and monaural audio RCA connectors to connect to a television.
Home consoles[edit]Original console[edit]
The Atari Flashback was released in 2004. The console resembled an Atari 7800 in appearance and came with a pair of controllers which resembled those of the Atari 7800, though they were slightly smaller. The system had twenty games built-in, all originally developed by Warner Communication's Atari Inc. and Atari Corp. for the 2600 and 7800 game systems. The games which originally required analog paddle controllers were made to work with the included joysticks.
It was designed by Atari veteran Curt Vendel, whose company Syzygy Co. (formerly Legacy Engineering Group)[1] designs other home video game and video arcade products. Atari Inc. gave Syzygy Co. ten weeks to design the product, produce its games, and ready it for the 2004 Christmas holiday season. The Atari Flashback was based on 'NES-on-a-chip' hardware, not resembling either of the Atari systems which the Flashback was supposed to represent (this was solved with the Flashback 2). As a result, the games it contained were ports and differed in varying degrees from the original games, and therefore the Flashback was unpopular with some purists.[2]
Included games[edit]
There was a selection of about 20 games on the original Flashback.One game, Saboteur (originally designed by Howard Scott Warshaw), was advertised as 'unreleased'; though never part of the Atari lineup, it was sold at the Philly Classic 5 convention in 2004.
Atari Flashback 2[edit]
The Atari Flashback 2, the successor to the original Atari Flashback console, was released in 2005. It has forty Atari 2600 games built in. A few of the included games are homebrews which were created by enthusiasts in recent years, and two of the games (Pitfall! and River Raid) were originally published by Activision.
The appearance of the Atari Flashback 2 is reminiscent of the original Atari 2600 console from 1977. It is roughly two-thirds the size of the original and is much lighter in weight. The Flashback 2 console has five buttons (power, reset, left and right difficulty toggles, and select); on the back it has a color/black-and-white slider switch and two ports for the included joysticks. The joysticks bear very close similarity to the original Atari 2600 joysticks from 1977, and are compatible and interchangeable with them. The Flashback 2 does not come with paddle controllers, but original paddle controllers can be connected to it and used with its paddle-based games.[3]
Curt Vendel and Legacy Engineering returned to develop the Flashback 2. Unlike the original Flashback console, the Flashback 2 contains a single-chip version of circuitry designed by Vendel; it is a reproduction of the TIA chip used in the original Atari VCS.[4] As such, the Atari Flashback 2 runs games just as they ran on an original console. The Atari Flashback 2 project was codenamed 'Michele', after Vendel's wife. Her name is printed on the motherboard.
Marty Goldberg, owner of the Electronic Entertainment Museum, was the technical writer for the packed-in manual and full design of the online manual. Because of changes in game content during the development and problems with the graphic design company keeping edit revisions straight, the manual which comes with the Flashback 2 has several errors in it including typos. For example, contrary to the manual there is no two-player mode in Centipede, and there is no connected-ship gameplay in Space Duel. Likewise in the description of Save Mary 'Barnaby just blew up the nearby damn' appears.
Included games[edit]
The available games are arranged into four categories selectable from an on-screen menu. Once a game is selected, the only way back to the menu is to use the power button to turn the console off and on again.
The games listed below as hacks used other games' code as a starting point and modified their gameplay or appearance. Homebrews were written from scratch by Atari fans in the 1990s and 2000s. Unreleased prototypes are games which were developed by Atari Inc. in the 1970s and 1980s but never sold to consumers; some of these games may have bugs or be incomplete. A few of the games listed are new and exclusive to the Flashback 2.
Adventure Territory[edit]
Arcade Favorites[edit]
Skill and Action Zone[edit]
Space Station[edit]
Paddle Games[edit]
The console also includes two hidden titles which require the use of paddle controllers. The Flashback 2 does not come with paddle controllers, so these games cannot be played unless the user has an original set of Atari 2600 paddle controllers. To access the hidden paddle game menu, the user must press up on the joystick 1 time, pull down 9 times, push up 7 times, and pull down 2 times (this represents the year 1972, in which Pong first appeared). The code must be entered steadily and without pauses (enter it too quickly and it won't work).
Test screens[edit]Atari Flashback Game Console Price
Controller test screens can be accessed by holding down the select and reset buttons while pressing the power button to turn on the console. With the color/black-and-white switch set to 'color', the joystick test screen will appear; with it set to black-and-white, the paddle test screen will appear. These test screens allow a gamer to test controller inputs as well as the console's colors and sounds. On the paddle test screen, if joysticks are plugged in as opposed to paddle controllers, the game Off the Wall can be accessed and played by moving right with the left controller.
Revisions[edit]
There have so far been three revisions of the Atari Flashback 2.
Services)and A.M.I.E.(I)examinations.In order to make this volume more useful for them,complete solutions of their examination papers up to 1975 have also been included.Every care has been taken to make this treatise as self-explanatory as possible.The subject matter has been amply illustrated by incorporating a good number of solved,unsolved and well graded examples of almost every variety.
A few of the included games, such as Lunar Lander, exhibit some flicker. This is due to limitations in the original Atari 2600 hardware, which the Flashback 2 reproduces accurately. Curt Vendel noted that the games exclusive to the Flashback 2 were programmed under a strict schedule, and later commissioned developers to tweak these games in order to reduce flickering.[6] Some of these revisions were included with the Atari Flashback 2+, released in 2010 (see below).
Rev. D is the Atari Flashback Portable with support for all games with the exception of Pitfall 2 and the Supercharger games. This new chip will also have built in LCD driver lines, and USB connectivity support and built in Flash RAM for games storage. No official word on when Atari Inc. will release this revision.
Adding a cartridge port[edit]
While the original Atari 2600 consoles had a cartridge slot, the Atari Flashback 2 does not include one. However, a hobbyist can easily modify a Flashback 2 to use Atari 2600 cartridges, and can even install a switch across certain points of the motherboard so that the console can be easily set to play the forty built-in games again. The motherboard is printed with several solder points and a guide to what contact points associate with which cartridge pinouts.[7]
Sales[edit]
In an interview with The Escapist, Curt Vendel remarked, 'Flashback 2 did exceptionally well. 860,000 sold in U.S./domestic.'[4]
Atari Flashback 2+[edit]Atari Flashback 7 Game List
In January 2010, Atari announced pre-orders for the Atari Flashback 2+, to be released on February 22, 2010.[8] General Mills simultaneously announced a giveaway sweepstakes for the console, along with other Atari related merchandise, in conjunction with its Honey Nut Cheerios cereal.[9]
Included games[edit]
The bulk of the included games in the Atari Flashback 2+ are the same. However, Pitfall!, River Raid, Wizard, Caverns of Mars, and Atari Climber have been removed. In exchange, a sports section was added that included the games Realsports Boxing, Realsports Soccer, Super Baseball, Super Football, and Double Dunk.[8] A third 'hidden' game, Circus Atari, was added to the 'hidden' menu that features the paddle-controller only games Warlords and Super Breakout.
Console differences[edit]
Aside from the games, the cosmetic differences between the FB2 and the newer FB2+ are that the latter console sports a plus (+) sign and larger text for 'Classic Gaming Console'. Also the 'fuji' Atari symbol on the original FB2 resembles the newer Hasbro-era fuji, whereas the FB2+ fuji resembles the original Atari fuji of the 1970s.
Atari Flashback 3[edit]
In 2011, Atari licensed out Legacy Engineering's Flashback concept and name to AtGames for the 'Flashback 3'.[10] The Flashback 3 includes 60 built-in Atari 2600 games, 2 joysticks, and a case design that is similar to the Flashback 2/2+ design, except for front-based joystick ports, no B/W switch, and a different curvature. Internally the Flashback 3 system uses emulation running on an ARM-based processor instead of Legacy's '2600-on-a-chip' and is not hackable to add a cartridge port for reading original Atari 2600 cartridges. However, not only do the original 2600 joysticks and paddles work on this system, future Atari Flashback units and revisions that were made by AtGames will have audio that is set to a lower pitch than normal.
Included games[edit]Flashback Atari Game System 1976
Atari Flashback 4[edit]
On November 13, 2012, the Atari Flashback 4 was released by AtGames. The console looks similar to its predecessor, the Flashback 3; however, the noticeable change is that the joystick controllers are wireless via infrared. The console increased its library to 75 games,[11] 15 more than Flashback 3. The new additions are:
The game Secret Quest was replaced with the game Black Jack.
On December 4, 2012, AtGames released the Atari Flashback 4: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition. This included a set of replica Atari 2600 paddles, 5 collectible posters, and a copy of the original Atari joystick patent signed by Nolan Bushnell.
Some versions of the Flashback 4 include a 76th 'bonus' game, Millipede.
Atgames also developed a Walmart exclusive version with only 64 games and wired controllers which included Space Invaders called the Atari Flashback 64.
Atari Flashback 5[edit]
The Atari Flashback 5 was released on October 1, 2014. Like the previous two releases, it was built by AtGames. It is the same as the Flashback 4 with the infrared wireless joysticks, but it adds 17 more games, increasing the total to 92 games. The new games are:
The game Battlezone was replaced with Millipede.[12]
The Walmart exclusive is with wired controllers like the previous version.
Atari Flashback 6[edit]
The Atari Flashback 6 was released on September 15, 2015. Like the previous three releases, it was built by AtGames. It is the same as the Flashback 5 with the infrared wireless joysticks, but it adds 8 more games, increasing the total to 100 games.[13] The new games are: Stick world hacked.
Atari Flashback 7[edit]Atari Flashback Game System
The Atari Flashback 7 was released on October 1, 2016. Like the previous four releases, it was built by AtGames. It is the same as the Flashback 6 with the infrared wireless joysticks, but it adds 1 more game - Frogger - (not the original 2600 version; instead, the version included with the Flashback is a replica of the original arcade game) increasing the total to 101 games. [14]
Atari Flashback 7 Deluxe[edit]
The Atari Flashback 7 Deluxe includes two wired paddle controllers in addition to the wireless joysticks.[15]
Atari Flashback 8[edit]Atari Flashback Game Console
The Atari Flashback 8 was released in September 2017. Like the previous five releases, it was built by AtGames. It includes wired controllers once again while having 105 games.[16] It contains the same games as the Atari Flashback 7 with the following changes:
New games:
Removed games:
Atari Flashback 8 Deluxe[edit]
This edition includes 105 games and two wired joysticks. The Atari Flashback 8 Deluxe is identical to the Atari Flashback 8, except this version includes a set of paddle controllers in addition to the joysticks.
Atari Flashback 8 Gold[edit]
While the Flashback 8 continues to composite video for connection to the television as with the previous models, the Flashback 8 Gold edition includes 720p HDMI video output. The Flashback 8 Gold includes 2.4 GHz wireless controllers instead of the infrared wireless controllers found in previous versions. The Gold also comes with the option to pause, save and rewind the system's games. A second Gold Edition with Activision branding has also been released, which includes 130 games, and is described further, in more detail, below.[18][19]
The Atari Flashback 8 Gold includes 120 games. The new games are:
Atari Flashback 8 Gold Deluxe[edit]
This edition also includes 120 games, but also includes 2 wired paddles in addition to two wireless joysticks.
Atari Flashback 8 Gold Activision Edition[edit]
This edition includes 130 games with 2 wireless joysticks and HDMI, but does not include all the games of the other Flashback 8 Gold release.[20] The new games are:
But does not include:
Flashback Atari Game System 2019
Atari Flashback 9[edit]
The Atari Flashback 9 was announced on October 24, 2018. Like the previous six releases, it was built by AtGames. It includes two wired controllers and 110 games. Model number AR3050 includes 720p HDMI video output like the Flashback 8 Gold and runs the Stella emulator (version 3.9.3). It includes an SD slot like the Atari Flashback Portable for firmware updates, downloaded games, and saving and resuming game states. Another change is the replacement of the AC power adapter with a 5V/1A MicroUSB power adapter and cable. Optional wired paddle controllers, exclusively designed for use with the Atari Flashback 9 series, are not available yet.
A cheaper version was also released (Model numbers AR3220 and AR3230) that includes composite video output rather than HDMI and runs AtGames' custom emulator as on the previous Flashback 8. A MicroUSB cable is included but the user must provide a USB power adapter.
Included games[edit]
Atari Flashback 9 Gold[edit]
This edition includes 120 games and, like the Flashback 8 Gold, replaces the two wired controllers with two 2.4 GHz wireless joystick controllers and includes 720p HDMI output. The new game additions are:
Excluded are:
Handheld consoles[edit]Atari Flashback Portable[edit]
The Atari Flashback Portable, released in November 2016, is a handheld system with 60 games built in and an SD slot for downloaded games. It has a 3.2' LCD, AV output port and mini USB charge port.[21]
An earlier, proposed handheld version of the Flashback was created by Curt Vendel and Legacy Engineering Group. The initial mockup was demonstrated in early 2007 with a 2.5' TFT screen running approximately 15 hours on a set of three 'AAA' batteries. Games are loaded into internal 2MB memory by use of a USB cable. The release date was projected as early 2008 with a retail price of approximately $40, Curt Vendel announced that the project was not going to be released by Atari and no further information was released.[22]
Atari Flashback Portable (2017)[edit]
A second edition of Atari Flashback Portable was released in September 2017. Like the first Atari Flashback Portable, it was built by AtGames. It includes 70 games with the most notable additions to this edition being four Namco games which are Dig Dug, Galaxian, Pac-Man, and Xevious. The version of Pac-Man included is a homebrew port that is more faithful to the original arcade game and not the original Atari 2600 port of Pac-Man released in 1982.[23]
The games are:
See also[edit]References[edit]
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Atari_Flashback_series&oldid=916830009'
Nintendo's 2016 NES Classic brought retro gaming nostalgia to a fever pitch, but it wasn't the first affordable box to offer plug-and-play old school video games. AtGames has been cranking out mini game consoles full of nostalgic titles like Sonic the Hedgehog, Centipede and Pitfall for the past few years. And now the company is refreshing its Atari and Sega models for 2017.
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Due in September -- not coincidentally, the same month Nintendo's mini-SNES Classic hits -- the Atari Flashback 8 Gold packages several dozen Atari 2600 games from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but AtGames' website lists it as $79.99. (Official UK and Australia availability and compatibility are unknown, but that price translates to about £61 and AU$102.)
As the name suggests, the Flashback 8 is hardly the first box to round up a bunch of old titles from gaming's past. But the new model ups the ante on features compared to previous Atari game collections:
Four versions
Note that the Flashback 8 Gold is not the 'Ataribox.' That unit, coming from Atari itself, is still somewhat shrouded in mystery.
And if you're saying 'I've seen this Atari Flashback thing already. It's been on the shelf at my local drugstore for years,' you're right -- sort of. AtGames and other licensees have been offering Atari Flashback consoles (1 through 7) for years, but they have a different selection of titles built in. (You can check out Wikipedia's summary of the whole series throughout the years for specifics.) Don't buy those older models expecting the HDMI output, wireless controllers and save-game features of the Flashback 8 Gold series profiled here.
Further confusing things is the fact that the Flashback 8 Gold is one of four similar units in the same generation from AtGames. The company will also be offering the Atari Flashback 8 Gold Activision Edition (with 130 games), the Atari Flashback 8 Classic (105 games, wired controllers, no HDMI or save games) and the Atari Portable (70 games, with rechargeable battery and built-in screen).
To muddy the waters further still, the 'Activision Edition' is not the only one that offers classic Activision games. (Confused yet?) Here's how the titles are split across all four versions:
Before you buy
If you're interested in buying the Flashback 8 Gold, it all comes down to whether or not you actually like the games in question. Also keep in mind that a 'classic' is in the eye of the beholder -- these games may be charming, but they pale in comparison even to the arcade versions many of us old-timers remember.
Also note that many, if not most, of the games in these collections are available on many current consoles, PCs and mobile platforms. For instance:
We'll have a full hands-on review of the Flashback 8 Gold in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, check out our review of the original Atari Flashback 2 from 2006 if you want an idea of what to expect from the newest version. That said, the addition of HDMI output, wireless controllers, game saves and a larger library of games makes the Flashback 8 Gold sound like a nice step-up from previous versions.
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