ColecoVision Flashback Internals *Pic Heavy*

[Trebor]

Here we go...

 

[Pixelboy]

Man, that thing is tiny inside!

 

So they placed the power connector near the front because they wanted the connector to be on the same board as the power and reset buttons... I can understand this as a cost-cutting measure, but still, it could have been done differently, to put the power cord further towards the back of the unit.

 

If they had trouble making this console 40$ with such tiny electronics, then that's it: There's no way AtGames will ever agree to put a cartridge port on the next iteration of the CV Flashback, if it ever comes to be. The only good news here is that they have more than enough space inside the console casing to add an SD card slot.

[+evg2000]

How soon until we see someone creating a portable from this?

[+nanochess]

Now who is going to desolder that Flash and read its contents?

 

*eating popcorn*

[+5-11under]

Now who is going to desolder that Flash and read its contents?

 

*eating popcorn*

 

Anyone have a Flashback for sale, reasonably priced, and shipped to Ontario, Canada?

[retroillucid]

Made in Shenzen ....

.....now you can expect to see some clone of the CV Flashback in the near future.

[Rik]

Yeah like Pixelboy already mentioned, it's unreal how simple the inside of the CVFB really is!!!!. I expected a lot more guts. Amazing how small they can make these type of things nowadays.

Edited September 6, 2014 by Rik

[Geoff Oltmans]

Is it a real CV on a chip or an NES on a chip?

[Flojomojo]

Is it a real CV on a chip or an NES on a chip?

Neither. You're not paying attention.

 

It's a custom CPU running Colecovision code in emulation, same as the Intellivision Flashback, Atari Flashback 5, and the Sega Genesis classic console remake.

[Trebor]

 

It's a custom CPU running Colecovision code in emulation

 

This has to be one of the most disappointing and frustrating bits concerning the ColecoVision Flashback unit; especially as it pertains to the sound portion of its emulation. ColecoVision sound emulation has been pretty much on target since the mid 1990's - I kid you not, see a mature (~'95-'96) ColemDOS for example. Indeed, there was excellent audio and video emulation on hardware as old as a 486DX-33 (1990).

 

The sound overall in this flashback unit is so off-key, it's baffling to think someone actually tested and compared the results and found it to be acceptable.

 

Oh well...hopefully when/if there's a ColecoVision Flashback 2, it will have the features and be comparable to what the Atari Flashback 2 was to the 2600, if not even better.

[onmode-ky]

It's a custom CPU running Colecovision code in emulation, same as the Intellivision Flashback, Atari Flashback 5, and the Sega Genesis classic console remake.

Actually, according to what Bill L. said here, the AtGames' Genesis models this year are still using their RedKid-series Genesis-on-a-chip implementation. Progress! Consistency!

 

onmode-ky