+sramirez2008 Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Just like it says...I own several Atari consoles (2600, 7800 & 5200) and am now considering a Flashback. In short I'd like to know which one (1 through 6?) you like the best and why you would recommend it. In addition, if someone has a Flashback that accepts actual 2600 carts and would like to part with it, (maybe to make some $$ for the upcoming Flashback Portable), I would be interested in making an offer. Thanks everyone and happy gaming! -Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+nanochess Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 The Atari Flashback 2 is the only one that can be modified to put a cartridge port, nevertheless it has one or two bugs in processor emulation, I don't remember exactly which ones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toiletunes Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 2, 2+, etc can be modded. 3-onwards are similar to each other- I'd just grab the newest or least expensive from this line (unless you're looking for a specific game). The first flashback has a few 7800 games and is the least popular of the bunch. The portable is the way to go. SD slot and composite out means you can play most anything on the big screen, no mods required. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sramirez2008 Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share Posted July 30, 2016 Thank you both...may have to start considering the portable. Anyone know if it will read 2600 and 7800 ROMs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armonigann Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Pretty sure the portable will not play 7800 games. The best FB to acquire is definitely the 2 not the 2+, if your looking for true 2600 game experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted July 30, 2016 Share Posted July 30, 2016 Flashback 2 was the best by far. However, if you have a real 2600, why bother?I got a 2 back when they came out 10 or 11 years ago mainly to have as a collectible and to support "Atari" in the hopes they might pursue something that's cart-compatible straight out of the box (naive, I know!), and also because a personal friend of mine was involved with its development. I don't think I've actually played it more than an hour in all that time. But I'm definitely a "nothing like the real thing" kind of person anyway. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sramirez2008 Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share Posted July 30, 2016 But I'm definitely a "nothing like the real thing" kind of person anyway. Valid point and precisely the reason for my not getting one so far. Don't get me wrong, I love my Harmony and Atarimax, but they don't keep me from buying/collecting carts. I really like the original hardware and the ability to swap out carts. It feels right. Don't know...may not get one unless the portable really does allow SD for both 7800 and 2600. I could see myself buying the portable, only because I travel so much for work and would never bring a console with me. - Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0078265317 Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Flashback 2 was the best by far. However, if you have a real 2600, why bother? Because flashback has AV out which real hardware lacks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Valid point and precisely the reason for my not getting one so far. Don't get me wrong, I love my Harmony and Atarimax, but they don't keep me from buying/collecting carts. I really like the original hardware and the ability to swap out carts. It feels right. Don't know...may not get one unless the portable really does allow SD for both 7800 and 2600. I could see myself buying the portable, only because I travel so much for work and would never bring a console with me. - Thanks. It's not going to support 7800, and no one ever said it would, so why do you keep asking? That system is easily emulated on Windows though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hizzy Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 I might get the portable. With emulation and the Raspberry Pi, I find the flashback a bit redundant. The best thing about it for me is the chance to see some new games. Adventure II is fun. I think Combat II was on that. Caverns of Mars. For me, Flashback is like an over sized homebrew cart with joysticks attached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffIrok Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 I got the flashback 2 and 5 (with paddles) before I got the Harmony cart. Since then, I haven't been interested in a Flashback. HOWEVER...I'm definitely interested in the portable. It would be great if it were compatible with the Harmony cart (my gut says it won't be), but I have a boatload of original carts that I can dust off and play on the go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edladdin Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 If you are not interested in modding FB2 to have a cart slot, to me the most interesting features are the homebrews and oddities that are on the various models. For example, we got a FB5 to use as a controller demo at expos/events and it turned out to have a cool hack of Adventure with more castles, mazes, and so on. My other suggestion... Get the "deluxe" version so you can have a brand new pair of rock solid, jitter-free paddle controllers as part of the package. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edladdin Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 PS: The Wikipedia entry shows all the games on all the versions: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Flashback 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hizzy Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 The cart mod doesn't even work with every cart. I once asked if a flashback II would give a better picture than an modded Atari console, and one of the developers replied that a modded Atari is better, and that you're not going to get the same compatibility as you would with a real 2600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atarifan88 Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 2, 2+, etc can be modded. 3-onwards are similar to each other- I'd just grab the newest or least expensive from this line (unless you're looking for a specific game). The first flashback has a few 7800 games and is the least popular of the bunch. The portable is the way to go. SD slot and composite out means you can play most anything on the big screen, no mods required. Is there a way to use actual joysticks on the big screen or do you have to use the built in controller? Sent from my LGL34C using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sramirez2008 Posted July 31, 2016 Author Share Posted July 31, 2016 PS: The Wikipedia entry shows all the games on all the versions: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_Flashback Thanks for the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toiletunes Posted July 31, 2016 Share Posted July 31, 2016 The handheld doesn't have a controller port, so you'll be using the built in controls. Someone could, in theory, mod the console to add a controller port- but that seems like just as much work as modding the fb2 or a real console. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I'd recommend the portable for this year and getting the 8 next year. Both are/will be worth it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hizzy Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I know it isn't feasible, but I wish there was a flashback cart, like a harmony but with all of the games on it. It would take up less room in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atarifan88 Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I'd recommend the portable for this year and getting the 8 next year. Both are/will be worth it. Why the 8 next year over the 7 this year Bill? Is there going to be a standout change to the system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikey.shake Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I don't wanna speak for anyone, but based on context, and things said in other threads, I've got a "gut-feeling-only", purely-hunch that the next FB (the 8, in 2017) will possibly have HDMI, and either a cart slot expansion capability (unlikely) or SD card slot (more likely). Evidence? Pshaw. This is the internet. But if you read between the lines, know what people want, and listen to who's talking in this and other similar threads, I feel like there are some implications there. (And I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth.) I think the market is moving that way already, and the people in charge are listening. Either way, the only FB I own is a 2. I happened to find it for a buck at a flea market after looking for a while. It's GREAT, and I recommend even the newer ones to casual gaming friends who don't wanna shell for an OG setup. But the NES Mini might change the game up a little after a few years of incremental development, and I think some things (HDMI) are going to start becoming standard-issue in these budget-line plug and play consoles. ("IMO","YMMV", etc.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 Well put. Yes, the 7 is the same as the 6, save for the addition of 1 game. It's a good solid product. However, if it tracks the way it presently is, the 8 will be the best Flashback ever, by far, particularly as it relates to this audience. Of course, the catch is, you'll likely have to wait another year and a half for it. Spending $25 - $40 in the mean-time wouldn't be a killer. Of the 2017 products, the only one I don't expect to see substantial changes for is the Atari Flashback Portable. That's already on a next gen hardware platform, etc., and is really good as-is. Again, holiday 2017 is a long way away and I would never tell anyone to turn a good deal down in the mean-time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 2017 is the 40th anniversary of the Atari VCS, so it's nice to hear that good things are coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everett1954 Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I have all the systems too. (2600, 5200, 7800) and just picked up a nice FB2. The FB2 is hooked up to Main living Room TV (Along with a Coleco FB) so I can enjoy some great games with my granddaughter. She can also play with her friends without having to worry about inserting cartridges and wonder will they work. The FB2 has only 40 games but they are some of the best, as the FB number went higher so did the number of games included. The FB2 has some paddle games too. I'm going to pick up the Portable when available. Look at the list of games that you would like and pick up that model. that has the games that interest you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffIrok Posted August 1, 2016 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I don't wanna speak for anyone, but based on context, and things said in other threads, I've got a "gut-feeling-only", purely-hunch that the next FB (the 8, in 2017) will possibly have HDMI, and either a cart slot expansion capability (unlikely) or SD card slot (more likely). I would be like, "TAKE MY MONEY!!!" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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