New Genesis Flashback

[Flojomojo]

They'll be easy to find but who actually goes to a store anymore?

Well, that's why there's online ordering with free shipping. Something for everyone.

[+Curious Sofa]

Weirdly, the Target pre-order for this is Sold Out already (?). Didn't realize they had limited numbers of this coming out such that we'd already be seeing "Pre-Orders Sold Out" messages.

[Flojomojo]

"Pre-orders sold out." Weird.

 

[+-^CrossBow^-]

"Pre-orders sold out." Weird.

 

target preorders sold out.png

 

Yeap Best Buy and Amazon show the same, that they are sold out already. So perhaps this is getting more notice than expected? That's good, just hope these units don't disappoint the masses.

[SignGuy81]

I bet price of Sega game carts are going to go up when this is finally out(the ones not included). Just a heads up for those planning on getting this if there is a game not included in list that you want, may want to get it ahead of time.

[aliensyndrome]

I can't find anywhere to pre-order a Mega drive flashback here in the UK, either. Mysteriously, I can't seem to find the console listed anywhere, which probably means pre-orders are already sold out. I'm sure it was listed a few months back in the usual places.

 

There is a retailer already selling the "new" old version of the console, though (Argos). That seems to be priced at £60 (about $80), which doesn't bode well for the Flashback to cost £80 when it finally comes out. I mean, why would anyone buy the old version when the new and improved version is only an extra £20 more? I'm hoping Argos are just doing that to make the older version of the classic console seem like a really good deal as they try to shift old stock (the old version is currently on sale for about £40) and they'll drop the price of the new classic console when the Flashback arrives.

[derFunkenstein]

"Pre-orders sold out." Weird.

 

target preorders sold out.png

 

Best Buy has the preorder available again.

[Bill Loguidice]

I'm just confirming that I'll be posting my reviews of the Atari and Sega HD consoles this Friday on Armchair Arcade. There won't be any surprises there because the only real criticisms I can levy at this point are mostly nitpicks. Of course I'll post several videos of games in action as well, which I always feel give the best sense of performance. Presumably most, if not all other reviews will also hit on Friday, so you can get a "clean" perspective, i.e., not from someone actually involved in the projects.

[derFunkenstein]

Looking forward to it, Bill.

[Bill Loguidice]

Here is my Genesis Flashback review: http://armchairarcade.com/perspectives/2017/10/13/review-sega-genesis-flashback-2017/

 

The Atari HD one also went up.

[derFunkenstein]

Here is my Genesis Flashback review: http://armchairarcade.com/perspectives/2017/10/13/review-sega-genesis-flashback-2017/

 

The Atari HD one also went up.

Bill,

 

Question about this:

 

Since a cartridge’s contents are loaded into memory each time it’s inserted, cartridges with save game support have that feature disabled. Instead, you’ll have to use one of the Flashback’s allocation of onboard save state slots that are dedicated specifically to cartridge games. This is a minor inconvenience at best, since so few games had built-in save features, plus you’re gaining a save state option for games that never had anything like that in the first place.

Does this mean that if a cart has a dead battery, the console will work as SRAM? What about games with EEPROM saving, like NBA Jam? And, lastly, how many carts does the console support this with, before it runs out of room?

Thanks!

Edited October 13, 2017 by derFunkenstein

[Bill Loguidice]

Does this mean that if a cart has a dead battery, the console will work as SRAM? What about games with EEPROM saving, like NBA Jam? And, lastly, how many carts does the console support this with, before it runs out of room?

 

It works the same as an emulator. You get a block of save states that you can use as you wish. It's not the same as a cartridge having save ability with a battery or otherwise since you have to create the save state from the pop-up system menu (which you can see in the videos) outside of the game's functionality (not sure if I answered your question properly). I'm not sure what the upper limit is on cartridge save state slots (great question!). It's fairly generous, though.

[derFunkenstein]

Sorry, I'll see if I can clarify a bit.

 

Like some of the built-in games like the Shining Force and Phantasy Star series, Sonic 3 has a battery and SRAM. Does the regular save functionality for those cartridge games work like it does for an original Genesis? Most Windows emulators support that style of save without having to remember to create a save state. If cartridge-based games with SRAM need a save state to track progress, do those built-in RPGs also need a save state to keep track of where you are?

 

The video for Sonic 1 is kind of weird. I'm watching in 720p60 mode but the video is very clearly not running at 60fps. Might just be a bad capture?

 

I'm not seeing any updated reviews outside of Armchair Arcade, but maybe they haven't been published yet. Here's hoping. The sound isn't perfect in the videos, but it's SO MUCH better than the SD version I have. That thing sounds awful.

Edited October 13, 2017 by derFunkenstein

[Flojomojo]

I'm not seeing any updated reviews outside of Armchair Arcade, but maybe they haven't been published yet. Here's hoping.

 

I also hope that the people who called the pre-release version "hot garbage" update their reviews. Those reviews still come up on top in web searches.

[derFunkenstein]

 

I also hope that the people who called the pre-release version "hot garbage" update their reviews. Those reviews still come up on top in web searches.

 

I did manage to find one on YouTube. Same choppy scrolling in his video that I saw in the Sonic video, and he even mentions seeing the choppiness as he played.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGIIzy-p6Dg

 

So based on that, it's DOA for me. Nevermind. I have a feeling the only way I'm ever going to be happy is to buy a NUC and build a Lakka box.

[Bill Loguidice]

Sorry, I'll see if I can clarify a bit.

 

Like some of the built-in games like the Shining Force and Phantasy Star series, Sonic 3 has a battery and SRAM. Does the regular save functionality for those cartridge games work like it does for an original Genesis? Most Windows emulators support that style of save without having to remember to create a save state. If cartridge-based games with SRAM need a save state to track progress, do those built-in RPGs also need a save state to keep track of where you are?

 

No, they do not work saving like that. The cartridge is dumped and there's no further interaction from the console after that. You need to use a save state regardless of the cartridge inserted.

[Flojomojo]

Nice Kotaku review. Too bad about the menus, not sure how that got by QA.

 

https://kotaku.com/sega-genesis-flashback-hd-the-kotaku-review-1819380165

 

[SignGuy81]

Does the new Sega Flashback HD have the expansion port on the side to hook up a new Sega Flashback CD HD?

[Bill Loguidice]

Nice Kotaku review. Too bad about the menus, not sure how that got by QA.

 

https://kotaku.com/sega-genesis-flashback-hd-the-kotaku-review-1819380165

 

 

The menus are actually fine in my opinion. B and C move up and down on the left side of the main menu and left, right, up and down work on the game listing. Pressing A enters the game menu and pressing A again starts the game. Not that difficult.

[Bill Loguidice]

Does the new Sega Flashback HD have the expansion port on the side to hook up a new Sega Flashback CD HD?

 

You joke, but next year it might have some more systems integrated (though probably not the CD functionality).

[SignGuy81]

 

You joke, but next year it might have some more systems integrated (though probably not the CD functionality).

That would be sweet.

 

EDIT:

I'm hoping that it would mean possibly playing built in or ability to play 32X games with carts. If so I'd rather have 32X version of MK2.

Edited October 14, 2017 by SignGuy81

[derFunkenstein]

I'm hoping next time has less filler. It smacks of lameness.

 

Wonder if there will be a hacking community around this like there is the NES/SNES classic. Unless there's micro USB or an SD slot, I doubt it. AtGames has put SD slots on the portable for years. Wonder why they won't on the home consoles?

 

The menus COULD be more intuitive. If you're on one of the games in the left-most column, moving left could put you in the left-side menu making switching tabs more like everything that's come out in the last several years. That said, I think people will get used to it and eventually think it's "fine".

Edited October 14, 2017 by derFunkenstein

[Flojomojo]

You joke, but next year it might have some more systems integrated (though probably not the CD functionality).

32X would be neat.

[Bill Loguidice]

Wonder if there will be a hacking community around this like there is the NES/SNES classic. Unless there's micro USB or an SD slot, I doubt it. AtGames has put SD slots on the portable for years. Wonder why they won't on the home consoles?

 

An SD card slot is possible for next year. It's difficult to do everything all at once on these things, particularly with the technological shift.

[aliensyndrome]

Bill, I have a question that I didn't think to consider before (I'm not sure you'll be able to answer, but I'll ask anyway...).

 

Are all the Flashback consoles exactly the same, no matter where in the world they're intended to be sold (just like the SNES mini)? By this I mean do you think the European Flashbacks will be localised to better play PAL region games? I ask because I believe quite a few of my favourite Mega Drive games had some degree of PAL optimisation (Thunder Force 4, Rocket Knight Adventures, Ranger X, Streets Of Rage 2 and 3, most European developed games and possibly more I'm not aware of). I hope so, because it might limit the appeal of these new machines if the emulation software isn't able to account for regional differences. I doubt this was a problem with the classic console because as far as I know, the EU version runs at 50hz.

 

I'm looking at the upcoming Super Retro Trio+ as a possible HD Mega Drive console, but the Flashback appeals because it has quite a few hard to find, expensive games that I don't currently own. It's definitely still a contender, but I wonder if it would be better to treat it as I would a typical plug and play console and consider the cartridge slot more a bonus feature.

 

Edit: Oh, I also wanted to know if it's true 3 button controllers still don't work with the machine? Some reviews I've read seem to suggest they don't, which is crazy considering that's the controller model most people are likely to have in their attic/garage/closet.

Edited October 15, 2017 by aliensyndrome