AtGames Fall 2017 Flashback and Portable Lineup

[Flojomojo]

 

And Wal-Mart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Atari-Flashback-8-Gold-Activision-Edition-with-Build-In-130-Games-HDMI-Output-and-Two-Wireless-Controllers/500265566

Bill, are these exclusive retailers for the Activision Edition or simply the first ones?

[swlovinist]

I wish that I had my review unit to talk about on my channel...

[MrBeefy]

Does Wal-Mart ever carry these in-store anymore? I never see them it seems.

 

I only ever spotted the Flashback 2 which I bought when I saw it, and one year's AtGames model (Maybe the Flashback 4). With the Dollar General relationship seemingly severed (I haven't looked this Fall, but I couldn't find anything last year despite always buying them there), I don't think there's anywhere locally where I can even buy the Atari models.

 

Not a big deal with online storefronts, but I would think it can't be helping AtGames when these don't get much retail exposure.

Ive seen them in locked cases with the regular systems.

[TF14]

As is par for the course with these things, some publisher edits introduced errors (ugh!) and/or cut content for space considerations. Of the latter, I was saddened to see some tables dropped from the book that showed how the various original Atari 2600 controls and switches mapped to what is found on the current Atari Flashback series of products.

 

Anyway, I remedied that by posting the omitted tables in a blog post on Armchair Arcade. You can read them here, and I'll also post the images below:

 

 

Many thanks Bill for all of the work around the FB8 release, book and the valuable posts like the tables you created. I received and read through my FB8 book and just like you said, it is a must have companion to get the full value out of the device. The background for each game is a great read. Like others, I are already ready to put money down for the Activision/Imagix/etc. version of the book that you will hopefully be working on for next year's release.

[NE146]

So.. this thread has gotten long and I'm not sure if it was done earlier.. but, is there a simple matrix that shows what games are in each of the Atari units? I've decided I want one but wow is it confusing. If so maybe it should be stickied at the front.

 

i.e. Flashback 8, 8 Gold, 8 gold Deluxe, 8 Activision.

Edited December 4, 2017 by NE146

[Bill Loguidice]

Bill, are these exclusive retailers for the Activision Edition or simply the first ones?

 

I was told it's not exclusive after the window, which already passed.

[Bill Loguidice]

So.. this thread has gotten long and I'm not sure if it was done earlier.. but, is there a simple matrix that shows what games are in each of the Atari units? I've decided I want one but wow is it confusing. If so maybe it should be stickied at the front.

 

i.e. Flashback 8, 8 Gold, 8 gold Deluxe, 8 Activision.

 

Someone created a comparison matrix, but I'm afraid I don't have the link handy. Hopefully someone else knows the link.

[Arenafoot]

So.. this thread has gotten long and I'm not sure if it was done earlier.. but, is there a simple matrix that shows what games are in each of the Atari units? I've decided I want one but wow is it confusing. If so maybe it should be stickied at the front.

 

i.e. Flashback 8, 8 Gold, 8 gold Deluxe, 8 Activision.

 

 

 

Someone created a comparison matrix, but I'm afraid I don't have the link handy. Hopefully someone else knows the link.

I think this is what Bill is talking about....... see below

Flashback8GameLists.pdf

[FifthPlayer]

Bill, here's another round of kudos for your Flashback guide. It succeeds as a history, as a collection of Atari memorabilia, and as instructions for a great deal of Atari 2600 games. It's a very well done book and it's well worth the price even if you play Atari 2600 games on a system other than the Flashback.

Edited December 4, 2017 by FifthPlayer

[Bill Loguidice]

If you're interested in AtGames and their retro gaming products, check out the official Facebook page at: AtGames Flashback Zone (https://www.facebook.com/atgflashback) . I'm now running the AtGames social media accounts for both Facebook and Twitter (https://twitter.com/atgflashback) and will do my best to provide both timely product information and interesting related content.

Finally, the AtGames Website has been completely revamped. You can check it out at: https://atgames.co/

(end overly formal announcement)

 

[Recycled]

Being I got out of the hobby for a few years and missed the CV and INT Flashbacks back in 2013, I sure hope another Intellivision FB is released. Still bought a new CV FB for a late to the table price of around $60. Both of my actual CVs no longer work, so it's nice to play many of the games again.

[Bill Loguidice]

Being I got out of the hobby for a few years and missed the CV and INT Flashbacks back in 2013, I sure hope another Intellivision FB is released. Still bought a new CV FB for a late to the table price of around $60. Both of my actual CVs no longer work, so it's nice to play many of the games again.

 

There have been no updated discussions since shortly after Keith Robinson's passing. It was left off where we'd consider revisiting both projects in 2018. At the moment, we're discussing updates to the portables.

[Recycled]

Ok. Thanks for the update.

 

Of course I would like to see a cartridge slot for a future Atari FB as well.

 

Acquired both 2017 Sega and Atari FBs to support this cause. I dig the plug and plays. Not into collecting old hardware anymore.

[Hwlngmad]

 

There have been no updated discussions since shortly after Keith Robinson's passing. It was left off where we'd consider revisiting both projects in 2018. At the moment, we're discussing updates to the portables.

 

I definitely would like to see an Intellivision FB2. That would be really nice as I really enjoyed the original unit. Also, upgrading the portables would be something nice to see as well. I know my son really likes those devices, especially the Sega one since he likes Sonic, so marked improvements would be very much welcomed.

[Bill Loguidice]

There are definitely some good upgrades planned. There is really only one upgrade on the Atari Portable that won't be happening next year that I really wanted (most likely 2019), but so far I think everyone should be quite happy with how most of the upcoming line-up is shaping up.

[Hwlngmad]

There are definitely some good upgrades planned. There is really only one upgrade on the Atari Portable that won't be happening next year that I really wanted (most likely 2019), but so far I think everyone should be quite happy with how most of the upcoming line-up is shaping up.

 

Sounds great Bill. As always, the updates are very much appreciate it. Definitely we all look forward to seeing what AtGames has in store product wise for next year, even though this year's season isn't even completed yet!

[ECWfan]

All these retailer exclusives on the Flashback 8 has me confused. Is QVC the only retailer that offers paddles? Is there an Activision editon that comes with paddles?

[goldenegg]

I finally got the Atari and Sega HD units. I have to say that I was surprised to see performance issues on the Sega Flashback. It's highly noticeable in Sonic, with the scrolling being quite jerky. I thought they has solved these performance issues with the units that got shipped to store.

[atarifan88]

All these retailer exclusives on the Flashback 8 has me confused. Is QVC the only retailer that offers paddles? Is there an Activision editon that comes with paddles?

 

From all the looking around online that I did, QVC is the only retailer that sells the gold flashback with paddles. Even At Games does not show an Activision edition with paddles to exist.

[JBerel]

Are there even any paddle games on it? Kinda pointless to include paddles if not. Looks like breakout and super breakout might be the only reasons to use them, unless tempest supported it.

Edited December 11, 2017 by JBerel

[+GoldLeader]

Flashbacks have lately left me really disappointed. Not the product itself, but the fact you can never get the one you want.

 

If a single retailer would just carry the ENTIRE LINE, even online would be OK, Then people would be Happy...

 

(Let me vent..Let me rant..Maybe I'll apologize later... LOL)

 

From what I've seen...Walmart and Gamestop Only carry SD versions!!!!? For the love of God Why?? Everybody wants the HD version as we've already got enough SD Flashbacks to choke a horse and the HD units are not in stores. I did see Portable units for both Atari and Sega at Walmart so I will say Good Job on that alone,...Their website is a mess with HD versions of the Atari one for $70 which is fine, but the Activision one at $100? Umm OK ...Granted it's a third party deal, (but I still hold Walmart responsible)...I didn't check Gamestop's website because they are (supposedly) a video Game store and yet they don't carry the HD versions? (Retarded)...

 

And then there's Bed Bath and Beyond. It's a store I really like so I try to cut them some slack, especially as they never claimed to be a video game store,... but they only have SD versions and I don't think they even carry the Portable anymore so that nifty 20% Off coupon we got in the mail is essentially pointless unless you buy into Brick and Mortar's grand design and big master plan that these flashbacks are just little SD Version stocking stuffers for Gen Xers and toy things to keep a young modern child quiet for 5 seconds before they pick up their phones again...

 

So there's QVC..Their network is annoying as hell but They DO have an HD Version WITH PADDLES...And it's 80 Bucks!!! Good Job QVC even if you generally suck!...But let me back up ....The Opposite of shout outs go to ATGames for Not releasing an Activision version with Paddles...Not releasing a Deluxe version (that should feature All the games Plus Paddles), Nor Ever having Paddles in stock on their website ...Is all of this really So Hard? Talk the big retailers into Carrying the HD Versions...Remember back in the 80's when Nintendo talked retailers into putting their systems on the shelves by saying they'd buy back any unsold stock? (They Never had to buy any unsold stock !) People DO want the HD versions and they want to see it in stores. That's all. Not hard at all. Even if only, say, a fourth of that shelf space was for HD units instead of SD, They'd sell. And if ATGames would make paddles available on their website, They'd sell a lot of them I predict. If they put up a Buy It Now on Ebay they'd sell even more of them...And if they simply changed the words SOLD OUT to IN STOCK, along with the words "Compatible with Original Hardware"...I bet they'd do OK (Grin)...

 

But I should say my hats off to them for even getting this done in the first place...It's just, Why be so close?...and then... *Choke* .. It's like the guy doing his touchdown dance, not realizing he's still on the 10 yard line...So Close but yet so Far...

 

If I hadn't seen that QVC website, I'd think things were dour (dire?) indeed.

 

So from what I can tell, if you want to see the whole line (minus Paddles sold separately of course) your only option is Ebay...And you probably won't be saving money.

 

OK Rant over...All apologies...just my 2 cents...

 

If anyone needs me I'll be at BEST looking to see if they still do High Quality Paddles....I should probably just get those anyway...

[thetick1]

^^^ Pretty clear you have never even thought about what it's like to run a business. The world revolves around money not what you consider retro cool.

[+GoldLeader]

^^^ Pretty clear you have never even thought about what it's like to run a business. The world revolves around money not what you consider retro cool.

 

Actually what's pretty clear is that I was doing an opinion piece, hence the "just my 2 cents" and words like "Rant" and "Vent"...Not trying to give sound business advice here, ...I even have a Business degree, but that's completely beside the point...My main thrust was a disappointment over not finding the HD units in stores. You are correct, I was just giving an opinion on what I consider Retro Cool...You'll find we do a lot of that here on AtariAge.

[atarifan88]

Are there even any paddle games on it? Kinda pointless to include paddles if not. Looks like breakout and super breakout might be the only reasons to use them, unless tempest supported it.

 

There is a good line of paddle games on it: Astroblast (you can use the joystick, but I highly recommend paddles), Backgammon, Black Jack, Breakout, Canyon Bomber, Circus Atari, Kaboom!, Night Driver, Super Breakout, Video Olympics (Pong), and Warlords.

 

Regarding Gold Leaders rant on HD availability, he nailed it when he pointed out that hardly anyone is carrying these versions. Why publicize these and not offer them in the store?! This almost wreaks of the NES mini (little stock put out to meet enough demand, and third parties selling them for extremely high prices).

Edited December 11, 2017 by atarifan88

[Recycled]

I'm so behind the times. I don't have an HD tv. I just bought the SD FBs. I've never bought a tv (for myself) in my life. All the tvs I have ever owned are somebody else's cast offs, except one as a gift decades ago and one that I bought my gf last year for Xmas last year(which is HD).