Did you buy an Atari Flashback Portable?

[Shawn]

This handheld has been out for some time now soooo..... Did you buy an Atari Flashback Portable? If so, how do you like\dislike it? Would you buy another in the future if they released another version?

[Hyperboy]

I dig it and I will be buying future versions as well.

[Flojomojo]

Oh heck yes I did. It's not perfect, but it's pretty darn good, especially at the asking price.

 

Frequently asked questions, including a software compatibility list here

[Jumpman1981]

I got mine as a gift, so I didn't buy it, but I do have one

[+GoldLeader]

Yep!!

 

I Love it!!

[Keatah]

I did not buy one for myself, but we did get a bunch for giveaway doorprizes.

[+save2600]

I couldn't justify the price. $45-$50 is all I've ever seen them at, while the Genesis portable could/can be had for $25-$30. I'd pay $20-$25 for the Atari portable, and then probably never play it. Same with the two Genesis units I ended up with... Really should sell one of them. Or both.

 

I'd be willing to trade one of my Genesis ultimate portables for the Atari version if someone was interested in that sort of deal.

[Bill Loguidice]

Would you buy another in the future if they released another version?

 

There's no "if," fortunately. There will be an official announcement about that and many other products from AtGames some time on or before E3.

[Flojomojo]

There's no "if," fortunately. There will be an official announcement about that and many other products from AtGames some time on or before E3.

 

Slap me thrice, Bill Loguidice! That's NEXT WEEK!!

[Bill Loguidice]

 

Slap me thrice, Bill Loguidice! That's NEXT WEEK!!

 

The press releases might even hit this Friday.

[+nanochess]

I got mine as a gift, so I didn't buy it, but I do have one

Same here

[+sramirez2008]

I picked one up with a 20% off coupon from Bed, Bath & Beyond. I would consider another one, if they increase the screen size. I'd like to see a slightly larger screen and a controller port, so I could play the paddle games. D pads just don't work with paddle games.

[Schizophretard]

No, it would serve no useful or enjoyable purpose for me. I don't like playing Atari games with D-pads but if I did I could just buy a bluetooth controller for a phone and put Stella on it.

[+Nathan Strum]

Yep. Although I've hardly played it since I bought it. I've already got too many other Atari playing options for it to really fit in anywhere.

[alex_79]

I didn't buy one. I'm not interested in a dedicated emulator machine, and even in that case, I prefer playing the Atari on a TV while sitting on the couch and using an arcade style joystick. I have real hardware or Stella for that. The only flashback I would have been interested in was the 2/2+ which is also the only one that didn't have a PAL version for European market.

 

I do think the portable it's a good product, it's just that I'm not part of the target market it is made for.

I must add that prices here in Europe for all the flashbacks are much higher than in US (the portable goes for about 90 EUR, which are about 100$), so the impulse-buying factor is also unlikely to happen.

[tremoloman2006]

I like it... BUT... it doesn't have the option for playing games in Black & White for the ones that support it.

Due to the size of the display and color scheme, some games are hardly playable. Bowling is one... without B&W I can't see the pins because they blend into the background.

[Bill Loguidice]

I like it... BUT... it doesn't have the option for playing games in Black & White for the ones that support it.

Due to the size of the display and color scheme, some games are hardly playable. Bowling is one... without B&W I can't see the pins because they blend into the background.

 

On the new version the black and white (TV TYPE) switch stays toggled.

[Bill Loguidice]

Here are all three press releases: http://armchairarcade.com/perspectives/

[+davidcalgary29]

Nice! I hope that there will be a better distribution network in Canada this fall: I gave up on the portable earlier this year when I couldn't find it, anywhere, in stores.

[doctorclu]

"Atari Flashback® Portable Game Player returns in 2017 with an amazing selection of 70 built-in games, including the legendary BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment arcade hit, PAC-MAN™. Other blockbuster games include Dig Dug™, Pitfall!™, and Frogger™, and you can even add your own games with an optional SD card. A built-in, rechargeable battery means the on-the-go fun never ends. Games can be played on the portable’s built-in, high-resolution 2.8” display, or on a TV via optional cable."

 

Sounds good. Can't wait to see Dig Dug and Pac-Man. New creations (like Frogger) or the 2600 variant?

 

And no Star Raiders. Pity.

[BillLoguidice]

"Atari Flashback® Portable Game Player returns in 2017 with an amazing selection of 70 built-in games, including the legendary BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment arcade hit, PAC-MAN. Other blockbuster games include Dig Dug, Pitfall!, and Frogger, and you can even add your own games with an optional SD card. A built-in, rechargeable battery means the on-the-go fun never ends. Games can be played on the portables built-in, high-resolution 2.8 display, or on a TV via optional cable."

 

Sounds good. Can't wait to see Dig Dug and Pac-Man. New creations (like Frogger) or the 2600 variant?

 

And no Star Raiders. Pity.

Frogger is the same new port for the hardware and Pac-Man is a 4k Atari 2600 homebrew. The others are the originals.

[+cvga]

Frogger is the same new port for the hardware and Pac-Man is a 4k Atari 2600 homebrew. The others are the originals.

 

Is there anything different about the hardware? I don't recall what the screen size or resolution was on last year's portable.

[BillLoguidice]

 

Is there anything different about the hardware? I don't recall what the screen size or resolution was on last year's portable.

Different exterior and 2.8 inch screen. UX and emulator tweaks. Nothing significant.

[mckafka99]

I dont know if it would ever be taken into consideration, but a 'Gold (?) Edition' portable with a larger screen size (4"-6") for us old farts whose eyesight is waning would be really sweet. I would easily pay more to have a larger portable screen

[Bill Loguidice]

I dont know if it would ever be taken into consideration, but a 'Gold (?) Edition' portable with a larger screen size (4"-6") for us old farts whose eyesight is waning would be really sweet. I would easily pay more to have a larger portable screen

 

There is a possibility - just a possibility - that the portables will undergo a hardware revamp for 2018. Right now, though, it's just something under consideration.