MaximumRD presents The Atari Flashback II

[Zito773]

while this is neat, I prefer my woodie

[MaximumRD]

@Zito773 Oh hell yeah, this is just another addition to the collection, I already have about 5 ways to play origina; carts though sadly no woody YET. Currently I prefer my 2600 Jr. with Harnony cart!

[MaximumRD]

@Zito773 Er, I meant HARMONY Cart.

[kratosguy91]

It's defiantly one of my favourite videos on youtbube, good job!

[kratosguy91]

This is a very good video. It covers alot of aspects of the atari

[julsyDCst]

Nice little console for someone who doen't mind not having a "real one", looks great for a clone type console, though being Atari branded, is it a clone? lol great video once again

[MaximumRD]

Not really, the Flashback one was based on the NES on a chip design (strangely) but the Flashback II is pretty much the original hardware just re-designed in a smaller design, think of it like a revision, like a phat PS2 compared to the Slim PS2, this is why it can be modded with a cart slot.........

[andittellstime]

bestsku sells these online on their site brand for $29.99

[theperfectone121212]

I bought one of these babies for 5 bucks. I love this thing.

[MaximumRD]

Sweet! Can't beat that!

[mx0game0fan]

@theperfectone121212 Where??

[MNC122703]

You have inspired me to pick this system up

[MaximumRD]

Hey cool! One of my earliest videos. Yes it is well worth picking up for sure!

[diosoth]

That y-adaptor was probably a waste of money. A lot of TVs can split the audio signal automatically, which mine does. I have this unit plugged into my left audio channel and get sound from both sides.

[MaximumRD]

Meh, it costs practically nothing and seemed to make a difference, not going to sweat a couple bucks considering how much I waste on crap lol!

[blackflagnc]

Never saw one of those before. Nice vid, dude.

[marymoo14]

please tell me if i can buy one in stores or if i hav to get it online

[MaximumRD]

I think they are getting harder to find, just google Flashback 2 I am sure it can still be bought online or you might have to Ebay it UNLESS you find at a local gamestore still.............

[newjack1879]

LOL

Either, i'm built like Andre The Giant, or the console has gotten smaller

[TheMaDDeSTMaN]

I want one of these!

[Apk07]

nice to see a dreamcast chillin under your tv ;]

[AMysticSeer]

Actually the system has 42 games; 2 of which are accessed by entering 1972, with a controller.

This system is exactly like a 2600, it has the same chips simplified, its just missing the port which is actually not hard to mod into.

[MaximumRD]

Well, to be fair at around 6:40 into the video I did say over 40 games and hint about the hidden ones......

[AMysticSeer]

I know, I wrote the comment at about 4:10; that will teach me to watch the full video before commenting. Lol.

[DGarcia879]

i entered 1972 gently, using the left joystick, but no luck still

[RossPK81]

Another great video, RD!

[lurkerrekrul]

I saw one of these at a flea market a short time ago. I didn't bother to ask how much he wanted as I still have my original 2600, a 2600 Jr. and a 7800 which seems to be 100% compatible (unlike some), although the Tigervision cartridges are a REAL tight fit.

[MaximumRD]

I myself had no way to play any Atari games when I picked this up (well besides an emulator on PC) so I figured what the heck, I liked that it uses composite video output and the controllers are new and usable on orignal Atari systems. Since then I have picked up a Sears Video Arcade II which is 2600 compatible so that's cool................

[lurkerrekrul]

Are the joysticks any more durable than the originals?

With original sticks, there were usually 3 problems;

1. The bubble switches slid off the contacts slightly.

2. The center peg in the bottom of the case snapped off.

3. The ring on the plastic stick insert would crack at the flex points.

The only joysticks that seemed to be built to last were the Wico ones. Even Tac-2s with their steel shaft had a thin section that would eventually snap.

[MaximumRD]

I cannot say for sure as I haven't had an original in years, as far as I can tell though it's pretty uch identical for better or worse...........

[ScrewAttackEurope]

Is it actually running the games or is it emulation?

As I've heard runors that it's possible to solder in a cartridge port to the machine and it'll work, even that some have them inside the machine if you break them open.

I know it's definitely possible with those Megadrive/Genesis plug n play units as there's a video on Youtube of it.

[MaximumRD]

Yes it IS actually running the games and YES it can be hacked (with precise soldering skills I lack) to accept original cartridges:

just GOOGLE: Cartridge port hack Atari Flashback II!

It was a good way to get my fix at least until I received my SEARS VIDEO ARCADE II, which is compatible, I have a video on the unboxing..........

[ScrewAttackEurope]

Yeah I saw that, it does look pretty sweet, i'd say that the style would even be acceptable for a machine released nowadays.

It's awesome to see someone else collecting lesser known consoles/models. I picked up an Apple Pippin of eBay a few weeks ago, managed to get it unbelievably cheaply for some reason. I also got an official UK TurboGrafx (though they were never officially released) it was a promo unit NEC used at expos to entice clients/buyers.

[MaximumRD]

Yes I agree, I definitely like showing lesser known systems or even with popular systems I like to show an alternative version of the hardware. I feel the original Intellivision/Atari 2600 etc have been done to death and I think people are surprised to see diferent variations of the hardware.

[ScrewAttackEurope]

Oh indeed, the NES had quite a few versions released as well (I don't mean the NES 2) but the original model had a NES version and a Mattel version released and they were remarkably different models.

[StackLikesAtari]

Haha! We must think alike, Rob. I was saying to myself when you scrolled by Pitfall, "play Pitfall", and then I saw Millipede and said "play Millipede"!

[champf1]

Good stuff Rob.

[MaximumRD]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[newcoleco]

Good review again.

I don't know if all the original Atari 2600 games are compatible with this, I heard the hardware was based on the original console hardware. Anyway, if someone can sell me one already modded, contact me.

I'm still looking up for a ColecoVision re-release like this. I know it's more complicated because of all the royalties to pay for the build-in games, but just avoid copyrighted games and add a cartridge slot on the top to allow to play all the classic game cartridges.

[MaximumRD]

Man I would LOVE to see a Colecovision version but yeah it definitely would need the cartridge slot already and better standard controllers included but still have option to plug in original controllers........well we can dream!

[newcoleco]

For some games, the secondary fire is needed and on this controller the secondary fire is very specific for this console. However, because most of the games don't use the secondary fire and adding numerical keys on the console is fairly easy to do, like on the Dina 2-in-1 CV/SG1000 clone system, then it may allow to play ColecoVision games without switching joysticks and use classic cx40 controllers almost like the one you have with this FlashBack2 console.