Jess Ragan Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 They're trying to flush these out of Family Dollar stores, cutting the price from $40 to $25. I've been hearing the criticism of these machines here, though, and I'm getting the impression that they're not even worth that much. (That damn Game Gear handheld sure didn't reflect positively on the manufacturer, that's for sure. Passive matrix in THIS day and age!?) So what is specifically wrong with this thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 This is the FIRST Flashback, yes? For starters, I understand the games are emulated horribly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Anytime a place wants to "flush" something, can't be good... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ls650 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Which model is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zwackery Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Anytime a place wants to "flush" something, can't be good... I've referred to it as the "flushback" a couple times (always on purpose). As for Family Dollar, much like the rest of their title claims (the Dollar Store & Discount Store), they do discount products. Thinking about the demographic they serve, by their own FAQ they claim "Family Dollar serves low to middle income customers", which is elsewhere described as "the $30,000 to $40,000 household income demographic and followed by the Great Recession...continued trade-down traffic (new traffic that understands the value)". $25 for a game system, which may come with a bit of brand recognition, is likely much more affordable than a PS4 or Xbox One, and the $15 reduction in price moves inventory that is not making money (and likely causing additional loss related to shelf space and storage). I'll have to pop into my local FD (just a short 10 minute walk around the corner) and see if they have any (and if those are on sale). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Ragan Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 This Flashback is the one with Millipede built into it? I don't know how much that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickeycolumbus Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Does it look like a 2600 or 7800? Are the controller ports on the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSchoolRetroGamer Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) If it is THIS it's crap.................but yeah if it looks like a little 2600 you are good to go! Edited February 7, 2014 by OldSchoolRetroGamer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Ragan Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 I believe it's this machine: http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/atari-flashback-4-console.html Can this be modded to work with actual 2600 cartridges? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+HatNJ Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I believe it's this machine: http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/atari-flashback-4-console.html Can this be modded to work with actual 2600 cartridges? If it is the 4 then I heard no Only the Flashback 2 had the board with the solder points to install a cart port not sure of the 2.5 flashback and no the 3 is not hackable either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSchoolRetroGamer Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I believe it's this machine: http://boingboing.net/2012/12/03/atari-flashback-4-console.html Can this be modded to work with actual 2600 cartridges? That one is nice but only the Flashback 2 or 2+ having the capability to be modded for actual cartridge use as those were the ones that were pretty much a real 2600 chipset just redesigned, the rest including the 4 are more emulation based. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Im led to understand every Atari Flashback unit after the FIRST one is fine. The 4 has wireless/remote joysticks, maybe theres a problem with them, havent heard. I just acquired a FB2, but if I didnt, & knew where a Family Dollar store was, I'd go get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmetal88 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 I don't think it's quite correct to say the other Flashback units are emulation-based. From my understanding, they actually ported the games to run on NOAC (Nintendo-On-A-Chip) hardware. The inaccuracies in the games aren't due to any type of emulation being used, but are due to the fact that porting them to different hardware (and quickly) entails certain compromises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ls650 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 I have an FB4 that I bought cheap, more out of curiosity than anything else, as I have a couple of working 2600s. The unit is actually not bad, and the wireless controllers work alright as long as you make sure you have a clear line-of-sight to the console. Personally I prefer using regular wired controllers, and they work just fine with the FB4. I understand that the innards are based on some kind of ARM processor running a 2600 emulator. The emulation is pretty good but not perfect; I've noticed a few very minor glitches, and the sound is a bit off in a couple of games. I think the FB devices do fill a niche for the casual gamer who enjoys retro games but doesn't want to go to the trouble of serious collecting. If you are really into the games, though, you will be happier going on eBay and picking up a decent working 2600 with a bunch of commons for the same money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad2600 Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 I sold the only FB unit that I found in the wild last year. It was nice but it was NOT (and never will be) a 2600. I believe the one I found had the buttons (like the 4). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMaddog Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Something like that would be good for people who remember Atari games but hadn't played any in 30 years, so they wouldn't give a crap about emulation... I was thinking of getting it for entertaining guests in the gaming room but can't find any in the local dollar stores. My only complaint about it is why did use a remake of the Space Invaders arcade instead of the 2600 version everyone knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.