+phoenixdownita Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 https://armchairarcade.com/perspectives/2019/10/26/full-game-list-for-the-atgames-bandai-namco-arcade-blast-2019/ It says available now but not so much (not at the link in that page). And I mean the "Bandai Namco Arcade Blast! (WD3305/WD3305S)" as reported here https://blast.atgames.net/blast_family Walmart lists it as preorder https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bandai-Namco-Arcade-Blast/330840719 at 30US$ + 6US$ shipping is a little steep ... let's see! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atariboy Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 I didn't pay close attention, but Family Dollar has a Namco Blast unit here locally and I'm sure they're a bit cheaper (But don't remember the price). It may have been last year's model, but they were together with Flashback X's and Legends Flashback 2's, so perhaps it's the new one with emulated arcade games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 6 hours ago, phoenixdownita said: https://armchairarcade.com/perspectives/2019/10/26/full-game-list-for-the-atgames-bandai-namco-arcade-blast-2019/ It says available now but not so much (not at the link in that page). And I mean the "Bandai Namco Arcade Blast! (WD3305/WD3305S)" as reported here https://blast.atgames.net/blast_family Walmart lists it as preorder https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bandai-Namco-Arcade-Blast/330840719 at 30US$ + 6US$ shipping is a little steep ... let's see! It's supposed to be available now but they do some odd stuff with their stock at times. The Arcade Blast! is also bundled with the Legends Ultimate when you buy it at Sam's. It's a really great Blast!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+phoenixdownita Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 17 hours ago, Bill Loguidice said: It's supposed to be available now but they do some odd stuff with their stock at times. The Arcade Blast! is also bundled with the Legends Ultimate when you buy it at Sam's. It's a really great Blast!. Mind pointing me to any online retailer that has it available? I have no intention to buy the Legends Ultimate to get one of these Arcade Blast, I was hoping Bed Bath and Beyond may have it as there's one nearby but they obviously don't know what they sell: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/atari-reg-flashback-reg-blast-pac-man-hdmi-plug-in/5263546?keyword=blast-hdmi Features 8 of the greatest, classic Atari games built in: Pac-Man Dig Dug Galaga Galaxian Mappy Sky Kid The Tower of Druaga Xevious Yup, some classic Atari in the old Namco Blast (if it was the new Arcade version I would not care what they say). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 The picture on that link looks like the one with NES/Famicom ROMs. I'd get it from a store that takes returns since it's likely to not be what you want, especially at that very low price. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 (edited) They're very easy to tell apart. Different names and different boxes. The one with the arcade versions is specifically called the Bandai Namco Arcade Blast!. And it has 10 games in the arcade one. Edited December 12, 2019 by Bill Loguidice 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atariboy Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 I'm pretty sure the one Bill mentioned is what I saw at Family Dollar. So you should check it out if you have one of those (These low end budget stores are all over the place around here, just like Dollar General). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+phoenixdownita Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 Wrt to Bed Bath and Beyond I was making fun at them listing the Namco unit (yes last year borked NES version) as featuring 8 of the greatest "Atari" games, that's why I stated that they really don't know what they are selling (it was sarcastic). As to where to go to find the new one (the Arcade) I'll see if I have a chance to explore a few of the dollar stores around here but at 30US$ it's not in their league. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+phoenixdownita Posted December 23, 2019 Author Share Posted December 23, 2019 Finally, spotted 4 units at the local Fred Meyer, discounted at 19.99$ instead of 29.99$ .... didn't buy it yet. It's for my kid and the only real appeal is that by being wireless he won't pull the TV down in a moment of heat/frustration, other than that I have all other plug-n-play TV editions I care for already ... will see if I cave or I wait until they hit the "really discounted" bin. I guess last year' mess made sure no one (?) actually reviewed much of any of these, it's deserved in a way, a pity if the unit proves to be decent (I am not holding my breath, but given the target audience is a 4 years old it may just work out fine). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 7 hours ago, phoenixdownita said: I guess last year' mess made sure no one (?) actually reviewed much of any of these, it's deserved in a way, a pity if the unit proves to be decent (I am not holding my breath, but given the target audience is a 4 years old it may just work out fine). There have been some reviews. Which one are you referring to? Basically the Bandai Namco Arcade Blast! and the Adventure Blast! are the two marquee units. The Star Blast! is somewhat similar to the 2018 model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+phoenixdownita Posted December 24, 2019 Author Share Posted December 24, 2019 16 hours ago, Bill Loguidice said: There have been some reviews. Which one are you referring to? Basically the Bandai Namco Arcade Blast! and the Adventure Blast! are the two marquee units. The Star Blast! is somewhat similar to the 2018 model. The Namco Arcade Blast, I've not seen reviews of the unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negative1 Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 here you go: later -1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negative1 Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 $30 is too much for me, if i find it for $20, i'll get it. later -1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+phoenixdownita Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 On 12/30/2019 at 9:08 PM, negative1 said: $30 is too much for me, if i find it for $20, i'll get it. later -1 As I said i can find it for 20US$ locally but given the only attractive for me is the wireless setup, I will wait and see if it goes down in price. If you ever buy it let us know how good those Arcade versions really are, given you can get to very high scores in most if not all of those games may as well figure out how good it really is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negative1 Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 (edited) mostly just rally-x gameplay. later -1 Edited January 8, 2020 by negative1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negative1 Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 found it for $20, could have gotten it for $15, but anyways, will write a review when i get it next week. later -1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyy Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 (edited) is there a way to add one or two more games to the dongle? Edited January 15, 2020 by scottyy added a word Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 3 minutes ago, scottyy said: is there a way to add one or two more games to the dongle? No. Only the Legends Flashback console and full-size home arcade machine can add games. The Blast! micro-console line-up is fixed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyy Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 I purchased the legends flashback (50 games) just for 1942 game, however i do not like the version of galaga they have installed on it, i prefer the blast edition..... my task this weekend is to figure out how to add a few games to the legends unit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyy Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 does anyone know where to purchase an extra controller so two people can play? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyy Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 from the supplier..... The controllers that come with the Blast! are programmed to work as the first player on the device. Meaning, 1P controllers cannot be programmed to work as a second player. Additionally, though we had planned a player two controller, it has been tabled as we focus on the launch of our 2020 line of products this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negative1 Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 another review: got mine today, my review will be up later -1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negative1 Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 (edited) the revenge of Atgames Namco ============================================== so this is version 2 of the Atgames Namco unit. or blast, as they call it. the difference is huge, as this is the Atgames Namco Arcade blast. ------------------------------------------ yes, these are the arcade versions. not sure about what emulator they used. Game list: =============================== Pac-Man Galaga Galaxian Dig Dug Mappy Sky Kid Tower of Druaga Pacmania New Rally-X Xevious To me : 8/10 of them are classics, i don't care for Sky Kid or Tower of Druaga, and Galaxian is another short term game. =================================================== I tested all games for at least 5-10 minutes, a lot more for the games i know well. Package - HDMI dongle, 1 mini usb-USB for power page of 8 stickers, 1 6 button controller+3 options Setup ----------------------- Very easy to set up, just plug the HDMI dongle into a TV. Add power, as in my case, I just plugged it into a charger, since my TV doesn't do USB. I put 2 aaa batteries into the controller (not included), and turned it on. From that point on, just set your TV to the HDMI source, and you will see the start up menu. Options ------------------------- NONE You can access the credits through the menu button. Overall Gameplay observations ----------------------------- Video quality is decent, and no scanline options, so its regular pixels. No smearing, tearing, or glitches in games. Pac-mania runs very smoothly, and is the most complex and recent game on there. Sound quality is terrible, and sounds low quality samples, or just poor emulation with scratchy noisy low resolution quality. Controller ----------------------------- This is barely adequate, as the dpad is soft and mushy. The buttons are OK. The biggest question is why 6 buttons, the most you will ever use is 2 while playing. The Menu, and Start are fine, and so is the Rewind button. Wish they would have used a joystick or something more arcade like. Savestates ------------------------------ The menu option gives you a savestate for every game. You press menu, A to save, B to load. It's very quick and accurate. Highscores --------------------------------- Saved per game as you play, reset when you switch, or turn off. Rewind option ------------------------------ This gives you a VCR rewind feature for all the games, which is about 5-10 seconds, in case you are playing, and make a mistake. Good for training. multiplayer ------------------ Didn't test, but since most games have 2 player alternating options, it should work. But apparently they are not releasing a 2nd controller. Games --------------------- Pac-Man - The classic version, 3 men+1 extra at 10k Yes, the timing is correct, and all patterns work. Its VERY hard for me to execute moves on a Dpad, so i ended up using fingers from both hands to do the moves. I'm right-handed, so i can't really play using my left hand and the dpad. Played up until the 1st key and around 100k and quit. at some point i might use the savestates, or just see how far i can get without them. might be a killscreen on it. Pacmania - another pac-game, looks great, and runs very smoothly. again, it's very hard for me to play this game with the dpad but i managed to get to screen 4, and about 200K -------------- Galaga - timing seems right, extras at 20k+70k,70k played until level 14, and 140k, they don't shoot on level 10, which is correct. did all 4 bonus levels with perfects, so firing is responsive. i did not try the no shoot bug, but will give that a try Galaxian - worked as expected, sound is glitchy, and framerate is ok got through 2 stages, or about 8k, so thats about it. Xevious - very smooth scrolling, and plays well, all the ingame flags, extras and targets are where they supposed to be. played to about 80k, which is about where i usally get. -------------------------- Dig Dug - i gave this game a very long test. its SUPER hard with the dpad, since again, i am right handed, so i had to use my left hand to play. the game settings are the easier US settings, with extras at 10k+40k/40k after so there are tons of extra men if you play well. i got to level 32 and quit, and piled up extra men going off the screen. all the patterns work, but again, trying to time the pumping with my other hand is very hard, and the dpad is not great for doing accurate moves or when they are close, and moving fast. i think i had 400k when i quit. -------------------------- Mappy - this is a new discovery for me, as i never liked it when it originally came out. it actually has some depth, and strategies. i am probably not going to learn the patterns, but just play it straight up for now. got through 3 levels, and the bonus one, so this one is accurate also. -------------------------- New Rally-X - this is a actually a pretty good variant of rally x, as its easier, with less cars to start off, and gets gradually harder. this games is hard to control with a joystick, so a dpad is just as hard to get used to. i got through a few levels, and quit. gameplay is accurate. -------------------------- Sky Kid - actually, this horizontal shooter is like a cross between scramble, and the looping feature is nice. but its a very unforgiving game. i played through 2 levels and gave up, because its so hard. Tower of Druaga - This is the slowest version of a 'gauntlet' type game i have ever played. I did get past about 5 levels. to its credit, all levels are random every time you play. the enemies are unfair (wizards), and timing is critical -------------------------- ======================================== Overall price ------------ It retails for $30, but you should be able to find it for $15-$20, if you look on ebay and amazon. overall value ------------- C- It is the arcade versions, and there are games that everyone knows and likes, however, the graphical and audio quality are very substandard. The controls do an ok job, but are not very good for people that want to get better. the only advantage is this is easy to play on modern day 720p HDTV with HDMI. Comparison ------------ I would take the 256 level plug and play version over this ANY Day, the joystick control makes all the difference. also the sound is better, and so is the video quality (although it is SD, can be played on CRT). final word ----------- i cant recommend this for most people 1) you can get these games on any namco console compilation 2) the price is too high for what you get 3) the quality is poor overall for video and especially sound 4) unless you collect blast units, this wont be used much the one saving grace of it, if that, is the savestates and rewind feature, which were found on MS Gameroom on PC, and XBOX 360, and rewind is much easier to undo a mistake when you a practicing a game. savestates let you continue if you are interrupted, or coming back to a game. its another attempt by Atgames to correct their earlier mistake of putting the NES roms on the previous version, which way too many people overreacted to. this is a classic case of correction. if you ever find one used think about it, but unless its a gift or for people that are casual players, you probably don't need it. later -1 Edited January 16, 2020 by negative1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+phoenixdownita Posted January 17, 2020 Author Share Posted January 17, 2020 5 hours ago, negative1 said: .... if you ever find one used think about it, but unless its a gift or for people that are casual players, you probably don't need it. later -1 Nice review and concise final recommendation .... if you had to "fix" it what would that look like? Joystick? Better DPad? Better audio? 1080p? All of the above? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negative1 Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, phoenixdownita said: Nice review and concise final recommendation .... if you had to "fix" it what would that look like? Joystick? Better DPad? Better audio? 1080p? All of the above? thanks for checking it out: 1) lower resolution, options for scanlines, scaling, pixel perfect, pixel accurate, etc 2) much better audio, if the plug and play can do better, why cant this 3) joystick all the way, with 2 buttons 4) better games, super pac-mn, pac-man plus, rally-x, bosconian later -1 Edited January 17, 2020 by negative1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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