Flashback 2 questions- HELP!

[TheXFactor]

Hi all,

 

I'm new to the board and I have a couple of questions about the Flashback 2. Sorry if I'm going over old topics of conversation, but I haven't had a chance to completely go through this site yet.

 

At any rate:

 

1) How can I tell which button position is which in terms of the difficulty setting? Aside from the mention on Page 4 of the instructions, there's hardly even a mention of the buttons anywhere else in the book. Not to mention the fact that there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between the 'in' and 'out' position.

 

2) Is it my system, or is the "Yar's Return" game a little shaky? At certain points, there seems to be two smart missiles (the thing that follows the Yar around) and two Qotiles (at least when it's in the center of the energy shield).

 

3) Who's lame idea was it to include the instruction booklet that we got, and make the full thing a 130 page PDF that you have to download?

 

 

Thanks!!

 

Chris L.

[supercat]

2) Is it my system, or is the "Yar's Return" game a little shaky? At certain points, there seems to be two smart missiles (the thing that follows the Yar around) and two Qotiles (at least when it's in the center of the energy shield).

 

The frame rate in Yar's is inconsistent. Different screens will deal with this differently.

 

3) Who's lame idea was it to include the instruction booklet that we got, and make the full thing a 130 page PDF that you have to download?

 

The full manual was not completed until long after units had shipped.

[atwwong]

Hi all,

 

I'm new to the board and I have a couple of questions about the Flashback 2.

Welcome to AtariAge!

1) How can I tell which button position is which in terms of the difficulty setting? Aside from the mention on Page 4 of the instructions, there's hardly even a mention of the buttons anywhere else in the book. Not to mention the fact that there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between the 'in' and 'out' position.

Atari wanted to lower production costs, so unfortunately, this is what happens when corners are cut, IMHO.

2) Is it my system, or is the "Yar's Return" game a little shaky? At certain points, there seems to be two smart missiles (the thing that follows the Yar around) and two Qotiles (at least when it's in the center of the energy shield).

Also, time constraints, budget, and lack of Atari programming experience. The RevC version has been fixed, but who knows when the general public will see it?

3) Who's lame idea was it to include the instruction booklet that we got, and make the full thing a 130 page PDF that you have to download?

Again, budget and time constraints.

 

I'm not knocking down Curt Vendel and the engineering team; they had to work within the parameters that Atari gave them. They did a heck of a job with the limitations imposed upon them.

[Ranthulfr]

1) How can I tell which button position is which in terms of the difficulty setting? Aside from the mention on Page 4 of the instructions, there's hardly even a mention of the buttons anywhere else in the book. Not to mention the fact that there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between the 'in' and 'out' position.

 

Visually there is not much difference between the A and B difficulty settings. But you can tell a difference by touching the buttons. On one setting they are a little loose when you push in on them and on the other setting they resist pressure a little more. Off hand I'm not sure if loose=A, resist=B or if loose=B, resist=A.

[TheXFactor]

1) How can I tell which button position is which in terms of the difficulty setting? Aside from the mention on Page 4 of the instructions, there's hardly even a mention of the buttons anywhere else in the book. Not to mention the fact that there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between the 'in' and 'out' position.

 

Visually there is not much difference between the A and B difficulty settings. But you can tell a difference by touching the buttons. On one setting they are a little loose when you push in on them and on the other setting they resist pressure a little more. Off hand I'm not sure if loose=A, resist=B or if loose=B, resist=A.

 

 

Did anyone ever come up with an answer to this?

[TheXFactor]

Is it my system, or is the "Yar's Return" game a little shaky? At certain points, there seems to be two smart missiles (the thing that follows the Yar around) and two Qotiles (at least when it's in the center of the energy shield).

 

 

Also, time constraints, budget, and lack of Atari programming experience. The RevC version has been fixed, but who knows when the general public will see it?

 

 

RevC version?

[Retro Rogue]

Is it my system, or is the "Yar's Return" game a little shaky? At certain points, there seems to be two smart missiles (the thing that follows the Yar around) and two Qotiles (at least when it's in the center of the energy shield).

 

 

Also, time constraints, budget, and lack of Atari programming experience. The RevC version has been fixed, but who knows when the general public will see it?

 

 

RevC version?

 

Yes, there were three different revisions. Feel free to search through the previous threads here or google it.

[DEBRO]

Hi there,

RevC version?

Yes, there is a fixed version of Yar's Revenge (as well as Asteroids Deluxe and Arcade Pong) that was originally scheduled for the RevC version of the FB2 but Atari never approved the game fixes so the RevC models went out without them. Again, as Tony pointed out, this is not the fault of Legacy Engineering. It was up to Atari to approve the game modifications and they didn't approve them.

 

Maybe the community will see these surface one day.

[atwwong]

Maybe the community will see these surface one day.

Yes, I'm still hoping for that. I know there is even an updated Return to Haunted House + as well...

[TheXFactor]

1) How can I tell which button position is which in terms of the difficulty setting? Aside from the mention on Page 4 of the instructions, there's hardly even a mention of the buttons anywhere else in the book. Not to mention the fact that there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between the 'in' and 'out' position.

 

Visually there is not much difference between the A and B difficulty settings. But you can tell a difference by touching the buttons. On one setting they are a little loose when you push in on them and on the other setting they resist pressure a little more. Off hand I'm not sure if loose=A, resist=B or if loose=B, resist=A.

 

 

Did anyone ever come up with an answer to this?

 

 

Bumping this back up to the top.

[TheXFactor]

Maybe the community will see these surface one day.

Yes, I'm still hoping for that. I know there is even an updated Return to Haunted House + as well...

 

Did that or the fixed version of Yar's Revenge, Asteroids Deluxe and Arcade Pong ever come out?

[DEBRO]

Hi there,

Maybe the community will see these surface one day.

Yes, I'm still hoping for that. I know there is even an updated Return to Haunted House + as well...

 

Did that or the fixed version of Yar's Revenge, Asteroids Deluxe and Arcade Pong ever come out?

A corrected version of Yar's Return was on the FB2+ however it was an early release and it still has bugs. I haven't read anything about it so it seems no one noticed. I do believe the fixed version of Arcade Pong made it on the FB2+ though.

[littleman jack]

If you have the first flashback 2, you can play River Raid to see what your difficulty settings are. On one setting, the missles move with the ship, and on the other they go straight. Here it is : With difficulty switches in the a position, missiles

streak straight ahead. With switches in the b position, you can control

the direction of your missiles after they have been fired by "steering"

them with your Joystick Controller.

[TheXFactor]

Hi there,

Maybe the community will see these surface one day.

Yes, I'm still hoping for that. I know there is even an updated Return to Haunted House + as well...

 

Did that or the fixed version of Yar's Revenge, Asteroids Deluxe and Arcade Pong ever come out?

A corrected version of Yar's Return was on the FB2+ however it was an early release and it still has bugs. I haven't read anything about it so it seems no one noticed. I do believe the fixed version of Arcade Pong made it on the FB2+ though.

 

OK thanks, I may have to check that out. BTW, how can I tell the difference between the original FB2 and the FB2+? Different UPC codes, or does it actually say FB2+ on the box?

[TheXFactor]

If you have the first flashback 2, you can play River Raid to see what your difficulty settings are. On one setting, the missles move with the ship, and on the other they go straight. Here it is : With difficulty switches in the a position, missiles

streak straight ahead. With switches in the b position, you can control

the direction of your missiles after they have been fired by "steering"

them with your Joystick Controller.

 

 

Perfect, thank you!! With knowing the difference on one game, I'm good for the entire system. Much appreciated!!

[Retro Rogue]

OK thanks, I may have to check that out. BTW, how can I tell the difference between the original FB2 and the FB2+? Different UPC codes, or does it actually say FB2+ on the box?

 

 

Different box.

 

 

[TheXFactor]

OK thanks, I may have to check that out. BTW, how can I tell the difference between the original FB2 and the FB2+? Different UPC codes, or does it actually say FB2+ on the box?

 

 

Different box.

 

 

Thanks for the link/info, though admittedly I got through about two minutes of the actual video before I had to turn it off. I have no patience for that kind of stuff.

[littleman jack]

OK thanks, I may have to check that out. BTW, how can I tell the difference between the original FB2 and the FB2+? Different UPC codes, or does it actually say FB2+ on the box?

 

 

Different box.

 

 

Thanks for the link/info, though admittedly I got through about two minutes of the actual video before I had to turn it off. I have no patience for that kind of stuff.

 

Also, the original FB2 had Wizard, plus Activision's Pitfall and River Raid. The FB2+ has no Wizard nor Activision games, but more Atari games.

[TheXFactor]

Also, the original FB2 had Wizard, plus Activision's Pitfall and River Raid. The FB2+ has no Wizard nor Activision games, but more Atari games.

 

 

 

Which ones?

[littleman jack]

Also, the original FB2 had Wizard, plus Activision's Pitfall and River Raid. The FB2+ has no Wizard nor Activision games, but more Atari games.

 

 

 

Which ones?

 

I'm pretty sure they added Double Dribble, RealSports Baseball, and a few others. I'll have to do a search and get back to you. I no longer have my FB2 , but still have the 2+, so I can't compare the systems anymore. I'll find the info. Merry Christmas by the way.

Edited December 25, 2010 by littleman jack

[TheXFactor]

Also, the original FB2 had Wizard, plus Activision's Pitfall and River Raid. The FB2+ has no Wizard nor Activision games, but more Atari games.

 

 

Which ones?

 

 

I'm pretty sure they added Double Dribble, RealSports Baseball, and a few others. I'll have to do a search and get back to you. I no longer have my FB2 , but still have the 2+, so I can't compare the systems anymore. I'll find the info. Merry Christmas by the way.

 

 

 

Same to you (and everyone else on the board today ). Thanks in advance for the info.

[littleman jack]

Here's a quote from wikipedia (I know they're not always reliable, but right here I think they're correct):

 

The bulk of the included games in the Atari Flashback2+ are the same. However, Pitfall, River Raid, Wizard, Caverns of Mars, and Atari Climber have been removed. In return a sports section has been added in replacement, that includes Realsports Boxing, Realsports Soccer, Super Baseball, Super Football, and Double Dunk.[2]

[TheXFactor]

Here's a quote from wikipedia (I know they're not always reliable, but right here I think they're correct):

 

The bulk of the included games in the Atari Flashback2+ are the same. However, Pitfall, River Raid, Wizard, Caverns of Mars, and Atari Climber have been removed. In return a sports section has been added in replacement, that includes Realsports Boxing, Realsports Soccer, Super Baseball, Super Football, and Double Dunk.[2]

 

 

Wikipedia has gotten a lot better now that it's somewhat moderated, plus I can't imagine someone actually being inclined to "vandalize" the entry for an Atari Flashback console.

 

Thanks for the info!

[Retro Rogue]

Wikipedia has gotten a lot better now that it's somewhat moderated,

 

It's always been moderated by fellow editors, and still is actually. What's gotten better is more and more editors caring about the content and doing the required research to back up content with reliable sources.

 

plus I can't imagine someone actually being inclined to "vandalize" the entry for an Atari Flashback console.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

 

They did, and it resulted in an entire website being blacklisted there in the process.

[TheXFactor]

Wikipedia has gotten a lot better now that it's somewhat moderated,

 

 

It's always been moderated by fellow editors, and still is actually. What's gotten better is more and more editors caring about the content and doing the required research to back up content with reliable sources.

 

 

I've noticed that, and have even done the occasional correction myself when I saw something that needed to be changed.

 

 

plus I can't imagine someone actually being inclined to "vandalize" the entry for an Atari Flashback console.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

 

They did, and it resulted in an entire website being blacklisted there in the process.

 

 

Seriously? That is so massively lame to have nothing better to do with your time than stuff like that. I'm curious now what the vandalism was, and which website was blacklisted. For that matter, what happens when a website gets blacklisted on Wikipedia?

 

You ever wonder what all those trolls did *before* there was an internet to do their trolling on?