{"id":5852,"date":"2017-10-13T08:47:26","date_gmt":"2017-10-13T12:47:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/?p=5852"},"modified":"2017-10-16T15:45:14","modified_gmt":"2017-10-16T19:45:14","slug":"review-atari-flashback-8-gold-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/2017\/10\/13\/review-atari-flashback-8-gold-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Atari Flashback 8 Gold (2017)"},"content":{"rendered":"

After more than a decade of Atari Flashback releases, we finally have a true next generation hardware update with the Atari Flashback 8 Gold, which will be available at retailers everywhere by the middle of November (Amazon<\/a>, AtGames Flashback Zone<\/a>). Two of the most important upgrades are true high definition 720p output optimized for today’s TVs and proper 2.4Ghz wireless controllers that no longer require line of sight with the console to work. As you’ll read a bit later on, though, the feature-list doesn’t end there.<\/p>\n

A few months back, AtGames released early review units that had some minor, but annoying performance issues. Fortunately, AtGames has used the time since to tweak overall performance and revamp the user interface. The original list of 120 games<\/a>, which includes Activision favorites like Pitfall!<\/em>, remains the same.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The box.<\/p><\/div>\n

In the box you get the console, two wireless controllers, AC power adapter, HDMI cable, and a folded poster that doubles as the instruction manual. The console has its HDMI port on the left side, AC power port on the right rear, and two wired controller ports on the front for either joysticks or paddles, each of which is sold separately by AtGames. You can also of course use original wired joysticks or paddles.<\/p>\n

\"Inside<\/a>

Inside the box.<\/p><\/div>\n

The console is loosely modeled on the design of the original Atari VCS console, but smaller, lighter, and with colored buttons instead of switches. The console buttons include POWER, START (works like RESET on the original Atari 2600), LEFT DIFFICULTY, RIGHT DIFFICULTY, and SELECT.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The console.<\/p><\/div>\n

The joystick is modeled after the originals, although the action on the stick is considerably looser. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it’s more friendly to what we’re used to these days than what we had in the past, which was much stiffer. On the player one joystick, there’s RESET, SELECT, START, and REPLAY buttons. The player two joystick is just a regular single button wireless controller. The required two AAA batteries<\/a> for each controller are not included.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The joysticks.<\/p><\/div>\n

Features<\/h1>\n

In addition to what I’ve already discussed, the Atari Flashback 8 Gold has several other notable features:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Ability to rewind in any game for up to seven (7) seconds and resume at any point therein. Think of it as a way to re-do a bad move or two. NOTE<\/strong>: This feature does not apply to the custom AtGames versions of Frogger<\/em> or Space Invaders<\/em> that are included.<\/li>\n
  • Each game has up to 10 save slots available and can be resumed at any time. Think of these as save states, creating a snapshot of exactly where you are in a particular game. NOTE<\/strong>: This feature does not apply to the custom AtGames versions of Frogger<\/em> or Space Invaders<\/em> that are included.<\/li>\n
  • Ability to add scanlines to a game via the in-game pop-up menu. This is a display effect that simulates how these old games look when played on vintage CRT (tube-based) TVs and may make the visuals more appealing on a modern display.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Games<\/h1>\n

    Here are some sample gameplay videos from various built-in games:<\/p>\n

    Chopper Command<\/strong><\/h2>\n