RickR

Just a note on the Mattel Electronics repros -- they really ramped up the difficulty on the games...and that's a good thing.  They are a lot of fun.  You'll know the controls, but you'll need to change your old strategies to get good on these things. 

Thought I'd start a thread on good deals available at retail stores to share with the group.
 
This first one is at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (in the "Beyond" section )  As after-Christmas sales, they have the mini-arcade LCD arcade games 30% off...$13.99 AND you can use a 20% off coupon for an additional $2.80 off (final price = $11.19)  I already had the Pac Man, so I bought the Space Invaders. 
 
They also have the Mattel Electronics repro handheld games.  These versions have special sound effects.  They are 50% off...$7.49, and use a 20% off coupon for an additional $1.50 off (final price = $5.99).  I got football as a gift, so I bought basketball and baseball.

That's why you the Mayor of Atari.io. 

Greenween gave me the greatest surprise by sending me one of these.  And I absolutely love it.  The more I use it, the more I love it.  THANK YOU GREENWEEN!!

It's kind of funny how I completely skip and ignore the built in games.  Has anyone tried those?  Phooey, back to the SD cart full of goodness!

I've always wanted an Amiga -- knowing full well that it's the true successor to the Atari VCS/8-bit family.  But I haven't gotten one for a couple of reasons.  First, they are really expensive.  2nd, I have no idea which model or additional items are needed.  It can be a little intimidating, and the potential of spending a lot and getting the wrong thing is high.
 
You guys think you might be interested in throwing together a "beginner's guide" for buying an Amiga?  What model to buy, what accessories are best, etc for someone new to the system who just wants to try some of the better games?

That's why you the Mayor of Atari.io. 

My biggest regret is that I couldn't afford to send you all one!! I owe you big time Rick, when you said you didn't have one I had to make it happen!

I've had this thing for a week and have barely been able to put it down!! I love it!! Yes, it's not perfect, but as good as I could have ever dreamed. It is very light weight which worried me at first, but the controls are VERY tight and the sd card make this a must have! The included games are very impressive but like Rick said, once you load the sd card you almost forget it comes with games included. I've never played so much Video Pinball, LOL! The addition of great homebrews adds even more. Yes, paddleball games are not worth even attempting with the d-pad, that's really the only "bad" thing I can say, oh and that I've been busted twice at work so far playing Ms Pac man when I should have been working! Now to get my hands on the Sega Handheld for Shining Force and Road Rash while on the go. 9 out of 10 from me!

VERY excited!!! Thanks mang!

GOOD NEWS!  All 4 controllers are now fully functional.  Defender is indeed a good test cart. 
 
These 4 are in really nice condition and they feel/work great.  I have one going to GW, one for myself...that leaves 2 for trade/sale.  Hit me up if you need one.
 

Greenween gave me the greatest surprise by sending me one of these.  And I absolutely love it.  The more I use it, the more I love it.  THANK YOU GREENWEEN!!

It's kind of funny how I completely skip and ignore the built in games.  Has anyone tried those?  Phooey, back to the SD cart full of goodness!

Yep, and also keep in mind some SD cards simply won't work.  I have a 32 Mb card that would have been perfect, but the flashback refuses to read it.  So I went with a 2 GB card that works just fine. 

Having had this thing for an additional day, my opinion is changing a bit.  The cons seems smaller now.  There are some limitations here, sure.  Paddle games are pretty much hopeless, for example.  Complaints about this game or that not working seem petty, though.
 
For ~$30, this machine is simply amazing.  There are literally hundreds of great games to play and enjoy.  It's so tiny -- it will fit in a pocket easily.  It just plain works.  We've all been clamoring for a 2600 clone that could use SD cards for ages, and this thing delivers in spades. 
 
My suggestion for those that get it is to download the zip file full of ROMS on the Atari Age forum, unzip them onto an SD card, and enjoy. 

I agree with your pros/cons. 

One cool thing -- the Space Invaders "double fire" glitch works just fine on this thing. 
 
In any case, it's just plain awesome.  Get one if you can. 

The Frogger port is excellent.  Actually all the built in games worked great, I played some Video Pinball. 

Thought I'd start a thread on good deals available at retail stores to share with the group.
 
This first one is at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (in the "Beyond" section )  As after-Christmas sales, they have the mini-arcade LCD arcade games 30% off...$13.99 AND you can use a 20% off coupon for an additional $2.80 off (final price = $11.19)  I already had the Pac Man, so I bought the Space Invaders. 
 
They also have the Mattel Electronics repro handheld games.  These versions have special sound effects.  They are 50% off...$7.49, and use a 20% off coupon for an additional $1.50 off (final price = $5.99).  I got football as a gift, so I bought basketball and baseball.

I've always wanted an Amiga -- knowing full well that it's the true successor to the Atari VCS/8-bit family.  But I haven't gotten one for a couple of reasons.  First, they are really expensive.  2nd, I have no idea which model or additional items are needed.  It can be a little intimidating, and the potential of spending a lot and getting the wrong thing is high.
 
You guys think you might be interested in throwing together a "beginner's guide" for buying an Amiga?  What model to buy, what accessories are best, etc for someone new to the system who just wants to try some of the better games?

Greenween gave me the greatest surprise by sending me one of these.  And I absolutely love it.  The more I use it, the more I love it.  THANK YOU GREENWEEN!!

It's kind of funny how I completely skip and ignore the built in games.  Has anyone tried those?  Phooey, back to the SD cart full of goodness!

Thought I'd start a thread on good deals available at retail stores to share with the group.
 
This first one is at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (in the "Beyond" section )  As after-Christmas sales, they have the mini-arcade LCD arcade games 30% off...$13.99 AND you can use a 20% off coupon for an additional $2.80 off (final price = $11.19)  I already had the Pac Man, so I bought the Space Invaders. 
 
They also have the Mattel Electronics repro handheld games.  These versions have special sound effects.  They are 50% off...$7.49, and use a 20% off coupon for an additional $1.50 off (final price = $5.99).  I got football as a gift, so I bought basketball and baseball.

Yep, and also keep in mind some SD cards simply won't work.  I have a 32 Mb card that would have been perfect, but the flashback refuses to read it.  So I went with a 2 GB card that works just fine. 

Having had this thing for an additional day, my opinion is changing a bit.  The cons seems smaller now.  There are some limitations here, sure.  Paddle games are pretty much hopeless, for example.  Complaints about this game or that not working seem petty, though.
 
For ~$30, this machine is simply amazing.  There are literally hundreds of great games to play and enjoy.  It's so tiny -- it will fit in a pocket easily.  It just plain works.  We've all been clamoring for a 2600 clone that could use SD cards for ages, and this thing delivers in spades. 
 
My suggestion for those that get it is to download the zip file full of ROMS on the Atari Age forum, unzip them onto an SD card, and enjoy. 

Thought I'd start a thread on good deals available at retail stores to share with the group.
 
This first one is at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (in the "Beyond" section )  As after-Christmas sales, they have the mini-arcade LCD arcade games 30% off...$13.99 AND you can use a 20% off coupon for an additional $2.80 off (final price = $11.19)  I already had the Pac Man, so I bought the Space Invaders. 
 
They also have the Mattel Electronics repro handheld games.  These versions have special sound effects.  They are 50% off...$7.49, and use a 20% off coupon for an additional $1.50 off (final price = $5.99).  I got football as a gift, so I bought basketball and baseball.

Thought I'd start a thread on good deals available at retail stores to share with the group.
 
This first one is at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (in the "Beyond" section )  As after-Christmas sales, they have the mini-arcade LCD arcade games 30% off...$13.99 AND you can use a 20% off coupon for an additional $2.80 off (final price = $11.19)  I already had the Pac Man, so I bought the Space Invaders. 
 
They also have the Mattel Electronics repro handheld games.  These versions have special sound effects.  They are 50% off...$7.49, and use a 20% off coupon for an additional $1.50 off (final price = $5.99).  I got football as a gift, so I bought basketball and baseball.

Thought I'd start a thread on good deals available at retail stores to share with the group.
 
This first one is at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (in the "Beyond" section )  As after-Christmas sales, they have the mini-arcade LCD arcade games 30% off...$13.99 AND you can use a 20% off coupon for an additional $2.80 off (final price = $11.19)  I already had the Pac Man, so I bought the Space Invaders. 
 
They also have the Mattel Electronics repro handheld games.  These versions have special sound effects.  They are 50% off...$7.49, and use a 20% off coupon for an additional $1.50 off (final price = $5.99).  I got football as a gift, so I bought basketball and baseball.

Thought I'd start a thread on good deals available at retail stores to share with the group.
 
This first one is at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (in the "Beyond" section )  As after-Christmas sales, they have the mini-arcade LCD arcade games 30% off...$13.99 AND you can use a 20% off coupon for an additional $2.80 off (final price = $11.19)  I already had the Pac Man, so I bought the Space Invaders. 
 
They also have the Mattel Electronics repro handheld games.  These versions have special sound effects.  They are 50% off...$7.49, and use a 20% off coupon for an additional $1.50 off (final price = $5.99).  I got football as a gift, so I bought basketball and baseball.