AlamoAtari

My parents relegated me to the basement TV for this same reason!  Initially, it was B&W, but they did upgrade to a "Sampo" 19" color shortly after.  I did get to put the 2600 on the big console TV upstairs once when I was really sick.  They took pity on me.  It was a rare snow day, and I wasn't allowed to go outside...so they let me game on the big tv instead.  I remember that day well.  A ton of Circus Atari was played that day. 

I was forced as a kid to play my Atari on a black and white tv. My parents fell for the rumors about screen burn. I tried to tell them that it only happened when you play a single game for hours on end. Never got to play in color until the 90s.

Excellent read. I still enjoy Tod Frye's Pac-Man. Its the version that I grew up with. Sure it could have been better with a few more tweaks and some different design decisions but it is still fun for what it is.
 
Did anyone else ever use the B&W switch when playing? It gives it a different look.

Cool idea, but as you said, probably unlikely.
My guess is they will continue to do the Genesis and Atari ones until sale slow down enough to discontinue them.
Perhaps they could make an Arcade Flashback with 40-80 games with some big name titles, but licensing costs might not allow it.
The only hope is Nintendo agreed to make an NES flashback, but knowing them, that is very unlikely.
 
Sad to say because I like them, but I believe Plug n Play systems will no longer be sold 5 years from now.
I hope I am wrong.

Here's a bunch of info I put together on the Colecovision Flashback when it first came out.
Sadly sales were not strong enough for a followup system.
However it is Christmastime and you can still find the original in stores, sometimes on clearance.
 
Current Amazon Price as of this posting: Under $30
 
What's in the Box?
-1 Console (Very light, cheap feeling with two buttons. Resembles a shrunken ColecoVision. There is no Cartridge Slot or SD slot)
-2 Removable Controllers (Not compatible with the original system. Controller is slightly smaller than the original, but has a larger keypad. I don't think you can use old overlays on it. The knob has limited movement.)
-1 AC Adapter (resembles a cell phone charger with a small light to indicate power. It plugs in the side near the buttons)
-4 Pairs of Overlays for Dambusters, Poker/Black Jack, War Room & Fortune Builder. (There is suppose to be a Sam's Club version that has more)
-1 B & W Manual with a short paragraph for each game.
 
You can see everything in this Unboxing video I did:

I've been on the fence about these flashback systems, I was wondering if any plans for a mega flashback system, retron5 esk where you can choose the platform, but of course being able to play carts you own in the system as well. But that train has probably left the station because of how poor sales went.

What games are on it?
60 total (61 for the Dollar General Version)
The games are (HB stands for Home Brew) :
Alphabet Zoo
Antarctic Adventure (Only available on the Dollar General Flashback)
Aquattack
Artillery Duel
Bankruptcy Builder (HB)
BlackJack/Poker
Blockade Runner
Brain Strainers
Bump 'n' Jump
Choplifter!
Cosmic Avenger
Destructor (HB)
Dragonfire
Evolution
Fathom
Flipper Slipper
Fortune Builder
Frantic Freddy
Frenzy
Gateway to Apshai
Gust Buster
Jumpman Junior
Jungle Hunt
Mecha-8 (HB)
Miner 2049er
Module Man (HB)
Monster Masher (HB)
Montezuma's Revenge
Moonsweeper
Motocross Racer
Mountain King
Ms. Space Fury (HB)
Nova Blast
Oil's Well
Omega Race
Pepper II
Princess Quest (HB)
Quest for Quintana Roo
Rolloverture
Sammy Lightfoot
Schlange (HB)
Search for the Stolen Crown Jewels (HB)
Search for the Stolen Crown Jewels 2 (HB)
Search for the Stolen Crown Jewels 3 (HB)
Shunting Puzzle (HB)
Sir Lancelot
Slurpy
Space Fury
Space Panic
Squish `Em Featuring Sam
Super Cross Force
Telly Turtle
The Dam Buster
The Heist
Threshold
Tomarc the Barbarian
Tournament Tennis
Venture
War Room (also known as WarGames or War Games)
Wing War
Zaxxon
 
You can see all 61 games in action in this review I did:

 
 
Pros & Cons:
 
Pros:
Great value (Some games on the system go over $40 for a loose copy on ebay)
Large number and variety of styles of games
Some Home Brew titles that are pretty good, especially Mecha 8
Overall decent emulation
 
Cons:
Missing key titles due to licensing like Donkey Kong and Smurfs
Controller could've been more comfortable and had more range of movement on the knob. Also not compatible with old controllers as originally planned
I've been told of some emulation issues. Most notably, The Heist plays very slow compared to the original.
Physical parts feel cheap.
 
Recommendation: Great value if you are a retro fan and don't have a ColecoVision, but it won't replace the original system if you have one. Overall, i would recommend it.

I think that the networks back then were trying to get around having to pay the performers or the theme song the union rate, that's why they changed it slightly for every season. Gillian's Island is a perfect example. Anyway thanks for telling me, I had a suspicion it was start game now, it made more sense.

It was "Start Game Now", even though I retried that opening for ep 200.  
Right now I am thinking of slightly modifying the opening ever 100 episodes.
Sorta like the way TV shows used to change their opening credits every season.

Man what a great deal fill a bag for 5 bucks, no wonder all those people are there.

Hmm I was wondering what the change was. Now I know, and knowing is half the battle!
 
Anyway, I was wondering what you were actually saying in your original theme was it start game now or stop, game now?

Ep 213: Joust

Man what a great deal fill a bag for 5 bucks, no wonder all those people are there.

Man what a great deal fill a bag for 5 bucks, no wonder all those people are there.

Man what a great deal fill a bag for 5 bucks, no wonder all those people are there.

Portland Retro Gaming Expo: Hacked carts,Tetris battles, and Atari legends
 
 

 
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/10/portland-retro-gaming-expo-hacked-carts-tetris-battles-and-atari-legends/

I actually got wind of this nice Little group thanks to the no swear gamer. I enjoy your reviews and look forward to seeing more.

These discs are something.  They are HUGE.  And you have to flip them mid-movie!  But the covers are fantastic.  Like old record album covers. 

Post and discuss cool retro items you find in the wild.
 
Today I found these laser disks (Pioneer) for $2 each.   I don't have a player, and I hear they are pretty finicky anyways...but I couldn't resist.  Also a couple of Playstation AV cables for $0.50 each. 
 
 

It would be cool if they did a Luke or Anakin split with Vader

It would be cool if they did a Luke or Anakin split with Vader

My wife found this for me at a garage sale.  It's pretty cool -- depending on which window you look into, you see a Vader or Yoda head.  It's dated 1998, made by "Tenyo". 
 
Apologies for the blurry video.  I have no idea what I'm doing in that media.
 

If only he had a few more days to work on it. It would have never been as hated. But at least he lined up some job security for his next job as a therapist.

If only he had a few more days to work on it. It would have never been as hated. But at least he lined up some job security for his next job as a therapist.

If only he had a few more days to work on it. It would have never been as hated. But at least he lined up some job security for his next job as a therapist.