Long awaited Atari Flashback Portable is here

[Arenafoot]

AT Games Atari Flashback Portable

everything you ever wanted to know about it............

left side - AFP unit with "Pre-production box" (was to include Space Invaders - licensing w/ Taito fell through)

right side - AFP unit with production box

 

Produced by: AT Games

Model Number: AP2632

Officially released: November 29, 2016

MSRP: $69.99

AT Games website price: $49.99

http://www.atgames.us/Atari-Flashback-Portable-Game-Player-AP2632.htm;jsessionid=DF3242557B2EF76FB0B25166418B08B8.p3plqscsfapp001

 

**If you were early and ordered it thru the AT Games website, you received one of the "Pre-production" units along with Space Invaders pictured on the box.

 

60 Games Included (Built-In on "Production" units):

• Adventure
• Adventure II
• Air Raiders™
• Aquaventure
• Asteroids®
• Astroblast™
• Atari Climber
• Black Jack
• Bowling
• Breakout®
• Centipede™
• Circus Atari™
• Crystal Castles®
• Dark Cavern™
• Demons to Diamonds™
• Desert Falcon
• Dodge’Em
• Double Dunk™
• Fatal Run
• Frog Pond
• Frogger (new port specific to the Atari Flashback Portable hardware)
• Frogs and Flies™
• Fun with Numbers
• Golf
• Gravitar®
• Hangman
• Haunted House™
• Human Cannonball™
• Millipede™
• Miniature Golf
• Miss It!
• Missile Command®
• Night Driver™
• Pong (Video Olympics)
• Radar Lock
• Realsports® Basketball
• Return to Haunted House
• Saboteur™
• Save Mary
• Secret Quest
• Shield Shifter
• Slot Machine
• Solaris
• Space Attack™
• Star Strike™
• Starship
• Stellar Track™
• Strip Off
• Submarine Commander
• Super Breakout
• Swordquest: Earthworld
• Swordquest: Fireworld
• Swordquest: Waterworld
• Tempest®
• Video Checkers
• Video Chess
• Video Pinball
• Wizard
• Yars’ Return
• Yars’ Revenge

 

games not on Pre-production units (on all production units):

DESERT FALCON

DODGE 'EM

SLOT MACHINE

SUPER BREAKOUT

 

games on Pre-production units:

FRONT LINE

JUNGLE HUNT

POLARIS

SPACE INVADERS (Arcade)

 

 

All units have:

• 3.2" LCD screen
• Audio/Video out port (cable not included)
• Rechargeable battery included (built in)
• USB recharger cord included
• SD slot for downloaded games
• Headphone Jack
• "Low Battery" red status light
• Green "Power" status light
• an actual "Pause" button

 

Available at:

• GameStop $49.99

http://www.gamestop.com/electronics/atari-flashback-portable-ultimate-classic-portable-player/133612

 

• Toys R Us $49.99 (with free shipping)
• was on sale for $29.99 (12/13/16 to 12/17/16) in stores only

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=96047666&prodFindSrc=search&cp=

 

• Bed Bath and Beyond $39.99 (20% off coupon for one item, available thru website and/or in your "snail" mail = $31.99)
• **BEST DEAL**

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/atari-flashback-reg-portable-handheld-gaming-system/1047144446?skuId=47144446

 

• QVC $69.96 ($5.50 s&h)
• includes Headphones and A/V Cable (QVC exclusives) - WARNING: ships with wrong A/V Cable

http://www.qvc.com/Atari-Flashback-Portable-with-Headphones-and-AV-Cable.product.E290485.html?sc=SRCH

 

• Sam's Club
• includes AC Adapter & A/V Cable (Sam's Club Special Edition)

 

 

Notes:

1. Pre-production units have a bigger screen inside them. Possibly the same screen used for the AT Games SEGA Portables.
2. Some have had complaints about the sound not being 100% accurate.
3. Some have received units with a scratched screen - Note: there is a protective film placed on the screen which needs to be removed.
4. SD Card must be 8GB or smaller to work with the unit. Some SD cards under 1GB have not worked properly. The SD Card must be FAT formatted. Try using: https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/eula_windows/index.html
5. ROMs/bin's must be in a folder entitled "Game" (first letter must be capitalized) and all games inside the folder must be in .bin format. (NOT .rom, .zip, or .a26)  Each title must be first letter capitalized - no other capitalized letters within the file name or the unit will not recognize the bin. (I.E. - Combat.bin) You can use periods, commas, etc. within the file titles too.
6. If you're on a mac and having trouble with ._ files messing up your SD card layout, another way to fix it is to use this program: http://pixelchimp.net/blog/pixel-chimp/clean-invisible-mac-files
7. Paddle games do not work accurately with the D-pad, such as Kaboom!, Warlords, Breakout, etc.
8. Two player games can't be played since there are no "Player 2" controls, such as Combat, Outlaw, etc.
9. The SD card menu tops out at 103 pages x 10 titles per page = 1030 possible games to add. To sort them on the SD card try using: http://www.anerty.net/software/file/DriveSort/?lang=en
10. No Supercharger games work on the unit.
11. Contains some built-in homebrews games from Good Deal Games.
12. No known protective cases for the unit. (Yet?) 

Buttons:

• "P" - Pause button!
• "L" - Left difficulty switch
• "T" - TV color/black & white switch - Note: Does not stay on black & white if the button is released.
• "S" - Select switch
• "R" - Right difficulty switch
• "A" - Fire button

 

Homemade modifications owners have done already:

• One has been modified with a larger speaker on the back of the unit.
• (Same unit above) modified to use a Bluetooth speaker for clearer sound
• One has been modified with an actual Atari Joystick 9 pin port in the bottom of it

 

Atari Flashback Portable Compatibility List for ROMs can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dN1l_iw3N4lJ69Wq2cqoLGKAxbo-gHLMohrhlSHwYNI/

(I have been testing homebrew ROMs for the AFP and adding them to this list)

 

ROM/bin Modifications:

• 1st known ROM modified: Crash Course (homebrew game) - removed title screen so that the game would play
• 2nd known ROM modified: RealSports Tennis (court color changed so that the tennis ball can be seen better on the screen)

 

To run a hardware test:

    Hold down buttons: S, R, & A, while turning on the unit.

    Then a menu appears to test any of the buttons on the unit.

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My review....

 

Pros:

 

Atari in my pocket is awesome!

The price is awesome too!

SD card feature is amazing, though finding an SD card less than 8GB in stores today is hard. No problems loading them onto the card.

Most of the ROMs I really wanted to work, do.  Ice Hockey, Chopper Command, River Raid, Frogger, Pole Position, Ms. Pac-Man, etc. and alot of the homebrews do too!

Rechargeable battery > 2 AA batteries. Not sure on the battery life yet, only had to recharge it once so far.

Haven't tried the A/V out, but that's a nice feature. Still need to get the cord.

Pause button for any game, is a plus.

 

Cons:

 

LCD screen is pretty tiny..... or are we getting older (hard on the eyes).

Its odd playing Atari without the classic joystick, but the D-pad shape makes it a bit too easy to inadvertently move left or right when the intended direction of movement is up or down, when you're not use to a D-pad controller.

Sound can be off from original, though headphones do help.

Not sure why the ROM files aren't sorted alphabetically when I pull up the SD card browser on the unit.

Would be great to be able to make ROM subfolders. (Action, Sports, Arcade, etc.)

Would be awesome to be able to hook up a paddle controller for paddle games.

Edited January 9, 2017 by Arenafoot

[RickR]

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. 

[Rowsdower70]

I absolutely love mine.  

 

My Sega handheld is great too, but some Sega games just don't work as a portable game.   The Atari is perfect for it.   Simple, fun games you can play on the go.  

By the way, the entire ROM collection from AA takes up a little less than 10mb.    I'm using a 128mb SD card and its perfect.

Edited December 28, 2016 by Rowsdower70

[RickR]

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. 

[AlamoAtari]

I literally just got mine today! Looking forward to seeing some of these games play for the first time.

[Rowsdower70]

Make sure it is formatted as FAT, make sure the roms are in a folder called "Game"  spelled exactly like that and it works great.   I think Greenween said the name of the ROM needs to start with a capital letter as well. 

[RickR]

Make sure it is formatted as FAT, make sure the roms are in a folder called "Game"  spelled exactly like that and it works great.   I think Greenween said the name of the ROM needs to start with a capital letter as well. 

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. 

[Arenafoot]

Make sure it is formatted as FAT, make sure the roms are in a folder called "Game"  spelled exactly like that and it works great.   I think Greenween said the name of the ROM needs to start with a capital letter as well. 

Covered that in the first post! 

[RickR]

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!

[Rowsdower70]

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!

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

[greenween]

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!

[greenween]

I knew you'd love it Rick!

[greenween]

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!

[RickR]

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

[greenween]

[Atari Creep]

Fantastic info. Going out tomorrow to seek one out!!! 

[Arenafoot]

Homemade modifications owners have done already:

• One has been modified with a larger speaker on the back of the unit.
• (Same unit above) modified to use a Bluetooth speaker for clearer sound
• One has been modified with an actual Atari Joystick 9 pin port in the bottom of it

If ya'll were wondering about these 3 above, here's the links to them:

1. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212105829987651&set=gm.10154557296065255&type=3&theater

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/atariage/permalink/10154639161960255/?match=cG9ydGFibGUsYXRhcmk%3D

      3. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/254611-atari-flashback-portable/?p=3652643

Edited January 1, 2017 by Arenafoot

[Arenafoot]

few things to add:

 

Cases:

Use a Sony PSP/Vita size case - search eBay/Amazon/Video Game stores, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQPF0QK?psc=1

 

or a soft type pouch like:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Protective-Soft-Bag-Carry-Pouch-Case-Strap-For-Sony-PSP-1000-2000-3000-Black-/161725529180

 

Extras:

AV Cable available thru AT Games for $14.99: http://atgames.us/AV-Cable-GPC100.htm

 

AC Adapter available thru AT Games for $7.99: http://atgames.us/AC-Adapter-GPC110.htm

[Starbuck66]

I bought one for a friend for Christmas, and he absolutely loved it! Took it out of the box and started playing it right then and there.

 

I thought about getting one but didn't see the point with my PSP...

[Arenafoot]

another find I just discovered with the SD card on the AFP...

 

 

Some of my ROMs that started with a number, were not showing on the SD card menu:

 

3dtic.bin

2600hero.bin

2600tris.bin

 

but, if you change the file names to this, they appear in the menu:

 

3Dtictactoe.bin

2600Hero.bin

2600Tris.bin

 

FYI - see my link on my profile page for the downloads of these titles above

[dauber]

Yeah, looks like as long as the first *letter* in the filename has to be upper-case.

 

Got one from the parents for Christmas. Oh, man, I LOVE it! And interestingly, the sound emulation plays back at too low a pitch -- much like AtGames' Sega Genesis handheld from last year. But I usually play it with the sound turned down (so far it's been during my work commutes while listening to podcasts, or in bed after the wife is asleep!) so no big deal.

 

And then I have a GPD-DX, which might render the Flashback Portable redundant...hmm...

 

But man, I'm so glad there's a 2600 portable -- especially one that doesn't limit you to just the pack-in games. It's a much more findable (and cheaper!) option than, say, the Ben Heck hacks...

Edited January 10, 2017 by dauber

[RickR]

In addition to the sleeve Arenafoot suggested, I also purchased a wrist strap for 80 cents.  :

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Durable-Wrist-Hand-Strap-for-Nintendo-Wii-Remote-Controller-Universal/291412719016?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40791%26meid%3Df988a7fbc1c047d0b0577a470c7e2c72%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D291445155848

[Atari Creep]

In addition to the sleeve Arenafoot suggested, I also purchased a wrist strap for 80 cents.  :

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Durable-Wrist-Hand-Strap-for-Nintendo-Wii-Remote-Controller-Universal/291412719016?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40791%26meid%3Df988a7fbc1c047d0b0577a470c7e2c72%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D291445155848

 OHHHHHHHHHHH! So its not for a key ring????? 

[RickR]

That key ring has so much crap on it...it would end up pulling my pants down. 

[RickR]

Well, I received two new 128 MB SD cards, but my memory card reader on my computer has broken.  Sad.  I'm going to order a cheap-o USB card reader from Ebay.  What kind do you all use?  Any recommendations?