Atari flashback

Atari flashback
Manufacturer	Atari
Type	stationary game console
	2004
	2005
Storage media	none (fixed games)
Controller	joystick
Online service	none
Units sold	unknown
predecessor	Atari Jaguar
successor	Atari Flashback 2

In 2004 Atari launched the Atari Flashback, a stationary game console based on the Atari 7800 and Atari 2600 . It is a game console without a module slot with 20 pre-installed games on an internal memory. The console should once again evoke the cult status of a generation and the release was originally only planned for the Asian market. In addition to North America, the device also came to Europe (here only for the French market) and ultimately also to Germany in a revised version. It is the first console in the Atari Flashback series .

Since the console did not contain any original hardware (ironically, an NES -on-a-chip works inside the console ), the games had to be reprogrammed ( remake ). This led to some serious errors in some games and was therefore unsatisfactory for the still large fan base. A short time later, Atari presented the Atari Flashback 2 console (2005) in the USA , which contained almost 100% compatible hardware. This was followed by Atari Flashback 2+ (2010), Atari Flashback 3 (2011), Atari Flashback 4 (2012), Atari Flashback 5 (2014), Atari Flashback 6 (2015), Atari Flashback 7 and Atari Flashback Portable (2016), Atari Flashback 8 and 8 Gold (2017), Atari Flashback 9 and 9 Gold (2018) and Atari Flashback X (2019). The Atari Flashback 8 Gold has for the first time via a HDMI cable and Wireless - joystick as well as a storage and Zurückspulfunktion. Thanks to the HDMI cable, content is displayed in 720p instead of 480p as in older models with cinch cables .

production

Atari Interactive Inc. marketed the Atari Flashback in Europe through Atari Europe SAS. The console was sold in Germany in the original French packaging, with only an additional cardboard cover including instructions for use. The French instructions have not been removed from the German version.

Specifications

Power supply: 9 V; DC voltage via mains adapter

Dimensions: 11.43 cm (L) 5.08 cm (W) 7.62 cm (H)

The console has a power button as well as a reset button and 2 connection sockets (controller).

Package content

Atari Flashback console
2 controllers (Atari 7800 controller with 2 additional menu buttons)
AC adapter
AV cable (sound only mono)
Scart / AV adapter
Game instructions (German + French)

After the connection, a main menu appears in which an animated Atari 7800 console is displayed on the screen. 10 original Atari games are stacked to the left and right of it. Each of these 20 Atari games can be selected by joystick, with each module representing a game that is displayed on the console. The console itself is an additional feature: If you navigate to it, you get an overview of the history of the Atari 7800 console.

Existing games

Adventure: In Adventure you have to make your way through a winding castle to find an enchanted goblet.
Air Sea Battle: As an artillery commander, submarine captain or bombardier, you have to shoot down enemy ships and aircraft.
Asteroids: The aim in Asteroids is to save the world from being destroyed by an "asteroid swarm".
Battlezone: The player fights UFOs and tanks.
Breakout: The aim of this game is to completely destroy a wall of stones with the help of a pixel-shaped ball, which is steered by a club (beam). Breakout is also called the "single player pong".
Canyon bomber: You throw bombs into a canyon from an automatically changing aircraft.
Centipede: The player is trapped in an enchanted forest and must shoot mushrooms, millipedes and other creatures.
Crystal Castles: Here, as a bear, you collect all the precious stones in the crystal castle of the witch Berthilda before Berthilda and her followers can put him into eternal hibernation.
Desert Falcon: Many treasures lie scattered among the pyramids and obelisks. You have to fly and hop to find treasures and collect them.
Food fight: The aim is to play the role of Charley Chuck to get to an ice cream cone that melts within 32 seconds. Holes in the ground, enemies and flying food should be avoided.
Gravitar: The aim here is to save 12 solar systems from total annihilation by a reactor (one in each solar system) by either switching it off or by destroying the bunkers on each planet.
Haunted House: Find the three pieces of a magic urn and bring them safely to the exit of the house in which they are hidden.
Millipede: Millipede has the same goal as Centipede.
Planet Smashers: Save Earth from Planet Smashers. Alternating weapons and defense modes are available.
saboteur: The aim of the game is to help Hotot destroy a warhead and save a galaxy from extinction. The game goes over three levels, which are supposed to represent the different stages of rocket building.
Sky Diver: Drop parachutists from an airplane, exactly on the designated landing area.
Solaris: Destroying the Cobra Ships, Mechnoids and Raiders without being destroyed yourself.
Sprintmaster: In Sprintmaster, there are nine different race tracks to choose from, each with three different designs (colors).
Warlords: Protect your own castle and destroy the castles of the three opponents.
Yars' Revenge: Save the Yars (mutated houseflies) by killing the merciless Qotile, who hides behind a protective shield.

graphic

The graphics correspond to the original games only very rudimentary, as the games were only reprogrammed.

price

The Atari Flashback was sold in Europe for € 39.95.

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b Philipp Sussmann: Atari Flashback 8 Gold Deluxe: Retroconsole in the test. Retrieved September 18, 2019 (German).

[:0-1] Philipp Sussmann: Atari Flashback 8 Gold Deluxe: Retroconsole in the test. Retrieved September 18, 2019 (German).