The Gamestation Pro features games from the 2600, 5200, 7800, arcade, and other systems. It comes with the system, 2 wireless joysticks, hdmi cable, and a usb-C cable.
Here's the game list shamelessly stolen from another website:
The Good:
- The system boots up quickly and has a nice little intro animation.
- Lots of good titles (even though there seems to be a bit of filler).
- After you do a firmware update, you can add your own games with a microSD card.
- Each controller has a small spinner in the upper-right corner. This can be used for games that had paddle controls (e.g. Warlords).
- While I have complained about RGB lighting in the past, I think it actually looks good here. Both the system and the controllers have some rainbow lighting that cycle through. Looks pretty fitting, honestly.
- Games play fine for the most part... however...
The Bad:
- Not all games translate well to joystick controls. Really I'm mostly referencing games that featured a trackball. Crystal Castles is kind of playable without the trackball but nowhere as accurate or as fun as the actual arcade machine. On the other hand, I had an okay time playing Centipede so I suppose it's going to be up to the user's preferences.
- The controller's joystick does not feel as good as the original controller. Also, the controllers take 4 double-A batteries each. Yes, 8 batteries for two-player. Apparently you can plug the controllers into the front of the console's USB-C connectors for power but I don't want to sit that close to the tv. Additionally, the battery compartment is kind of a pain. Instead of just one of those plastic pull tabs, it also features a screw you have to loosen to change batteries. I can see this being obnoxious
- It doesn't come with a power brick. I feel like this is a bit of false advertising on the box. On the list of included items it says "power cable". Well this is true - a USB-A to USB-C cable is included. I'm guessing they're expecting you to have a powered USB slot on your television. Well my tv does not. Thankfully I had an old power brick tucked away that provides the necessary power requirements. Keep that in mind should you look into getting one of these.
The Ugly:
- The firmware update is a convoluted pain in the rear. You have to go to their website, install a driver, and use their program. Once everything is set up on your PC you will connect the system via USB and apply the update. It's really janky and rudimentary. I wish they could patch the system via SD card or something.
Closing thoughts:
Nitpicks and issues aside, I am pretty happy with it so far. Being able to play some Dragonfire with wireless controllers is pretty awesome. I still have my 2600 but this is way easier to hook up to a modern television.
There are other things I have not explored yet such as using other controllers (which you supposedly can) and emulating other systems like NES or the Genesis.
One trick I will share that I found on a random video discussing this system:
After you update to 1.3 you can sideload more games. Your sd card directory will look like this:
Code: Select all
games / Atari 2600 / games go hereCode: Select all
games /
Atari 2600 / Dragonfire.a26
Atari 2600 Paddle / Kaboom!.a26This system is still brand new to me but if anyone has questions I will try to answer them. The system seems to run around $100 to $130 in the physical stores I've been to. However, I got mine online for like half that.