Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

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Erik_Twice
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Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

Post by Erik_Twice »

Is there any reason to own an original 2600 over an Atari Flashback if you are interested mainly in the later's games? I mainly want it to check out Adventure and Pitfall and with Flashback having the fanmade Adventure II I'm temped more by it.

Another reason would be easy of setup. I barely play on my consoles because I have troubles plugging them in but the Flashback uses composite, which is very nice.

Feel free to recommend me any Atari games that you think are worth to play today. There's not much of a reaosn to play Asteroids or Joust in it anymore.

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CRTGAMER
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Re: Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

Post by CRTGAMER »

I have all three versions of Flashbacks, Activision Tac 2 Collection, Jaks Joystick, Jaks Paddle as well as a 2600, 2600jr, 5200 and 7800. Each has an advantage and disadvantage. If there is a game that you really want that is not on a Flashback, then get the cart and an older 2600 console. Version 3 Flashback is not as bad as some say, but version two has the Atari on Chip and can be modded to take actual 2600 carts.

Atari PlugnPlay vs 2600 Review and Flashback 2 Mod information:
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bryan_65
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Re: Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

Post by bryan_65 »

I heard one of the flashbacks you could mod to take an actual cart, has anyone around here tried it yet?

I read a how to guide but forgot where it went. You could switch between the flashback or you could put a cart in.
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Re: Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

Post by sevin0seven »

bryan_65 wrote:I heard one of the flashbacks you could mod to take an actual cart, has anyone around here tried it yet?

I read a how to guide but forgot where it went. You could switch between the flashback or you could put a cart in.
that would be Atari flashback 2 only. since it's the only version that replica the atari original board. the first and third one does not.

and here's the instruction on how to do it: http://www.atarimuseum.com/fb2hacks/
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Gunstar Green
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Re: Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

Post by Gunstar Green »

I really wish they'd just release one of these with a built in cartridge slot already.

I know the demand isn't there compared to NES/Genesis/SNES clones though.
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Re: Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

Post by Anapan »

I tried modding 2 Flashback 2's. The first one I failed on because a trace was unrecoverably damaged while soldering a wire to the board. On the the 2nd, I must've messed up wiring to the cartridge slot, because it didn't work either. While looking up what might've gone wrong the 2nd time, I read that the modded FB2 isn't compatible with a Harmony Cart anyway. I still have a box of flashback 2 parts and all the stuff for the mod. I finally just went and ordered a s-video-modded heavy 6-er. Original 2600s aren't actually rare or hard to find... I'm happy that the FB2 controllers are so well made, I have a pile of NM controllers now.
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BurningDoom
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Re: Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

Post by BurningDoom »

This should really be an obvious choice. Atari 2600 has a cartridge slot, Flashback 3 does not. Atari 2600 wins.

I've heard that you can mod a Flashback to have a cartridge slot, but why when you could just buy an Atari 2600, which are quite common and cheap.

I understand you're only interested in the Flashback 3 games, but what if you learn of other games you want to play as time goes on? That seems entirely likely. And Atari 2600 games are as cheap as game collecting gets. You can find a LARGE portion of Atari 2600's library for $1 a piece.
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Re: Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

Post by CRTGAMER »

The Flasback 2 has an advantage of Composite and more importantly a CENTERED screen. The cart add on mod is tricky though. I took mine apart and decided not worth risk of losing the homebrews such as Yars Return.
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Re: Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

Post by ApolloBoy »

I would definitely go with a real 2600. The Flashback 2 is nice and small but unfortunately it's not compatible with some of the more popular games if you add a cart slot. The fact that it doesn't work with the Harmony cart kills it for me, since I sold all my original carts to get a Harmony.
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Re: Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

Post by futaris »

Anapan wrote:I read that the modded FB2 isn't compatible with a Harmony Cart anyway.
http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/15 ... rmony-mod/

Version 1.04e, uploaded Feb. 9, 2010 supports Flashback 2...
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