Atari Flashback v3 vs Original 2600

[Ziggy]

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/

General_Norris mentioned the ease of use of composite video on the Flashback. I agree, who the hell wants to mess with RF anymore? That being the case, if you're gonna mod one of these consoles, I think it would be far better to mod an authentic 2600 to output composite video rather than to modify the Flashback with a cartridge slot. All things considered.

http://longhornengineer.com/projects/atari-av-mods/

I don't believe he does the mod work anymore, or even sells the DIY kits anymore, but the schematic is free and he even gives you a parts lists and full instructions. It'll be a little more of a pain in the ass building the circuit on perf board rather than using the PCB he made for it, but it's cheap if you do the work yourself. You'll also get S-Video out. I'm not familiar at all with the Flashbacks, but I'm guessing they don't output S-Video.

I just took a look at the guide to add a cart slot to the Flashback. It looks way harder to do than the Longhorn AV mod. Also, where are you suppose to put the added cart slot on the Flashback? Have it dongle out the side or back? Or cut a hole in the case to fit it in? For all these reasons, I think doing an AV mod on a real Atari is a better option.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Real Atari 2600 - the old woodys and Juniors are the easiest to find (at least in the states).

The 2600 is second most fun system to collect for (after NES) - the games are so cheap!

[retrosportsgamer]

If you get the little adapter to put in your old antenna spot on your TV, the 2600 is as much plug and play as any other system. Same with the 7800.

[shmuk]

The 2600 is more of a collector's item given these options. If you want it to work, get a Flashback. If you want the original, get the 2600.

[ApolloBoy]

The 2600 is more of a collector's item given these options.

You sure about that? You're missing out on a ton of great 2600 games if you go the Flashback route; an original 2600 or even a 7800 is definitely the way to go, especially if said console is modded for composite or S-video.

[retrosportsgamer]

I love the Atari for what it is, but how much of a graphical upgrade is S-video or even composite in this case?

I have the small adapter on the back of my antenna input where you just plug in the regular A/V output.

[Hobie-wan]

I love the Atari for what it is, but how much of a graphical upgrade is S-video or even composite in this case?

I have the small adapter on the back of my antenna input where you just plug in the regular A/V output.

Look at the link Ziggy had above. I can't find the pictures of River Raid that I took on my screen after I got the mod done on mine.

[retrosportsgamer]

I love the Atari for what it is, but how much of a graphical upgrade is S-video or even composite in this case?

I have the small adapter on the back of my antenna input where you just plug in the regular A/V output.

Look at the link Ziggy had above. I can't find the pictures of River Raid that I took on my screen after I got the mod done on mine.

I stand corrected. That is significantly better.

[BlackDS]

As an 18 year old, I only properly enjoyed one 2600 game: Robot Tank. Most of the other really good atari games were remade at some point, and I played the remakes first, like the n64 version of space invaders, or a clone of missile command for windows 95. And the other half of the library is composed of inferior arcade ports like donkey kong and pac man. There is a certian originality to Robot tank, a freshness compared to how stale most 2600 games are in the modern day. Hell, I think it might quality as the first FPS game, I don't know.