AtGames' Atari Flashback Classics Vol. 2 -Sony PS4
Retro Gaming Review

Rating:

From the first PlayStation, I've loved compilation game releases. Finding an entire grouping of games, linked by a common theme like retro gaming, is a wonderful thing. Getting 50 games on this second release from AtGames was a holiday surprise

This review focuses on the second of the two volumes - released simultaneously. Each release features 50 games comprised mostly of Atari 2600 games, but also featuring a handful arcade versions. Often both home and arcade versions are included. For example bothe the home and arcade versions of Asteroids are on this disc along with Asteroids Deluxe.

Atari Flashback Classics Vol. 2 Game Play

Most retro gamers will agree that classic games are best played on original consoles. I agree with that, but I think it's also important for amazing games from the 70s and 80s to be on retail shelves alongside modern games. From a point of view of exposure to the masses, I think compilation discs showcase part of video game history in a remarkably enjoyable manner. They allow younger gamers to delve into history while seasoned retro gamers get very solid releases of favorite games.

As for control and game play, the PS4 controller does a great job bringing these games to life. While modern games have frequent cut-scenes and feature less twitch, we forget how manic and insane early 8-bit games really were. With this in mind, I'm very happy with the control aspects of these games. Having a mix of home and arcade versions sweetens the deal.

If you love retro games and want to experience Atari arcade and 2600 games, this is a fantastic way to explore 50 games! We loved all the arcade games and many of the 2600 games. Where a bit of frustration settles in focuses on the selection of home-released 2600 games. Some of the games are simply a one-shot curiosity that don't really have any re-play value.

Compilation games used to be a familliar sight in game stores. These days, most retro games are only available via download thus their visibility to the larger gaming community is diminished. This taints these classic gems as "games for old guys" while the kids enjoy the recent blockbuster titles. Having physical releases of these two games is an imoprtant step toward the future of these great games and their history as the initial catalysts of video gaming.

Atari Flashback Classics Volume 2 Game List:

1. Adventure
2. Asgo Concentration
3. Asteroids
4. Asteroids (Arcade)
5. Asteroids Deluxe (Arcade)
6. Basic Math
7. Blackjack
8. Breakout
9. Casino
10. Championship Soccer
11. Checkers
12. Chess
13. Code Breaker
14. Crystal Castles
15. Crystal Castles (arcade)
16. Demons to Diamonds
17. Double Dunk
18. Flag Capture
19. Golf
20. Gravitar
21. Gravitar (arcade)
22. Hangman
23. Haunted House
24. Major Havoc (arcade)
25. Maze craze
26. Missile Command
27. Missile Command (Arcade)
28. Night Driver
29. Off the Wall
30. Outlaw
31. Race
32. Red Baron (arcade)
33. Return to Haunted House
34. RS Baseball
35. RS Basketball
36. RS Tennis
37. Secret Quest
38. Sentinel
39. Sky Diver
40. Spacewar
41. Sprint (arcade)
42. Starship
43. Stellar Track
44. Street Racer
45. Sub Commander
46. Super Breakout
47. Super Breakout (Arcade)
48. Surround
49. V Pinball
50. Video cube

Read about our Spaceship video game review rating system

« Return to Retro Video Game Reviews

Printed: