8 Bit Central - Retro Gaming Blog

Review: Atari Flashback Classic Collections offer arcade and 2600 games on PS4 & Xbox One

If you want to dip into gaming history with your modern game console, AtGames has two releases to satisfy the most ardent Atari fans. If you loved Asteroids or Missile Command, AtGames is bringing them (and 98 other games) to both PS4 and Xbox One!

There are two volumes, each containing fifty games. At about $20 each, that's a quick way to get into retro gaming and they feature both arcade releases as well as those for the Atari 2600 home console. While not all the titles are gems, each release has a wealth of great games to enjoy. Some may get one or two curiosity plays, but I'll just say they have historic value. Many, like Basic Math, I've never played before and as a fan of Atari, that's pretty cool.

Each disc is sprinkled with arcade versions and primarily comprised of home console versions. One nice touch to the arcade titles they include are the corresponding home releases. You can compare the Atari 2600 version to the arcade original. Not all had home releases, but it makes for a fun comparison.

Great Control Via Modern Controllers

As for game play, I found all of the games played true to their original arcade and cartridge counterparts. While a trackball would be great for Missile Command, Centipede, and Millipede - and a rotary controller for Warlords - the play on the PS4 controllers is great. In fact, you can use either the d-pad or analog sticks in all the games.

It took me some time to adapt from a standard Atari-style joystick to analog sticks, but the transition works well. And the overall control on the PS4 is terrific. No lags, jitters, or oddities of any sort. Just a lot of fun.

While discussing original equipment, like joysticks, the console itself is digitally accessible for all the options you'd expect from the 2600's switches. You can select game options and the variables as you would on the actual hardware. You can even toggle the Color switch if you feel so inclined. Add some scan-lines - it's all in there!

You'll also find a wealth of artwork from box covers to manuals. You can actually browse the manuals for all the games. They may seem simple, but you'd be surprised at how much great info is in those little booklets. Some even include the comic book!

Almost all of the games have local 2-player options and all of them can be played online. You can host a game and join up with others.

Game Lists

A Diverse Mix Of Games?

I've heard a few comments about filler-games in reference to games that are not as "desirable" as others. We all love Asteroids and Breakout, but multiple football games and Basic Math won't necessarily get a lot of game play. Understandable. It's easy to view the list of games on each volume online, but the packaging lacks the full list. Each box only lists a handful of titles. Part of the appeal of such a compilation is getting stoked about the enclosed titles - that makes the sale for me. The crapshoot element is less desirable.

Some consumers will be expecting 50 amazing games on each volume. Discovering Video Chess and Hangman may be a let down. We like to think of such titles as part of gaming's history and fun to experience. Your attitude may differ. For what it's worth, all such licensing deals involve negotiation and compromise. I'm sure AtGames would like to release more of these titles, thus putting all the AAA titles on the first volume defeats the sales potential of future volumes. At the same time, 50 is a nice robust number of games. Therefore, one has to expect a few lesser titles. Each volume has 9 arcade classics and 41 2600 console games. It's a good deal :)

Retro Gaming In Modern Times

There once was a time when I vowed never to buy any gaming system that didn't have Namco Museum available. That requirement worked out well for a good long while. Other titles have entered the fray, offering various retro games, but the notion of compilation game releases has largely fallen by the wayside.

I was excited to hear about the two Atari Flashback Classic Collections being released for the PS4 and Xbox One. Too often, retro collections are relegated to downloads and deemed unworthy of a packaged retail release. Seeing these two volumes on retail shelves is awesome!

Exposure of these timeless classics is important. When kids see these, they may not realize the history staring them in the face, but for those who grew up with Missile Command and Yar's Revenge... we know!

At first I was confused by the name. I associate "Flashback" with the mini consoles from AtGames with 60 to 90 built-in games. To my surprise, AtGames is branching out with this retail release for Generation 8 consoles and a new update to the traditional Atari FlashBack and SEGA Genesis Classic consoles. They even have handheld versions arriving soon for this holiday season!

Most reviewers would split out the two different volumes, but We highly recommend both. As Atari fanatics, we can't imagine buying one without the other. Naturally, not everyone will share our odd Atari devotion - we think both sets are very evenly matched. If you only buy one, simply look at the game lists and see which one contains your favorites.