Retro Gaming

[zhenxiao]

For those of us who remember and had one, the Vic 20, Commodore 64 and, soon, the Amiga is making a comeback.  The Vic 20 and the C64 are already selling. Unboxing and review videos are already popping up on Youtube (like this one: http://youtu.be/p0wCvtkcMsM).

The C64 looks like the original keyboard, but the keyboard is the entire system.  Integrated into the shell is like 5 usb ports, serial ports, hard drive, optional BluRay dvd drive, etc.

Even better, is that the system comes with Linux, but Windows 7 can also be installed for a double boot system.  It not only runs the original C64 games, but also all the modern software that is available these days.

Here's their website: http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_Home.aspx

I so want one!  I used to have an original C64 my Dad bought from Kmart and I played that thing to death!  Will start saving my pennies. he he!

[zhenxiao]

ATGames is releasing the Atari Flashback 3.  A console system that contains 60 pre-loaded games.



This is the 4th generation of the Atari Flashback series (Flashback, Flashback 2, and 2+).  The first three versions were licensed to Legacy Engineering, who kind of flubbed the original flashback, which was designed to look like the Atari 7800.

But the Flashback 2 and 2+, which looked like the original woodgrained Atari 2600 were exceptionally better in terms of gameplay, as they took the original programming of the Atari 2600 and put it all on a single chip.  While I haven't played with it, the reviews were that the games were spot on, and not emulations.

the ATGames version of the flashback is an emulator machine.  Meaning that where the FB2 and 2+ used the original software on a single chip, the FB3 is merely an emulation machine, and the games aren't going to be the exact same as the original games.

The ATGames version is selling for less than $40 USD.  Not really that bad for 60 retro games in what resembles a smaller version of the Atari 2600 console game. 

I want one of these as well, but I want a flashback 2, unless ATGames releases a version that has a SD card slot that allows one to download roms off the net.  The Portable Mega Drive from ATGames has the SD slot, which leads me to believe that ATGames will do the same for the Flashback.

[zhenxiao]

Sega Mega Drive Portable



There are two versions of this being sold at SM; one with 3 buttons on the right, or one with 6 buttons on the right.  The one that is worth the money is the 6 button version.

The 6 button version has an SD card slot at the top that allows you to play Mega Drive game ROMs that have been downloaded from the net.  The handheld comes with 20 games preloaded (including Golden Axe, Altered Beast, Sonic and Knuckles, and Alex Kidd).  But with the SD card slot, I've managed to put about 80 games on mine.

It has a 2.8 color screen, while of lower quality, does a decent job of showing off the games.  The sound comes from a lower left corner single speaker, that leaves a lot to be desired.  But a nice set of headphones gives you nice stereo sound, so I can forgive the crappy speaker.  The system also comes with a set of cables that allows you to plug the game into your tv, which is a really nice feature.

Another nice thing is the battery.  It has an rechargeable internal battery.  This means that you don't have to have a handy supply of AA batteries within easy reach.  The battery is basically a cell phone battery behind a cover that is secured by a screw.  When the battery goes bad, I can easily replace it by going to the cell phone shop and getting a new battery.

Now for some cons, which I feel are actually quite major.

The portable player runs a basic emulator on a chip.  Because of this, there is no save ability.  This means that playing those long RPG games on this system is literally impossible, unless you can sit down for days without shutting the player off. 

There is also no way to play 2 player games.  That's a real shame, because I have always loved Gauntlet, but it's more fun when you have other players to help you through the levels.

Overall, for a fun hand held game system, the Mega Drive portable is quite good.  I've got a good library of games on it, and being able to easily download games really helps balance out the cons of this system.  It's been a great companion on the plane.

[maskmanjoe]

I used to have a C64 and loved it. Those units were tough as nails. Had I any access to learning programming back then I'd be some sort of hacker by now with the time iv spent playing that thing. The new one is unique indeed but feels a bit overpriced