Sega Genesis & Atari Flashback Consoles

New details about the Sega Genesis Flashback console have been officially revealed with retro console maker AtGames announcing today a series of mini consoles embracing retro designs, each coming with many classic games.

Amidst the flurry of AAA titles and big studio releases that rely on all the style and techniques of modern gaming, a steady catalogue of old school style platformers and shoot ‘em ups have been gaining traction by independent studios and will have their own presence at E3 2017 next week alongside the big budget blockbusters. These games recall the glory days of gaming, with 16-bit graphics and deceptively simple gameplay that challenges players with tests of timing and patience, like the video games of yore.

Alongside several Atari throwbacks, on the Sega side AtGames unveiled the Sega Genesis Flashback, Classic Game Console, and Ultimate Portable Game Player which are available for pre-order starting in July and will be in stores in September.

The all-new Sega Genesis Flashback has a stunning new design, reminiscent of the original Sega Genesis console, and features 85 built-in games as well as an integrated cartridge port that plays almost all of your favorite Sega Genesis and Mega Drive original cartridges. Built-in all-time favorites include the Sonic™ series, Mortal Kombat™ series, Phantasy Star™ series, and Shining Force™ series games. Two new high performance 2.4ghz wireless controllers, styled after the Sega Genesis originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports for optional wired gamepads. Other new features for the Sega Genesis Flashback include 720p HDMI output, scanline filtering, and a save/pause/rewind feature for every game.

The Classic Game Console returns in a new value-priced edition, complete with 81 all-time favorites. Amazing new additions to the game line-up include role-playing and strategy legends, Shining Force™, and Shining Force II™. Two wired controllers, styled after the Sega Genesis originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports to add your own optional original controllers.

The Ultimate Portable Game Player returns with an enhanced selection of 85 built-in Sega Genesis and Mega Drive classic games. The selection of blockbuster games includes new additions PAC-PANIC™ and Splatterhouse 2™, as well as many more surprises. You can even add your own games with an optional SD card! Returning for 2017 is save game support for the included Phantasy Star™ series and Sword of Vermillion™ role-playing games. A built-in, rechargeable battery, means the on-the-go fun never has to end. Games can be played on the portable’s built-in, high-resolution 2.8” display, or on a TV via optional cable.

The market for retro gaming has been bolstered by efforts from some of the original names in home gaming, Nintendo and Sega. Old school players have found new life in their favorite games with the advent of online gaming. Nintendo has offered their NES and SNES classics on their eshop since the Wii, while Sega has been steadily releasing compilations of their classics on the PS systems and Xbox for years. The trend reached a fever pitch last year with the limited release run of the NES Classic, an official emulation box from Nintendo that featured 30 Nintendo favorites, which led to the rumors that we could expect an SNES Classic later this year.

While these new releases are not the first Genesis Flashbacks to hit the market, the latest versions feature substantial upgrades that are sure to please the legions of Genesis loyalists (and critics of the NES Classic). Not the least of which is the ability to plug-in cartridges—both from the Genesis the Mega Drive and wireless controllers for the Flashback version (the classic comes with wired controllers but has two legacy controller ports to add your own optional original controllers).

While that announcement was tempered somewhat by the addendum that the system would only work with “most” games, it’s still a marked improvement upon the capabilities of previous retro emulation systems. One of the biggest critique of the NES Classic was that the game selection was strict and limited. Being able to plug in your classic games is a huge bonus. Even with 85 games available on the new system, there are sure to be some unsung gems that don’t make the cut that can still find new life.

As if that wasn’t enough, the updated Flashback also features 720p HMDI, scanline filtering, as well as a pause and save function for all games. All of this will allow for a better picture quality for modern televisions from a system modeled to look exactly like the classic Genesis console.

Similarly, AtGames also unveiled today a lineup of Atari retro products: Atari Flashback® 8 Gold, Atari Flashback® 8 Classic Game Console, and the Atari Flashback® Portable Game Player. These will be available for pre-order via select retailers July 2017, and in stores everywhere September 2017.

The brand-new Atari Flashback® 8 Gold features 120 built-in all-time favorites. These games include iconic Atari 2600 classics like Missile Command®, Asteroids®, Centipede™, and Millipede™, as well as many other legends like Konami’s Frogger™, and Activision’s Pitfall! and River Raid™. Two all new high performance 2.4ghz wireless controllers, styled after the Atari 2600 originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports for optional wired joysticks or paddles. Other new features for the Atari Flashback 8 Gold include 720p HDMI output, scan line filtering, and a save/pause/rewind feature for every game.

The Atari Flashback® 8 Classic Game Console returns in a new value-priced edition, complete with 105 all-time favorites. Amazing new additions to the game line-up include Activision legends like Pitfall!™, Kaboom!™, and River Raid™. Two wired controllers, styled after the Atari 2600 originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports to add your own optional wired joysticks or paddles.

After a blockbuster 2016 debut, the Atari Flashback® Portable Game Player returns in 2017 with an amazing selection of 70 built-in games, including the legendary BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment arcade hit, PAC-MAN™. Other blockbuster games include Dig Dug™, Pitfall!™, and Frogger™, and you can even add your own games with an optional SD card. A built-in, rechargeable battery means the on-the-go fun never ends. Games can be played on the portable’s built-in, high-resolution 2.8” display, or on a TV via optional cable.

Time to step it up with that next classic console, Nintendo.