AtGames has confirmed that it is rolling out three new versions of its "classic" Sega Genesis clone hardware this year, alongside three new Atari-themed systems.
Coming this year are the Sega Genesis Flashback, a system we already knew about which features 85 games and support for original cartridges. Wireless controllers and 720p HDMI output round off the package.
The "Classic Game Console" is similar to the current model, and comes with 81 games.
Finally, the updated Ultimate Portable Game Player has 85 games and an SD card slot to add more. The big news is the long-awaited addition of save game support, so you can actually, you know, play RPGs on the bloody thing.
Here's some PR for your eyeballs:
The all-new Sega Genesis Flashback has a stunning new design, reminiscent of the original 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, scan line 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™, Shining Force II™, and Shining in the Darkness™. Two wired controllers, styled after the Sega Genesis originals, are included, as well as two legacy controller ports to add your own optional wired controllers.
The Ultimate Portable Game Player returns with an enhanced selection of 85 built-in 16-bit Sega Genesis and Mega Drive classic games. The selection of blockbuster games include 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 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.
AtGames doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to clone hardware, but these new features are welcome all the same. Will you be investing?
Comments 74
So, the portable is touting adding ROMs?
@Hordak Yep, the current model does that already.
Depends on price and availability. Usually they can be found cheap right after the holidays.
Hoping they can fix the audio issues plaguing their plug n play consoles. If so I'll get.
I have a Sega Nomad, and a Sega Genesis model 1 (Hi Def version). I rather buy a ever drive.
Oh boy! Can't wait to play my Genesis games with distorted sound effects and off-key music in horrendously up-scaled 720p!
Fix the damn sound output so it doesn't sound like a dumb R2D2 trying to emulate the Genesis's Yamaha sound chip and then we'll talk.
I really hope it works well. Only thing like this that I own is a NES Mini, which runs great, but I hear most other machines like this are terrible.
Pac-man looks rather sinister in that last photo.
@Hordak Sega has always been cool with it. This handheld has been around about 8 years now and every one fro Sega has had SD card slot ROM loading as an option. You just need a smaller 8GB SD card or less to be able to be read on it.
The problem is, is this system still like the past where only select games they choose can have save data (prior to 2016 no game saved), is the audio still so bad it hurts the ears with some shrill beeping in some titles, and so others like Contra just straight up fail due to broken graphics.
If that still exists it's not worth the money unless you have only interest in games that don't save and don't mind poor audio.
The HD unit uses a new core like their coleco/int flashback systems so all those classic broken firecore emulation bugs the Genesis has been saddled with are cured. Not sure what to think of the cheapo middle one, probably using the same guts as the handheld so it's either same and still broken or fixed.
I'll consider buying one of these when AtGames can demonstrate it runs Contra Hard Corps flawlessly.
It would be cool if there was a Switch like system so you could pay one price for both portable and TV gaming
I was eyeing one of these a few months back when all the NES Mini craze was up. I'm glad I wait cause the new model has HD, wireless controllers and more games. And quite frankly better games as well.
If the price is right I'll get it.
I might check out the HD Flashback version of that system, see if AtGames actually improve on anything other than offering upscale version of Genesis/Mega Drive games to 720p.
@LegendOfPokemon May not be what you meant but the last sentence in the PR about the portable was:
"Games can be played on the portable’s built-in, high resolution 2.8” display, or on a TV via optional cable."
Last years version had TV out via a separate AV cable so I'm guessing it's the same TV out.
@LegendOfPokemon back then there was the sega nomad but damn was it expensive.
@rjejr yes the portable does have a tv out. I bought one last year. Real cheap tho
@UK-Nintendo "Real cheap tho"
Well the whole thing is kinda cheap, I think that's the point. Also I imagine how they get away with selling these things with all of the sound issues. For $50 for 80 games people are just looking for a little nostalgia, not a pixel perfect recreation. This weeks Target ad had this and the Atari. I'm not sure why Nintendo felt their $60 nostalgia machine should only be available for a few months, these things sell year round. $60 is a decent Father's Day gift. Maybe even graduation from elementary or middle school.
https://weeklyad.target.com/promotions?code=Target-20170604&page=9
I'm going to buy the Polymega instead. That system will shut down all these Mega Drive clones for the future!
@rjejr even cheaper than 50 dollars. I think it's great and even greater for ATGames that they sold me something that I didn't need as I already have most of these games. It's definitely worth the price you buy it for.
I'm rather hoping Sega will talk with Nintendo about the Switch Online service. I would love to see Master System/Game Gear/Megadrive games as part of the subscription package. Doubtful it'll happen, but if it did it would sell me on the service.
Of course, then there's supposed to be Sega Forever, though the only information I've found about it is that it's going to be for mobiles. Let's hope Sega is considering looking beyond that.
Input latency is usually horrific on theses things, if they can improve that along with the build quality of the controllers... Then they should be worth a shot as a neat novelty. I hope they can pull it together.
Here in Brazil, TECTOY, SEGA's official representative, relaunched the Megadrive even with the box in the original format. Of course I bought mine.
For those who do not know, TECTOY has always been very close to SEGA, participating actively in the development of games, including.
For those who want to know more about History, follow the link of TECTOY Blog. Http://blogtectoy.com.br/stefano-arnhold-e-tectoy-a-historia-da-sega-no-brasil/
Master System Classic Mini or bust.
@capriboy Is it out yet?
Well, you've got to presume most of the kinks with older models have been ironed out by now--surely--and these systems should be pretty solid at this point in time. They appear to be pretty good all-round options for playing your classic Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games--as long as the aforementioned kinks have been ironed out. And, I already know the value propositions are going to be pretty strong. So, this mostly seems like good news to me.
Hopefully Nintendo is taking note for when it releases the near-inevitable SNES Classic Edition.
Well, up til now, I haven't really been a fan of these systems, but if they fix the tinny audio, replace the now almost ancient Firecore emulator with a newer or better one, and do something about those crappy "losing connection at random moments" wireless controllers (or having to point them straight at the device all the time to not interrupt the signal) then this might just be their best outing to date, and a serious contender in showing Nintendo how it can (or actually should) be done.
And personally, I'd also like to see the ability of adding new games not only in a list, as has been done up til now, making it look really cheap. So it should be possible to add games to the primary menu, pictures and all, to make it feel more part of the system as a whole, instead of like some kind of backdoor text-only menu...
But to end on a positive note: they will at least manufacture more than enough of them, so no shortages expected from AtGames consoles.
@Sinton
http://www.tectoy.com.br/mega-drive/p/995040461825
There are several reviews on the console. Some people criticized negatively, but most liked it. The controls are very good (better than those wireless), the sound in some games is slightly different. But on a scale of zero to ten, I note 9. The box is beautiful, the visual appearance of the device is excellent. For those who collect it is a beauty. I have an original Japanese megadrive and side-by-side are very similar.
It is an FPGA. Rumors say the firmware can be upgraded. Most games in the cartridges are compatible. It has a microSD slot.
Get Sonic's Genesis Collection for 15$ on amazon for X360 or PS3 instead. Has Sonic 1-3, Golden Axe 1-3, Streets of Rage 1-3 and many more. Missing a few classics like Outrun, Super Hang-on, Castlevania, and Gunstar Heroes, but for 15 bucks, good controller, HD, and savestates, what more could you ask for?
Were can I order with a UK/IRL plug please? I just like the look of the megadrive model
@capriboy Looks really good. If something like this was released in Europe, I'd pick it up.
@Sinton My megadrive arrived today at the post office. My son's happiness when opening the box made me remember the "Nintendo 64 Boy". Hahahaha
From the info I've heard, it sounds like they may finally have made improvements to the emulation on these things so it will be worth looking out for reviews. With ATGames' track record with these things, it's wise to be cautious. The old Genesis/Mega Drive products they put out were pretty bad, in my opinion. I'll be happy to hear confirmation that the sound emulation is fixed. The 720p HDMI output is a very good thing as is the new case design. As I said, I hope the emulation is good for this new one. We'll have Nintendo to thank for that. This new HD unit has a pretty good lineup of games, so I hope it's good for those that are interested.
@readyletsgo previous models have had UK releases, so if you keep an eye out they should pop up at some point at the likes of funstock and Amazon. I think the last one was even available from Argos.
That portable is sweet looking
@bezerker99 The audio issues are the main concern for me as well.
@sdelfin The sound is fixed. They found a looparound that issue
@RyanSilberman Thank you. That's good to hear. I'm hopeful it's a quality product, at least in terms of the emulation. The wireless controllers aren't as important to someone like me.
@RyanSilberman So....how do we know they fixed the sound issues? Do you have a link?
@bezerker99 I am not sure if I can talk specifics, but I did communicate with them before about it, and I am taking their word for it
I know this is a Nintendo site but being you did an article on these Sega consoles how about doing one on the Atari consoles??
@daveisbored yeah hopefully it's a mass produced thing like all the others. It's prob just the same as the other AtGame consoles but with HD.
Would just like to add it to my collection.
Omg I just went to the atgames website! This years Atari 2600 editions have 2600 third party games from Activision!!!!
Standard edition 105 games
Gold edition 120 games
Gold Activision Edition 130 games featuring 39 Activision 2600 games!!! That's awesome! They read my mind!! Sold!!
Why dont you change the name of Nintendolife.com to whatevernonsensedamienmcferranisplayingthisweek.com?
When is he going to start writing articles about what he had for lunch?
If the sound's good, I'll pick it up. These things are cheap and available, so it's not a huge loss if it turns out to be a dud.
@joey302 If what you're saying is real, I'm buying the Flashback instead. Oh man, that's amazing if true.
@World wish I knew how to post a picture here for you to see lol
@joey302 It's cool; I Googled it. Thanks for pointing this out because I never thought they'd get Activision on the Flashback. This looks unreal! Hyped for this!
@World I've been saying they should do it for years!! Now I just might have to buy both the Gold and Activision editions. Ohhh my aching wallet! And we didn't even get the E3 news yet!!!
@joey302 Yeah, I've had my eye on the Flashback for years because the emulation is better than the Sega ones but wasn't going to go for it until they got a good library of Activision titles going on it. Looks like now is the time!
I know right! Not sure what I'll do now if something good we don't know about is announced!
@capriboy That's awesome! 😀
@World save up $$! Iol I also have the colecovision and intellivision flashbacks at 60 games each! They're pretty cool as well. I'd like to see a colecovision flashback update as well. 👍
Activision was hands down the best 3rd party the Atari had! I still use my ps2 Activision Anthology disc on my fat PS3 here n there!! 😊
all of them are total garbage.
@joey302 Oh man, that PS2 Activision Anthology is what got me into that era of gaming and I've just been waiting all this time to go back.
My dad had an Intellivision when I was a kid, but I was too young to appreciate it. I couldn't figure out what to do with all those buttons (even with the keymaps)!
@joey302 Actually, did you read that press release? Says "AFZ features an all-star roster of classic publishing partners, including Activision, Atari, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Konami, Sega, Taito and Warner Bros"
No idea what that means in terms of products they put out, but that's pretty cool!
@World where?? Where?? Lol
It looked good till I noticed it was Atgames making it, again. Yeah.. not interested.
@joey302 Check it out: https://www.newswire.com/news/atgames-announces-the-atari-flashback-8-gold-activision-edition-console-19606192
Down the page, they start talking about an expanded product line with all those names mentioned. Could be cool!
Aren't 60 of these games shovelware?
@World sounds like they have a flashback console cooking involving all those publishers! If the emulation is 100% that would be sweet and a punch in the gut to Nintendo who's just dragging their ass with this imo!! Can you imagine a flashback console with say 150 perfect arcade games?!? I'd buy TWO of those muthas!! 😜😆
@joey302 Heck yes! If AtGames comes up with a machine that works and actually has interesting picks on it (and those companies all have DEEP back catalogues), NES Mini and its 30 games that we've all played will be left in the dust. I'd be tempted to buy a couple too!
Depends on the games. Do they have a list of them?
@World that could be a sick flashback!! Warner bros owns the whole midway/90s Atari catalog!! Sega has hundreds of classics! Square Enix owns the Taito classics! Man the possibilities!!
@joey302 I'm going to be honest. I haven't been keeping up with them and I was actually wondering how Warner Bros. fit into all this. I was wondering if they were, like, going to throw some Batman games on there or something. Midway though; nice!
Can you imagine is Square Enix offered up some games to one of these things though? I almost want to keep them out of it just so I'll have a better chance of it not selling out!
@World Midway: Paperboy,Joust,Robotron 2084,Smash TV,Gauntlet 1&2, NARC, Defender, Sinistar, Satans Hollow, Tapper, Moon Patrol, San Francisco Rush, Hydro Thunder, Marble Madness
TAITO: Ninja Warriors, Space Invaders, Rainbow Islands, Bubble Bobble, Operation Wolf, Qix, Space Dungeon, Chase HQ, Rastan, Operation Thunderbolt, criminal investigation, just to name a few! And Don't even get me started shouting out Sega titles 😂
@joey302 I'd almost buy one just for SF Rush; Taito's also got Elevator Action, which I'd also go for if they put the arcade version of Elevator Action Returns!
So many good ones though!
time to open my wallet
It's four Atari themed systems, not three.
There's the standard definition Atari Flashback 8 that recycles the old hardware with a modified game lineup, another iteration of the portable that launched last year with a modified game lineup, and the Atari Flashback 8 Gold and the Atari Flashback 8 Gold Activision Edition.
It's the latter two with the new wireless joysticks, HD output, save states, etc. The regular gold system includes 120 games and the Activision Edition includes 10 additional Activision games for 130 Atari games in total (39 of them Activision) while including a pair of wired paddle controllers as an extra.
@World Warner's involvement seems to be with Mortal Kombat 1-3 on the Genesis system.
Hopefully that changes in the future since there are some good 1st party Atari Inc/Atari Corp 2600 ports of arcade games that now fall under the Warner Brothers umbrella these days and require licensing to reappear in 2600 form here, such as Klax and Defender.
@GoneFishin Well, I guess MK is better than nothing, but yeah it'd be good to see some arcade ports from that stable.
And yet, they still haven't gotten the sound emulation right
https://youtu.be/DXdRGlVCnCg?t=183
Oh AtGames (or rather, CrapGames), can't even get the YM2612 to sound right, and yet, Sega gets it right, M2 on the Wii gets it right, but they can't? This is hilarious XD
@RyanSilberman
I wouldn't count on it, it's probably PR crap to cover their butts, from what I've seen, the sound is still garbage.
Hmmm.
Skeptical, they don't scream quality.
Holding off for Polymega (formerly Retroblox).
@Whopper744 It looked great until I read on the box. It keeps shouting "85 classic games"..right. 40 of them are inhouse-made shovelware with names like "Shooter" and "Baseball". Only 45 classic games with crap sound and awful upscaling then.
This is going to be crap. Like their previous plug n play consoles.
well hold of to see if its fixed its emulation or just added an hdmi. It looks cool & if emulation is improved then Id buy one.
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