Atari Flashback 12 Gold, Retro Game Console, Built-in 130 Classic Games, Two Joystick and Paddle Controllers, HDMI, PLUG & PLAY on HD TV

I grew up with the 2600 and had been wanting to itch my nostalgic jones. The Flashback 12 has been pretty close to perfect!I don't have a lot of time to play and I'm not interested in wasting time learning complex games. I'm also not into multi-player gaming. I've tried MAME and other emulators but the setups are tedious. I just wanted a system that where I could shut my brain off, turn on the game system, toggle to my game of choice, and get that same endorphin rush when I was 13!I had shopped the heck out of this and previous Flashback models, and decided to bite the bullet. It's not a ton of dough but I wanted to make sure it wouldn't just be a novelty and end up collecting dust. It's been a month now and I'm truly happy with this purchase. There's a TON of gaming value in this thing. And it's light and compact.You'll see other reviews that include details on the controllers and other aspects, but I'm not that picky. I just wanted that same old pixelated look and joystick/paddle feel - and I've got it! (OK, the paddles do need to loosen up a bit.)BONUS: Space Invaders is the actual Taito arcade version. Good times!

So far this little console has been great. I was able to update the firmware after downloading it from their site and a couple of other tools. I watched a video on how to do it, and it worked perfectly.The games are great! The emulation plays the games just as well as they did on the original system. I was also able to use a USB flash drive and ROMs to play some of my favorite games that are not included with the unit. It took a little bit of work to get a couple of them to work. One had a name that was too long and the other just wouldn't run, so I got an alternate version (.bin vs the normal .a26). The ability to play games not included with the unit is FANTASTIC! And the console is so tiny!!! A picture really doesn't do it justice. It's smaller than my hand!The joysticks work perfectly, though they take a little bit of getting used to as they are a good bit looser than the ones I remember as a kid, and most definitely looser than the one that came with my Atari 2600+. The left joystick also has buttons on the front, which you might think will get in the way while playing, but they don't, and they come in very handy. No need to go to the console itself, save to turn it on to play and off when you're done.Now to the 'but'. It's the paddles. They're really tight. So much so that it doesn't take long before my hand starts to get tired. A matter of minutes. Maybe they just need to wear in. I'm glad they're not loose, but I do wish they were a good bit looser than they are. But they do work perfectly otherwise.So, were it not for the paddles the unit would get 5 stars. I'd give if 4.5 if I could, but I can't, so 4 it is. Other than the paddles, and again, they may just need to wear in to get a bit looser, it's a fantastic unit. Definitely worth the cost.

I think I can comment on the Flashback 12 Gold as an owner of this, the Atari 2600+, Atari Gamestation Pro and the Atari VCS. The good things about this console are Great Game Line up with the ability to add more games, the controllers are surprisingly very good, while not as still as the 2600+ CX40's I actually play better with these sticks even in the 2600+. Compared to alot of Atari tribute products out there, this one has a big Activision library, and as anyone knows, Activision and Imagic pretty much made the best Atari games, then you throw in Solaris and Aqua Adventure which are two of my favorites and you got a real winner. I can't overstate enough for 2600 games this is the best value by far, you cannot get 2600 games and authentic controls anywhere else at this price. I rank the 2600+ and the Flashback Gold very high for what they are and what they do, if you do not want to or plan on collecting carts this is the way to go, the gamestation pro offers wireless controllers but they are def not as nice as Atgames controls, the GSP doesn't offer a microsd slot to sideload tons of games though, but you can easily do the same here with a splitter usb cable and usb stick, its all in what you want to do but out of the box for 2600 games this blows the GSP away and I own 2 GSP's... I mainly use my GSP's for on the go and quick gaming but for the real deal its 2600+ and Flashback 12 Gold. Hopefully Atgames can get us an Intellivision Gold with HDMI someday!

First I am a 57 year old man and remember the years of Atari and Activision with a very fond memory.But the graphics are very poor, I didn't remember them being this bad on some of the games, yes some of the games look very familar.... one of my least favorite games from my youth Pitfall, looks pretty much the same.but the controllers are very cheap and the responsiveness is very poor. Even breakout was hard to play.Anohter item that is small but noticeable is NO lights on the console. I thought it did not have power because I didn't see any signs of power, but it was work.I got this to play with my grandchildren but it was barely playable. I would NEVER recommend this and I acknowledge that some of this might be my lack of research, but never the less I think the information I had about the game over sold it self. Also be prepared to to research the internet on how to play some of the games, the insturctions are basic to the extreem.

We were thrilled to get this system for xmas. The entire family wanted to play. It's just as we remember as kids except the joysticks don't work as they should on a bunch of games. I don't know why, but it was frustrating to say the least. I really wish the plug in cord was longer. Gotta be right up on the TV for this one. It's a cool toy tho.

Great

Not the same size of the original.

Old school fun.