When Atari began releasing video game consoles in the late 70s they were ahead of their time. So much so, that they beat the microprocessor to the market. Think about that for a second; Atari did not bother waiting for the power of the microprocessor!
So when the Atari Flashback dedicated video game console was released in 2004, long before the mini-console craze of 2016 that included the NES Classic Edition and the Sega Genesis Mini, I was not surprised to see the brand once again breaking new ground.
Today I’m going to focus on the Atari Flashback 7, one of the most successful of the Flashback series of video game consoles, by answering the most common questions I see about these awesome little devices.
What Exactly Is The Atari Flashback 7?
The Atari Flashback 7 is a dedicated video game console designed and released by AtGames under a license by Atari SA.
Dedicated video game consoles are limited to the games that come pre-installed in the console’s memory. This means that you cannot play additional games that were not included upon release. However, this limitation is often offset by large lists of pre-installed games that come loaded on the consoles.
The Atari Flashback 7 is no slouch in that regard, featuring over 100 pre-installed games. Including such classics as Pong!, Space Invaders, Combat, Asteroids, Centipede, and many more.
How Does The Atari Flashback 7 Connect To A TV?
The Atari Flashback 7 features a Plug-and-Play system, which makes connecting to most TVs a breeze. To connect an Atari Flashback 7 to your TV screen simply plug the included white and yellow composite cable connector into the corresponding AV ports located at the back of your TV.
So why does this television question come up so much? Well, because most gamers have modern TVs. Composite connectors are an old and dying technology and most modern gaming consoles support HDMI output connections.
In fact, the Atari Flashback 7 is the last of the series that does not support native HDMI. So if HD is your thing, and you have not purchased yet, you may want to go with the Flashback 8 or higher.
What If The Tv Does Not Have The Corresponding A/V Ports?
While the AV format has been superseded by the higher-quality HDMI format, most modern TVs still have display ports that are compatible with the traditional red, white, and yellow AV cables.
However, if your particular TV does not have a compatible AV jack, you can still enjoy your Atari Flashback 7 via an AV to HDMI converter or adapter such as this one (from Amazon)
These AV to HDMI, also known as RCA to HDMI, adapters are inexpensive and easy to use.
- RCA to HDMI Converter:This RCA to HDMI adapter can convert analog RCA composite input to HDMI 1080P (60HZ) output,you can watch old equipment sources on smart TV or monitor,which can bring back your childhood memories.
Does The Atari Flashback 7 Include Controllers?
Yes, the Atari Flashback 7 includes 2 wireless joystick controllers in the box. These controllers are modeled after the classic controller that came with the Atari 2600 console in 1982.
A cool feature of the Atari Flashback 7 is that it is fully compatible with the classic wired controllers used by the original console. This means that if you have 1 or 2 of the original joysticks stored somewhere, you can plug them into the console and play that way.
Is The Atari Flashback 7 Battery-Operated?
No, the Atari Flashback 7 is not battery-operated. The console comes with the needed AC adapter in the box, so setting up is very easy and quick.
However, the two cordless controllers are battery-operated. Unfortunately, the batteries are not included in the box, so if you don’t have at least 4 AAA batteries at home when you open your new Atari Flashback 7 box, a trip to the store is going to be necessary before it can be played.
How many games are included in the Atari Flashback 7?
The Atari Flashback 7 comes preloaded with a total of 101 classic games. The list includes timeless classics like Asteroids and Centipede, as well as lesser-known games like Skydiver and Save Mary.
How Much Is The Atari Flashback 7?
The price of the Atari Flashback 7 (Amazon) changes regularly depending on availability, especially because the Atari Flashback 8 and the Atari Flashback 9 have been released in recent years.
However, considering the sheer number of games that come preinstalled in the console and the hours of fun that you will have using it, the usual asking price is more than fair.
Last update on 2024-04-03 at 21:36 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Can you provide more details on how the Atari Flashback 7 connects to a TV and what specific challenges or issues one might encounter when trying to do so?