Thank you for this review. The very first review I encountered about the Flashback X was adamant the paddles did not work on this model. Every subsequent review I watched either took that oerson’s word for it or guessed yay or nay. You’re the first to actually test and document results!
Thanks Tim! Ironically I'm about to film other controllers (like Sega Genesis and 70's 2600 controller) being plugged in to see how they work. Stay tuned
Just over a year ago, I did a video about problems with the paddles on the Flashback 9... Glad they sorta, kinda fixed it for the "X". The "4 switch" Atari is actually also a 6 switch, as it has the difficulty switches tucked away on the back. Looks like you need to spray your paddle potentiometers with some DeoxIT!.. Wish they kept the SD card slot like they did with the 9.
Yup this is better than the 9 ... not quite perfect but playable ... I do have some DeOxIt actually so I'll give that a whirl. Thanks for the comments 😊
Oh wow, that is good to know. But I will stick to my composite modded Atari 2600 Vader model with stock joysticks, paddels and the flashcart for now. For folk who don't have access to the old gear this is not a bad system.
You did not try Player 2 with your 2nd paddle. How do you know your paddles aren’t dirty? Play Warlords or Breakout on the Flashback 2+ and see if there is any difference. (FB2 on the main selection screen of catagories, push up once, down 9 times, up 7, down 2. Then just move left or right to see the new catagory for paddle games.)
Also can you use Flashback 2+ controllers or even original Atari 2600 controllers on the X? i would assume you can, just have to use the console switches to toggle start and reset.
@@1SmartMofo the original atari joystick controllers do work on the flashback x with seemly little to no problems. I tried them when i got the console.
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 That is to be expected. The Flashback 2 is a 2600 on a chip, so no emulation. The Flashback X is emulation. There are already some custom firmwares out there that adds emulation for the 7800, 5200, Atari 8-bit computers, Colecovision, Odyssee and others.
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 in amazon spain and uk there are the flashback 7, 8, 9 and previous editions but the 10 never went for sale, its strange! I was thinking buying from us amazon before but I guess they will ask for taxes. It would be nice add the flashback x to my other mini consoles though..
How about the At Games Atari Paddles? (instead of original paddles) They have a page for these, currently listed as "Sold Out" And, prior versions of the Atari Flashback included a pair (I think it was the 8?)
No problem Adam! I was also waiting so I figured to heck with it, I'll buy it and find out myself. So long as you're not playing anything super fast like Kaboom they work pretty well.
I know this is a late comment but I’m a bit late to the Flashback X party. How did you get the paddle controller to work at all? I can’t even seem to get a game to start. Does the joystick have to be plugged into the other controller slot?
Hi Derek. I just plugged it in and away it went. Maybe you have to hit Reset first? Depending on how old you are that might not be intuitive. A lot of Atari games just sit at the attract screen till you hit Reset.
Unless these are new/unused (old stock) Atari paddles, is the problem just wear? Paddles jitter on an actual Atari 2600 and can be cleaned to refresh the function. I have an Atari Flashback X on the way. If even new paddles jitter on the AFBX, that is distinctly different than jitter from wear.
My classic paddles do jitter just from age however I find after I've played with them for ten minutes or so they respond great. But even after that much time, there's still the ever so slight lag I mention in my video with the FBX. It's not that bad though. Kaboom is tricky but other stuff like Breakout would be fine. They run pretty decently.
Did anyone know if these new flashback wired controllers work on the original systems. I've a ton of temperamental vintage controllers and thought these could be a cheap option for some that work properly.
I have the volume with Breakout on my PS4 and I find the touchpad isn't quite up to the task. Better than thumb sticks but not a great replacement for a good old paddle.
hi Jan, yes the classic Atari paddle have two controllers going into one port, all paddle games recognize these as different control schemes and if there is a four player game like Warlords, then you plug another pair of paddles into the second port
Game play with the original 2600 paddles (for the games you showed on the X), are not acceptable imo. The jitter completely kills it for me. There is two different mods for the 9 gold (which I own) that can somewhat fix the paddle jitter issue... the first was to replace the resisters (for the paddle connections on the the 9g's motherboard) with a different value.... the other mod was where you could replace the internal pot (in the paddle itself) for one with a different value, so it could work a bit better with the 9 gold, but I have yet to see any test videos for either of those mods (just pictures). So for now, I'll just stick with my original 70's light six and later 4 switch consoles with composite mods and a flash cart. Thanks for the video though.
Hi Paula, so the paddles move but the buttons don't work? Very odd. GHow about with Breakout? Can you at least launch the ball? Does Night Driver accelerate?
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 yes all the driving games and other games work but the shooting games nothing I'll try them again later maybe i had them in wrong hopefully because i got a great deal on the system
I was wondering the same thing. Unfortunately I don't think so. Those paddles seems to be wired to each other. John Hancock did a review. I hope this helps. I don't know why AT games won't include paddles. Have a great day
Actually GenXGrownUp just did a video or two on paddles for these FlashBacks, turns out the console tries to mimic digital joystick movement. Have a look at his videos.
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Thank you for this review. The very first review I encountered about the Flashback X was adamant the paddles did not work on this model. Every subsequent review I watched either took that oerson’s word for it or guessed yay or nay. You’re the first to actually test and document results!
Thanks Tim! Ironically I'm about to film other controllers (like Sega Genesis and 70's 2600 controller) being plugged in to see how they work. Stay tuned
Just over a year ago, I did a video about problems with the paddles on the Flashback 9... Glad they sorta, kinda fixed it for the "X". The "4 switch" Atari is actually also a 6 switch, as it has the difficulty switches tucked away on the back. Looks like you need to spray your paddle potentiometers with some DeoxIT!.. Wish they kept the SD card slot like they did with the 9.
Yup this is better than the 9 ... not quite perfect but playable ... I do have some DeOxIt actually so I'll give that a whirl. Thanks for the comments 😊
There are paddles that work with the Flashback 9 selling on eBay.
Oh wow, that is good to know. But I will stick to my composite modded Atari 2600 Vader model with stock joysticks, paddels and the flashcart for now. For folk who don't have access to the old gear this is not a bad system.
True that Mark but this thing IS SO CUTE!
The power of X!!!! now in your Atari Flashback
Would you describe it as X Rated?
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 only of it contains Custer's revenge 7w7
You did not try Player 2 with your 2nd paddle. How do you know your paddles aren’t dirty?
Play Warlords or Breakout on the Flashback 2+ and see if there is any difference.
(FB2 on the main selection screen of catagories, push up once, down 9 times, up 7, down 2. Then just move left or right to see the new catagory for paddle games.)
Good point .... follow up investigation to proceed
Also can you use Flashback 2+ controllers or even original Atari 2600 controllers on the X? i would assume you can, just have to use the console switches to toggle start and reset.
@@1SmartMofo I confess I don't have original 2600 joysticks but I'll investigate the FB2+
@@1SmartMofo the original atari joystick controllers do work on the flashback x with seemly little to no problems. I tried them when i got the console.
The jitter is caused by the paddles, not the system. The paddles are old, they need to be cleaned.
very true but the noticeable lag is from the system because I have a FlashBack 2 that I can play these paddles on and they don't lag on it
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 That is to be expected. The Flashback 2 is a 2600 on a chip, so no emulation. The Flashback X is emulation. There are already some custom firmwares out there that adds emulation for the 7800, 5200, Atari 8-bit computers, Colecovision, Odyssee and others.
Yes, this is the model I want to get but didn’t find it in Canada yet
I'm in Vancouver BC and there was a pile of these at Bed Bath and Beyond for 50% off. When the stores open again, I hope you find one.
Down the Rabbit Hole Oh boy, didn’t think one could find that there, thanks for the heads up
Cant find it in europe, I live in Portugal and its impossible😥
@@fmcra with luck they will make their way there Antonio, have other Flashbacks sold there?
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 in amazon spain and uk there are the flashback 7, 8, 9 and previous editions but the 10 never went for sale, its strange! I was thinking buying from us amazon before but I guess they will ask for taxes. It would be nice add the flashback x to my other mini consoles though..
How about the At Games Atari Paddles? (instead of original paddles)
They have a page for these, currently listed as "Sold Out"
And, prior versions of the Atari Flashback included a pair (I think it was the 8?)
I confess I'm not sure, I only have original 70's paddles unfortunately
Thank you I was waiting on a review to see if paddles worked cause ever since the flashback 9 I've been very disappointed
No problem Adam! I was also waiting so I figured to heck with it, I'll buy it and find out myself. So long as you're not playing anything super fast like Kaboom they work pretty well.
I know this is a late comment but I’m a bit late to the Flashback X party. How did you get the paddle controller to work at all? I can’t even seem to get a game to start. Does the joystick have to be plugged into the other controller slot?
Hi Derek. I just plugged it in and away it went. Maybe you have to hit Reset first? Depending on how old you are that might not be intuitive. A lot of Atari games just sit at the attract screen till you hit Reset.
I saw that they are too sensitive. There is a review out there. Thanks for your video.
My pleasure ... quite playable except on really fast games like Kaboom though
Unless these are new/unused (old stock) Atari paddles, is the problem just wear? Paddles jitter on an actual Atari 2600 and can be cleaned to refresh the function. I have an Atari Flashback X on the way. If even new paddles jitter on the AFBX, that is distinctly different than jitter from wear.
My classic paddles do jitter just from age however I find after I've played with them for ten minutes or so they respond great. But even after that much time, there's still the ever so slight lag I mention in my video with the FBX. It's not that bad though. Kaboom is tricky but other stuff like Breakout would be fine. They run pretty decently.
Good thing I have the atari flashback 4 for this
better on paddles eh? but no HDMI? I can't remember the 4 ... I have the 2 and it was better on paddles
I have a set of original 70s paddles...How did you get them to work on the Flashback X? I didn't hear any specific directions.
I just plugged them in after I launched the game with the joystick. Mine are original 70's paddles as well
Are there any paddle controllers that work well on the Atari Flashback 9 Gold?
Hey not too bad.
Thanks Rob ..... seriously this little console is CUTE!
Did anyone know if these new flashback wired controllers work on the original systems. I've a ton of temperamental vintage controllers and thought these could be a cheap option for some that work properly.
darn I tried old controllers on this machine but not these controllers on an old machine
AT Games never gets it right. I might as well play the Atari Flashback collections on the PS4 for paddle games.
I have the volume with Breakout on my PS4 and I find the touchpad isn't quite up to the task. Better than thumb sticks but not a great replacement for a good old paddle.
Do those two paddles share ONE plug ...?? How is that gonna work when there are two players? Shouldn’t there be two independent plugs in this case??
hi Jan, yes the classic Atari paddle have two controllers going into one port, all paddle games recognize these as different control schemes and if there is a four player game like Warlords, then you plug another pair of paddles into the second port
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 Thx a lot, yeah, I just did some research on that! 😉👍🏼
Game play with the original 2600 paddles (for the games you showed on the X), are not acceptable imo. The jitter completely kills it for me. There is two different mods for the 9 gold (which I own) that can somewhat fix the paddle jitter issue... the first was to replace the resisters (for the paddle connections on the the 9g's motherboard) with a different value.... the other mod was where you could replace the internal pot (in the paddle itself) for one with a different value, so it could work a bit better with the 9 gold, but I have yet to see any test videos for either of those mods (just pictures). So for now, I'll just stick with my original 70's light six and later 4 switch consoles with composite mods and a flash cart. Thanks for the video though.
my pleasure, it really confuses me why no one has done a good job of recreating paddle gameplay .... sure it can't be THAT hard
Does breakout work with the joysticks that are included??
It does … not well but it's doable
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 good enough for me
Will atari Flashback X controllers work on an original Atari 2600?
hmmm not sure, I don't hame my original 2600 anymore but I think they should
nice I am behind I have Atari Flashback 8 Gold seems this new one has 20 games less
very true but it looks so much better!
Just purchased and my paddles seem to only work on the games that don't require shooting could i have put the paddles in the wrong way maybe ??
Hi Paula, so the paddles move but the buttons don't work? Very odd. GHow about with Breakout? Can you at least launch the ball? Does Night Driver accelerate?
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 yes all the driving games and other games work but the shooting games nothing I'll try them again later maybe i had them in wrong hopefully because i got a great deal on the system
@@paulacarter4853 which shooting games are you trying to use the paddles on? I don't think it would work on Space Invaders for example
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 megamania it won't shoot at all
Megamania is a joystick game, it doesn't support the paddles
The question is do paddles work with the X
You're darn right
But did not work right. You even said this while playing Circus.
True, it's close but not perfect. Perfect ios either the FlashBack 2 or a Retron 77 with a bunch of hacks and adapters.
Do the AtGames paddles work on this?
unfortunately I don't add any so I wasn't able to test them, I only have the classic 70's paddles
I was wondering the same thing. Unfortunately I don't think so. Those paddles seems to be wired to each other. John Hancock did a review. I hope this helps. I don't know why AT games won't include paddles. Have a great day
Have you updated the firmware on the ATGames website? The newest version of the firmware is this: V. 0.1.18 (released on Dec 2, 2019)
Hi agent, I updated mine when they added those couple of online leader boards. Might have been back in December. Are there even more enhancements now?
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 You probably have the latest firmware...I was just wondering if an update would improve paddle performance.
Can uesd power bank for it
Which power bank?
15:55
The action with the Atari paddle is awfull
it makes the game not playable.
I hope someday someone nails paddle controls 100 %
Dirty paddles.
Actually GenXGrownUp just did a video or two on paddles for these FlashBacks, turns out the console tries to mimic digital joystick movement. Have a look at his videos.
@@DowntheRabbitHole0 Saw that, hope they're able to fix it with an update.
@@TonyDanger me too, it's very very close to the original feeling