Atari Flashback Classics

Atari Flashback Classics for Switch is one of the biggest and best classic game compilations ever produced. Not only are there a ton of enjoyable games for any kind of gamer, everything is implemented spot-on for big screen or on-the-go retro fun.

Atari Flashback Collection is a wonderful way to experience gaming history for the first time, or reminisce over your favourites one more time.

Atari Flashback Classics may be missing some slices of the golden age of arcade history, but the licences and features it does have are enough to warrant a purchase for the casual collector. Despite there being a huge amount of games on offer, a lot of them are either copycat concoctions of more successful games which are still found here or multiple system ports of the same game. It’s also more of a collection for the old school fan to simply tinker through rather than to bang hours besting high scores and playing to completion. Either way, it does stand as a cheaper and more convenient alternative to Atari’s physical renditions found in your local gadget shop with the added benefit of quality emulation of true arcade classics.

It's nice that many games include achievements and support online multiplayer and leaderboards, but if you're not having much fun with the games, what's the point? Atari Flashback Classics would have been a stronger collection if it had fewer games and more effort could have been put into making them play as well as the originals. As it stands, though, this collection is strictly for the hardcore gaming classicist.

Atari Flashback Classics offers a vast look back into the history of an important time in games, but may offer little of interest to those without nostalgic feelings for it.

Ultimately, Atari Flashback Classics is a fine collection. The sheer quantity of entertainment software is reason enough to warrant a look. Alongside certified arcade greats, is a wealth of middling-to-fun Atari 2600 and 5200 titles. Even those that weren't around back then will probably be able to find something that they can really connect with, with one example being the previously-unreleased Aquaventure. Of course, considering the era in which these were made, it might be extremely difficult to garner any appreciation for what's here. Still, it is a valuable time capsule for those who weren't around for gaming's infancy.

Quantity over quality has never been exhibited so perfectly as it is here. Having 150 games is undoubtedly impressive, but when the vast majority of them are barely decipherable, let alone playable, you’re probably only really left with around 15 titles that will hold your attention for more than a minute. While the contribution these games made to the evolution of gaming in its early days can’t be denied, many of them are stepping stones that we don’t need to walk over again.