Gamestation Pro Review: The 2600+ Alternative?

[@ELECTROxigeno76.]

I'm 50 years old and I remember all those games perfectly. I really want that great console. 🎩

[@KeenRetroGames]

The best reason to buy this is that it is the largest collection of Atari arcade games ever released.

[@RCfromtheNYC]

Great review, John! I do want to recommend for those who want to add games from multiple systems: use separate microSD cards for each system. If you throw thousands of ROMs onto a single card, there is no folder system to sort them out, so they will all be in one folder. Separate cards will make game searching much easier.

[@ST2008X]

If you get an Atari 2600+ check Atari CX-22 Trackball compatibility, it does not work on the stock firmware of the Retron 77 or the Atari Flashback 3 sadly. I do use it in Joystick mode, it only seems to work with original hardware. I do need to update my Retron 77's firmware.

[@NeonGenesisPlatinum]

Another very informative video John. Thanks for all the work you do, not just on this channel, but the ENTIRE community. Anyway mate, all the best from a massive fan in Sydney Australia, absolute legend sir, great job.

[@mjdf122]

John Hancock once again showing us the way

[@crazykong1967]

I find it odd that this product is already at Costco. No impending news about when I am going to receive my unit. As always, another rock solid review!👍

[@johnhancockretro]

Thanks for sharing

[@scottlinux]

This looks great. For me this would be an awesome living room / couch Atari rig to sit back and play some games wireless with family or friends.

[@arcaderacer586]

Looks nice and clean. Too bad the market is overwhelmingly saturated with retro systems these days.

[@johnhancockretro]

Still popular enough for Costco to carry it ;)

[@arcaderacer586]

@@johnhancockretro Typically Costgo and sams club type places do 1 time buys with these type things. They will sale out and vanish and the units they do not sale at retail,they end up liquidating them to the secondary market for pennies on the dollar to retail savagers and thats how they eventually make their way on ebay and other places.

[@yogibear2k220]

According to the back of the box no H.E.R.O! That will disappoint Metal Jesus! As always a great review, John. It's nice to be able to add games to this system and it's not just locked to Atari Games.

[@yogibear2k220]

@@wolfshanze5980 I gathered that. This was just a joke.

[@rameybutler-hm7nx]

Btw im glad your wife is well and she and your family will be in my prayers for long health and happiness.

[@indigomontoya22]

Thanks for the review! I like the look of it. I also really appreciate how you can add some games to it too to maybe fill in the gap of the missing Activision games. I'm really happy the Atari is getting some love lately. Hope to see you at PRGE in a couple weeks!

[@johnhancockretro]

See you soon

[@ThomasHostvedt]

Oh man I’m a sucker for things like these. But I always end up going back to the original console and games. Also been playing a ton of Atari 2600 and 5200 (Pitfall II) lately. May have to pick it up. Thanks for the skinny John👍👍.

[@daleb4148]

It’s people like you that enable companies to make a new version of this every year for people to buy.

[@chrisstephenson8311]

Man John I can’t tell you how many good memories I had with the Atari 2600 back in the day playing with my father and it was the first and only system he bought me…….I had so many games….my favorite was “yars revenge” of course👍🏻

[@TheFLOMAN76]

I always hated the joystick controller because it would make my hand cramp... You are right John, it needs an NES D pad. However, I love how the system looks! I am still busy with my Atari 50th collection for Switch... I probably won't buy this..BUT! Thanks for the review!

[@legendsflashback]

Retro co,: how many Atari systems should we release? Yes!

[@kjhoskins]

Great review, John. I definitely want to pick one up. Thanks for the video!

[@johnhancockretro]

Any time!

[@sterling1989]

It will be interesting to compare this to the Atari 2600+ once you do a review. A head to head so to speak.

[@daleb4148]

I already have a 2600.

[@thegerm574]

Must be Pats brother Sam the Atari Punk on the back of the box. I like how the front of the box actually shows it wired to the TV. Good start. No lies

[@darkridearts]

😂

[@Evercade_Effect]

Great detailed and honest review John. I always like to know options out there.

[@johnhancockretro]

Thanks 👍

[@chicoriver8606]

The paddle can be adjust in game with the joystick have 3 levels sensitivity. Thanks for the review got my last week but didn't get the time to play with it. 😀

[@Cris01121]

So this system and the updated retron with community builds have their specific issues with paddle games. These seem like a cool gift to get someone into Atari but a rpi with full stella and 2600daptor is still the way to go. I'm considering a 2600+. I don't mind emulation but any system that uses it should at least have a sd card slot and be fully updateable and properly work with paddles.

[@daleb4148]

I’ve got a 2600 that works with paddles.

[@abnerrodriguez7954]

Great video Mr.Hancock thanks for all the feed back on the Atari 2600+

[@johnhancockretro]

Any time!

[@Draxxon_MK]

Yeah IDK about your community builds. It was only me and rocketfan, basically, doing it for the flashbacks. The stella guys tinkered with the retron77 until they broke paddle support and seemed to just give up. You know, that first screen menu with local and sd card storage option looks identical to the Arcade1up Pacman and Megaman micro consoles. Second, the GSP looks like it has a lot of the shit we added to the Flashback Nexus Project. In fact the Nexus Project does so so much more than the GSP. Lastly, you guys need to put some sega cd bios and try some sega cd games in BIN+CUE format. You might also try Sega SG-1000 and Master System ROMs, I would guess they would work. Have fun, but dont hold your breath on a community build.

[@mickeyfryers4854]

In uk and not out here yet can not wait till I get my hands on one , thanks for the great review John

[@juliovindell264]

handle bars are sick bro

[@frankesposito2182]

Great video !!! I have one its cool... you forgot the Extra games Snowboarding and the Rally car game.

[@derekm573]

I did see another review video where they showed an option to change sensitivity options on the paddle

[@jeromesppd1383]

Great product overall, nice job John!

[@johnhancockretro]

Thanks! 👍

[@Carlb328]

I think that might be the fist retro system that plays 5200 games? It's tempting. I wonder is wizard of wor will work, it would only work with the second contoller.

[@dennismcdonald2607]

Man, I love that game!

[@VintageGamingMemories]

Nice job John! I was on the fence for a while but you might have just persuaded me to add it to the collection 😉

[@domeshtan1677]

I got it mainly for the black and white 70s arcade titles. There are quite a few errors there. Tournament Table only played breakout and had an area the paddle skips over. Ultra Tank has a weird control mapping but no options for walls, mines, bounce shots, etc. Super Breakout arcade version only plays the Progressive option. No cavity or Double. Track difficulty seems to be missing from Monte Carlo. Warlords has a semi dead zone in the middle of the paddle where you have to turn twice as much kinda on the arcade version. I, Robot plays "drifty" like it takes a while to stop. There are other issues but for the 2600, 5200 and 7800 stuff it's pretty decent.

[@superduperj1202]

Got one yesterday, piece of junk. Returned it today. Super glitchy, kept freezing, Home button on joysticks rarely worked. Like you said John, the paddle on super breakout was not great. Many little problems. When I returned it, the lady at Costco said lots of them are getting returned. I was hoping....but its not great. Thanks for your review John. Glad you had better luck with yours.

[@joemunoz2194]

Both of mine were bought at Costco also I randomly picked out of a huge stack and I get two broken consoles what are the odds

[@superduperj1202]

@@joemunoz2194 sorry to hear

[@davidxan]

Be sure you use the proper power supply. I understand just plugging into pc is glitchy due to power difference.

[@184Ridgerunner]

A 5V DC, 2A adapter is recommended for use with this device

[@GenXGrownUp]

Hey, good to know about Game Gear - I hadn't found that compatibility in my testing, so one more for the list! 😀

[@quantumstix]

What are the video settings John? I like scanlines and 720p... tia - great video as always...

[@treyslay753]

There is supposed to be a way to calibrate the paddle in the options.

[@CraigGoldsberry-vx7re]

This is new right? I worked for Atari in 78,79 and 1980 and made the old games

[@PitfallHarry72]

The firmware update made it a lot better. Navigation of the games is improved, actual gameplay is improved and they added the ability to use subfolders on the micro SD card for your ROMs. Even better, they made it so that 2600 paddle games on the micro SD card actually use the paddle knob on the controller instead of the joystick. They have to be in a folder titled "Atari 2600 Paddle", but it works! 🙂 That My Arcade is actually listening to their customers and making improvements so quickly is kind of shocking, to be honest. I'm loving this thing, even more than my 2600+ and my Flashback 12 Gold.

[@darkridearts]

I’m most interested in the 2600+, but I kind of want this too… Edit: got the 50th anniversary flashback gold instead for the superior game selection

[@terryf5131]

Great review..and that Costco price is fair. I wouldn't have known you can use PlayStation 4 controller. Is everything in the box enough to plug the Atari into the TV? Some reviews say we need to buy extra cables. USB? When my 7 year old boy opens it on Xmas I'd like it good to go! (Remember opening toys on Christmas..only to find the horrible words 'batteries not included '..ahhhggggg! 🤠

[@vztanir]

great review i just bought the 2600+ and thinking i might went wrong with that decision .this looks cooler and don't have to find games in stores, lol ty

[@JGKingCrusher]

That is another cool gadget I've added to my list. ... whether or not I'll ever get one is another story, but .. I do want it.

[@daleb4148]

I wonder what happened to the millions of “flashback” units produced from 2004-2014.

[@MrScottx]

There is a sensitivity paddle control option on this system.

[@johnhancockretro]

Thank you

[@tomperconti]

Thank you for an information-packed review. It was very helpful and was enough to head out to Costco to pick one up. I'd like to see how Indy 500 and Omega Race work on this.

[@steveburt804]

Thank you John! Another helpful video👍. Good to know about Costco availability. Lots happening with Atari right now!

[@johnhancockretro]

Glad to help

[@BURRITO44]

Great video. Instead of the bonus games, this should have had way more 5200 and 7800 games. Should have come with a brick . The price point is excellent.

[@KeenRetroGames]

It couldn’t have done any other 5200 games without more buttons or an onscreen keyboard.

[@Rabbitlord108]

​@@KeenRetroGamesTouche

[@Rabbitlord108]

@@wolfshanze5980 My thoughts exactly.

[@BBfanfun]

no Lynx ? no Jaguar ? no 8-bit ? no ST ? can we use an Arcade Stick ( w/USB adapter , of course) ? Sounds good, just needs a few tweeks ! maybe sub-menu folders in updates

[@johnhancockretro]

May not be powerful for Jaguar but hopefully ST, 8 bit and Lynx can be added

[@James101]

Hi John. I just wanted to say another great video from a great honest guy. I really respect you and your content. Keep up the great work I'm glad you have really smashed it, and your a credit to your parents. Legends in hard times are bigger legends.

[@johnhancockretro]

I appreciate that!

[@melcrose]

THE. HERO. WE. NEED. "Games" - THANK YOU.

[@andrewdupuis1151]

I just got Gamestation Pro yes day as used for $30 plus taxes. it best system ever i own I it better then fashback Gold 8 and 9 i have Atari atari anniversary edition to

[@EugenioAngueira]

I want to get this. Looks like I may have to order it directly from them as I can't find it anywhere locally or even on Amazon.

[@joshuacalkins]

Thanks for the video! Can anyone tell me where to learn how people add games to machines? I need to learn from the start because I don’t have any idea how to make it work. (Vaguely, sure, but not specifically).

[@MountainHomeJerrel]

Great video, John! I hadn't heard of this. Hope all is well.

[@jerkusclownstar]

Your mustache is awesome.

[@ASalvaro]

ok i want this JUST to play 5200 games..looks cool! and plus i prefer a joystick over a gamepad

[@KeenRetroGames]

Don’t buy this for 5200. There are hardly any games and two of the games are rough prototypes. Buy the Switch Flashback Classics collection if you want the best collection of 5200 games commercially available on modern systems.

[@ASalvaro]

@@KeenRetroGames you can add 5200 games to it tho

[@RT-bt5ql]

Thats a sleek looking console, wish sega would do stuff like this. Edit- thoght this was 2600+ console

[@jdjames997]

John, thanks for the review, and this video. Is there an easy way to add & play all the games you showed on this that don’t come with it: ie: Frogger PAC Man, Pitfall, etc.? I saw the SD card, but what device or add on does one use? Any videos you have on how to add games to this? I have this console, but no clue how to add all the cool games you showed. Thanks

[@joseluisvillasis3678]

It will be great if he can do that for us )))

[@CP-ih6zq]

Thank you!! I saw some other great reviews for this too. I am leaning to this instead of Atari+. I want to play more great paddle games. Did you say paddle games that you add to this will not recognize the paddles?? I guess would Kaboom work properly with this? I guess that might change my opinion a bit on it. Thank you!!

[@johnhancockretro]

Paddle games added won’t be recognized with the paddle controller.

[@daleb4148]

However I got word that paddle games will work with a paddle controller on the 2600.

[@EASYUSA]

Great video John! It's a nice little console, tempting if I didn't already have other Atari consoles like the Retron 77 or Evercade VS which I love. I don't get the whole thing around the certificate of authenticity, who would make a clone of it? Or to whom you would show this certificate lol

[@johnhancockretro]

There are several who would try to clone this

[@Mckillax]

Don't get it. It's junk. The clunky controls make most games almost unplayable.

[@EASYUSA]

@@Mckillax e really don't know what you are talking about. It works fine to me. I even beat Hero in it

[@Mckillax]

@EASYUSA well, all I know is I'm not the only one having this issue. It's definitely a noticeable input lag.

[@EASYUSA]

@Mckillax I noticed some input lag on the pads, but to me that's a gimmick. I usually only use the joysticks and that I haven't noticed any input lag

[@86steventura]

GameStop is finally shipping them. Just got mine sent…can’t wait

[@Frogdoddofficial]

I really like the look of this machine.

[@syntaxerror9994]

Yes, the paddle sensitivity can be adjusted

[@GIANTKAIJU]

Seems odd for this console and Atari + releasing in the same time window. They'll be competing against each other for the same market share.

[@johnhancockretro]

Different products altogether

[@BriansManCave]

The design gives me Atari 2600 jr vibes!

[@kpf2087]

This looks pretty cool.

[@muddfoot69]

Diggin the Stache

[@ThisSteveGuy]

It'll never not be funny to me whenever companies tack on the word "pro" to their gaming devices.

[@johnheiden4700]

Was about to buy one … glad I watched your video first … my favorite games were from activision .. do you have a list of all the 2600 games or know where I can find.. thanks

[@rossydv]

On sale here in Canada. Can’t decide. If it came with recharged series it’d be an easy decision. But it doesn’t 🤷‍♂️

[@AloanMoreira1]

I hope this does not rob from the 2600+ coming in 6 weeks. I am cheering for it like nothing else! well at least this is not a 2600 at heart like the 2600+ is (more purist which is the reason why I am all for it) I honestly don´t care about the 7800, but the magical, iconic, minimalistic, enigmatic, colorful, challenging, simplistic, LEGOwy, creativity inducing 2600! XD

[@darkridearts]

2600+ is a dream for me, who is just now getting into Atari. I’m so glad they are reprinting games, making new controllers and all of that.

[@retroconsole_]

too bad..no colecovision roms due to compatibility? lots of Colevision roms were pretty close to old arcade games.

[@sxhbk]

John the paddle does have adjustments.

[@ozzyaddams4241]

Unrelated question , but if anywhere , thought this would be the place to ask ! Was there ever an Elvira Mistress of the Dark game made for the 2600 ? If so does anyone know where I can get it ? Ty for any info !

[@joshuaharper4439]

I just picked up two of these at Costco. My Costco had a ton of these.

[@MNDRGN_]

Solid review 😎 thanks for the video 👍

[@johnhancockretro]

No problem 👍

[@davelister2005]

Thank you for the awesome breakdown here!

[@johnhancockretro]

My pleasure!

[@atarileaf]

To me, if you are plugging an Xbox controller into what looks like a generic emulation box, just get a pi. The 2600+ is more interesting because despite being emulation via a cart dumper you can use authentic atari controllers and carts to have a more realistic atari experience

[@atarileaf]

@wolfshanze5980 if you actually read what I wrote, you'd know I acknowledged that the 2600+ uses emulation. My point is if you are running a straight emulation box like this gamestation pro, buy or build a pi instead. As for roms, most aren't free. They're free because they're illegally obtained. People like collecting carts. That's the hobby. There's a million cheap emulation boxes out there. Some people can afford the carts and have plenty of space. Maybe you don't. You do you boo

[@daleb4148]

Or you can play an original 2600 with original cartridges and controllers 🤷‍♂️

[@DowntheRabbitHole0]

Thank you John for mentioning how the joysticks feel. That's a big factor in me deciding to get this. No one else has mentioned how good of a controller they are and now that you've brought up that they're not great I'm having second thoughts. But thank you for being thorough.

[@johnhancockretro]

Glad to help!

[@DowntheRabbitHole0]

@@wolfshanze5980 true, I'm just really hoping the joysticks are good cuz I love the shape

[@crystalwater505]

Hey, thanks for the video. It seems like a cool little thing. Thanks for showing the controller support also on that smaller monitor. How often would you say that you use that little monitor? It looks nice.

[@johnhancockretro]

I’d use it more if I wasn’t working so much lol.

[@ELECTROxigeno76.]

Oh My god, i need one, 😮

[@majeedahmed46]

Thanks for the nice explanation I have the same device. I want to add only the Atari 2600 games, along with pictures of the games Do you have a KZbin video explaining how?

[@johnhancockretro]

Atariage forum has a topic on the matter so you might want to find info there.

[@walterchapman2094]

Sir, could you answer a very important question for me? How well does it play the 800 or 5200 version of Star Raiders. Is there a way to access the warp screen, shields, etc? That game alone will get me to buy one of these machines.

[@michaelsierra2850]

Too expensive for my taste. But I love the HulkaMainia stache Brother!

[@citizomb]

Asterix moustache!!! Do you know all the Asterix games ? Of course yes. From France thanks

[@lonreed9743]

Would’ve been a real Atari tribute to have a power brick.

[@JRthepyroguy]

Do we have make separate folders for each system in the main " game folder ? Great review John.

[@johnhancockretro]

Nope, all games lumped into one folder

[@JRthepyroguy]

@johnhancockretro awsome ! Even better.

[@Super_Bros.]

You now look like you want to sell me a custom chopper.

[@possumgrits825]

It's nice and I'm interested. They always mess up the controller. Any and all companies do it. Don't reinvent the wheel. I don't own modern consoles. For a good control scheme, it's an additional $50? I have everything I need with the original hardware modified for modern technology. It will cost about the same. Leg work and sourcing stuff not included.

[@daleb4148]

They’ll keep trying to sell you the same car with a new coat of paint, every year, until you buy.

[@VideoGameTriviaChannel]

Best review on KZbin!

[@johnhancockretro]

Appreciate that

[@jonathanwelch8406]

Thanks for the review

[@johnhancockretro]

No problem 👍

[@Supreme2u]

I brought one from my local COSTCO this a.m. because it’s the same price as PS5 game almost or a nice bottle of bourbon 🥃. I’ll play it for a few weeks and if I don’t like it I can take it back. They give you a whole year! I take back anything to include food if I don’t like it.

[@DeathmetalSe7en]

That's weird. Water Margin is a rip-off of Knights of the Round with different sprites.

[@mattb9664]

This probably could be one of the better ways to play the Atari Star Wars or Pac Man or Mario Bros games amongst others that are in the too difficult to license category.

[@daleb4148]

Word is that those game cartridges play on a 2600.

[@dougoonk5480]

I just got this on sale at Costco for $50!

[@rameybutler-hm7nx]

Why didnt my arcade put pac man and galaxian and qbert on it? Do they only have permission for the handhelds and not consoles?

[@johnhancockretro]

Owned by other companies.

[@quantumstix]

So does it do scanlines and 720p John?

[@ztothepunk]

"There's a lot of retro plug and play mini consoles out there. Atari flashback, nes classic edition, sege genesis mini- BUT WERE NOT GONNA TALK ABOUT ANY OF THOSE TODAY

[@RetrofIex]

What kind of CRT TVs would you recommend for retro gaming? Like screensize or type

[@johnhancockretro]

I like a smaller CRT due to having an easier time moving it. 13 inch Flatscreen

[@dougjones8952]

Hope we can add TI-994/A games to it.

[@johnhancockretro]

Would love that!