I really enjoyed the tear down and testing sections. Good to know that the new paddles work better on OG hardware and that the emulation on the 2600+ isn't quite there yet for paddle games. I agree with you that this should be hardware emulation for compatibility, faster loading times, and better paddles. This was a concern for what they're charging it should have been.
Thanks for sharing your first experiences with this, Crow. Hop all is well. The console is wicked but if I am being honest, the paddles are the real winner here. I'll hopefully be getting all this stuff soon. but I am having fun watching everyone having fun with i all.
I pointed out the Paddle issue to Atari Age in their Beta 1.1 firmware update discussion using your video as an illustration. A few people made really good more scientific new videos confirming the issue and the developers have commented so hopefully this is going to be fixed. As you said it was a shame they didn't do a hardware solution they managed with flashback 2 back in the day with real old school chips and their cheap simple fpga for something as simple as an atari.
Thanks for the update. Good to hear that it might be fixed. I'm still kind of puzzled why we aren't seeing actual hardware based 2600 compatible systems.
Yeah they could have started a new mini trend with proper hardware. Honestly the real people who should do it is Sega and Nintendo. They could relaunch the Mega Drive and the SNES and NES and release games for them and they would sell well @@CrowContinuum
I have to wait until December to get my unit. Not sure what happened at Atari. I will say I avoided using Amazon for this because of how many problems I've had using them for Evercade stuff. Meanwhile, I guess they had no problems with the Atari 2600+ because I keep seeing people ordering and receiving theirs through Amazon.
I'm still waiting for mine, as well, Crow. Great unboxing. I'm stoked to hear those paddles are great. Now we just need to get Evercade on board with some kind of paddle/spinner.
Great video, great experiments, thank you very much! Apperently there is an emulation issue regarding the behaviour of the paddles. It definitely does not feel as it is supposed to, especially when playing breakout. I have my 2600+ now for some days (I sold my original 2600 many, many years ago, shame on me...) and I could not believe that there is sth "wrong" with the paddles. Big disappointment! So it seems to be an emulation issue and let us hope that Atari provides a software update soon ! 🎉 Maybe that's why there is a micro-USB connector on the PCB... Otherwise I do have to search for an old 2600. By the way, also Indy 500 only works with the joystick! I bought this game because I loved to play that game when I was a child. I even managed to buy some old paddles (those with the car as a logo) but they did not work (except the button which works for going forward). Playing Indy 500 with a joystick is only half of the fun. But... all in all the feeling of the early 80ies has somehow come back.. I love my new Atari ❤
I'm still a bit disappointed that they relied on emulated instead of recreating the actual hardware with newer technology. Emulation would have been fine if everything worked perfectly, but there are too many issues to the point where the original hardware is still superior (minus the fact you can't really play it on modern televisions).
Yeah, from what i understand is that the system can't handle the raw input of the paddle as well as emulate the system, its just not powerful enough. so it does it in steps to be able to handle the input. I seen a few people on AtariAge saying its display lag, its definitely not display lag. Display lag shows up as a completely different issue than whats shown here, if it was display lag the movement would still be pixel to pixel movement just as like with the original 2600 but would be slightly delayed, not jumping in chunks like whats shown here regardless of how slow you turn the paddle.
Yeah... You can tell it's moving in chunks, like it's not polling the paddle controller fast enough. I'm not 100% sold on the idea that it's the power of the system so I'll wait as see if there's some way they can fix it with an update.
@@CrowContinuum the Rockchip 3128 that's in the 2600+ wasn't a performance monster even when it came out in 2014. When emulating it takes quite a bit even if it's only emulating a 2600, and it also depends on the cycle accuracy of the emulation as well. Now if it's a software optimization issue they could get it working better, but if it's simply due to the hardware not being strong enough to handle both emulation as well as a high enough polling rate for the paddles to get them to move smoothly then there's probably not much they can do and had to make a sacrifice. I remember hooking up my gaming mouse up to my low end PC (AMD athlon 5350) because it's mouse broke, if I moved that mouse a little bit too fast it would peg the CPU to 100% even when just sitting at the desktop idle, I ended up having to go into the gaming software and lower the polling rate to keep it from happening, and the CPU in that PC is probably around 6x the performance of the SOC in the 2600+. So I can easily see it being the hardware not being powerful enough to support emulation as well as smooth paddle operation.
I'm not sure your late delivery had anything to do with extras, because I ordered the console on day 1 and it just came on Friday. For the price you would think they would have included a cheap power supply. Sure, everybody probably has an extra charger lying around, but maybe it isn't the correct amperage. Also, maybe I'd have liked an Atari branded power supply. I might have to order some of those paddles.
Yes! Get the paddles. Most people don't even think of the amperage because it's not something you ever had to think of before when plugging in stuff before.
Still waiting on my preorder. Thank you for testing the paddles. Sad to see the way they work like yours do on the 2600 plus. Hopefully they patch the paddles with firmware.
If you want to play Surround vs the computer, Crow, I highly recommend Variation 4 with difficulty On (A). It was how I replicated Tron Lightcycles back when I was a kid.
I was just jumping through the games really fast and I didn't feel like looking up the game matrix, lol. They should've included that though... especially for Video Olympics.
How did I not know this is a thing?! I'm glad I follow your channel. I wonder how well a Harmony drive works on it. Most of my Atari games are ROMs these days (licensed ones or homebrewed, not bootlegged). Also, 14:00 was totally how I used to feel about games until I played pinball.
I heard that as well and I tried it with only on rom on it... and it didn't work. I have the Harmony Encore so I don't know if that has something to do with it, or if I did something wrong
I don't understand how you are the only channel who noticed this issue with the paddles. Mine did the same thing - I sent it back. I hope they fix it with firmware but with no one talking about it I'm worried they won't.
@@CrowContinuum my system definitely did it and you can see it happening on other videos they just don't seem to notice it. It's frustrating for me because I pretty much just want this for paddle support. It's the only thing that is hard to do without a real system.
I was just watching a video by 8 Bit Show and Tell and he tried about 20 cartridges in the system... and never once turned it off as he took out and plugged in each cartridge. System didn't seem to have a problem with that, so it must be ok.
thanks for testing new paddle with original hardware. I am wondering if you pair new paddle with Atari Flash 1 or 2 since it has reduced original hardware circuit it may result smooth paddle movement.
FYI crossbow for the 7800 is not playable on the 2600+ Atari claims it works they are wrong several attempts with different cartridges all the same outcome
Honestly, I don't understand why there are games that don't work. The plus should signify that this is better than the original hardware, but how can it be when it can't play everything.
I'm still debating if i'll buy one i still only have a handful of 2600 games.Beside,with homebrew some will play while others don't.I know i want to buy the paddle bundle since finding original ones in working condition are annoying.Also i've watched other videos showing the harmony flash cartridge does work long as it just uses one rom.
It probably because I hadn't decided how I felt about it at the end of the video. Right now I feel that it's aesthetically cool, but in practice its a bit disappointing because it's only better in video output for HD televisions. The original hardware is much better functionally otherwise.
If you were playing on a CRT, you'd be better off with a regular 2600. Most CRTs don't have HDMI input so you'd already be jumping through hoops just to hook the 2600+ up to one.
@CrowContinuum Yeah, I do have a regular 2600 Jr. already, but I was tinkering around for fun to how well 2600+ looks on a CRT since I had some HDMI to composite adapters laying around. While the picture did look great, I don't recommend it since the powered adapter was also strangely sending power through the HDMI port. The on/off switch wouldn't do anything and you can actually unplug the power cable and it was still powered on.
That hadn't occurred to me. I had a wide screen CRT back in the day I wonder what it would do on that. That thing must have weighted 60kg+ I hurt my back setting it up :P
I really enjoyed the tear down and testing sections. Good to know that the new paddles work better on OG hardware and that the emulation on the 2600+ isn't quite there yet for paddle games. I agree with you that this should be hardware emulation for compatibility, faster loading times, and better paddles. This was a concern for what they're charging it should have been.
Thanks for sharing your first experiences with this, Crow. Hop all is well. The console is wicked but if I am being honest, the paddles are the real winner here. I'll hopefully be getting all this stuff soon. but I am having fun watching everyone having fun with i all.
I pointed out the Paddle issue to Atari Age in their Beta 1.1 firmware update discussion using your video as an illustration. A few people made really good more scientific new videos confirming the issue and the developers have commented so hopefully this is going to be fixed. As you said it was a shame they didn't do a hardware solution they managed with flashback 2 back in the day with real old school chips and their cheap simple fpga for something as simple as an atari.
Thanks for the update. Good to hear that it might be fixed. I'm still kind of puzzled why we aren't seeing actual hardware based 2600 compatible systems.
Yeah they could have started a new mini trend with proper hardware. Honestly the real people who should do it is Sega and Nintendo. They could relaunch the Mega Drive and the SNES and NES and release games for them and they would sell well @@CrowContinuum
I have to wait until December to get my unit. Not sure what happened at Atari. I will say I avoided using Amazon for this because of how many problems I've had using them for Evercade stuff. Meanwhile, I guess they had no problems with the Atari 2600+ because I keep seeing people ordering and receiving theirs through Amazon.
Amazon really seems to be hit or miss with this kind of stuff.
I'm still waiting for mine, as well, Crow. Great unboxing. I'm stoked to hear those paddles are great. Now we just need to get Evercade on board with some kind of paddle/spinner.
Great to know about the paddles, thanks!
Yeah... the paddles are awesome.
Great video, great experiments, thank you very much! Apperently there is an emulation issue regarding the behaviour of the paddles. It definitely does not feel as it is supposed to, especially when playing breakout. I have my 2600+ now for some days (I sold my original 2600 many, many years ago, shame on me...) and I could not believe that there is sth "wrong" with the paddles. Big disappointment! So it seems to be an emulation issue and let us hope that Atari provides a software update soon ! 🎉 Maybe that's why there is a micro-USB connector on the PCB... Otherwise I do have to search for an old 2600. By the way, also Indy 500 only works with the joystick! I bought this game because I loved to play that game when I was a child. I even managed to buy some old paddles (those with the car as a logo) but they did not work (except the button which works for going forward). Playing Indy 500 with a joystick is only half of the fun. But... all in all the feeling of the early 80ies has somehow come back.. I love my new Atari ❤
I'm still a bit disappointed that they relied on emulated instead of recreating the actual hardware with newer technology. Emulation would have been fine if everything worked perfectly, but there are too many issues to the point where the original hardware is still superior (minus the fact you can't really play it on modern televisions).
Yeah, from what i understand is that the system can't handle the raw input of the paddle as well as emulate the system, its just not powerful enough. so it does it in steps to be able to handle the input.
I seen a few people on AtariAge saying its display lag, its definitely not display lag. Display lag shows up as a completely different issue than whats shown here, if it was display lag the movement would still be pixel to pixel movement just as like with the original 2600 but would be slightly delayed, not jumping in chunks like whats shown here regardless of how slow you turn the paddle.
Yeah... You can tell it's moving in chunks, like it's not polling the paddle controller fast enough. I'm not 100% sold on the idea that it's the power of the system so I'll wait as see if there's some way they can fix it with an update.
@@CrowContinuum the Rockchip 3128 that's in the 2600+ wasn't a performance monster even when it came out in 2014. When emulating it takes quite a bit even if it's only emulating a 2600, and it also depends on the cycle accuracy of the emulation as well. Now if it's a software optimization issue they could get it working better, but if it's simply due to the hardware not being strong enough to handle both emulation as well as a high enough polling rate for the paddles to get them to move smoothly then there's probably not much they can do and had to make a sacrifice.
I remember hooking up my gaming mouse up to my low end PC (AMD athlon 5350) because it's mouse broke, if I moved that mouse a little bit too fast it would peg the CPU to 100% even when just sitting at the desktop idle, I ended up having to go into the gaming software and lower the polling rate to keep it from happening, and the CPU in that PC is probably around 6x the performance of the SOC in the 2600+. So I can easily see it being the hardware not being powerful enough to support emulation as well as smooth paddle operation.
I'm not sure your late delivery had anything to do with extras, because I ordered the console on day 1 and it just came on Friday.
For the price you would think they would have included a cheap power supply. Sure, everybody probably has an extra charger lying around, but maybe it isn't the correct amperage. Also, maybe I'd have liked an Atari branded power supply.
I might have to order some of those paddles.
Yes! Get the paddles. Most people don't even think of the amperage because it's not something you ever had to think of before when plugging in stuff before.
Still waiting on my preorder. Thank you for testing the paddles. Sad to see the way they work like yours do on the 2600 plus. Hopefully they patch the paddles with firmware.
If you want to play Surround vs the computer, Crow, I highly recommend Variation 4 with difficulty On (A). It was how I replicated Tron Lightcycles back when I was a kid.
I was just jumping through the games really fast and I didn't feel like looking up the game matrix, lol. They should've included that though... especially for Video Olympics.
How did I not know this is a thing?! I'm glad I follow your channel. I wonder how well a Harmony drive works on it. Most of my Atari games are ROMs these days (licensed ones or homebrewed, not bootlegged). Also, 14:00 was totally how I used to feel about games until I played pinball.
Evidently The Harmony will work if you only have one rom on it
I heard that as well and I tried it with only on rom on it... and it didn't work. I have the Harmony Encore so I don't know if that has something to do with it, or if I did something wrong
I don't understand how you are the only channel who noticed this issue with the paddles. Mine did the same thing - I sent it back. I hope they fix it with firmware but with no one talking about it I'm worried they won't.
I was watching other videos where it wasn't mentioned and I almost starting to think it was all in my head, lol.
@@CrowContinuum my system definitely did it and you can see it happening on other videos they just don't seem to notice it. It's frustrating for me because I pretty much just want this for paddle support. It's the only thing that is hard to do without a real system.
11:07 you live a dangerous lifestyle lol
I was just watching a video by 8 Bit Show and Tell and he tried about 20 cartridges in the system... and never once turned it off as he took out and plugged in each cartridge. System didn't seem to have a problem with that, so it must be ok.
thanks for testing new paddle with original hardware. I am wondering if you pair new paddle with Atari Flash 1 or 2 since it has reduced original hardware circuit it may result smooth paddle movement.
There's educational and edutainment software out there. It's just not as popular as "games" so nobody really talks about it.
Not sure if you covered this, what happens if the cartridge is pulled out after loaded up? And does the atari+ play the 50th anniversary cartridges?
they are hot swappable so it will just load the new game
Yeah, I found out recently it is hot swappable, and I believe that the 50th anniversary cartridges all work. At least that's what I heard.
FYI crossbow for the 7800 is not playable on the 2600+ Atari claims it works they are wrong several attempts with different cartridges all the same outcome
Honestly, I don't understand why there are games that don't work. The plus should signify that this is better than the original hardware, but how can it be when it can't play everything.
This is incredible
I'm still debating if i'll buy one i still only have a handful of 2600 games.Beside,with homebrew some will play while others don't.I know i want to buy the paddle bundle since finding original ones in working condition are annoying.Also i've watched other videos showing the harmony flash cartridge does work long as it just uses one rom.
I need to find a video of the Harmony cart working because I can't get mine to work even with just one rom on it.
I watched your conclusion, and I can't figure if you like the Plus or not.
It probably because I hadn't decided how I felt about it at the end of the video. Right now I feel that it's aesthetically cool, but in practice its a bit disappointing because it's only better in video output for HD televisions. The original hardware is much better functionally otherwise.
Can’t wait for you to review some soccer games 😅
Sensible Soccer is pretty fun.
I wish this came with asteroids
The 16:9 option let's you play it on a CRT.
CRTs are 4:3
@@joeg4707 the 16:9 stretches on a 4:3 screen to look full screen. Otherwise the 4:3 option will be narrow on a 4:3 screen.
If you were playing on a CRT, you'd be better off with a regular 2600. Most CRTs don't have HDMI input so you'd already be jumping through hoops just to hook the 2600+ up to one.
@CrowContinuum Yeah, I do have a regular 2600 Jr. already, but I was tinkering around for fun to how well 2600+ looks on a CRT since I had some HDMI to composite adapters laying around. While the picture did look great, I don't recommend it since the powered adapter was also strangely sending power through the HDMI port. The on/off switch wouldn't do anything and you can actually unplug the power cable and it was still powered on.
That hadn't occurred to me. I had a wide screen CRT back in the day I wonder what it would do on that. That thing must have weighted 60kg+ I hurt my back setting it up :P
Hyperkin Ranger is complete garbage. Atari paddles always worked the best. I ordered them, Mr. Run and Jump and the 2600+ should be here today 😊
Now I'm really confused how they are shipping things. I ordered Mr. Run and Jump 20 days before I ordered the 2600+ and they still haven't shipped it.
Would these paddles work on the Retron 77?
They work on a real 2600, so I would imagine they would also work on a Retron 77
Thanks a lot, @@CrowContinuum! Seems like a good deal, then. New paddles and four classics for forty bucks...