Blasts from gaming’s past

“Did you see that? Unbelievable ... the computer’s cheating!” rages Josh Humphries, 26, with his arm reared back and controller cocked at the television set. “You’d think that given 20 years of technological advancement, they’d have designed a product that didn’t take so many cheap shots.”

Unfortunately for our resident gamer, a senior systems engineer for New Energy Associates in Atlanta, mercy isn’t one of the unique sales points boasted by JAKKS Pacific Inc.’s already popular Atari 10-in-1 TV Games Joystick.

An oddity in post-”Grand Theft Auto” America, the device, which debuted at Toy Fair 2003 in February, eschews cutting-edge software design for pure nostalgia value.

A dead ringer for an Atari 2600 joystick, this all-inclusive eight-bit console allows access to pixel-perfect re-creations of 10 certified gaming classics. Featured hits include Adventure, Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, Circus Atari, Gravitar, Missile Command, Pong, Real Sports Volleyball and Yar’s Revenge.

“It’s amazing how close to original form the titles look,” says Humphries, who hasn’t touched a gaming system since he was a kid.

Luckily for millions of Americans who share those memories, Setup is a snap. Simply plug the surprisingly portable doodad’s audio-visual outputs into any boob tube, and voila ... you’re off and running. Technical proficiency isn’t required; however, four AA batteries are.

Actual diversions look and handle exactly as they did in the originals, apart from the inclusion of pregame instructions. Likewise, programs are selected from a main menu screen. Select and start buttons mounted on the front of the gadget let you alternate play variations and begin blasting aliens or saving Earth, respectively.

“I don’t think they could have made setup any simpler,” Humphries says. “The process is pretty idiot-proof.”

Unfortunately, in the company’s zeal to mimic the defining attributes of yesteryear’s classics, JAKKS Pacific also has perfectly cloned the frustrating difficulty levels that characterized initial releases.

“You’d think they’d have built in an easy mode,” Humphries says. “I’m all for authenticity, but man ... today’s enthusiasts aren’t ready for this.” Still, despite the chagrined player’s warnings, some would disagree.

Expansions to the product line have just been launched, including Namco TV Games, which includes five timeless coin-operated hits such as Bosconian, Dig Dug, Galaxian, Pac-Man and Rally X. Activison TV Games is also currently offering alternatives Atlantis, Boxing, Crackpots, Freeway, Grand Prix, Ice Hockey, Pitfall, River Raid, Spider Fighter and Tennis.

Further franchise additions are also planned. Spinoff products such as SpongeBob TV Games, based on Nickelodeon’s popular “SpongeBob SquarePants” television show, will debut this winter.

Versions that capitalize on licensed Disney properties are also slated to launch next year. For now, the craze shows no signs of slowing, regardless of whether retro gaming or portable entertainment is your passion.

There are downsides. Certain games, like Adventure, Circus Atari and Real Sports Volleyball, haven’t aged well. Even so, twenty- and thirtysomethings looking to recapture their youth for a pittance won’t be disappointed -- with the very same sights, sounds and sweat-inducing play sessions that the now-archaic cartridges that first housed these programs provided so long ago.

*

Atari 10-in-1 TV Games Joystick

Best features

Extremely portable, no technical expertise required, spot-on re-creations of classic games, attractive price point

Worst features

Sometimes severely outdated, requires 4 AA batteries, addictive qualities leave user wanting more.

Cost: $19.99

Available at: Wal-Mart, KB Toys, Toys R Us, Target, Gamestop.com, Urban Outfitters, Musicland and other retailers nationwide

Info: www.jakkstvgames.com or (800) 545-2557

Scott Steinberg can be contacted at weekend@latimes.com.