Basic Fun Atari Keychains
| MODELS |
| Joystick Keychain - Asteroids and Millipede (2006) |
| Joystick Keychain - Centipede and Yars' Revenge (2006) |
| Paddle Keychain - Pong, Breakout, and Warlords (2006) |
Licensed from Atari Interactive and released by Basic Fun in 2006, these joystick and paddle keychain plug-and-play systems retailed for $15. Only 3 different models were made - a joystick with Asteroids and Millipede, another joystick with Centipede and Yars' Revenge, and a paddle with Pong, Breakout, and Warlords. Each model includes a 6' RCA cable for attaching to a TV. Not included are the 3 AAA batteries to power it. In spite of the packaging statement that the games are just like the real Atari originals, once again these are NOAC-based VCS games, much like that derided original Flashback system (but not the same versions that were on that system). Once again Curt Vendel was involved. As expected, the quality of the controllers themselves is quite poor and prone to easily breaking. Naturally he had plenty of excuses to try and absolve himself of any blame for them, instead saying it was out of his control, and that the company behind manufacturing them decided to make them ultra cheap, using “some back alley Asia firm” to build them on NOAC-based hardware. Wasn’t the original Flashback NOAC-based? Weren’t all the Flashbacks and joysticks he was involved with built overseas in Asia? Wasn't mostly everything Atari Inc. (under Warner) and Atari Corp. manufactured overseas in Hong Kong and Taiwan? It sure was. By early 1983, the bulk of all production of home video games and computers was shifted to Hong Kong and Taiwan (article). Same with many of Atari's competitors; for example, Mattel used manufacturing companies in Singapore, Korea, and the Philippines. But anti-Asian sentiments were nothing new for either Vendel or his partner Martin Goldberg (in regards to the Flashback 3 model - "It's not ours. They're not real, more flaky Asian knockoffs." link).
Someone wrote to Basic Fun to complain about the quality of them, and received this reply:
| "You should buy one and judge for yourself. The negative comments are being made
by an "engineer" that worked on the project, but could not finish it. He didn't
have the know how to deliver what he promised. The Atari games were done
directly with Atari, who not only approved the product, but is quite happy with
the results. Do you think Atari would allow a product with their name and games
to go to market if it was substandard? Thanks for your comments on a "premium" product. It is out there - splurge and find out for yourself. Basic Fun" |
It looks like Vendel ripped the title font graphics from Atari 7800 Asteroids and Atari 800 Millipede for the game selection menu:
Basic Fun game selection menu for Asteroids and Millipede
Atari 7800 Asteroids (LEFT); Atari 800 Millipede (RIGHT)
As well as the title font graphics from Atari 7800 Centipede and Nintendo GameBoy Yars' Revenge:
Basic Fun game selection menu for Centipede and Yars' Revenge
Atari 7800 Centipede (LEFT); Nintendo GameBoy Yars' Revenge (RIGHT)
It also looks like he ripped off the game variation menus from Jakks 13-in-1 paddle controller, which was released 2 years before (and designed by Digital Eclipse):
