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The Video Game Console Library - Coleco ColecoVision

ColecoVision Logo Coleco ColecoVision ColecoVision Logo

  DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy
Developer Manufacturer Release Date Country(s) Initial Price Model Number Game Releases Overall Rating
Coleco Coleco, CBS Elec. Feb-82 North America,
Europe		 $175 USD 2400 123 NA
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
Coleco ColecoVision
Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release.  Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality) N\A
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile) N\A
Controllers (design, response, feel, use) N\A
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation) N\A
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects) N\A
Media (game media format, design, durability) N\A
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging) N\A
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library) N\A
Innovations (technological industrial strides) N\A
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?) N\A
Collector Value (good collector investment?) N\A
Games Rarity (general availability of games) N\A
Console Rarity (general availability of a system) N\A
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Reviews

Coleco ColecoVision - Advertisment (picture credits unknown)

  DW FACTS
  - by Dark Watcher

After nearly bankrupting itself in 1978 with overstocked Telstar units, Coleco once again entered the console market looking to de-throne Atari 2600 and Intellivision, the current kings of the hill.

ColecoVision was released in 1982 and boasted amazing specs for its time which showed in its arcade conversions. To secure their success Coleco reached out to a Japanese based company called "Nintendo", and paid $250,000 for the rights to a super popular arcade game called Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong became a pack in game with the console.

Since the Atari 2600 contained no patented material and was made up of all "off-the-shelf" hardware, Coleco took another step to insure ColecoVision's marketing power. The ColecoVision's Expansion Module #1 was essentially an entire 2600 which fit into the Coleco's expansion port. This gave gamers access to Atari's large library of games.

ColecoVision was also marketed in Europe by CBS Electronics and sold under the CBS name.

Home computers were starting to overtake game consoles simply because they were more "respectable" in the eyes of parents. So in June 1983, Coleco decided to focus its energies on the Adam computer system in 1983. They stopped support and sadly ColecoVision owners suffered. With the video game crash of 1984, Coleco officially ceased production of the unit with over 6 million units sold in just two years.

FACT: Coleco's software approach was to go after licensed arcade games that Atari had missed. Realizing that Atari had firm support from 3rd party developers like Namco (creators of Pac-Man and many other hits), Coleco involved itself with companies like Sega, Konami and Universal. Amazing how long some of these developers have come.


  HANDS ON REVIEW
 

Coming soon...
 

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Pictures & Video

Various picture\video media for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Developer & His Passion of the ColecoVision
Video courtesy of newcoleco.		 Interesting Review of the ColecoVision
Video courtesy of playvalue.		 ColecoVision Unreleased Hardware
Video courtesy of newcoleco.
ColecoVision Commercial - 1983
Video courtesy of tvrewind.		 ColecoVision Commercial - 1983
Video courtesy of coasterace.		 ColecoVision Commercial (Target stores) - 1983
Video courtesy of lingpanda101.
Coleco ColecoVision - CGE Display

 Coleco ColecoVision - CGE Display (picture credits unknown)
 Coleco ColecoVision - Front

 Coleco ColecoVision - Front
 Coleco ColecoVision - Back

 Coleco ColecoVision - Back
Coleco ColecoVision - Expansion Module 1
(Atari 2600 Game Converter)

 Coleco ColecoVision - Expansion Module 1 (Atari 2600 converter)

Picture provided courtesy of Adrian Scheel. 		 Coleco ColecoVision - Expansion Module 2
(Steering Add-On)

 Coleco ColecoVision - Expansion Module 2 (Steering Add-On)

Picture provided courtesy of Adrian Scheel.		 Coleco ColecoVision - Expansion Module 3
(ADAM Computer Interface)

 Coleco ColecoVision - Expansion Module 3 (ADAM Computer Interface)

Picture provided courtesy of Adrian Scheel.
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Specs

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.
 Processor Type  Processor Speed  Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM
Zilog Z80A 3.58 MHz Texas Instruments TMS9928A (video) 8 KB \ 16 KB

Screen Resolution

Color Palette

Polygons \ Sprites

 Audio
256 x 192 16 colors 32 sprites (on screen) Texas Instruments SN76489AN
(3 tone channels, 1 noise)

Media Format

Media Capacity

Games Released

Other Supported Formats
Cartridge 8 KB to 32 KB 123 None

Internal Storage

External \ Removable Storage

Game Controllers

Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None None Keypads with Direction Stick Atari 2600 Converter,  Steering Wheel
Controller, Adam PC Expansion
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video
Two (2) - Hardwired None Expansion Module Port RF Connection

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
External 110 V None Two other alternative controllers were also released that utilized the
expansion port bay to connect to the ColecoVision.
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Games & Emulation

Game screen shots and\or videos released for this system.
Donkey Kong Game Footage
Video courtesy of tr0d.		 BurgerTime Game Footage
Video courtesy of Umma6umma.		 Zaxxon Game Footage
Video courtesy of tr0d.
Lady Bug Game Footage
Video courtesy of cityconnectionjapan.		 Jungle Hunt Game Footage
Video courtesy of cityconnectionjapan.		 Popeye Game Footage
Video courtesy of cityconnectionjapan.
Third Party Emulators
Program Website Description
M.E.S.S. http://www.mess.org/ Multi-Emulator Super System is a DOS based emulator capable of running many systems including this one. It has a Windows based GUI, and should be usable by most PC systems.
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Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
 CBS ColecoVision

CBS Electronics was the authorized distributor of the ColecoVision outside of the United States.  The systems are identical except for the branding.
The pictures below provided courtesy of Adrian Scheel of Console Picture Page.
CBS ColecoVision
 CBS ColecoVision - Super Action Controller
 CBS ColecoVision - Expansion Module 1
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Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).
Splice Vision

There is not much known about this clone, except that it was released in Brazil.  Any help would be appreciated!!


Picture provided courtesy of Adrian Scheel.
The Dina 2-in-1 was an authorized clone that was compatible with ColecoVision games.  Click here for information on this system.
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Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.
Name Website Description
Console Picture Page http://www.pong-picture-page.de/.../..colecovision More excellent pictures of this 1980's classic & accessories
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