Jump to content
  • entries
    469
  • comments
    324
  • views
    406,534

From: Coleco Chameleon .... hardware speculations?


Serguei2

1,884 views

If only Coleco Chameleon was true, I would buy it

Unfortunately, it's seem it's a prank after all.



For those viewing this thread for the first time, here's an index of interesting posts in chronological order across several threads about this saga. Thanks to StopDrop&Retro for putting this list together!

2/26/15 First mention of the Retro VGS on AtariAge
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/233486-translucent-jaguar-console-pre-orders/page-3?do=findComment&comment=3186600

4/14/15 First mention of FPGA
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/237195-new-cartridge-based-system-jag-shell/?do=findComment&comment=3218944

4/8/15 First pricing info
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-3?do=findComment&comment=3214633

9/7/15 Preliminary cardboard PCB revealed
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-35?do=findComment&comment=3316391

9/14/15 $299/$349 prices revealed
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-42?do=findComment&comment=3321871

9/15/15 Kickstarter references removed from Facebook
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/?view=findpost&p=3322163

9/17/15 Switch to IndieGoGo confirmed
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-46?do=findComment&comment=3323558

9/17/15 Confirmation of no working prototype
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-47?do=findComment&comment=3323692

9/18/15 IndieGoGo announced to start tomorrow and new sizzle reel posted
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-51?do=findComment&comment=3324267
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-51?do=findComment&comment=3324206

9/19/15 IndieGoGo begins
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-57?do=findComment&comment=3324900

9/19/15 Kevtris criticizes the project
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-60?do=findComment&comment=3325199

9/19/15 Mike responds to Kevtris
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/?view=findpost&p=3325354

9/25/15 Video of first alleged prototype posted
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-97?do=findComment&comment=3330318

9/25/15 John Carlsen's update on project status
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/?view=findpost&p=3330401

9/25/15 Mike calls CU Podcast "drunken commentary"
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/?view=findpost&p=3330129

9/29/15 Mike ends the IndieGoGo (but campaign cannot be canceled)
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-129?do=findComment&comment=3333275

9/30/15 John Carlsen leaves the team via Facebook update
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-136?do=findComment&comment=3334149

10/1/15 First alleged prototype's off the shelf components identified
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/?view=findpost&p=3335358

10/6/15 Mike's first AtariAge update since the IndieGoGo's failure
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-146?do=findComment&comment=3338977

11/4/15 IndieGoGo ends

12/10/15 First indication of new "prototypes" under construction
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/246587-translucent-red-jaguar-console-shells-order-now/?do=findComment&comment=3388235

12/17/15 COLECO licensing deal revealed
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-173?do=findComment&comment=3393231

12/23/15 Mike proposes a Christmas truce
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/?view=findpost&p=3398114

12/23/15 Mike confirms "there was NOTHING accurate about" his claimed connection to ColecoVision
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/?view=findpost&p=3398197

12/23/15 Mike claims he's funding the next prototype out of pocket
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-192?do=findComment&comment=3398191

12/24/15 Mike addresses Carl, posts confidential emails from Konami
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-196?do=findComment&comment=3399140

2/11/16 Mike's last appearance on AtariAge to dismiss a troll account
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/247145-coleco-chameleon-hardware-speculations/page-21?do=findComment&comment=3438061

2/12/16 Second alleged prototype teased on Facebook
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/247145-coleco-chameleon-hardware-speculations/page-22?do=findComment&comment=3438427

2/13/16 Toy Fair begins, Kickstarter Campaign announced to start on 2/26/16
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/247145-coleco-chameleon-hardware-speculations/page-24?do=findComment&comment=3439322

2/13/16 "Prototype cart" identified as a SD2SNES, SNESgate begins!
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/247145-coleco-chameleon-hardware-speculations/page-25?do=findComment&comment=3439410

2/26/16 Silence in the morning, update in the afternoon announcing a delay, pics of third alleged prototype posted
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/247145-coleco-chameleon-hardware-speculations/page-126?do=findComment&comment=3451465

2/29/16 Third alleged prototype board identified as a capture card, COLEgate begins!
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/247145-coleco-chameleon-hardware-speculations/page-151?do=findComment&comment=3454383

 

Here is a second collection of links put together by user Vanta (thank you!):

 

Mike announces cartidge adapter (For RetroVGS) - [here]
Initial statement from Mike regarding the inception of Coleco Chameleon - [here]
"Launch titles will start to be announced in January and lead up until Toy Fair" - [here]
"Once the prototype is complete we'll reveal what's inside, it wont be much longer" - [here]
Triverse interview Mark Thomann RE: Coleco licensing and the Chameleon, & his feelings on criticism - [here]
Piko comments on initial contact with Mike for releasing software on the Chameleon - [here]
Jan 15th post points out no games have been announced yet - [here] as they were said to be [here]
Jan 22nd post lists the lack of announcements and the silence across RVGS social networks - [here]
CUPodcast covers announcement of RVGS Coleco Chameleon - [here]
RVGS facebook post hints at $150 retail price for console - [here]
RVGS facebook post states launch console will have variety of games - [here]
RVGS twitter account says "still coming" to january game announcements, Jan 30th - [here]
RVGS releases "Early launch titles" video montage, montage is just of retro games - [here]
Full list of games shown off in video montage - [here] and [here]
CUPpodcast follow up on RVGSmove towards chameleon and indiegogo campaign - [here]
Post covering RVGS facebook announcement first mention of kickstarter plans, Feb 1st - [here]
RVGS show off clothing and decal application, looks ropey as shit - [here]
Analysis of RVGS team page with linkedin profile overview - [here]
Mike talking shit about the Ouya (becomes a habbit) - [here]
RVGS "Retro VGS first quick demo" video - [here]
Coleco/Chameleon booth information for Toy Fair - [here]
Coleco/Chameleon Toy Fair brochure - [here]
Mike addresses media response and Coleco Licensing / Coleco association confusion - [here]
New RVGS homepage goes up, empty system specifications page - [here]
Fake Chameleon twitter announces project will use FPGA and be priced at $150 - [here]
Mike chimes in on fake accounts - [here]
RVGS shows console running "Sydney Hunter" (Snes) - Implies same unit will be at toy fair, No power light - [here] - [full image]
Ars Technica article covers the removal of standard ports among other things - [here]
Post covering the deletion of content by RVGS - [here]
RVGS announce date of kickstarter for Chameleon on FB - [here]
Initial analysis of Toy Fair footage - No power light, Hardwired snes controllers - [here]
Theory that the multi-cart shown at Toy Fair is a Snes2SD - [here]
First theory stating the contents of the Toy Fair prototype is likely just a SNES - [here] (Image deleted by RVGS)
Shot of the back of the unit gets analysis - [here]
More speculation regarding the content being a SNES - [here] - [here] - [here]
RVGS state they will show pictures of the PCB for the kickstarter launch, and that it will be FPGA Arm - [here]
RVGS address the suggestions that the contents is just a Snes Jr (watching the thread much?) - [here]
Kevtris chimes on on the reality that it's likely a SNES inside a Jaguar shell - [here]
RVGS claim they have written a SNES FPGA - [here]
Poster re-creates the "Prototype" using Snes JR and Jaguar shell - Get's perfect match - [here]
Poster compares the above image to the "Prototype" - [here]
Poster posts the photo RVGS posted to quiet the "show the connections" requests - [here]
Mike covers the topic of purchasing the Jaguar molds - [here]
PikoInteractive's website quoted after interacting with coleco and asking Mike to debunk SNES mini rumors - [here]
Youtuber covers the growing speculation towards Snes Mini/Jr fakery - [here] and [here]
Poster compares the rear connections of Snes mini to the "prototype" directly - [here]
Interview with Mike at the toy fair - [here]
Pictures from the booth - Controller is Interworks Pro Controller U - [here]
Vanta note! - they simply drilled out a hole in the IR panel and threw in a USB cable)
Poster covers discrepency regarding "hardwired" claims - [here]
CUPodcast covers the latest findings regarding the kickstarter and prototype - [here]
RVGS banning users on FB for bringing up the Snes Mini speculation - [here]
Various excuses by Mike regarding the shell and protrusions of the Snes Mini - [here]
Vanta note! - Changing the tooling to accommodate such changes would require a new mold to be made, of the modification of existing molds to save cost, thus, if he went ahead with modification of the existing molds, the original Jaguar molds would be lost forever.
Email from someone that hates ReviewTechUSA getting his video of the Chameleon fiasco pulled - [here] and [here]
ReviewTechUSA's video regarding the Chameleon - [here]
Another interview with Mike at the Toy Fair - [here]
SD&R's overview ofthe interview - [here]
More information from Kevtris stating he won't touch CC with a barge pole - [here]
Poster makes a replica of the prototype - [here]
RVGS states they will make an announcement soon regarding SNES speculation - [here]
Mike again claims their "Software" was running the games, not a SNES - [here]
Chameleon On//Off and Light pipe toolings - [here]
Recap of FB posts by RVGS team in correct order - [here]
RVGS posts update with Clear console pictures - the start of Mikes true downfall - [here]
Note that the image linked in this post was the one that Mike deleted once it was found to be faked - [here]
All images, including the deleted one can be found - [here]
Poster identifies some chips and the board type used in the transparent "prototype" - [here]
Posters identify the correct board used in the now confirmed fake "prototype" - [here] and [here]
Comparison of "prototype" along side the actual board placed inside to fake it - [here]
Coleco addresses the concerns and assigns RVGS 7 days to turn over a working prototype - [here] - Due date should be March 10th.

SD&R's overview of the timeline that brought us here can be found via this link, too.

Now, back to the original first post in this thread:

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

First let's rewind a little the clock:

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/235430-how-has-this-not-been-posted-yet-retro-vgs/page-191?do=findComment&comment=3398114


Hello Everyone.

It is the end of a very tumultuous year for me and in the spirit of Christmas and the holidays I wanted to come in here and ask those of you who will listen to let the past be the past as it relates to this (ad)venture. RETRO VGS is the past and COLECO Chameleon is the future. The Chameleon is not just a rebranded Retro VGS. Despite sharing some of the same internal components the hardware has been completely redesigned to lower the cost while maintaining much of its ability to play a wide variety of games in a variety of ways. To boil this all down to its essence we just want to produce a product that is different, affordable and will bring joy to people’s lives. The market will ultimately decide if we are crazy enough to believe a cartridge console can stand its ground in this age of digital delivery. There are clearly lots of people on both sides of this fence and ultimately it will all come down to the games that can be played and if they are compelling enough to vie for peoples hard earned money.

The COLECO branding was a business decision I made to bring instant brand recognition to the Chameleon. But I did not enter into this licensing agreement lightly, knowing that if done so, we have a lot to live up to. COLECO made some very influential, high quality and fun video gaming and electronic products during their time and we will try endlessly to carry on that tradition with the Chameleon. The recognition of having the COLECO logo on the system and the (game and console) boxes will make the Chameleon immediately identifiable by millions of people right from the beginning. In the end this is a good thing for all involved including us, our customers, our suppliers and distributors, our contract manufactures, potential retailers and probably most importantly to game developers. Mark and Chris at River West/Coleco Holdings are also very behind this product and will be helping out in a variety of ways, beginning by inviting us into their booth at Toy Fair which is where they want to officially begin rebuilding this brand in more concrete ways.

We know we have a mountain to climb and are prepared to do what it takes to plant a flag at the top. I will once again apologize to all of you for at times dissing some individuals and this community but it was hard being criticized by a group of my Atari and classic game lovin’ peers. I let it get to me on occasion and I do regret all of it. I am aware that we gave you all plenty to poke fun at and criticize but in the end, I believe the product will be much better for going through all of this. In my mind, the best way for me to apologize once and for all is to ultimately create a game system that will make most of you turn a 180 and win over your support and positive influence. And given the chance that is what I will do.

All I ask is moving forward into the New Year is you try and give the Chameleon a fair chance to stand on its own, and again forget about the past. Let it speak for itself when we reveal it to you all early this New Year. And finally, let’s respect one another and our opinions (some advice I am directing towards myself) and that goes for both believers and non-believers of what we are trying to do. In the end, we all love and are passionate about video games and sometimes this passion causes us to do uncharacteristic things.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and I hope you all have a very Happy New Year!

- Mike

 


Now, what do you think it's under the hood?

ARM SoC?
Small ARM+FPGA all in one (Cyclone V SE, the smaller one has 25K LEs or the equivalent of the Mist board and it's around 61US$ from Mouser)?

EDIT: added hyperlinks

 


Source: Coleco Chameleon .... hardware speculations?

2 Comments


Recommended Comments

"If only" is a tall order. It's not easy to make an original game console.

 

What specific aspects about what they promised were appealing to you? '

 

Cartridges?

Atari Jaguar looks?

Link to comment

Cartridges are problems with connections over the time.

 

It's a pain to insert a cartridge on a gameboy and playing with it today.

 

Jaguar shell belongs to Jaguar console.

 

It's very unoriginal to make a new system with the same shell used before.

 

An Snes board in a Jaguar shell??? No way!

 

Maybe I'm interested for a snes-like console, but not using the original board without permission of Nintendo.

Link to comment
Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...