FOX2600 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 This console has caught my attention recently, not sure why but something about it is intriguing, its almost like if Sony today made their own version of the Switch, which doesnt seem to far off from the story of the Gemini? What crazy and rebellious times in video game history back then! Anybody out there a proud owner or have any history, thoughts, advice, tips, or opinions on the hardware? I know little and would to love to hear from the great minds of Atari Age! On a side note, I also thought it would be fun to go for a Coleco sub-set of games to accompany this console! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zylon Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 I had one of those. It looked cool, but the switches sucked. The controllers were excellent though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ave1 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 Mine won't let me play my Pink Panther prototype. Something about it isn't compatible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mr. Video Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 I managed to get 2 Geminis for $40. The problem with both was bad solder, as once I re-soldered parts such as the controller ports and the cartridge slot, both consoles worked flawlessly. I think with enough re-soldering on all the ports and switches, a Gemini could last a long time. I've been using one a lot recently due to it having a better picture than my Jr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradhig1 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 Anyone seen the Columbia House version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Ragan Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 I have one back in MI. I like the thought of a smaller, more 80s-y Atari 2600, but the Gemini feels kind of cheap next to the official system, and I've heard it has reliability issues. (From a COLECO system? Gosh, I never would have guessed!) Its TIA clone doesn't map out perfectly to the original either, making it a pain to do A/V mods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari_Bill Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Anyone seen the Columbia House version? I have one in my collection. Very tough to find but really is nothing more than a Gemini with a different name badge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeekDragon Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 (edited) I still have mine from way back when. This system was my introduction to the 2600. I believe we got it from a auction for a local public television station that my mom helped out on back around 83. So this was the first system I ever had, along with Pac Man and Asteroids, which I also still have. I prefer the controller for the Gemini over the 2600one, just because I used it so much growing up. Great system. Also, my system came with Mouse trap and Donkey Kong and had a round sticker on the back of both saying "Bonus Cartridge included with Gemini. Non-Refundable." And it still works great after all these years. Edited September 4, 2018 by GeekDragon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 I have one back in MI. I like the thought of a smaller, more 80s-y Atari 2600, but the Gemini feels kind of cheap next to the official system, and I've heard it has reliability issues. (From a COLECO system? Gosh, I never would have guessed!) Its TIA clone doesn't map out perfectly to the original either, making it a pain to do A/V mods. ah its not that hard with a little wire tracing. Its an ok box, not the beez nezzz in top notch quality but it was a budget system to begin with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Most Coleco hardware is basically pretty junky, and the Gemini is no exception. Expect to have to touch up some solder points on the connectors if you get one. I had to lock down the power jack, RF jack, and one of the controller jacks on mine, as is common. It's a cool enough system, but hardly worth going out of your way for if you have an actual Atari. The controller's really good, though...but you don't need a Gemini system to use it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhd Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 I have not used original hardware in a very long time, but when I did, I preferred the Gemini because of its very small size. I seem to recall that mine too needed some solder touch-ups when I first acquired it. Oddly, it did not come with the original controllers; I eventually bought those separately. I never had any compatibility issues with the games that I tried. Were Donkey Kong and Mouse Trap the only games that ever came as pack-ins? I do not recall seeing any other cartridges with the special sticker on the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Thag Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 (edited) Liked the system design, not the controller. I think I prefer the Video Arcade II though. Cool design and the controllers work well. Edited September 4, 2018 by Lord Thag 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 How does that Y cable work with the Gemini again? Isnt it part of the stock set? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Stamos Mullet Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 How does that Y cable work with the Gemini again? Isnt it part of the stock set?it is. It's for 2 player paddle games. Doesn't do anything for joysticks. I had one back in the day, lost it when we sold my parents house, got another one last year at a local shop. It's a neat little system, and it has the best RF output I've ever seen. Clear as a bell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Liked the system design, not the controller. I think I prefer the Video Arcade II though. Cool design and the controllers work well. I agree--of those "Combo Controller" systems, I prefer the Video Arcade II. Not sure I agree about the controllers, though. I find them mushy, unresponsive, and quasi-functional at best. The paddle's good when clean, and the joystick's okay if the internal plastic fingers are still in good shape (although there's still zero tactile response), but I really have to mash in the fire buttons to get anything out of them. The fire buttons are the Achilles' Heel of this thing. An extended gameplay session with a Video Arcade II controller is a trip to Carpal Tunnel Hell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted September 4, 2018 Share Posted September 4, 2018 it is. It's for 2 player paddle games. Doesn't do anything for joysticks. I had one back in the day, lost it when we sold my parents house, got another one last year at a local shop. It's a neat little system, and it has the best RF output I've ever seen. Clear as a bell. So if you want to play 2-player Warlords, for instance, you would need to use the Y cable instead of plugging one controller into each port on the console? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 Anyone seen the Columbia House version? Yep. Came in a normal Coleco Gemini box. Only the console and controllers where branded Columbia. Maybe the power supply was too but I forget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atariguy33 Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 yep, I have 2 systems in the original box. For being cheaply built(weak solder connections) they do have very nice video output compared to some of the 2600 models. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Stamos Mullet Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 (edited) So if you want to play 2-player Warlords, for instance, you would need to use the Y cable instead of plugging one controller into each port on the console? You could plug in two controllers, one into each port, but in Warlords, you would end up using players 2 & 4. and the button wouldn't work, you would need to press right on the joystick for the action button. The Wye adapter sets up the paddles on the coleco controllers to work like official Atari Controllers in that players 1 & 2 plug into the left controller port, and players 3 & 4 plug into the right controller port. also - the difficulty switches are reversed on the Gemini for their use in games compared to the 2600/VCS. A is B and B is A Edited September 5, 2018 by John Stamos Mullet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 So if you want to play 2-player Warlords, for instance, you would need to use the Y cable instead of plugging one controller into each port on the console? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpressed Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 Thanks for the replies. I think I tried to use a Gemini Y cable to attach a CX-40 and a Colecovision controller to a Colecovision, and it didnt work. Another brand of Y cable worked fine, however. If Im not misremembering, is it possible that the Gemini Y cable is non-standard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Gemintronic Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 Years ago when I switched over to collecting unlicensed games and consoles I bought one. However, I heard rumors of it being fragile so I kept my light sixer for entertainment and development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOX2600 Posted September 6, 2018 Author Share Posted September 6, 2018 Cool thanks for the replies, this is why I love Atari Age. All in all it seems 50-50 on peoples thoughts on the console, interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOX2600 Posted September 6, 2018 Author Share Posted September 6, 2018 I still have mine from way back when. This system was my introduction to the 2600. I believe we got it from a auction for a local public television station that my mom helped out on back around 83. So this was the first system I ever had, along with Pac Man and Asteroids, which I also still have. I prefer the controller for the Gemini over the 2600one, just because I used it so much growing up. Great system. Also, my system came with Mouse trap and Donkey Kong and had a round sticker on the back of both saying "Bonus Cartridge included with Gemini. Non-Refundable." And it still works great after all these years. I really enjoyed this post, thank your for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeekDragon Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 For while, I had it hooked up in the game room. Now, I have a Jr. hooked up. But, when I play my Jr., I use the Gemini controllers. Just my personal preference. I find the joy sticks to be not as stiff as the 2600 joy sticks. Using the stick for warlords, instead of the side button can be annoying to some, but I grew up playing this way, so I'm used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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