ColecoVision Flashback System

[Atariboy]

I think all commercial Intellivison emulation projects in the 2000's other than Microsoft's Game Room (Where I assume a round of Intellivoice titles was planned but the service died before it happened) have included Intellivoice support. So I think he wasn't sure if you were actually surprised and impressed, or if you were just being sarcastic since it's a common feature.

 

I hope it works right. The DS compilation screwed up their Intellivoice emulation causing voices to loop fairly regularly. Haven't played much Bomb Squad and Space Spartans on it, but it just about ruins B-17 Bomber which is a favorite of mine.

Edited June 30, 2014 by Atariboy

[Pixelboy]

I think all commercial Intellivison emulation projects in the 2000's other than Microsoft's Game Room (Where I assume a round of Intellivoice titles was planned but the service died before it happened) have included Intellivoice support. So I think he wasn't sure if you were actually surprised and impressed, or if you were just being sarcastic since it's a common feature.

I'm just surprised that AtGames would go to such lengths to include Intellivoice support in their Flashback hardware specs since the module was used by only a small handful of Inty games. On the other hand, perhaps including Intellivoice support is not as hard as I think it is.

[Pixelboy]

I know the TRU pictures aren't final, but has anyone noticed that it doesn't look like you could use an overlay with the controllers? Maybe it's just angle or something, but doesn't look like you could slide an overlay over the numbers.

Yeah, I noticed that too. I'm thinking that the keypad seen on the box was actually Photoshoped to erase the thin space required to slide in the overlay, probably because the keypad didn't look good at that angle in the photo with that thin space included. I expect the real controllesr will have keypad keys that are more deep-seated.

[Jess Ragan]

You could knock me over with a feather! I thought the system's library (consisting largely of licensed arcade games) would make a relaunch impossible.

 

I really do wish it had a cartridge port, and here's why. Old ColecoVision systems are notoriously flaky and prone to malfunction. I'd love to have a replacement CV with a reliable power switch and native composite video. Some of you wouldn't use this in place of the real thing, but believe me, if it had a cart and expansion port, I definitely would!

[Atariboy]

A Coleco ADAM might be for you then. Has native composite video and the power button on the printer isn't prone to failure. Or you could track down or build your own power supply or remove the printer's power supply if you don't want to hang on to a bulky printer.

[Andromeda Stardust]

Well, I'm not risking losing out on the bonus Dollar General game and I'm really not that interested in the Intellivision version so I've decided to cancel my Toys-R-Us preorder for both and just buy the Coleco version when it comes out. There's dozens of Dollar Generals in my area (deep south) so it should be easy to walk right in and simply buy the Colecovision flashback with "bonus game" included when it releases. I'll give it to my mom to put it under the tree for me to open at Christmas time. Long wait yes, but it essentially means I get it for free...

Edited June 30, 2014 by stardust4ever

[Bill Loguidice]

Don't make assumptions that just because BurgerTime is not on the ColecoVision Flashback that some of the other games you want are not there. Just try to have patience for when the final list is revealed. Like I said, it has a good representation of third party stuff, including some you might not think would be on there (and of course others that you'd be surprised are not on there; licensing is a damned mess).

[Greg2600]

Well, I'm not risking losing out on the bonus Dollar General game and I'm really not that interested in the Intellivision version so I've decided to cancel my Toys-R-Us preorder for both and just buy the Coleco version when it comes out. There's dozens of Dollar Generals in my area (deep south) so it should be easy to walk right in and simply buy the Colecovision flashback with "bonus game" included when it releases. I'll give it to my mom to put it under the tree for me to open at Christmas time. Long wait yes, but it essentially means I get it for free...

 

I'm sure several forum members will be willing to snatch up the DG versions and mail them out to those who aren't near one. Dear Bill, what Priority Mail box would they fit in? He he he.

[fletchf]

I think this is so cool. The Colecovision is such a forgotten system, but for me it was THE system.

I never see Colecovision stuff at flea markets. There's always a few Atari 2600s, and then it jumps straight to NES, etc.

The flashback, at least as it currently appears, really captures the look of the original. Black and silver, with lots of little nooks for tons of dust to get into.

It doesn't even really bother me that DK and DK Jr will be missing. DK was the best port you could get at the time, but it was incredibly easy, even on difficulty 4. (Still I did play it a ton, like for hours and hours, until I would actually start hearing the music differently, putting the one of the measure on a different note... I'd really get hypnotized.)

DK Jr never looked quite right to me. Mario looked like a farmer with a weed sticking out of his mouth.

Venture was the game I played most, even after it became easy. As with DK, the music was kind of hypnotizing, and it was sort of ritualistic just running through the rooms ad infinitum. So, I'm glad that one seems to have made the list.

Cosmic Avenger was a big hit at our house, too - also kind of mesmerizing, with that Star Trek ping noise.

More recently I've been getting into Pepper II and Frenzy. Frenzy is great on the Colecovision, and pretty hard even on difficulty 1. I sort of look forward to the music at the end, after you've died your last death... really quirky robotic tune which is not in the original game.

Mainly I'm just glad that the Colecovision will make a reappearance in public consciousness, however brief.

Only thing I'd change would be to move the left-side fire button up toward the corner, where your thumb naturally wants to go. (You'd then have to make left-handed controllers, also, though, with the opposite design.)

[Bill Loguidice]

The Toys R Us site now has updated hardware and box images. That's likely as close to final as we'll get before the actual release. I doubt there will be any changes.

[Pixelboy]

The Toys R Us site now has updated hardware and box images. That's likely as close to final as we'll get before the actual release. I doubt there will be any changes.

Aside from the shape of the overlays.

[nanochess]

The Toys R Us site now has updated hardware and box images. That's likely as close to final as we'll get before the actual release. I doubt there will be any changes.

 

Zaxxon, Pepper II, Venture and Frenzy!! I like it!

[Bill Loguidice]

Aside from the shape of the overlays.

 

That's what we're getting. They'll fit fine.

[Pixelboy]

That's what we're getting. They'll fit fine.

You're kidding, right? You may be able to insert them without too much trouble, but without the side tab, you won't be able to take such overlays out of the controller.

[Bill Loguidice]

You're kidding, right? You may be able to insert them without too much trouble, but without the side tab, you won't be able to take such overlays out of the controller.

 

I don't know what to tell you. While I haven't tested them myself (probably not until September at the earliest; I should be getting the Intellivision one late August), AtGames had original hardware on hand (I know, because I sent it to them), so these have been presumably tested with both original controllers and the recreations. I can't see them creating something that so obviously wouldn't work for a savings of a small bit of plastic. In any case, to ease your mind, I'll put in a query specifically about that.

[Pixelboy]

I don't know what to tell you. While I haven't tested them myself (probably not until September at the earliest; I should be getting the Intellivision one late August), AtGames had original hardware on hand (I know, because I sent it to them), so these have been presumably tested with both original controllers and the recreations. I can't see them creating something that so obviously wouldn't work for a savings of a small bit of plastic. In any case, to ease your mind, I'll put in a query specifically about that.

Thanks, it's appreciated.

[Flojomojo]

Seems to me that they would not have gone to the trouble of printing overlays, including them in the box, and carving out the space for removing the overlay without including an insertion slot.

 

You can see the thumb-pull cutout clearly in the TRU shot. The slot itself would be difficult to photograph at this resolution on a black-on-black subject.

 

[Bill Loguidice]

That's not really the issue, Flojomojo. All of the controllers for these systems are more or less accurate recreations, with minor concessions to internal functionality or styling. So naturally, it would maintain the cutout/dip. The question is whether the overlays have or don't have the tabs, and, if not, if they're designed in a way to still be easily removable. I guess we'll see if I get an answer.

[SKELETOR68]

I have no clue about the goodies going into this New Coleco Vision, I am getting one even if it sucks, IT'S A NEW COLECO VISION, ( with new controlers )

[thevnaguy]

I wonder what the internals of the controllers look like. Wonder if the Intelly controllers have the mylar sheet in them again that was prone to damage from the, as Nurmix from the Intellivisionaires would say "Iron Thumb". Also wonder if there was improvement on the Coleco controllers to get rid of those point contact leaf springs in the joythumb and go with true microswitches (I mod my controllers to have these to make them more reliable and respond better).

[thegamezmaster]

I just hope this turns out to be a great machine to relive the CV glory days and not another cheap POS.

[Manoau2002]

I have no clue about the goodies going into this New Coleco Vision, I am getting one even if it sucks, IT'S A NEW COLECO VISION, ( with new controlers )

That's my attitude about this project as well. Forty dollars is pretty cheap for a new set of controllers. (As long as they are good quality and last a long time) If there is enough interest they might make future upgrades that will be better than the first model flashback. (Maybe even a cartridge slot someday who knows or a way to add a cartridge slot)

[Zwackery]

I also want a t-shirt, like with the Flashback 2.5, and a set of posters, like with the Flashback 4.

 

And a bumper sticker: Got to get home to my FLASHBACK Colecovision!

[Andromeda Stardust]

I haven't really given them a rigorous workout since I normally just use a 3-button Genny pad or my custom jumbo arcade controller on my Atari 2600, but the Flashback 2 has excellent joysticks that looks exactly like the real originals yet feel 1000% more comfortable, using a flexible mechanism with clicky microswitch actuators and are not the hand-cramping crunchy plastic nightmare that was the original CX-40.

 

Having never held an original Coleco controller, I will say that if the new Coleco controllers are half as smooth as the Flashback 2 wired Atari joystick, I'll be a happy camper. Seriously, I've played with Chinese clone junk that worked and felt better in the hands than some of the vintage controllers for pre-crash consoles. I understand the Flashback 2 was Curt's brainshild and not Atgames, but the whole series including the Atgames ones have a reputation of being nicer joysticks than the originals, so much so that they began to sell the replacement controllers separately.

[Bill Loguidice]

I haven't really given them a rigorous workout since I normally just use a 3-button Genny pad or my custom jumbo arcade controller on my Atari 2600, but the Flashback 2 has excellent joysticks that looks exactly like the real originals yet feel 1000% more comfortable, using a flexible mechanism with clicky microswitch actuators and are not the hand-cramping crunchy plastic nightmare that was the original CX-40.

 

Having never held an original Coleco controller, I will say that if the new Coleco controllers are half as smooth as the Flashback 2 wired Atari joystick, I'll be a happy camper. Seriously, I've played with Chinese clone junk that worked and felt better in the hands than some of the vintage controllers for pre-crash consoles. I understand the Flashback 2 was Curt's brainshild and not Atgames, but the whole series including the Atgames ones have a reputation of being nicer joysticks than the originals, so much so that they began to sell the replacement controllers separately.

 

Oddly, some people don't like the improvements in the controller design for the Flashback 3 and beyond, but I certainly do. I consider it a recreation of the original look and feel, with concessions for modern gamer hands, i.e., the looser play in the joystick. I'm hoping for similar tweaks in the ColecoVision and Intellivision Flashback controllers, though I'm not sure we'll get it. At the very least, I expect there to be no plastic "creaking" in the ColecoVision controllers like is found in the originals. It's already a win on the Intellivision side that it's based on the original controllers and not the dreadful Intellivision II designs.