Coleco Combat — what could have been ..

[Rob Mitchell]

The 1977 dedicated console Coleco Combat is an impressive piece of engineering .. they were attempting to replicate the gameplay of the Atari Tank Arcade game.

 

Two sets of tank levers with leaf springs for controllers .. two speakers built in .. well made!

 

Sadly they used the inferior GI AY-3-8700-1 chip which allows the tanks to drive over the barriers and leave the screen entirely. Also B&W ..

 

Later the January 1978 General Instruments catalog lists the backward compatible AY-3-8710-1 chip where the barriers and screen boundary are true obstructions like Atari 2600 Combat. Also theres a color chip which will make this game into a more pleasing experience. I have the color chip ..

 

The GI AY-3-8710-1 chip was listed in an article about building your own tank game in Radio Electroncis magazine 11/1978 and available via mail order.

 

Anyone know of this chip and if it is stil available? Google searches and chip suppliers have not found it.

[Flojomojo]

Got pics of this toy, preferably from an old Sears catalog with a price so we can imagine pining for it 41 years ago?

[Rob Mitchell]

Heres a catalog ref.. funny they could not get two pairs of hands when taking this pic.

Edited July 28, 2018 by Rob Mitchell

[+KylJoy]

So, it is possible to "upgrade" the console by swapping out the chip?

[Flojomojo]

Heres a catalog ref.. funny they could not get two pairs of hands when taking this pic.

Wow, that does look complex on screen. "TV not included!"

It would be really crowded to play that with a friend, and even more difficult to show the merchandise with two sets of hands. They'd have to pose in a phony-looking "adult entertainment" way to keep from blocking the view.

 

Obligatory inflation calculator exercise: $69.95 in 1977 would be like $286.79 in 2018. It's safe to say I never would have seen or touched one of these when it was new, let alone owned one.

[Zonie]

We had one in the summer camp program I went to. We also had a telegames vcs with target fun and of course, a Pong. It was pretty fun if I recall, but the atari console had the longest line.

[Rob Mitchell]

So, it is possible to "upgrade" the console by swapping out the chip?

Yes .. add a switch to toggle between barriers no effect and barriers stop tank travel.

[Rob Mitchell]

Color chip is AY-3-8615. It is also listed in the 1978 GI catalog.

Edited July 30, 2018 by Rob Mitchell