Colecovision

[+else]

Arcade games of this time are "highscore-games"

 

Well, I will give you that most games of this time are "high-score" games. But is that really the reason why most people played them. I played them to just explore and have fun. I would argue that this is why the majority of people played them. Sure, there were the ultra-competitive people who's sole desire it was to master a particular game. But was this true of most people?

 

I'm really not saying the Colecovision of the Atari 2600 is better or worse. I love them both! The both have very good libraries with few overlap, imho.

 

Anyhow, good discussion....

[birdie3]

Colecovision does indeed rock!! It just bugs me that alot of these homebrews and conversions I keep hearing about aren't available yet.

[Mister VCS]

I am looking for a good Colecovision website. Who knows one?

[+opcode]

The CV is able to play almost all VCS games so what is the matter?

About the VCS games being faster, I think there are better ways to increase challenge without going the easy route: insane speed. Diversity, not speed, was the new trend back in 82. Besides, it had nothing to do with the CV hardware, since the Z-80 is a very capable CPU.

[+opcode]

Colecovision does indeed rock!! It just bugs me that alot of these homebrews and conversions I keep hearing about aren't available yet.

 

Yeah, it bugs me a lot too. But there has been a lot of delays which I have had to deal with: as fast as I can port games, I still need a package to release them in cart form. Dale was unavailable for almost a year. Now I have the Yie Ar Kung-Fu package finished, but I am waiting for some ordered PCBs. Then I have more than a half dozen games finished just waiting for packages. Pac-Man Collection is waiting for my new bank-switched PBC design, which is under development. Also, many of these games were displayed last year at several game expos, while some new ports will be demoed this year. And a few other projects are also under development, like the arcade joystick. In time everything will be released, you can bet...

[cimerians]

I am looking for a good Colecovision website. Who knows one?

 

It had a LOT of arcade conversions, yes.

 

But it also had a LOT of unique games as well when compared to the 5200 NOT the 2600.

 

Check my site here, go to the bottom, check the FAQ and every game ever made is listed for all to see:

 

http://home.comcast.net/~cimerians/Coleco/index.htm

[Zonie]

The first system to really feature game endings instead of just high score was the NES, I think.  The C64 and the Atari 8bit  text adventures too of course but in consoles, I think it all changed with the NES.

 

Soooo adventure didn't have an ending?

 

Whoa, everybody, this smells like a fanboy flamewar!

[DominiRican05]

I have to admit since I first started playing games on the NES I am conditioned to play games really only for the ending. That is why I was really disappointed when I reached the end of the arcade version of Mario Bros which was also out on the NES, and after beating the 100 levels, the game just started over again! It was so disappointing, but I think it depends on which generation of video games you grew up with. Those from the pre-NES era play for the high score.

 

I was surprised when I found out that some 2600 games did have endings. The first one I noticed was Pitfall II, and Smurfs as well.

 

I'm curious which CV games have an ending? I know Smurfs does, any others?

[cimerians]

Atari was probably the first to have endings (like Adventure, Indiana Jones, E.T. etc.) I'm not at all familiar with any older systems like the Odyssey etc.

 

As for games with endings for the Colecovision:

 

Smurf Rescue (ends but continues)

Tarzan (ends but continues)

BC's Quest I and II (ends but continues)

Jumpman Jr (ends, I don't think it continues)

Wing War (ends)

War Games (ends)

2010 (ends, I don't it continues)

 

 

There's probably many others including multi-platformers like Pitfall II and Montezuma's Revenge which had "endings" to some degree.

[DominiRican05]

Thanks for the list! Pitfall II was also released for Colecovision? Are there any differences from the 2600 version? Improved graphics?

[cimerians]

Yeah, the graphics are better if I remember but the Atari version is just as good. The coleco version is hard because of the goofy coleco controller. River Raid for Colecovision is much better than the Atari 2600 version at least in my opinion, I picked up a River Raid for the CV for around 3 bucks on Ebay. Tarzan and Choplifter for the Colecovision are really good games too. Choplifter is a bit on the rare side but still affordable I think.

[DominiRican05]

I've tried a few more Colecovision ROMS since i originally started this post, and I have definitely enjoyed the games that i've tried. So far I've played Smurfs, BC, Miner2049, Tarzan, and Jumpan Jr. Smurfs and BC I played a while back and I found them to be faithful adaptations of the cartoons that spawned them. Also, I enjoy platformers so those were no-brainers. I found Miner2049 to be simple in graphical design yet highly addictive. Also, Tarzan is a very good looking game with nice music, and very challenging gameplay. Jumpan was the last one I tried but I couldn't get the hang out it, must be cuz I'm tired, but so far I'm enjoying the CV.

[GrizzLee]

2600 games with endings.....

 

Don't forget these gems

 

Survival Island The Rocket ship taking off form the Island is a classic

Mind Master .... "The Mind Master Declares you to Be... Amusing"

Dragon Stomper Great ending music

Haunted House

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Sword Quest Series.... I guess.. I never finished one

Ghost Manor

Spikes Peak ??? Maybe this one repeats...

Sword of Saros

Pitfall II

Pitfall

E.T.

 

 

 

These ended....

Laser Blast !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kaboom! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Star Master

Phasor Patrol

 

Then there is Combat.... after 2 minutes

 

 

-Lee

[Breakpack]

Colecovision does indeed rock!! It just bugs me that alot of these homebrews and conversions I keep hearing about aren't available yet.

 

Yeah, it bugs me a lot too. But there has been a lot of delays which I have had to deal with: as fast as I can port games, I still need a package to release them in cart form. Dale was unavailable for almost a year. Now I have the Yie Ar Kung-Fu package finished, but I am waiting for some ordered PCBs. Then I have more than a half dozen games finished just waiting for packages. Pac-Man Collection is waiting for my new bank-switched PBC design, which is under development. Also, many of these games were displayed last year at several game expos, while some new ports will be demoed this year. And a few other projects are also under development, like the arcade joystick. In time everything will be released, you can bet...

And Ill be here to buy 'em :D :D

[Atariboy2600]

Here's more Colecovision mockup on Pac-Man box,cart and manual.

[Atariboy2600]

And here's a mockup on Ms. Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man box,cart and manual.

[joeybastard]

The first system to really feature game endings instead of just high score was the NES, I think.  The C64 and the Atari 8bit  text adventures too of course but in consoles, I think it all changed with the NES.

 

Soooo adventure didn't have an ending?

 

Whoa, everybody, this smells like a fanboy flamewar!

 

Not at all, the VCS is the only console I like BETTER than the CV so I can hardly be called a fanboy of either. And while there are the games with endings on the first generation systems(pitfallII, Franenstein's Monster,etc), they are far outnumbered by high score games. The NES generation of games have a lot more games with endings. It's not fanboy shit, it's fact.

[thegamezmaster]

Too bad Coleco brought out the Adam computer instead of the Super Game Module like they where originally going to do. To bad. Might have really changed the face if gaming.

[jetset]

The 5200 is a better system as well (no fanboyism here, I loved my Coleco too).

 

What!? Ha.... aha.... ahahaaaaa!!!!

*can't stop laughing*

.....

***taking a long breath***

 

Sorry, no way.

 

Do you think the 5200 is able to run games like these bellow? If you are going to this year's PhillyClassic or NWCGE you will have the chance to play them... on a ColecoVision...

 

Just curious...those screenshots certainly are awesome...But looking at the original line up for both systems the 5200 graphics and movement were far better than the CV. It isn't even close really. Zaxxon, Centipede, and Miner 2049er for examples just to name a few...

Considering how much better the 5200 was (back in the day) graphicially how could the CV be pushed to produce graphics like this yet the 5200 cant?

[+opcode]

Just curious...those screenshots certainly are awesome...But looking at the original line up for both systems the 5200 graphics and movement were far better than the CV. It isn't even close really.  Zaxxon, Centipede, and Miner 2049er  for examples just to name a few...

Considering how much better the 5200 was (back in the day) graphicially how could the CV be pushed to produce graphics like this yet the 5200 cant?

 

Eh! Are you kidding??

I suggest you to check Galaxian, Jungle Hunt, Moon Patrol, Pac-Man, Popeye just to name a few. Besides, the 5200 launch lineup was patetic, though things got a little better later. To be honest I think the 5200 was already outdated when it got released in 82, since it was based on a 4 years old design (the Atari 400/800)....

Remember, there is just a real arcade quality system...

 

Eduardo

[chrisbid]

Not at all, the VCS is the only console I like BETTER than the CV so I can hardly be called a fanboy of either.  And while there are the games with endings on the first generation systems(pitfallII, Franenstein's Monster,etc), they are far outnumbered by high score games.  The NES generation of games have a lot more games with endings.  It's not fanboy shit, it's fact.

 

the NES is so bad, that it added endings to arcade games that didnt originally have them. Games like Q*Bert and Gyruss for example. The problem with endings are that it makes games much more disposable. As much as i loved exploring the worlds of zelda and smb, i rarely play those games anymore, as i pretty much know where everything is. but high score games are something i can go back to. this becomes even more obvious with the AA High Score Club. I can set some goals based on other people's performance and keep playing until i reach those goals.

[joeybastard]

Just curious...those screenshots certainly are awesome...But looking at the original line up for both systems the 5200 graphics and movement were far better than the CV. It isn't even close really.  Zaxxon, Centipede, and Miner 2049er  for examples just to name a few...

 

I always hear how much "better" the Miner 2049er is on the 5200 mostly because it was programmed by the original desiger. While I think it's great, I actually prefer the CV versions. The graphics are smoother, better colors and the Super Action stick is much more accurate than the 5200 stick, IMHO. Actually I play them both quite a bit but I think as a whole, the CV version is much better.

[jetset]

Just curious...those screenshots certainly are awesome...But looking at the original line up for both systems the 5200 graphics and movement were far better than the CV. It isn't even close really.  Zaxxon, Centipede, and Miner 2049er  for examples just to name a few...

Considering how much better the 5200 was (back in the day) graphicially how could the CV be pushed to produce graphics like this yet the 5200 cant?

 

Eh! Are you kidding??

I suggest you to check Galaxian, Popeye just to name a few. Besides, the 5200 launch lineup was patetic, though things got a little better later. To be honest I think the 5200 was already outdated when it got released in 82, since it was based on a 4 years old design (the Atari 400/800)....

Remember, there is just a real arcade quality system...

 

Eduardo

 

I actually have checked those games with the execption of Popeye. I have both a CV and a 5200 Of those you mentioned I have them all for both systems except for Popeye. Galaxian I agree the edge goes to CV, but are you saying on those others... Jungle Hunt, Moon Patrol, Pac-Man, that the CV graphics are BETTER ??????? Seriously?????

I guess I'm asking someone very CV biased since you are selling CV games on your website which I didnt realize with my original post. If you honestly think the CV graphics (and equally important graphic movement and scrolling) are better then I probably should ask the question...

Considering how much better the 5200 was (back in the day) graphicially how could the CV be pushed to produce graphics like this yet the 5200 cant?

 

...of someone a bit more objective of both systems.

 

Dont get me wrong, I love my Colecovision too, but you'd have to have some kind of one sided bias to say it produced better graphics with the exception of maybe half a dozen games!

[jetset]

I always hear how much "better" the Miner 2049er is on the 5200 mostly because it was programmed by the original desiger.  While I think it's great, I actually prefer the CV versions.  The graphics are smoother, better colors and the Super Action stick is much more accurate than the 5200 stick, IMHO.  Actually I play them both quite a bit but I think as a whole, the CV version is much better.

 

I can see where with Miner you could like the graphics better. I like sharp, precise arcade-looking graphics. Miner on the CV looks good in a cartoon-ish sort of way. You could say the same comparing Centipede. The 5200 has sharp, detailed colors whereas the CV version is more colorful and less detailed, almost "bubbly" graphics. As with Miner and a lot of other games, the CV graphics reminded me more of a system for younger kids as opposed to a hardcore gamer. They're both obviously the same game..I guess it boils down to what type of graphics you like.

Galaxian for example...the 5200 version...what they hell were they thinking??? Whereas the CV looks fairly close to the arcade, it still has that look of being geared towards little kids to me.

[chuckwalla]

Like every system, I love the Colecovision for it's share of the best and unique classic games. Galaxian, Frogger, Popeye, Centipede (I love the 7800 version equally well), Ladybug, Venture, Burgertime, Miner 2049er (also great with the 5200), etc. I also like the Colecovision because of the broad choice of 3rd party controllers (the SA controllers work well with many games and you can still buy them brand new) so you're never stuck with using the standard Coleco controller for multi-button games (a la Defender, Gateway to Apshai, Wargames, Frontline, Blackjack/Poker, Mouse Trap, etc.). I cherish the stuff as much as my 5200 system which has it's own uniqueness. OK, Basta! Ciao!!!