New Colecovision console on the way

[OldSchoolGamer]

http://www.joystiq.com/2005/11/04/ne...le-on-the-way/

For those who cannot click


Look out, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo! Coleco, the company behind the Colecovision console of yesteryear, have promised that they're working on a new version of the console. No other details are available, so for now, don't get too excited. It's probably not what you think it is. The Colecovision brand is now owned by Chicago-based River West Brands LLC, a company started in 2001 by former Kraft executive Paul Earle Jr. The company's business model is to revive dormant brands that still have a significant amount of mindshare. For instance, the company purchased the Nupriin name then released a new over-the-counter painkiller bearing the Nupriin name. That's what the company plans to do with the Colecovision relaunch.
In the words of the company's founder, "'Old' has become 'classic,' and classic has become cool. Unless hundreds of different marketers are all wrong, the conclusion must be that brand revival works" (source).
That means that we're not likely to see any major technical feat with the new Colecovision, whenever it comes out. It'll be a low-tech retro relaunch that appeals to fans of the original Colecovision. It may very well offer an authentic Colecovision experience, but don't expect a next-generation or HD experience and you won't be disappointed.
[Thanks, Dom Pezzuto]

[BydoEmpire]

Maybe it'll be like the Atari Flashback unit? That would be slick (assuming the controllers aren't as bad as the stock CV monstrosities - my least favorite classic controllers). I recently reacquired a CV off of ebay, though, so I'll sticking with real carts.

[TheGrandPubaa]

I like the premise, but it really needs some new software to make an impact.

[WorknMan]

I like the premise, but it really needs some new software to make an impact.

IRIC, this console was known mainly for the arcade ports that it had. While that was great in '82, when you couldn't download thusands of arcade roms and play them for free on your PC, but not so much now. The Wii's virtual console has the same issue when it comes to classic arcade games. I mean, who the f**k wants to play the NES version of Galaga anymore? Certainly not me.

How many original titles did the Coleco have that were even worth looking at?

[Subarubrat]

Anyone notice the date on that article?

[wildo2ne]

if your looking for new coleco works check this site out http://www.opcodegames.com/

not neccessarily new games as in creativity wise but really good work at showing just what the Coleco can do and what it might have been if not for the crash

[Bill_Loguidice]

IRIC, this console was known mainly for the arcade ports that it had. While that was great in '82, when you couldn't download thusands of arcade roms and play them for free on your PC, but not so much now. The Wii's virtual console has the same issue when it comes to classic arcade games. I mean, who the f**k wants to play the NES version of Galaga anymore? Certainly not me.

How many original titles did the Coleco have that were even worth looking at?

There are actually a couple of ways of looking at classic consoles like the ColecoVision these days. One is as a machine, like all other up until the Neo Geo, that offered not-quite-there interpretations of arcade games. The other way is to look at these arcade game translations on their own merits, as their own games, offering their own unique experiences. In today's world of plenty, with "perfect" MAME and commercial emulation, we can now play these older games as-is, without the prejudice of how close-to-the-arcade version they really area. Frankly, to me, that's quite liberating.

With all that said, the ColecoVision had a high percentage of quality (and a few duds of course) arcade ports, but also quite a few original titles, both first and third party, including a few titles unavailable elsewhere.

[NE146]

In today's world of plenty, with "perfect" MAME and commercial emulation

And that's really a misconception about the emulation of many classic arcade games as well, by the simple reality there was usally more than software and electronics in the mix.

e.g. How "perfect" an emulation anyone can get on Mame for a simple game like Space Invaders with the flourescent lit cardboard background, the holographic effect created by the mirror, the overall reverb of the cabinet's sounds etc. The truth is the hardware aspect of many original arcade games just can't be recreated very well.. and they were a big part of the overall experience. So how perfect can that be?

[Bill_Loguidice]

That's why I had perfect in scare quotes--it's not really perfect. However, for the purposes of this discussion, it IS perfect because emulation uses the original code. This is obviously different from a simulation, which is what any non-emulation is--it's just the programmer's best attempt to replicate the original. That's why I think these vintage arcade translations are so fascinating now--since we can play the original code we can enjoy these simulations as original experiences since we no longer need them for the purposes of bringing the arcade experience home.

[NE146]

That's why I had perfect in scare quotes--it's not really perfect.

Yeah I knew what you meant. I was just adding my 2 cents to that train of thought

And let it be known I am one who really enjoys playing PORTS of arcade games on the classic consoles. Be it the 2600 version of Crystal Castles & Ms Pacman, or the handheld version of Track & Field There is a charm in them that I think is very attractive and fun..exactly as I felt about them when I was a kid. And still even today with the originals all at your fingertips to play anytime, they're still fun to play in addition



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