Classic Game Room HD - COLECOVISION system review part 1

Part 1 of 2. Classic Game Room HD Hardware Review, Watch in High Definition! CGRHD reviews the ColecoVision from Coleco released in 1982. The Colecovision was an amazing game console (and still is) with a catalog of more than 125 video games release between 1982 and 1984. It rivals the NES in many ways and certainly handed the Atari 2600 its own ass with superior arcade conversions and action packed old school video games. For retro gamers today the Colecovision is stil highly enjoyable to play because of the quality of the video games available on it. Coleco didn't mess around, sure it's ugly, but it's awesome! Originallyt the Colecovision came packaged with Nintendo's Donkey Kong if you can believe that... Classic Game Room reviews old school and retro video game hardware, systems, controllers and consoles. CGR is the retro reviewer to watch if you want to see these old game systems in full HD video with technical discussion and hardware craftsmanship.

[@scarosone14]

This system ruled in its day. I still have mine and my 2600 friends were jealous of this system. I couldn't play most 2600 games after playing this system, it just blew it away.

[@matthewlane518]

Your damn right we were jealous! I loved my 2600 but damn the arcade ports you guys got were so superior! I got one now so it's cool but at the time I was very jel

[@jennifermcbryde8887]

Maybe, you can get the Expansion Set that way your 2600 friends can play on it!

[@wleon4068]

I actually had this system many years ago. Great games, solidly made gaming system too. And I loved the controls. They dumped this system before its time however, which was a damn shame.

[@AllenJeremy]

I had a Colecovision for Christmas back in 1984 when I was 7 years old & it came with 5 games.

[@scarosone14]

Awesome system. Very active system still with a strong homebrew community.

[@suomenpresidentti]

My favourite console. Bought it new when I was 12. Mouse trap, Donkey Kong Jr., Venture... Lots of cool games.

[@joewashburn2172]

Lol at the music. It's like a late 80's instructional video.

[@maniatore2006]

Joe Washburn Yes indeed the music sound´s nice

[@sdfghgtrew]

more like the 30's

[@6890speed]

I found a this system at a antique shop in a box full of old atari and colecovision games and a bunch of controllers along with the expansion module for it all for 30 bucks! He didn't even know he had it down their and it was in rough shape to but i cleaned it up and I was in heaven when i discovered that it worked. Great Review!

[@DavidMannMD]

The Colecovision's graphics are very impressive. Almost as good as the NES's. I think had it not been for the crash, the Colecovision would've been a major competitor for the NES.

[@shaundurrance3453]

Little advice to those who hate the colecovision controllers. Atari controllers can be used even on regular colecovision games without the expansion module. Just plug Atari joystick into 1st player slot on console and plug a normal colecovision controllers into 2nd player slot. The keypad functions can be done with 2nd controller even when the 1st player or only 1 player is playing. They wired the controller ports this way to enable the steering wheel or module 2 to work utilizing the 2nd controller as a shifter and game selector. Most games do not use the keypad for gameplay anyway but if it does you can use this method as well, meaning you can use the keypad for selecting game options or during gameplay.

[@kirin347]

Very interesting. I will have to see how this pans out on my MiSTer. Thanks for the ProTip!

[@HeatherSpoonheim]

Thanks for the detailed tour of the Colecovision - it really brought back some great memories.

[@petes9845]

Did we ever get part 2 of this?

[@digipimp75]

"It feels like you're driving an AT-AT, and that's a feeling you wanna have." Awesome, just plain awesome

[@luvindogadis411]

Many great memories from playing this system back in the day: Subroc, Tarzan, Buck Rogers, Congo Bongo, Zaxxon, Turbo, Jungle Hunt, Donkey Kong Jr., Popeye, Smurf, Cabbage Patch Kids, Venture, Ladybug, Mr. Do's Castle, Mouse Trap, Crazy Climber, Gyruss, Burger Time.

[@PhilG380]

"It even has vents!" Love it! My first game system!

[@Drakelx55]

Well on the original 2600 the cartridge is angled toward you so you can read the end label

[@Mr.Atari2600]

the Colecovision was ahead of their time. most of the early 1980's arcade games were almost arcade PERFECT on the Colecovision.

[@patsfan4life]

Mr. Atari 2600 that’s a stretch but they were far better than any competitors (minus the 5200 in a few instances)

[@HannuSKorvala]

Damnit, because of this guy i have bought calicovision, atari 2600 and atari 7800.

[@Straight0uttaCrofton]

we got this for Christmas in '82 or '83 and it was one of the best years ever

[@SGman3000]

Started collecting boxed games for the system and it's been super fun! While it was mostly an arcade-to-home advertised system, it has a surprising amount of great, niche third party games that showcase how technically powerful the ColecoVision was for the time.

[@cdw626]

Yeah, i'm another 33-er and have many fond memories of playing Colecovision. We lived in Denton and my uncle had one, but he lived in Arlington and I remember begging my mom to go visit my grandmother so we could play the Coleco all day while she did. We had an Atari and later a Nintendo, but we would still beg and beg to go play that monster of a game system. Good times. I still remember going to Sears, Beals, and K-Mart trying to find "Ladybug" for my uncles Christmas present, it was $65!!!!

[@jasoncorganbrown]

I'm 32 as well! Many great times playing this console. I still have it! Need to hook it up again.

[@MenWithVen]

You posted this comment a quarter of your lifetime ago. Hope you had a good 40th

[@kuunami]

I had so much fun with the Colecovision when I was a kid.

[@natedoggcata]

The very first videogame I ever remember playing was Lady Bug on the Colecovision thanks to my dad. When I was around 5 years old he introduced me to his Atari, Colecovision and Intellivision WAY before I even got into Nintendo. I will be doing the same thing with my kids one day. When they are old enough they are going to be playing the CLASSIC games first

[@theking21083]

That is a great looking Colecovision you have there Mark. I hope that you are taking good care of it. Great review and I'll be waiting for part 2.

[@fillumentao1]

Ahhhhhh the memories. I am 29 and i still have and play those systems. Great video. Thanks pal.

[@br0fess0r.0ak]

I had one when I was between the ages of 4 and 6, I'm 18 now, and watching this video made me miss mine. I never knew what happened to it.

[@VulpisFoxfire]

Can't read the label on your Atari 2600 cartridge? That's because you have that later model 5200-styled version with the slot positioned vertically. The older version (wood-grain black versions, also sold as Tele-Games by Sears) has a much more angled slot so you could see the label easily.

[@atticusfalcon7144]

You forgot to mention that the ColecoVision has an add-on that looks like a dishwasher and it plays PS3 and XBox 360 games, m8

[@whyishoudini]

Mark must be the coolest person to hang out with. Just a couple of beers and video games.

[@sjustice5254]

Colecovision SMOKES Atari 2600,5200 and 7800 in many ways. great in the 80s and great in 2019

[@LarryKoopaFanatic]

ColecoVision Games Are AWESOME! Games Like Frogger, Q*Bert, BurgerTime, Donkey Kong. There All Arcade Quality Versions! And The ColecoVision Itself Is AWESOME!

[@KingKehra]

I just love how Coleco stands for Conn. Leather Co. Just shows you how in the 70s and early 80s everyone and anyone was jumping on the gaming bandwagon

[@dukenukem4682]

The Colecovision was moderately successful, selling over 2 million units. It was enough to not make the owner go broke, but I think over the years it put them into submission, they recently arose with a Colecovision Flashback, but as a victim of poor timing, the Atari Flashback came back and kicked its ass.

[@thisisrob8750]

huh? The colecovision did great but the adam computer caused them to go broke. You saying they arose with the colecovision flashback? not true they didn't make that another company did and just licensed the colecovision name. Lot of misinformation here

[@johneymute]

I bought a colecovision and am very proud of owning one with lot’s of nintendo and few sega games on it,for 2 dekades i absolutely did not know that both sega and nintendo before 1983 released their games on other systems including the colecovision and atari 2600 wich i also do own now, both systems are absolutely fantastic slso since they are expandible with ram modules such as the game module for the colecovision and the super charger for the atari 2600 thus making those systems become more powerful then they originally intended to be😁👍

[@vickpena5265]

I still miss my colecovision....can't find one....

[@natedoggcata]

While all the other kids my age were playing NES, I was playing Colecovision, Intellivision and Atari which were my Dads.

[@CSXer]

Coleco was my first system with the 2600 adapter. (1979?) Me and my Bro were SOOO cool with the ladies back in the day!!

[@zzzhuh]

With a bush that had side burns? Yeah... those were the days.

[@ThatDubstepGuy1996]

1982

[@chargermaster4054]

i had all 3 atari 2600 intellivision celecovision with the expansion module

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

The Colecovision was awesome...it blew away the 5200...the amazing port of Moon Patrol and Cosmic Avenger are a sight to behold...

[@NYRKiko68]

Awesome. Could you give a shine onto the power adaptor for the CV? I have 2 but have no idea how the power adaptors look like.

[@80sGiraffe]

This is the one thing I always wanted so bad but could never have as a kid. Oh well, that's life, you can't get everything you want. When I was 5 my parents told me I could get a videogame system and everyone I knew had an atari 2600 so I got one. One year later coleco came out and I could not get one because I had an atari. I for the next five years regretted getting the atari and wanted a colecovision. I was jealous of any kid who had one (very few did). Colecovision was great.

[@sanicyouth6540]

Angry Black Guy: Hey! You still don't have a Celecovision? Atari gamer: Huh? Angry Black Guy: What are you waiting for? Atari to make one? Atari gamer: lol. Angry Black Guy: You have seen the games right? Atari gamer: uhhh Angry Black Guy: Wrong answer man. Show 'em! Atari gamer: Whoooooooooaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME TO THE NEXT LEVEL Angry Black Guy: Wanna see more? Your vision is our vision. Celecovision.

[@ethanlautzenhiser4152]

Sega cd commercial ripoff (but better)

[@Skriak]

"I always have an Atari nearby. Who doesn't?" Vintage CGR ^_^

[@jamiemarchant]

The storage for the controls is cool :).

[@Chocheonline]

I used to have a ColecoVision back in the 80's on my native country(Mexico). I have the Smurfs game and I really remember how impressed I was from the graphics even after laters Genesis years. In the 90's emigrated to Los Angeles and when I came back for my collecoVision someone else disapear my game.

[@CaptainLumpyDog]

My dad bought a Colecovision when they came out, and he had every single accessory for the system. We used to store it in a cardboard moving box that I labeled back in 1991 when I was five. And I played it all the time. Even after we got a Sega Genesis. But then one day my mom threw the entire carton in the trash. That was a very sad day for me.

[@killerb2099]

Finally, a game console that lets me see what I'm playing. I wish there was a CD based game console with a similar feature. Those Disc lids are always in the way of the title.

[@johneysupergd7796]

I am the pride owner of the colecovision with many nintendo and sega games on it,it’s an awesome system😁🙏👍

[@MrGeocidal]

This is a very well designed machine.

[@soapolice]

I had one back in the day,loved it.

[@chugga]

It'd be funny if you put a number 5 on your dog's nose when finding out if she likes the controller.

[@Delta225]

have you ever noticed the vents on the nes? compare those vents with the colecovisions vents

[@combatdigiq]

did the european coleco's have a different body ? nice review, couldn't hurt to throw in some screenshots of it in action.

[@Lonzotron]

The colecovision might have had chance to compete with the nes, sms and atari 7800 if it lasted longer than two years

[@derekcaldera]

I can't wait to see part 2.

[@MadCowBurgerz]

Awesome! I dug mine out of its grave and i'm a happy camper. Beats most of the new crap that's come out of game companies in recent years.

[@seekerjet]

It would be great to connect Colecovision to a 65" HDTV. I've always admired the old-school game systems and how they pushed the hardware to it's limits. I used to lend an ATARI 2600 from a friend. These old systems have a really nostalgic "safe" feeling, unlike today's violent games full of cussing.

[@EricLimasTPLEra77]

I just bought this 2 friggin' weeks ago! Once I get a few more games for this,I am going to town on this shiznit! This brings back many memories and with my acquisition of the ColecoVision,I will have that opportunity to relive those memories. Hallmonsters,beware! I will return to Venture soon! :)

[@SlimTwisted]

My neighbor had the Colecovision, which always made my 2600 look pitiful in comparison. Ahh the 1980s!

[@notyoursavior78]

Just in time. This may be the video to sway me into buying a Colecovision. I shall watch it now :)

[@VirtualBoyGamerShow]

This review is awesome. Only thing I have to disagree with, it's not ugly. The ColecoVision is probably the coolest looking game system I've ever seen.

[@straygar]

I love the ColecoVision... Great rev Mark.

[@johneygd]

I bought the colecovision with steering wheel included along with donkeykong,dkjr and popeye but at the cost of $352 dollars including shipping costs,BUT i consider it a worth investment😁

[@prodos8]

Awesome system! Never had one back when it came out. Used to camp out at Target down the street and play theirs until a clear would kick us off. Got one now with an A/V mod and really like it. Games are cheap and very good. Looking into getting a multi-cart for it.

[@gerinja]

"they put a number 5 on the dog's nose" lol

[@squirm13]

I loved the colecovision mine came with the atari 2600 module, the coleco had the best graphics for its time.

[@CassetteFuture]

Awesome video, InecomCompany! I like your choice of music. I would love to know where you get your cool soundtrack from. --Old-school enthusiast

[@The1Sandman]

You can also hook up the ADAM computer to the expansion port. It does make it a little bit more difficult to play the system though. You need to turn the Colecovision on, then reset the computer.

[@DJIndy]

If you have an original Atari 2600 model, as opposed to the Atari 2600 Jr (3rd model I believe) as displayed above, you will notice that the games are tilted in such a way that you can indeed read what you are playing when in the system, as you read the top and it faces toward you. As you notice, the Qbert cartridge shown is upside down in the Colecovision, due to the different arrangement. I believe the second Atari 2600 model was designed for similar positioning as well.

[@Skylinesandsunsets]

I remember reading in consumer reports that "one out of every four Colecovisions were defective." I should know, because when my parents bought one, it had to be exchanged for another.

[@ChadwellJ]

The Intellivision and Colecovision were both existing in the same time frame, and Atari had ad campaigns against both consoles with the 5200.

[@cedriccox9480]

This guy was making modern quality video in 2009

[@VulpisFoxfire]

Very very late to ask, but...did you ever get the ADAM to go with this?

[@d1sAs7eR]

1080p looks beautiful.

[@ALitleBitSpecial]

Where is part 2? Not on youtube apparently.

[@lbn1188]

I remember coleco my 3 games I loved to play where Ladybug, Smufs, Adventure. I wish I never sold mine

[@Mediquette]

Good review, but at the end, not really a fair comparison between Atari, Coleco, and NES obviously. Better comparison would be Coleco, Atari, and Intellivision. ;)

[@katakisLives]

I love the fact it has a port to play a rival companies games! you'd never get that these days! the console market was far less regulated

[@Uklivewirepeseta86]

I dont know why but 80s video games look a hell of a lot better than todays

[@zyriuzstorm9971]

Well if colecovision has a addon that plays 2600 games I'd say colecovision wins over NES and 2600, I mean collect 2 different game libraries for one console is just very convenient, ^^

[@OhmygodSportacus]

That is a great feature and it's odd that it's not in todays game consoles

[@MrMemyselfandi415]

HAAA!! I used to play MOUSE TRAP on this bad boy and LOVED IT!!!! LOL! Whenever anyone tries to act like a bad ass and mentions atari like they go way back with the home arcade consoles.. I always trump em by dropping the coleco name. "yeah...well I remember when we played donkey kong and mouse trap on coleco....It NEVER fails!!(silence..and look of shame on their faces from humiliation) Yes...they were had...and yes...Coleco is bad ass! And No...Atari can't hold a candle to this system. LOL!

[@kwc0435]

But think about it, Atari 2600 was released in about 1978, and the Colecovision was released in 1982. Different time periods

[@patsfan4life]

Yeah but the colecovision destroyed the Atari and the Intellivision in every way

[@TheCRTman]

ColecoVision is the best. I wonder if he ever will do a ColecoVision vs. Atari 5200 video one day.

[@1spongypeak]

so cool that he had to make a part 2 (me gusta)

[@Sharptooth100]

I can think of Colecovision made into a retro gaming pc console. Not only it has all the Colecovision games, but all Intelevision games; all Atari 2600; 5200 and 7800 games including all Magnavox Odessey games. That is all 6 classic game consoles in one.

[@Lupucillo]

Driving an AT-AT, yeah!

[@ConsolesUK]

Would love to get hold of one of these!

[@DerekNewtonKeswick]

I had one of these, with the driving wheel and the Atari adaptor.

[@southport97]

@psyken100 that was the controller overlay for Mouse Trap I believe.

[@newkillergenius]

@freesoftz Whoops, I was wrong- Jumpman is what Mario was originally called in Donkey Kong. BUT- I noticed Jumpman Junior is a different game- check it out

[@schmoab]

I remember playing mouse trap with those inserts at my neighbor's house.

[@Nanofuture87]

Now you know that people who owned one were awesome.

[@braincrisp1]

Man I went through so many of those controllers.

[@Tornado1994]

It started in the summer of 1983, but it wasn't until July 1984 when it was finalized. In '84,Coleco went under,most of the major 3rd party publishers except Activision vanished,Mattel sold the Intellvision rights to a patent company called "INTV" who in turn shut down Mattel Electronics.

[@pika62221]

0:48 yes, saying ColecoVision competed with the 2600 is like saying the Genesis competed with the NES, when in reality the SNES was the Genesis' main competitor.

[@chadmckinney2120]

Coleco Vision was the best gaming console of the time hands down.

[@chadmckinney2120]

It was the best console at that time. I own tons of console and just about every one from that period, It had the best graphics played Atari games with expansion module #1. Its not nostalgia it a fact

[@WastedPo]

+jono walker So then, what did you think was the superior console of the time? Honestly, why is that so funny? It's not like the X-Box was out at the same time.

[@Resvrgam]

I'm a little confused: I owned a ColecoVision back in the day and it looked nothing like the console reviewed on this video. For starters: the controllers had a stick and a paddle...no number-pad. Also, the system was uniformly dark-grey with a small silver-section near the cartridge-loading slot. Did I have a 2nd generation model (ala the Genesis versions)? Google hasn't yielded anything useful.

[@Madness832]

I still have a complete CV system in the box. It was found on top of someone's trash (along w/ 3 games) in the summer of '98.

[@painter194]

What about the "Intervision"? You should mention it in part 2.

[@invinsableproduction]

i would love to see u review the intellavision (1 or 2)

[@soundwave6998]

Classic game system it was nice