Sears Tele-Games Pinball Breakaway Console - Erin Plays

[@HelloMyNameIsRED]

It's strange how watching someone smile and play such an old game can make you so warm and fuzzy inside ♥ Totally made my day better

[@Jamesfo8rf]

Very nice video! It's good piece of home video game history! Can I ask if you made your 2d intro? It's very good!

[@newwavejunkie]

Great video as always, Erin! It’s really cool to see you play old consoles like this one and the Vectrex, and even more so to see how much fun you’re having. Can’t wait to see what other obscure finds your late night eBay shopping will bring us in the future!

[@Space-Holiday]

Your faces when giving the console retrospective made me crack up. Also we need Erin's late night eBay pick ups haha!

[@growlroar8516]

I was addicted to these games, my grandparents had them. Word to the wise, in Basketball, to get the ball to go high enough you have to hit the big stiff button at the right time. It's like a shoot button.

[@brianplusfood452]

I really love exploring the ultra-retro, pre-1980 home gaming world (basically the Pong era), so I love this video. You do a great job of balancing the history lesson, the demonstration, and the entertainment. Keep up the good work!

[@ErinPlays]

Thank you so much! I was aiming for a balance so I'm very glad to hear you enjoyed my video. Thanks for watching :)

[@lurkerrekrul]

This was the first video game system my family ever got. We used to spend hours playing it. Game variations - Basically the main difference is how large the paddle is and how many balls you have. Basketball - You have to use the Serve or flipper buttons to shoot the ball, or you'll never reach the net. As for the fact that it still works, Atari systems were always pretty reliable. I can't say the same about Coleco stuff though. After this, I got a Telstar Combat game for Christmas and it never worked properly. The game itself worked, but the video output was messed up. The picture was distorted and tended to roll. No amount of fiddling with the fine tuning would fix it. Then I got a Telstar Arcade system. The pack-in game cartridge never worked. I had a second cartridge, but since it didn't have any racing games on it, I never got to use the steering wheel. Then after a couple months, the gun became defective and would register a hit no matter where it was pointed. Just leave it in the holster while pulling the trigger and you'd get a perfect score. In contrast, this console never gave us a single problem, nor did any of the 2600 systems that we had. I'm not sure why my parents never returned defective stuff back then...

[@ErinPlays]

You just blew my mind about how you have to use the flipper buttons or serve to shoot the ball! Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention, haha. And that's really cool that this was the first system you got. I don't have any experience yet with Telstar systems but that's a bummer to hear.

[@lurkerrekrul]

Maybe I was just really unlucky as a kid. I also remember getting a remote controlled R2-D2 that never worked properly. Plus there was all the other stuff that worked, but didn't quite work the way it was supposed to. Slot car sets where the cars never stayed on the tracks, an N-scale train layout in a box that was just metal bands pressed into a vacuum-formed landscape for the tracks, made so cheaply that the train wouldn't even go around the whole loop, a flying Star Trek Enterprise based on the VertiBird helicopter toy that was impossible to maneuver, a rechargeable hovercraft toy that stopped working after a month, etc. I guess quality control wasn't considered that big of an issue back then. :) For what it's worth, I once found a box full of old video game stuff put out for bulk trash pickup. Two of the three Atari 2600 systems work perfectly, but the Colecovision is screwed up. Ironically, it came with the Atari 2600 adapter (basically a self-contained Atari that just uses the Colecovision for power and video output) and that works fine when plugged into the same Colecovision. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did with the Telstar systems. If I were you though, I'd look for ones that say they've been tested.

[@slopesgameroom]

Brilliant video :) glad to see that you have almost already smashed the 5k mark :D keep it up

[@ErinPlays]

Thanks so much!!

[@RurouniKhoi]

"Erin's late night ebay pickups" sounds like it'd be a fun series. Great vid, and no shame on dunking on kids sized baskets!

[@MotherKojiro]

This thing has a great '70s vibe, especially that last game; I might have to throw on some Bob Welch tonight! It's also interesting how the ball moves in certain games; rather than shooting at angles, it has a rudimentary arc physics algorithm, which I don't ever remember seeing in games of this era. I'd love to see the motocross one, just to see what it'd be like with the technology of that era. Motocross is actually what got me into games in the first place; my dad used to race back in the '70s and '80s, and after he retired, so to speak, he got really into Hang-On in the arcade, so my mom got him the home version for the SEGA Master System, and here I am 30-some years later.

[@ErinPlays]

That’s really cool! And yeah, don’t be surprised if you see a motocross video pop up :)

[@Gunther-pr8jd]

I would play the entirety of Bob Welch's French Kiss album while figuring out how to convert a Tele-Games basket. "Fourteen joys and a will to be merry..."

[@RaceToNowhere]

This may look simplistic but creating a phisics engine from scratch and putting it to work at 60 frames per second with the pioneristic techniques and the bare bone hardware of the time was an incredible challenge. I'm so glad that someone can still appreciate this. I would watch the twitch stream, especially if based on the basketball game :D

[@DrMetalpin]

Had this as a kid when it first came out. Loved it. Was sad to find out a few years ago that my dad had sold or given it to someone. Sought out a boxed one and have it again. It really was great at the time. Still fun.

[@ashleyschfer7483]

I spent a summer with my grandparents in KY and that was my only gaming console. The days it was raining it was that or the 3 channels they got on the TV.

[@AmberShort]

This is pretty awesome. I need to frequent pawn shops more in hopes I get lucky on finding something like this. Keep being awesome Erin! =)

[@mathewsoltan8487]

Most of the stuff you've done videos on I have seen. I like how you review things and play games. It's cheerful. Puts me in a good mood.

[@SyvernSycor]

I like that she didn't add any background music, so we can really hear the paddles and the game's audio. Very vintage.

[@herbcruz4697]

I'm enjoying that you're going even more retro than the 2600, and are experimenting more with various consoles. As always, thank you for the new video, Erin! This is a great way to start out the week!

[@herbcruz4697]

I'd be down for a live-stream of you playing with this Pong console. A co-op of you and a friend playing actual Pong would be dope. Better yet, there should be a Pong tournament of all of the best KZbin retro gamers. The best of the best duking it out in the most classic video game of all-time.

[@ErinPlays]

I love experimenting with this stuff, so I'm very glad to hear you're enjoying it!

[@diekenford3904]

Great video, a true retro gaming session. Please continue with the good content.

[@ErinPlays]

Thanks so much!

[@pitfalljerry]

We had that system when it came out. They were a lot of fun. Remember fondly playing with the family for hours. Great video!

[@billcook4768]

I put about a million hours into this as a kid. Thanks for the video. Especially since you have the awesome Sears version and not the sucky Atari version. PS you have to use the flipper buttons to "shoot" the basketball. Makes the game a lot more fun.

[@Falcnuts]

I love your channel, it is so underrated. I love video pinball, and now I have to check out where it all started from!

[@8thLife]

Definitely the motocross one! That Tele-Games system has the kind of games I love haha.

[@DuggieDug111]

First it’s Cinemassacre at work, then it’s Erin Plays. You’re gonna get me in trouble Erin! Lol 😂 Totally worth it

[@ErinPlays]

If you get in trouble, just tell your boss that you're enriching your day with some video game history and I'm sure he/she will totally understand! :D

[@MrWosull]

Duggalo if you get fired that only means you'll have more time to watch videos

[@DuggieDug111]

Erin Plays She understands. I told her it’s imperative that I watch ErinPlays for the sake of humanity and the advancement of the human race! I basically told her you’re a genius...IT WORKED 👍😆 She’s such a sucker Lol

[@DuggieDug111]

MrWosull I would probably start my own channel as well! Lol

[@gb6710]

I like how Erin is really laidback.

[@grxengine]

I never KNEW! Very cool. I had the Telegames Motocross/StuntCycle one. Still have it and still convinced I can win any real life Motocross or Bus Jumping event.

[@ThunderFist1978]

I had a Telegames 2600 system once that I bought at the local flea market with about 20 or so games. It came in a cool Kindergarten listening station case, but alas, I had a house flood the following year and it was thrown out during the shuffle. Fortunately I had taken some of the games out of the case along with a bunch of the manuals, so I still have a lot of the games. The only game I know I had to rebuy that came with that console was Porky’s.

[@devvynully]

Yes you should stream it. Your streams are pretty good no matter what type of game you are playing. I always look forward to them.

[@1UpJose]

Cool and educational video. The button smashing sound was satisfying as well🕹. Would make for a interesting stream.

[@herbcruz4697]

Jose Imagine hearing that sound in NES Batman, when you hit someone.

[@1UpJose]

That would be great Herb Cruz. Button smashing asmr.

[@jollywankerproductions774]

Just bought this on ebay, stoked to get it! Im a big super breakaway fan!..Nice vid!

[@tonysanchez3754]

My late night E-bay sessions start out looking for games or manga and wind up being me buying curry powder or a bidet .. also yay new Erin plays video makes my day!

[@terrible-vision8352]

It's mad how far games consoles have come. My first console was the Atari 2600 . Loved moon patrol

[@japhyriddle]

You have to shoot the ball in Basketball. By hitting one of the side buttons (flipper buttons) while the ball is touching your paddle, you can launch it high into the air.

[@psicoffee819]

On the basketball game, you need to press the ball serve button just when the ball touches the paddle to get the ball to bounce higher. I just got this console yesterday and found that out on accident. Pretty fun little console.

[@pdiddlyd]

I don't know why, but watching the ball fly around at a million miles an hour was cracking me up xD

[@krislakeberg]

Sweet video Erin!! I agree with you its a perfect starter system to get in to. I so dig these old systems. Ha I had to turn up the brightness to even see that tiny ball. I so would be interested in seeing this in a live stream! Also, you're great! Nice watching your videos, always positive, and make me smile!

[@ErinPlays]

Thank you very much! I'm so glad to hear that my videos make you happy :)

[@krislakeberg]

Erin Plays you're very welcome! Yes they truly do! Honestly they are the highlight of my day sometimes.☺😬

[@shawn_530]

“This basketball is bullshit...” “You know what? Fuck sports!” I’m dying... 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@GTV-Japan]

I had loads of things from the telegames line, mostly Atari carts but they made other stuff too

[@frydemwingz]

I like loud keys too. I bought a mechanical keyboard just for that. It feels and sounds like a computer should. After using laptops with weak ass keyboards for almost a decade, it's so satisfying.

[@donaldfontes1437]

I just got the sear motocross with 4moto and 16 pong games all complete and like new condition it very fun to play for a 1976 console I love it thanks for the very awesome video.

[@ErinPlays]

Very nice!

[@04938dreadfelix]

1977 was the best year in all of history because it was the year I was born.

[@lydialoud]

Hard to believe that it's around 46 years old and still works

[@RetroCat31]

Another great video, very well put together. Nice job :)

[@ErinPlays]

Thank you!

[@pawprintlogic1]

Just bought one of these off eBay, looking forward to playing it

[@ThomaniacsRetrogamingZone]

Really interesting console! Love the pinball game here :-)

[@audiodood]

This is a very good video and I totally think vintage game letsplays should be more common

[@sleepyhorndog6004]

I love Break Out/Arkanoid type games. They’re like Tetris in that they are easy to pickup and get you back into the action quick when you loose. I’ve been wanting to get a Pong system myself. I’m rather fond of the Odyssey 300. The hot rod yellow is cool looking.

[@ErinPlays]

The Odyssey 300 is an amazing looking system!

[@Way2GoGamer]

Ok I really want one of these now! Great video

[@Marshmaster85]

Erin! You are now the pinball wizard. Lol

[@Untouchaable]

I was on a basketball team too in 4th and 5th grade. I was the tallest kid as well so had a lil advantage over the rest.

[@Johnnygrafx]

dude this thing is awesome! I'm gonna keep my eyes open for one.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

I think we might of had this when I was a kid. I must of been 5 or 6 and all I can remember about it was that it was a big box looking thing like this. We had a black and white tv only so the color part is new to me. I do remember it having a few games built in like this I just can't remember if this was the one or not.

[@galacticzombie1942]

I love the loud buttons. I have a mechanical keyboard. It's pretty noisy. But it's silent compared to the Sears Tele-Games Pinball Breakaway Console.

[@ErinPlays]

Ha I have a mechanical keyboard too. Love it.

[@deezyah]

Awesome wood grain texture on the panel haha

[@AsteriskSS]

Yes. Totally into the loud buttons. All the kids love loud button. 🤠

[@TrooperLITE]

It's sorta surreal seeing such primitive graphics combined with the realistic gravity physics of the ball

[@jameshoneycutt785]

You're awesome, Erin.

[@dreadnought1074]

There has never been a bad late night shopping session

[@ErinPlays]

I like the way you think.

[@battra92]

While you complain about the loudness of the buttons what I'm impressed with is how how smooth those paddles are. Usually on paddles of this age (even Atari 2600 paddle controllers) they are a bit erratic because the conductive material gets a bit grimy after the years. If you've ever had an old stereo where the volume knob was staticky, same deal. I have a couple Coleco Telstar units and both suffered the same fate. Luckily I was able get them working after disassembling the pots and cleaning them out (sometimes DeOxIt or tuner cleaner is enough but sometimes they require more effective solvents.) Unfortunately no one wanted to play and those that did lost interest after a few minutes. So yeah, glad to see someone else gets enjoyment out of those Pong boxes.

[@ErinPlays]

Yeah, that's a good point about the paddle! It's basically perfect so I definitely lucked out. I'm not too familiar with the Telstar units but it's funny you mention it, because yesterday morning I was looking those up, haha. Thanks for watching!

[@battra92]

Maybe it's because I'm in New England but Coleco units are more common here but Coleco was somewhat local. By the way, that video was very clean for RF to a capture card.

[@bassguitari928]

Use the Serve or Flipper buttons to shoot the ball in Basketball. 😉

[@mathewsoltan8487]

Your face when turning that dial though.

[@madcommodore]

YES! to Pong Console live stream gaming :o)

[@jaredt2590]

That is really complicated, I want one of those too.

[@winterburden]

I'm totally into the loud buttons. Have you ever considered doing button asmr videos? 🔘😃

[@ErinPlays]

Welp, never say never :p

[@karnagefails333]

Thanks for the vid, Erin! Always enjoy the info and watching ya play games! That being said......this thing fucking BLOWS!

[@ErinPlays]

What are you talking about?! This thing rules! :)

[@karnagefails333]

Erin Plays *Jedi mind trick successful* I don't know what I'm talking about....this thing RULES!

[@karnagefails333]

@Grapthar's Hebrew Hammer This was two years ago; Dude I was probably lit out of my mind when I wrote this lol That being said.......this thing STILL fucking blows!

[@dr.joshdarealgamer1610]

That's incredible. I can't lie to you.

[@maximpact24]

New Erin plays? Gonna' be a good day.

[@liammay7756]

just one more, one more time! eff dat basketball game thou hehe

[@spike007980]

this looks like a fun afternoon

[@Beyond64bit]

I think the basketball game should have been a hacky sack game instead. Collect points by bouncing the ball up with the paddle. It would have been an early version of California Games. Lol. Great video. Haven't heard of this particular system till now.

[@ErinPlays]

Haha that would have been better! And thanks so much.

[@joejoe3011]

Neat! I'm glad the console works. It might've been a short video otherwise

[@ErinPlays]

Yeah that would have been bad!

[@theretrorohbohkid3205]

So Almost got one of these.Maybe down the line.Still trying to clean out the 4-switch I got collecting dust.The Rainbow Jr 2600 is my baby! Awesome video my dude.Groups gonna love it!

[@TheSegacampGamerandWerecamp]

Crap how did I miss this? I'm Subbed and had notifications on! GODDAMN YOU GOOGLE!

[@ErinPlays]

TheSegacampGamer and Werecamp oh no! That sucks! Welp, I also post on twitter and Instagram when I have a new video as back up, ha.

[@garagegamer6484]

Not only did you get one that works but you got one with a decent paddle. Most of them left have awful paddles and are so worn out they are unplayable. I though about live streaming pong consoles too but don't have a way to do it right now. So if you have a way to stream it do it cause that would be awesome. Oh and you should get the skeet shooting consoles too. Those are early light gun games.

[@JohnKreesesKarate777]

Erin love the video. How did you connect that sears console to a tv?

[@skijumpnose]

Yay,Erin has uploaded! And really love that intro

[@mcwooley]

That basketball game looks awful xD I'm impressed with how responsive the pinball one is :) You're really good at Breakaway

[@pblum13]

Please track down a Coleco Telstar Arcade! It was this triangular monstrosity with pong on one side, a gun on another, and a steering wheel on the third. Had actual cartridges. Hard to find one in working order.

[@ErinPlays]

Haha, I’ve actually been kind of looking for one of these lately. It’s definitely on my “want” list! It’s a glorious monstrosity indeed.

[@StockRoom209]

did you find it in the sears catalogue ? lol never knew this exited, I love it when I find new discoveries, great review

[@ErinPlays]

No, but I'd love to get a hold of a 1977 Sears catalog to see everything :) Thanks!

[@GottaBeFrank]

That's a neat system, though I am still scratching my head about the basketball game. Great video Erin.

[@ErinPlays]

That basketball game is a mystery. I should go down an internet hole and see if anyone has ever made it in the basket. Thanks for watching! :)

[@GottaBeFrank]

Erin Plays It would be interesting to look up. Hopefully you do find out 😁👍

[@e11aguru]

I notice the Palamedes music. You should do a playthrough of that one sometime. :) But I enjoyed the video. You don't normally see KZbinrs playing old Pong consoles.

[@ErinPlays]

Yay, someone noticed Palamedes! Haha. Thanks for watching :)

[@MrWosull]

My biggest issue is that the ball sprite is just too damn big, I mean I can almost actully see it sometimes. Surely they could've found a way to make it like 1/8 of a pixel.

[@daytimesky]

If you livestreamed it? Ya know, maybe you should livestream these weird consoles. This, the Vetrex, and maybe one day you could try out the Hypercard. It's fascinating to see these bizarrely specific game consoles that actually existed. I should show my nephew these videos, and introduce him to how gimmicky game consoles can be at times, and how they were in the olden days. A bit of a history lesson to show how we got to where we are now.

[@ErinPlays]

Yeah, I definitely have been wanting to figure out a way to live stream Vectrex too! (In a way that doesn't totally look awful.) I'll stream this soon for sure. And that's awesome to introduce them to wacky old consoles. It would be worth it just to see their reaction!

[@ChipMunkGuerrilla]

I’d be interested in a telegames stream!

[@ErinPlays]

Sweet! :)

[@HansBabbsack]

Cool Video!

[@shawn_530]

Those are the loudest buttons ever

[@nickbaker6068]

Awesome video..WOOOOO!!

[@KindaLeon]

i clicked the like button twice so you know how much I liked the video :)

[@JP-ur3pk]

Kinda Leon if you clicked it twice you removed your like, so I guess you didn't like it much lol

[@KindaLeon]

that was a weird sound.. kinda like a woosh

[@afonsomancio3400]

I liked the new intro

[@ErinPlays]

Thank you! It was done by Exit 73 Studios :)

[@glovarm]

Your videos are funny. :]

[@Timeparadox92]

Just noticed you have a tattoo on your arm haha is it a spider or a clover? Can't really tell lol the system was a great purchase though!

[@ErinPlays]

Neither! It's actually an ice cream cone with two candy canes :) Thanks for watching!

[@FNA4E]

I like how you asked if we were into the loud buttons like it was our kink or something. Don't shame us!

[@MikeandKatieShow]

Hey Erin. Who makes your intro graphics? I really like that.

[@ErinPlays]

Thanks! The intro and my banner was made by Exit 73 Studios: exit73studios.com/

[@MikeandKatieShow]

Erin Plays thank you!! I'll check them out

[@Thrakus]

I want Cirus Motocross . Someone needs to make toes two games into one!

[@Jay16998]

my question is how did you connect that console to an LCD or a crt TV?

[@ErinPlays]

I connected it to a DVD recorder, which was then connected to my Elgato HD using an adapter. At this moment in time, I have a modern TV so my DVD recorder is used as an in between device basically.

[@gregoriancatmonk6904]

One of the buttons have to be pressed to get the ball go higher.

[@xyanide1986]

Yeah late night ebay I'm all for it.

[@waluigi1208]

Good job like usual ! Sears is bankrupt here in Canada ...

[@ErinPlays]

Thank you! And yeah, they're failing here in the states too.

[@friskygato]

How do your fingers feel after? lol. Reminds me of my intellivsion days, my first console. I think that should be your next purchase, imho.

[@ErinPlays]

Lol, my fingers were actually fine! And yes, I have an intellivision and I've been meaning to do an episode on that for a while. Just waiting until I make sure I have a solid idea of what to cover and how to do it. Thanks for watching!

[@friskygato]

My favorite games. Might give you a good start. Curious what games you really enjoyed on the Intellivision. Sea Battle, Dungeons and Dragons, and Sub Hunt are my absolute faves.

[@manuelpatino7863]

The ball is REALLY small in all of those games. If you ever decide to stream the teleseries, I wonder how many donations you'll get if you manage to get that ball on the basket 😁. Either way, count me in, I'd love to see that.

[@ErinPlays]

I wonder if anyone else would be as excited as I am to make it in the basket ... probably not , ha. (Still going to stream it anyway though!)

[@manuelpatino7863]

Erin Plays Can't say for certain, gurl. However, I am sure that it would be like when you played that brutal Doom 2D title. Some people enjoy watching their favourite streamer and, through blood and tears, share a triumph that looked nigh-impossible. 😆

[@shawn_530]

You know the live stream chat crew... we’d take to the streets and start lighting dumpster fires and overturning cars in celebration of a basket

[@manuelpatino7863]

Shawn Well, consider me excited already.

[@newwavejunkie]

Shawn Erin making a basket > local professional sports team winning a championship

[@jonlanier_]

That was my game. The one my Dad thought was so cool to get me... he didn't realize this was the knock off version. But hey, I played that thing for hours on end. Basketball never was very good.

[@Jkoziol72577]

Funny how it looks nothing like the 2600 version of video pinball