The Coleco Gemini!

[@milkapeismilky5464]

I loved the controller too! Way superior to the 2600. This brings back SO many memories! My grandad owned a small country mercantile. He sold appliances and home electronics and would get dealer samples, such as laserdisc players, Pong, Gemeni etc. We got these as one of many other wonderful Christmas, birthday or "just cuz" gifts from my grandpa. Wish I still had mine. It's one of the few childhood toys my mom didn't keep.

[@Tuxon86]

My first console... I miss it a lot.

[@2011Savere]

I had Gemini. I loved it.

[@michaeljordan6008]

Awesome. Loved Blockbuster with the paddles on the 2600.

[@yo-saiffcaleb6213]

i just found a Gemini system in an old abandoned house today...i didnt know that it existed until today

[@CommodoreFan64]

I had one of these in the mid 90's after my oldest cousin bought a piece of old farm land, and we found the previous owners had been using part of it as a trash dump, and during the cleanup we found this in an old 60's looking lady's suit case, along with the controllers, and PSU, the system was sadly to far gone with rust, roach poop, and what not on the system board, but I was able to salvage both controllers, the PSU, and some of the games, along with an Atari 2600 Jr. we found that day as well with the PSU of which I still have, and modded for A/V out.

[@TheCanalesjuan]

This was actually the first ever video game console I ever owned. My parents bought one that came with Donkey Kong and Mousetrap packed in for my 10th birthday. The got it from a nearby Odd-Lots department store which is also where I purchased most of my games. This was my go to gaming system until my Grandfather bought me a Commodore 64 home computer. Then my poor Gemini became my red-headed stepson.

[@Christianpreaching]

What's a red headed stepson?

[@christopherjames3027]

I had the Gemini in the early 80's when all my friends had the 2600. The Gemini's joystick/paddle combo was waaaaaay better than the Atari

[@reesejabs1895]

I totally agree. It was much cheaper, too!

[@benjaminpmartin]

HI Willy! I have a Gemini controller that I often use with my Atari 2600 flashback, and love it. The paddle has quite a different mechanism and feel than the Atari paddles. Thanks for being great!

[@danestegman155]

Good video! I have never seen the Coleco Gemini system before! Not a bad little system.

[@brenthegarty3922]

I never had an Atari...although many of my friends did. I got a Coleco Gemini for Christmas in maybe 1984? Pretty sure it was that Sears bundle with Mouse Trap and Donkey Kong. It was a long time ago but that sounds very familiar. Good times! Many hours killed playing that.

[@dagurl8973]

I had the Gemini console and loved it!!! The controllers were way better than the 2600

[@mlmskates]

Pretty rad system. Just got one for 34 bucks. Paying less than MSRP decades on is a rarity in itself.

[@Revegelance]

I've been watching Parks and Recreation lately, and your voice sounds like a perfect hybrid of Ron Swanson and Andy Dwyer. On topic, my cousin had the Gemini back in the day (we had the actual VCS). I remember liking the controllers.

[@luisquinones5159]

I remember having the system at one time. Good times

[@habs798693]

My first system. I remember going to the mall with my older brother and buying games for like 4 bucks.

[@lacachiporra5034]

I want an Atari but my mom bought me the Gemini instead back in 1983. Donkey Kong and Mouse Trap included.

[@mark-andrews]

The CBS brand were able to support distribution beyond US shores, too. Certainly the original Colecovision, in the UK was never marketed directly as a Coleco product, yes a name for the system but always prefixed, in promotional material like: 'CBS Presents Colecovision.'

[@bluespaceman7937]

I recall having an Atari 2600, but somehow found a controller for the Gemini while clearing out stuff.

[@D2Kprime]

This was my first console. Never had any problems with it. Only stopped playing it because the RF adapter stopped working and my mother wouldn't by another one.

[@fkat1666]

I found some controllers for it in my Atari pick up video. I knew it was a clone system but, wasn't sure.

[@thecan80an33]

You mentioned having to use the joystick to the right to hold the ball in Warlords... if you use the Y cable then you can use the fire button.

[@MattMcIrvin]

An online friend of mine found a website speculating about whether or not the Columbia House version actually shipped for any length of time, and was amused because he'd had one.

[@pixelpaisa]

Wow... 🤯🤯🤯 I need this in my life....I did not know this existed! Great video..

[@Jarod_Schultz]

I have a craving for wanting to collect Atari items along with other second generation stuff. I think I like those old games because they are short and simple. Sometimes I don't feel like playing a long game. So I can just play Pac-Man for 10 or 15 minutes, and Asteroids for another 10 or 15.

[@SupremeNerd]

Mine came with Donkey Kong and MOuse TRap and we got it from Zayre...went in the dead of Deacember winter 1am and got it

[@ST2008X]

My Coleco Gemini’s Controller ports are fine, Controller 1 port is starting to give way, my Coleco Gemini Controller does not work properly, unless the wire is bent a certain way. When it is bent this way, it works perfectly....otherwise the Joystick does not work, the fire button does though...the wire in all positions...

[@robcav8747]

Mine (Canadian) came with Mouse Trap

[@mtshark7]

Awesome video Will!

[@dopestar1975]

Had a sears edition they came with d.k. and mouse trap

[@Ikrananka]

It's not really true to say that Coleco won the Atari lawsuit as it was settled out of court with Coleco agreeing to pay a license fee for every unit sold. In effect, Atari won. Also, the ColecoVision Exp. Mod. #1 and the Gemini were not entirely off the shelf components. Coleco reverse engineered the 2600 TIA chip and created their own clone TIA chip for use in the Exp. Mod. and the Gemini - definitely not off the shelf in that case.

[@SVT512]

Sorry I did not go full poindexter on it :P I should have avoided that :P

[@Ikrananka]

@@SVT512 Sorry, I'm a bit of a pain in the ar$e stickler about these things.

[@goldenphonautogram6141]

The person who disliked this was the guy who designed the controller ports.

[@jollywankerproductions774]

I like the Gemini controller, however I feel nothing beats the VCS original paddle controls, if you find a good working pair..

[@SVT512]

True :)

[@SonnyGTA]

So the Gemini was just a 2600?

[@SVT512]

yep

[@Tuxon86]

Mine had donkey kong on cart and mousetrap built in

[@SVT512]

never saw one with a built in game or ever heard of one being made like that. I have seen them with two game cartridges included though.

[@dopestar1975]

My 1st system

[@brandonsanchez8197]

Perhaps those controllers look like they can be used with an Atari Flashback, no?

[@benjaminpmartin]

They sure can. Works great

[@d.vaughn8990]

Bitd, I felt that the Gemini looked so cheap! Funny how it’s highly prized today!

[@SoberJokR]

Just found one in box with some manuals for 400$ with bunch of games. What do you guys think

[@SVT512]

Not very good with pricing :) if you are happy for what you paid that is all that matters :)

[@SoberJokR]

@@SVT512 i didn’t purchase it already. It comes with the box, manuals and about 10 games

[@goldenphonautogram6141]

I almost bought one of these once before I got my 2600.

[@DirtySkunk1]

I had that when I was a kid. Will I get it again hell no.

[@diamondking1969]

I have this, it's very lite

[@cootmaster]

5200 should made joysticks like this instead their shit mess

[@mixedhairless]

👏

[@RHN365]

I still owe Columbia house $200 from 85

[@9SandMan7]

Peguei um desse com 10 jogos, por R$ 10,00 reais brasileiros.

[@trevorbayers2175]

This console was garbage. I had one, brand new. It worked for about 2 weeks and boom, it completely stopped working. Soon after, we got a ColecoVision and it was amazing.

[@SVT512]

The quality was not all that great :)