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New ColecoVision Phoenix Console Kickstarter


malarrya

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Hey Everyone!

If you a fan even somewhat of the ColecoVision, this may interest you. A group of savvy engineers from CollectorVision just implemented a Kickstarter for their new ColecoVision Phoenix Console 

http://kck.st/2ynKCVn

I am NOT affiliated in any way with CollectorVision, this console, or the Kickstarter (other than backing it myself). I am just a big ColecoVision fan and am so happy to see this get released. 

Here are its amazing features: 

- Compatible with ALL original ColecoVision game cartridges!
- 100% Accurate!
- Region Free!
- Worldwide Compatibility [PSU: 100-240v, 50-60hz]
- HDMI Output
- Digital audio via HDMI
- Loads and plays games (ROMs) through the SD Card Slot
- Sydney Hunter & the Caverns of Death (Exclusive pack-in Game cartridge with a $50 value)
- 10 Built-in digital Homebrew games included! (a $150 value)
- Instruction Manual
- HDMI Cable
- Worldwide Power Supply [100-240v, 50/60hz, USA/JPN plug-type]
- Expansion Module Port
- A variety of expansion modules will be released after console launch. More information on these will be provided later.
- F18A Video Enhanced Compatibility Built-in* ($86 value!)
- Officially licensed Opcode SGM compatibility Built-in* ($100 value!)
- Original-style ColecoVision™ (DB-9) Controller Ports
- Original ColecoVision™ Cartridge Port
- Original-style SNES/SFC Controller Port (For even more controller compatibility!) (NTT Data compatible)
- SD card firmware updating [via SD card slot]*
- PS2 Keyboard input
- The SEX7264 “COURTNEY” Wavetable Sound Generator (WSG) is a new custom sound chip which can produce a rich plurality of sounds with minimal intervention of the CPU.

If you could kindly please back this project, it is totally worth it. Thanks for looking!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMXD8piieqo

Edited by malarrya
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Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Atari, Intellivision and now ColecoVision.....what the hell is this the revenge of 1983 and that's just the major players. lol

I understand the need for this, after all we're talking about hardware that's 30-40 years old and there's still so much demand and nostalgia for retro gaming, but realistically how many of the retro re-does can the market handle? At least this Coleco console has a cartridge slot unlike the new Atari VCS console and the new Intellivision one (although Intellivision is getting around this buy selling all of their games for like 2 dollars or less and have said they'd support a 3rd party making a compatible cartridge slot add-on), but really yet another game console? 

There's a lot of strange choices being made with this one as well.... snes controller ports, db9 atari controller ports, PS/2 keyboard port. Don't get me wrong I get making it so you can use original Coleco controllers, but the other options just seem weird and who even still makes PS/2 keyboards...why wouldn't you just go with USB and then people could use an adaptor if they had an old PS/2 keyboard.

The other thing I noticed is that they make no mention of this being a partnership with Coleco holdings who are still listed as owning the rights to the Colecovision brand and in fact on their crowdfunding page they say this has nothing to do with Coleco Holdings so if it's not a licensed product then it seems kind of shady.

 

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I imagine the PS/2 is to keep costs down although I am in no way sure of any of the technology licensing aspects of the hardware. Those are questions for the developers.
EDIT: Correct me if I am wrong but also I think PS/2 is one standard while there may be dozens of standards of USB keyboards that may need drivers? Again, cost is my guess.

This console is definitely not for the casual observer but for those who perhaps own/owned a ColecoVision (or always wanted to) and want a modern system for modern TVs. All this can be easily played now with an emulator and any number of hardware devices from an Android, RetroPie, Modded Xbox/Wii/DreamCast, a PC, etc but the point is to play original cartridges and expansion modules on something that mimics the original hardware 

The hardware has been developed for years by CollectorVision and OpCode and sold on the AtariAge forums. People would send their console in for modding service at a cost of $200-$300. These guys just decided to put all their hardware together to make one awesome machine. There is in now way anything shady about this group. As for Coleco Holdings... you may want to read up on the whole spat between the collector/developer community and Coleco Holdings (and the failed/shady attempt it made at a new console).

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/265739-coleco-strong-arming-homebrew-publishers-and-fan-sites/

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/283794-collectorvision-phoenix-kickstarter-is-now-live/

I am pretty sure if anyone messed with the good folks on the AtariAge forums they would be harshly dealt with. OpCode and CollectorVision are very trustworthy names in the community. Coleco Holdings is not.

https://hackaday.com/2016/03/10/yet-another-kickstarter-scam/

I have done my homework for a long time with these guys so I have no worries. Here are their Twitter/Facebook pages:
https://twitter.com/CollectorVision
https://www.facebook.com/Collectorvision/

https://www.facebook.com/opcodegames/
https://twitter.com/opcodegames

Edited by malarrya
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This product by all looks is legit.

It's an FPGA clone console (much like the Super NT) that plays real Colecovision carts and roms from SD card and is being made by Colectorvision Games https://collectorvision.com/ who make new games for old consoles.

This is a niche product for a niche audience, it is not meant for mass market like the Nintendo Classic consoles.

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And this Ladies and Germs is why I shouldn't internet when I'm tired. lol

At first I thought it was just another one of these emulation boxes that everyone and their brother and sister have been putting out just with a cart slot on it but now after going to their actual website and looking at it and seeing in your post that you called it a clone, now I realize it's more like recreating the original hardware just with modern components.

Is that how they're getting around the whole license thing as well because it's being called a "Colecovision compatible console" and not just straight up a Colecovision console, kind of like how Intellivision got around it with Atari by making the adaptor cart for their system back in the day?

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