|
Post by sj on Jun 25, 2012 12:45:52 GMT -5
I'm just spit-balling here (is that what you say over there?), but if, and it is only if at this stage, I was considering another console, should I seek out an Intellivision or a Colecovision? What are the games like? What are the consoles like to live with - durability etc.? I am at your mercy, o' knowledgeable ones...
|
|
|
Post by gamezone on Jun 25, 2012 14:23:35 GMT -5
It reads like a book but here goes:
For durability I think the Intellivision holds up better. But the Colecovision has a bigger library of games. Thankfully you can mod a Coleco to get a better picture. That has always been a big problem for that system.
They both have Atari adaptors. Coleco has the steering wheel, Adam computer add-on, Roller Controller and Super Controller while Intellivision has the voice and ECS wtih keyboard add-on.
Games I only have about 40 games for the Colecovision so I am somewhat limited on that but games I like for Colecovision: B.C.'s Quest for the Tires, Defender, Dukes of Hazzard, Frogger, Gorf, Gyruss, Keystone Kapers, LadyBug, Miner 2049'er, MouseTrap, Omega Race, Pepper II, Popeye, Q*Bert, Roc 'n' Rope, Space Fury, Subroc, Tarzan, Venture and Zaxxon.
For Intellivision: Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (2 games), Atlantis, Bump 'n Jump, BurgerTime, Buzz Bombers, Centipede, Commando, Demon Attack, Dig Dug, Horse Racing, Loco-Motion, Masters of the Universe, Mission X, Pac-Man, Pitfall, Snafu, Stampede, Thin Ice, Thunder Castle, Truckin, Turbo and Venture.
Intellivision is geared for a lot of 2-player sports games. Colecovision is geared for arcade games so sometimes they are better looking on the Coleco. BurgerTime, Carnival, Mousetrap and Venture are examples.
What I found out playing an emulator is Spy Hunter is better on the Colecovision then on the Nes and I would love to have Time Pilot and Up 'n Down both for Coleco. While I have never seen Loco-Motion outside of an arcade except on the Intellivision.
Imagic made a lot of games just for Intellivison like Dracula, Ice Trek, Microsurgeon, Safecracker, Swords & Serpents, Tropical Trouble, Truckin and White Water. Activision did Intellivision only Happy Trails(Loco-Motion rip-off) and Worm Whomper.
Honestly the best Frogger I have played to date is on the Atari 5200 and that is using the controller keyboard to play. So it is all just which ever has the games that appeal to you.
BUT THIS NEW DONKEY KONG GAME adds a lot of appeal to the Intellivison.
Did you ever read the online magazine RetroGaming Times? It had the Many Faces of articles. Reviews of one game on many systems. That might help. It is now defunct but a new version of it has taken it's place.
Hope this helps and I have not confused you more. Maybe some more input will be coming. If you have anymore questions just ask.
|
|
|
Post by TrekMD on Jun 25, 2012 14:44:57 GMT -5
That's a very good look at it. I just got an Intellivision just because of the new Donkey Kong Arcade (both vrsions). I figured it was time to give the system a try given how great that game looks. I've never owned a Coleco Vision but it does appear to have a very active homebrew community as well. Clealry, it is not an easy choice!
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jun 25, 2012 15:04:50 GMT -5
Thanks Gamezone. 'I only have about 40 games for the Colecovision'... what are you like! I like the look of the Coleco but having kept a cursory eye on prices on eBay they seem to fetch about double that of an Intellivision. That coupled with the possible age related issues the Colecovision seems to be prone to is putting me off somewhat. eBay is a great tool, but I'm sure many people use it to off-load their junk. btw how do you mod a Colecovision? Is it like the small twisty knob you can tweak inside a 2600?
|
|
|
Post by VectorX on Jun 25, 2012 17:38:48 GMT -5
I'm just spit-balling here (is that what you say over there?) I hadn't heard that one before, so probably not. Just "pondering" would work, I guess. Gamezone pretty much hit it on the head. Another thing to keep in mind with the Coleco is that they were pretty stupid in putting oil in the switchbox which, decades later, is usually caked up pretty good and the picture will look like crap, but there's an easy fix for it though (I don't know what it is but I heard it's not difficult). Have to add Donkey Kong to the Coleco like lineup as well as War Games (interesting/expanded Missile Command kinda clone!).
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jun 26, 2012 8:54:06 GMT -5
I'm just spit-balling here (is that what you say over there?) I hadn't heard that one before, so probably not.. mmm... I've picked it up somewhere... it's not an English phrase... that's gonna bug me..
|
|
|
Post by gamezone on Jun 26, 2012 12:25:05 GMT -5
Spit-balling old English. The French Knights used to handily defeat the English because the short bows were considered no more effective than balls of spit. Then they developed the English Long Bow which had more of a punch against armor.
I have also heard it in WWII slang. Allied tanks seem like they were hitting Panthers and Tigers with spit balls. Because the armor was to thick on German Tanks and they would just bounce off the hull.
|
|
|
Post by gamezone on Jun 26, 2012 12:26:14 GMT -5
RedRaider has some pics of his modded Colecovision posted on this site.
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jun 26, 2012 13:02:13 GMT -5
RedRaider has some pics of his modded Colecovision posted on this site. Oh I see... I thought it was a mod you could do yourself. The battles between the English and the cheese eating surrender monkeys... er... the French is where the two finger V-sign was first used as an insult. Something to do with them being the two fingers that were used to pull back the bow - I think the English used to cut them off French captives. Something like that anyway...
|
|
|
Post by gamezone on Jun 26, 2012 13:09:18 GMT -5
Always wondered when Mrs. S from Are You Being Served? gave Capt. Peacock the two finger salute. Now I know. What about the raspberry any idea where the sound came from?
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jun 26, 2012 13:36:19 GMT -5
^ Yea... French as well. From all the cheese and garden pests they eat.
I jest, of course.
|
|
|
Post by gamezone on Jun 26, 2012 17:55:09 GMT -5
I thought the French were pretty cool in Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail!
What is the small twisty knob in the 2600 sj?
|
|
|
Post by VectorX on Jun 26, 2012 18:12:20 GMT -5
For the paddles?
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jun 27, 2012 13:06:39 GMT -5
What is the small twisty knob in the 2600 sj? If you open up a Vader model (don't know if it applies to all models) there is ... wait for it, wait for it... a small twisty knob on the curcuit board with a small screw slot on the top. I think it acts as a tuner of sorts. By tweaking it one way or another you can change the game colours (I'm sure that's not what it was designed for) or fine tune the picture if it's a little grainy.
|
|
|
Post by gamezone on Jun 27, 2012 18:31:16 GMT -5
I have a Vader model but never took it apart. If your being Cheeky I will spit-ball you!
|
|