ColecoVision
ColecoVision Specifications
The ColecoVision was released by Coleco in August 1982. Its hardware was built from off-the-shelf parts, a Zilog Z80 processor and a Texas Instruments video chip, which later appeared in the MSX computers and, in a modified form, the Sega SG-1000 and Master System.
Coleco’s big win was licensing Nintendo’s Donkey Kong, which came with every console. Its arcade conversions were much closer to the originals than those on the Atari 2600 or Intellivision, and it also had Zaxxon, Venture, Mr. Do! and Lady Bug.
Expansion modules let the ColecoVision play Atari 2600 cartridges, drive with a steering wheel, or turn into the Adam home computer. The console sold over two million units by 1984, but the video game crash of 1983 and the troubled Adam computer hurt Coleco badly, and the ColecoVision was discontinued in 1985.
It still has an active homebrew scene, helped by the Super Game Module and larger MegaCart cartridges. Gearcoleco is an accurate, open source emulator that handles both, and it is the easiest choice today. You need the ColecoVision BIOS file.
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ColecoVision Emulators
ares is an open source multi-system emulator focused on accuracy and preservation, covering the NES, SNES, N64, Sega consoles and more. The successor to higan.
FinalBurn Neo is an arcade emulator that continues FinalBurn Alpha. It runs Neo Geo, CPS, Cave and many other 2D arcade games, plus several consoles.
Gearcoleco is an accurate, open source ColecoVision and Coleco ADAM emulator with a debugger, Super Game Module and MegaCart support.
MAME is the open source reference emulator for arcade machines. It also emulates hundreds of consoles, handhelds and computers.
Phoenix is a freeware emulator for the 3DO, ColecoVision, Sega Master System and Atari Jaguar, known for its very high 3DO compatibility.
blueMSX is a Windows emulator for the MSX, MSX2, MSX2+ and turbo R, as well as the ColecoVision. It has not been updated since version 2.8.2.
