Coleco Telstar series
| Coleco Telstar series | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Coleco | |||
| Type | Series of stationary game consoles | |||
| publication |
|
|||
| Main processor | none | |||
| Graphics processor | unknown | |||
| Storage media | none (fixed games) | |||
| Online service | none | |||
| Units sold | > 1 million (only Coleco Telstar model) | |||
| predecessor | none | |||
The Coleco Telstar series is a series of stationary game consoles of the first console generation developed, published and marketed by Coleco . With the first beginnings in 1976 Coleco had a large turnover; more than a million units sold are known. Further versions of the console were made due to improvements in hardware.
features
The surface of the consoles can be operated using controllers:
- Game: adjustable to adjust the game (from the Telstar Arcade were modules used)
- Difficulty level: sets the difficulty level and
- Reset: resets the game.
Up to the Telstar Arcade model, the games were hard-wired in the housing. Control switches are used to select the game. Another typical appearance is the level of difficulty that has to be set for different games. The game console uses three different levels.
Consoles
Telstar (1976)
The first and eponymous console of the Coleco Telstar series was the Coleco Telstar game console, which appeared on the market in 1976. The console used the AY-3-8500 chip designed by General Instrument . Coleco Telstar sold two variants: "Telstar Deluxe" in Canada and "Telstar Video World of Sports". Both versions were the same in structure and content and only differ in name. About one million units of the system have been sold.
Telstar Ranger (1976)
The Telstar Ranger, released in 1976, is another console of the Telstar game consoles. With this game console it was possible to play six games. Two controllers and a pistol served as controls.
Telstar Alpha (1977)
The Telstar Alpha is the successor to the Telstar and Telstar Ranger models and was released in 1977. Compared to the previous model, this game console is equipped with 4 games and no additional controllers such as a pistol. Sales were very high as the console was very cheap and lighter than the previous model. In Europe it is also known as "Telstar Alpha Europe".
Telstar Colortron (1978)
The greatest advance of the Telstar Colortron console, released in 1978, compared to earlier systems in the Telstar series was the color image. The system can be operated with two 9-volt blocks : one for the video game, the other for the sound. The audio output has been refined and the sound output more discreetly. The console doesn't offer as many games as the Telstar Arcade, however.
The design was changed by adding a wood varnish to the console. The switches have been replaced with more robust buttons.
Telstar Combat (1977)
Released in 1977, Telstar Combat is a game console specializing in warfare and shooting and was released in 1977. It only has one game and has 4 controllers.
Telstar Arcade (1977)
The Coleco Telstar Arcade is the most advanced game console in Coleco's Telstar series and was released in 1977. It uses three sides: a “racing game” side with a steering wheel and gears, a “shooting side” with a pistol and a side with integrated rotary controls, such as it can be seen on all other consoles of the Telstar systems.
Telstar Regent (1977)
The Telstar Regent is a console that was launched in 1977. Two paddles were used as controllers .
