Software:Telstar (game console)
From HandWiki
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| Manufacturer | Coleco |
|---|---|
| Type | Dedicated console |
| Generation | First generation |
| Lifespan | 1976-1978 |
| Units sold | 1 million |
| Successor | ColecoVision (1982-1984) |
The Telstar is a series of video game consoles produced by Coleco from 1976 to 1978. Starting with Telstar Pong clone based on General Instrument's AY-3-8500 chip in 1976,[1] there were 14 consoles released in the Telstar branded series. One million Telstar units were sold.[2]
The large product lineup and the impending fading out of the Pong machines led Coleco to face near-bankruptcy in 1980.[citation needed]
Models
| Unit name | Model and chip | Release date | Games | Description | Size | Cite | Picture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telstar | No.6040 AY-3-8500 |
1976 |
|
Two fixed paddles. Games are Pong variants. | [3] |
| |
| Telstar Classic | No.6045 AY-3-8500 |
1976 |
|
Two fixed paddles. Deluxe wood case. | |||
| Telstar Deluxe (a.k.a. "Video World Of Sports") |
AY-3-8500 | 1977 |
|
Two fixed paddles. Brown stand case with wood panel. Made for Canadian market with French and English text. | |||
| Telstar Ranger | No.6046 AY-3-8500 |
1977 |
|
Black and white plastic case, includes Colt 45-style light gun and separate paddle controllers. Four ball games, two target games. Special features of the four ball games include automatic serve and variable paddle and speed control for three experience levels (beginner, intermediate, and professional). Uses six C batteries or an optional AC adapter, light gun requires one nine-volt battery. | 4 lb. 17.5×6×8 in. |
[4]:22 [5]:35 |
|
| Telstar Alpha | No.6030 AY-3-8500 |
1977 |
|
Black and white plastic case, fixed paddles. The games feature an automatic serve function and variable settings for three skill levels (beginner, intermediate, and pro). Uses six C batteries. | 2.5 lb. 13.5×3.5×7.5 in. |
[4]:17 [5]:34 |
|
| Telstar Colormatic | No.6130 AY-3-8500 Texas Instruments SN76499N (color) |
1977 |
|
Black and white plastic case, detached wired paddles. Color graphics - each game is a different color. The games feature an automatic serve function and variable settings for three skill levels (beginner, intermediate, and professional). Uses six C batteries. | 2.5 lb. 13×6.5×7.5 in. |
[4]:18 | 
|
| Telstar Regent | No.6036 AY-3-8500 |
1977 |
|
Black and white plastic case, detached wired paddles. The games feature an automatic serve function and variable settings for three skill levels (beginner, intermediate, and professional). Uses six C batteries. | 2.5 lb. 13.5×4×8 in. |
[4]:18 | |
| Telstar Sportsman | AY-3-8500 | 1978 | Black and white plastic case, detached wired paddles, and light gun. | ||||
| Telstar Combat! | No.6065 General Instrument AY-3-8700 Tank chip |
1977 |
|
Four fixed joysticks (two per player). Games are variations on Kee Games' Tank. Uses six C batteries or an optional AC adapter. | 5.5 lb. 15×8×10.5 in. |
[4]:23 [5]:37 |
|
| Telstar Colortron | No.6135 AY-3-8510 |
1978 |
|
In color, built in sound, fixed paddles. Games are Pong variants and feature variable settings for three skill levels (beginner, intermediate, and pro). Uses two nine-volt batteries or an optional AC adapter. | 1 lb. 2×11.25×4 in. |
[5]:34 | 
|
| Telstar Marksman | No.6136 AY-3-8512 |
1978 |
|
In color, larger light gun with removable stock, fixed paddles. Four Pong variants and two gun games. Uses two nine-volt batteries or an optional AC adapter. | 1 lb. 2×11.25×5 in. |
[5]:36 | 
|
| Telstar Galaxy | AY-3-8600 (games) AY-3-8615 (color encoder) |
1977 | Separate joysticks and fixed paddles | ||||
| Telstar Gemini | MOS Technology MPS 7600-004 | 1977 |
|
In color, light gun, two flipper buttons on left and right sides of case, pinball launch button and field adjustment sliders on top, light gun. | |||
| Telstar Arcade | MOS Technology MPS-7600 (each cart) | 1977 |
Others
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Cartridge-based, triangular case includes light gun, steering wheel with gear shift, and paddles, one on each side. | 4 lb. 7.5×18×16 in. |
[4]:28 [5]:37–38 |
|
References
- ↑ "The Next Generation 1996 Lexicon A to Z: Coleco". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (15): 31. March 1996.
- ↑ Herman, Leonard (1997). Phoenix: the fall & rise of videogames (2nd ed.). Union, NJ: Rolenta Press. p. 20. ISBN 0-9643848-2-5. https://books.google.com/books?id=duITAQAAIAAJ. Retrieved 16 February 2012. "Like Pong, Telstar could only play video tennis but it retailed at an inexpensive $50 that made it attractive to most families that were on a budget. Coleco managed to sell over a million units that year."
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091004032902/http://colecomuseum.com/colecotelstar.php. Retrieved 2009-09-30.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Kaplan, Deeny, ed (Winter 1978). "The Video Games". Video (Buyer's Guide) (Reese Communications) 1 (1): 17–30. ISSN 0147-8907.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Kaplan, Deeny, ed (Winter 1979). "Video Games". Video (Buyer's Guide) (Reese Communications) 2 (1): 33–42. ISSN 0147-8907.
External links
- The ColecoVision, with 1982 TV commercial
- Pong-Story: All Coleco Telstar systems, with photos
- Telstar and other systems
- The Dot Eaters entry on the history of Telstar and Coleco
- The COLECO Story by Ralph H. Baer
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