How to Choose the Right ColecoVision Retro Gaming Setup

Choosing the right ColecoVision setup today is a practical decision that balances authentic vintage hardware, modern clones, and software emulation. Your choice impacts your budget, technical patience, and enjoyment of classics like ‘Zaxxon’ and ‘Donkey Kong.’ This guide navigates the options for the UK market to help you build the perfect experience.

Define Your ColecoVision Experience Goals

First, decide what kind of retro gaming experience you want. Are you a preservationist seeking the authentic feel and sound, or do you prioritise hassle-free play on a modern TV? Clarify your goals by considering these three main paths.

The Pure Vintage Path

This is for the purist seeking an original ColecoVision console, its distinctive controllers, and a period CRT television. The experience is defined by authenticity: the click of the fire buttons, the cartridge load delay, and the warm glow of a cathode-ray tube. It’s a hands-on history lesson but requires acceptance of ageing hardware’s quirks, like unreliable power switches and RF video connections.

The Modern Convenience Route

If you love the games but not the fuss of 40-year-old electronics, modern clones offer a compelling compromise. Products like the AtGames ColecoVision Flashback provide a plug-and-play experience with built-in games, HDMI output, and new controllers. You sacrifice the ritual of swapping cartridges but gain immense reliability, perfect for casual play or sharing with family.

The Software Emulation Option

For maximum flexibility and cost-effectiveness, software emulation is unbeatable. Using a program like CoolCV on a PC or Raspberry Pi, you can play every ColecoVision title, often with enhanced features like save states. This path is ideal for tinkerers and those with limited space, though it can feel detached from the physicality of retro gaming.

Sourcing Your ColecoVision Hardware

Once you know your path, the next step is acquiring the hardware. In the UK, you have several distinct avenues, each with its own trade-offs in cost, reliability, and effort.

Buying Original Consoles

The UK retro market is active, with eBay being a common source. Scrutinise listings for photos of a working unit and ask about the controllers. High-street retailer CeX often stocks tested retro consoles, offering a limited warranty for more peace of mind. Expect a premium for consoles advertised as fully tested and cleaned.

Considering Refurbished Units

For an original console with a new lease on life, consider buying from a UK-based retro specialist. These vendors often perform essential maintenance—replacing power switches, cleaning motherboards, and installing video mods—before sale. While more expensive upfront, a professionally refurbished unit offers the most reliable “pure vintage” experience.

Opting for a Modern Clone

The most straightforward purchase is the AtGames ColecoVision Flashback, available at Argos and other major retailers. It’s a case of unboxing, plugging in the HDMI cable, and playing. For a more premium clone experience, watch the boutique hardware scene for devices like the upcoming ColecoVision Phoenix.

Essential Accessories and Peripherals

The ColecoVision experience was defined by its innovative controllers. To play the library properly, you’ll need to think beyond the standard joystick.

The Must-Have Roller Controller

For games like ‘Slither’ and ‘Victory,’ the original roller controller is non-negotiable. This trackball-like peripheral offers precise control a joystick can’t match. When sourcing one, be prepared to clean its mechanical rollers and bearings to restore smooth movement.

Super Action Controllers

Designed for sports titles, these oversized controllers feature a joystick, four fire buttons, and a numeric keypad. They add a layer of physicality to the games they were built for and are an iconic part of the ColecoVision ecosystem for collectors.

Modern Controller Adaptations

The original ColecoVision joystick isn’t the most ergonomic. Thankfully, adapters like the 2600-daptor D9 allow modern controllers on original hardware. This device lets you use USB gamepads or Sega Genesis controllers, dramatically improving comfort for extended sessions.

Evaluating Game Libraries and Media

With your hardware sorted, you need games. You have three main options, from collecting physical artifacts to accessing entire digital libraries.

Collecting Original Cartridges

There’s a unique thrill to hunting down and slotting in an original cartridge. In the UK, eBay, dedicated retro gaming forums, and events like Play Blackpool are your best bets. Prices vary from a few pounds for common titles to hundreds for rare gems like ‘B.C.’s Quest for Tires.’

The Multi-Cart Solution

For ultimate convenience on original hardware, a multi-cart is a game-changer. The Atarimax ColecoVision SD Multicart is a popular expansion. This cartridge with an SD card slot lets you load virtually the entire library onto one device, protecting your original hardware and giving instant access to every game.

Understanding ROMs and Emulation

ROMs are software copies of game cartridges. In the UK, it’s a legal grey area: downloading a ROM for a game you do not own is copyright infringement. Creating a ROM from a cartridge you physically own is generally considered legal for personal backup. Always be mindful of the source and the law.

Setting a Realistic Budget for the UK

Your ColecoVision revival can cost from under fifty pounds to several hundred. Here’s a breakdown of typical UK market costs to help you plan.

Console and Game Costs

Current typical price ranges:

• Original ColecoVision Console (untested/used): £80 – £150
• Original ColecoVision Console (tested/warranted from CeX): £120 – £200
• AtGames ColecoVision Flashback (Argos/Amazon): £40 – £70
• Common Loose Cartridges (e.g., ‘Zaxxon’, ‘Mouse Trap’): £10 – £25 each
• Rarer/Boxed Cartridges: £50 – £300+
• Roller or Super Action Controller: £30 – £60 each

Factoring in Modifications and Repairs

Budget beyond the purchase price. An original console will likely need maintenance. A professional composite or RGB video mod for modern TVs can cost £50-£150. A simple power switch repair might be £30-£50. Factor these into your decision between a cheap “as-is” unit and a pre-refurbished one.

The Total Cost of Ownership

The cheapest entry is the ColecoVision Flashback. For a robust original hardware setup, a realistic budget is £200-£400, covering a refurbished console, a multi-cart or a few games, and key controllers. The high-end (£500+) is for collectors seeking boxed games, all peripherals, and high-quality video upscalers.

FAQ

Is a ColecoVision worth buying in 2024?

Absolutely, if you have a fondness for early-80s gaming history and enjoy titles like ‘Lady Bug’ and ‘Venture.’ Whether it’s worth it depends on choosing the setup path—vintage, clone, or emulation—that matches your patience and budget.

Why won’t my original ColecoVision work on my new TV?

Original ColecoVisions output an RF signal via an aerial lead, a connection most modern TVs lack. The solution is a hardware video modification paired with an upscaler like a Retrotink, or opting for a modern clone with built-in HDMI output.

What are the most common faults with original hardware?

The most frequent issues are a faulty power switch, worn controller contacts, and failing power supply units. The system’s BIOS chip can also fail. Many are repairable, which is why buying a pre-refurbished unit can be wise.

Can I use my original cartridges on a Flashback unit?

No. The AtGames ColecoVision Flashback is a sealed, all-in-one emulation box. Its games are built into the system’s software. To play original cartridges, you must use an original ColecoVision console.

Where can I try a ColecoVision before I buy in the UK?

Your best bet is to attend a UK retro gaming event like Play Blackpool. These often have vendors and community areas where original hardware is set up for play, letting you experience the controllers and games firsthand.

Ultimately, the right ColecoVision choice fits your budget, technical comfort, and how you want to experience classics today. Whether you seek the authentic crackle of RF or the crisp convenience of HDMI, a rewarding slice of gaming history awaits.