ColecoVision Modifications/Upgrades, What's Next?

[doubledownon11]

As the self-proclaimed king of ColecoVision mods, I DoubleDown, ask you the people, what kind of modifications or upgrades would you like to see me perform on this "The Arcade Quality Machine" next? I've already completed Composite Video, S-Video, Analog Audio, and decorative/power LED indicators, but what would really impress or wow you? Tell me what you think.

p.s., Let's keep this reasonable, I can't add a microwave to a ColecoVision.

Thanks in advance for the input.

[puxley]

A cup holder??

Seriously, I can't think of much else that the Colecovision could actually pull off.
I mean, total universal cartridge compatibility would be verrrrrrry nice, but I can see how it would present some design problems.

Do you have anything in mind?

[boatofcar]

No warm chocolate puddin' upgrade? For shame! :P

[doubledownon11]

Yeah, I'm working on 4 new mods that I'm working on right now, I was just looking for an outsider's perspective.

[Griking]

Personally I'm looking forward to THIS (http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67086&st=0) one.

[kelma66]

I think spoilers to decrease wind resisitance would be good; also, racing stripes would make it look pretty sharp.

[doubledownon11]

Personally I'm looking forward to THIS (http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67086&st=0) one.

I'm definately looking forward to Eduardo's work, but unfortunatelly only A/V outputs. I'll have to hack that.


I think spoilers to decrease wind resisitance would be good; also, racing stripes would make it look pretty sharp.

Quoted from Homer Simpson as Frank Grimes tricks him into entering a kid's "Design the Nuclear Power Plant of the Future" contest. Great reference.

Come on guys. We're all serious gamers/collectors. What technologically advanced features would you like to see on this new ColecoVision? Also I need a name for this one. I'm thinking of a one word adjective word either before or after ColecoVision as it's name. Example: Super ColecoVision. Any better name ideas?

[boatofcar]

Instead of making a body mod, how about creating an arcade-style controller for the arcade quality console? Shouldn't be too hard if you can map the pin outs.

(This coming from a guy who has been known to botch changing the rubber grips on a 2600 joystick :roll: LOL )

[doubledownon11]

Instead of making a body mod, how about creating an arcade-style controller for the arcade quality console? Shouldn't be too hard if you can map the pin outs.

(This coming from a guy who has been known to botch changing the rubber grips on a 2600 joystick :roll: LOL )

I've purchased all the parts I need for that, and have been working on it, but a couple of other projects have taken center stage pushing the controllers to the back burner. Unfortunately I don't think that they can be made cheap enough for most people to want to pay for them. I still intend on finishing at least 2 for my personal collection and posting them for public purchase, but like I said they're not going to be like $25.00. All of the parts I've gotten are all Happ Controls Arcade components. While not recidulously expensive, not cheap at all either.

[Mangar]

(shrug)

I think you have just about done every worthwhile modification to the Colecovision. Anything else would be overkill. Like those annoying kids who take the mufflers off their mothers Honda Civic, spend another 2k on parts, and attempt to drag-race Mustangs and Vettes. (Only to lose horrible)

I think any controller mod would be worthwhile however. That basic Colecovision pad/stick has to be one of the most annoying contraptions ever built.

[congobongo]

I would like to see an on/off switch replacement mod. If had several CVs that have had flaky on/off switches. It would be nice if you could put in a different, more reliable switch.

Another idea would be to mod controllers to have to allow you to plug in a standard atari-style (or SMS) controller. Intent there would be to pass through the fire and directional controls and still have access to the keypad.

[o2william]

CV mods I'd like to see (some of these are already out there, others are utter pie-in-the-sky):

1. Fix the #%&@ power switch so that it never breaks. Mine just broke again...
2. Splice in a universal power supply instead of the 100-pound CV power brick
3. S-Video
4. BIOS mod (kill the 12-second delay)
5. Arcade quality joystick/Jaguar controller support/USB controller ports... anything's better than the standard CV pad
6. Mod Expansion Module #1 so that it works with all games and the Supercharger
7. Case mod (remove joystick bays -- they take up too much space)
8. Headphone jack
9. Make it portable! Add a built in screen.
10. USB jack/interface to load ROMs
11. Network capability/online play

[tyranthraxus]

How about a device similar to the 7800s High Score Cartridge?
I don't know how the mechanics would work but if you could
plug in some device into the expansion port that could keep
high scores in memory that would be VERY cool.

A case mod would be cool too, I don't mean the CV Jr.
idea that hacks off the controller bays but more of a
redesign thats more sleak in look along the lines of what
Atari was doing from the 5200 onward.

[doubledownon11]

CV mods I'd like to see (some of these are already out there, others are utter pie-in-the-sky):

1. Fix the #%&@ power switch so that it never breaks. Mine just broke again...
2. Splice in a universal power supply instead of the 100-pound CV power brick
3. S-Video
4. BIOS mod (kill the 12-second delay)
5. Arcade quality joystick/Jaguar controller support/USB controller ports... anything's better than the standard CV pad
6. Mod Expansion Module #1 so that it works with all games and the Supercharger
7. Case mod (remove joystick bays -- they take up too much space)
8. Headphone jack
9. Make it portable! Add a built in screen.
10. USB jack/interface to load ROMs
11. Network capability/online play

I've done some research on the power switch, but can't decide on a final design.

Power supply mod is in the works. One of the 4 mods that I'm currently working on. I think you will all be more than pleasantly surprised with this one.

S-Video = Done

BIOS = Done

Arcade joysticks - in the works, but not one of my 4 current mods, I guess I don't really consider that a mod. It going to be a completely new design. I really need to get back to that one. All I need is time, time, and more time.

Case Mod - I've checked into plastics fabrication, but unless I have thousands made up I think that they'll be very expensive and most people won't want to pay for it.

Headphone jack - Simple enough, but would anybody really use it?

I'd love to make a portable CV. That one will take a little bit of time though. I just recently started looking into that design.

[Kejoriv]

Case mods would be really cool. Like putting everything in a nes.

Or just painting the case. I bet people would be interested in different color colecos.


Either way, you always impress me with your coleco skills.

[doubledownon11]

Maybe a customized start-up title screen?

I've also done 2 "Colecovision JR" case mods, with an updated BIOS (to allow you to by-pass the unnecessary boot-up wait time) - what about those?

I can't personally do anything with a customized title screen, no programming abilities.

I've already done the "Intro Skip" BIOS mod, and as far as the junior case mod, I just can't imagine it looking that good by actually cutting the case. I am looking into getting a new case fabricated. It will have to depend on the price though.

[rbudrick]

I've always wanted a game-shark-like device and a cuttle cart -like device for the CV....to have them built in would be even better!!!

-ROb

[doubledownon11]

I've always wanted a game-shark-like device and a cuttle cart -like device for the CV....to have them built in would be even better!!!

-ROb

I think a lot of people would like a Cuttle Cart for the ColecoVision. Personally I feel with the ColecoVision library standing around 150-175 game, depending if you count homebrews, owning all the games that you would actually want to play isn't that unreasonable. Although it does seem like ColecoVision games have gone up substantially in price in the last year, the good games that are actually fun to play can all be had for reasonable prices. Sure some may approach the $25 - $50 mark, they're not out of the realm of most collector's budgets. Unfortunatelly having no idea how the Cuttle Cart works, we would all need to petition "Schell" to create this for us.

[anagrama]

Since I'm in the land of easy-RGB thatnks to our lovely European TVs, an RGB mod would be top of my want list.
A controller adaptor to use standard 9-pin Atari/Sega controllers would be sweet aswell - no need for a handmade arcade stick if I could use my trusty MD Arcade Power Stick.

[doubledownon11]

Since I'm in the land of easy-RGB thatnks to our lovely European TVs, an RGB mod would be top of my want list.
A controller adaptor to use standard 9-pin Atari/Sega controllers would be sweet aswell - no need for a handmade arcade stick if I could use my trusty MD Arcade Power Stick.

The RGB mod could be possible with a transcoder, but unfortunatly with hardly any televisions in the states using it, it doesn't seem to practical. Not to mention the transcoder would probably cost about $100. If you want a custom one with a SCART connector let me know and I could probably custom make one for you.

Is your Avitar "Flicky?"

[anagrama]

Is your Avitar "Flicky?"

Sure is! :) (it's the box/cart label pic from the SG1000 version)

Yeah, I figured RGB would be mainly of interest to non-US folks - the SCART version is what I'd be after. I'm still looking to pick up a cheap CV, but when I do I'll certainly look into sending it to you for some serious upgrades :D

[doubledownon11]

Is your Avitar "Flicky?"

Sure is! :) (it's the box/cart label pic from the SG1000 version)

Yeah, I figured RGB would be mainly of interest to non-US folks - the SCART version is what I'd be after. I'm still looking to pick up a cheap CV, but when I do I'll certainly look into sending it to you for some serious upgrades :D

Flicky is my all time favorite game for the Sega Genesis. A lot of people bad mouth the game saying "it's for kids." That's a load of crap. Flicky rules. I've gotten to level 28 myself. "King of Flicky"

PM Sent.

[Jorpho]

For some strange reason one of the first things to come to mind about that big ol' black box was the lovely plastic smell that permeated it. Maybe someone needs to make an "Eau de Colecovision" cologne. :D

But here's a slightly less crazy idea... Add a 9-pin serial port with proper logic inside it that will enable any PC trackball to be used as a roller controller.

[boatofcar]

Could you actually house the brick inside some of the empty space inside the case and just have a regular two prong cord coming out the back?

[doubledownon11]

Could you actually house the brick inside some of the empty space inside the case and just have a regular two prong cord coming out the back?

Not enough room to put the "original" power supply into the case. :D

[theretrogamer]

i would love to be able to play my Intellivision games on my Colecovision. I think it would be too cool to be able to play the granddaddies> Atari, Intellivision and Colecovision games< all on one console.