PUBLISHER
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Crane, Miller, and Whitehead left Atari and founded Activision in October 1979 with former music industry executive Jim Levy and venture capitalist Richard Muchmore; Kaplan soon joined the company. Activision converted their most popular games from the Atari 2600 to the Colecovision. A total of 8 games have been released.
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PUBLISHER
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Atarisoft was a brand name used by Atari, Inc in 1983 and 1984 to market video games they published for home systems made by their competitors. Each platform had a specific color attributed by Atarisoft for its game packages. For example, video games sold for the Colecovision came up in orange packages, games for the Texas Instruments TI-99/4A in yellow, games for the IBM PC in blue, and so on. Despite being in existence for less than two years, Atarisoft had a huge video game library with dozens of game versions being released for various home computers and consoles. Almost all of the Atarisoft titles were produced by third-party software companies, as Atari only developed for their own systems. The Atarisoft label did not bear Atari's popular "fuji" logo, and the name was written in a different typeface (popularly called "Futuri Extra Bold [non-italic]") to the normal "Atari" lettering. Atarisoft was a brand mainly used on game boxes and manuals; the name that appeared on the title screen of these games was generally that of Atari, not Atarisoft.
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PUBLISHER
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CBS entered the video game market briefly, through its acquisition of Gabriel Toys (renamed CBS Toys), publishing several arcade adaptations and original titles under the name "CBS Electronics", for the Atari 2600, and other consoles and computers, also producing one of the first karaoke recording/players. CBS Electronics also distributed all Coleco-related video game products outside of North America, including the ColecoVision. CBS later sold Gabriel Toys to View-Master, which eventually ended up as part of Mattel.
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PUBLISHER
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Coleco is an American company founded in 1932 by Maurice Greenberg as "Connecticut Leather Company". It became a highly successful toy company in the 1980s, known for its mass-produced version of Cabbage Patch Kids dolls and its video game consoles, the Coleco Telstar and ColecoVision. Under CEO Arnold Greenberg, the company entered the video game console business with the Telstar in 1976. When the video game business began to implode in 1983, it seemed clear that video game consoles were being supplanted by home computers. Coleco's strategy was to introduce the Coleco Adam home computer, both as a stand-alone system and as an expansion module to the ColecoVision. This effort failed, in large part because Adams were often unreliable. The Adam flopped; Coleco withdrew from electronics early in 1985. The Coleco company published over 50 games for their Colecovision system. Unfortunately, the catalogue showed many games that were never released.
More information on Colecozone |
PUBLISHER
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Collectorvision was founded in May 2008 by Jean-François Dupuis (aka retroillucid) to publish games initially based on the work of Eduardo Mello and Daniel Bienvenu. Then Collectorvision published many games made by other homebrew programmers. They also published unreleased prototypes. J-F Dupuis plans to make a book and a virtual museum about Coleco and Colecovision.
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PUBLISHER
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The company was founded as Automated Simulations by Jim Connelley and Jon Freeman, originally using Epyx as a brand name for action-oriented games before renaming the company to match in 1983. The company had a huge success in computer games in the 80's and they published some titles on console systems. |
PUBLISHER
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Fisher-Price is an American company that produces toys for infants and children. Fisher-Price has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel since 1993. In the early 80's, the company released educational video games.
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PUBLISHER
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Imagic was an American video game developer and publisher that developed games for the Atari 2600, Mattel Intellivision, ColecoVision, IBM PCjr, and Magnavox Odyssey in the early 1980s. It was founded in 1981 by Atari and Mattel Intellivision expatriates. Imagic was similar to Activision in many ways; they used a distinctive and easily recognizable style of cartridge housing (which included the company name embossed in the plastic), offered patches to players who sent in proof of a high score, and were renowned for featuring a high standard of audiovisual design in their games.
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PUBLISHER
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Interphase Technologies was a Canadian company. It was reportedly a one-man operation, with all the games being programmed by Stephen Willey.
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PUBLISHER
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Micro Fun was a division of MicroLab, Inc.
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PUBLISHER/DEVELOPER
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Eduardo Mello (aka opcode) created Opcode Games in 2003 (formerly Coin-Op Games). He developed many games for the Colecovision. A lot of them are ports of Sega SG-1000 titles. Some of Opcode’s games were sold as prototypes on eBay as Eduardo judged that they were not good enough to be published at a "large" scale (Exerion, Galaga, Comic Bakery). Several Opcode’s games were published by Team Pixelboy and Collectorvision. Opcode developed the Super Game Module which is an extension that enhances the Colecovision console and that is used to play specific SGM games.
Games published by other publishers:
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PUBLISHER
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Parker Brothers is an American toy and game manufacturer and brand. Since 1883, the company has published more than 1,800 games. Parker Brothers is currently a subsidiary of Hasbro. Parker Brothers produced video games for various systems during the early 1980s, with home ports of many popular arcade games like Sega's Frogger and Gottlieb's Q*Bert.
Norman Sippel in the FAQ says : There are two boxes used by Parker Bros. One is the typical "boxed" game with two box parts that open up to reveal the game and instructions. The other is a clone of the standard Coleco box with Parker Bros. written on it instead. |
PUBLISHER
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Sega made very popular arcade games in the early 1980s like Carnival and Zaxxon. They sold their rights to other publishers for many Colecovision games. Only one Colecovision game was directly published by the company.
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PUBLISHER
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Sierra On-Line was an American video-game developer and publisher founded in 1979 as On-Line Systems by Ken and Roberta Williams.
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PUBLISHER
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Spectravideo, or SVI, was a U.S. computer company founded in 1981 as "SpectraVision" by Harry Fox and Alex Weiss as a distributor of computer games, contracting external developers to write the software. Their main products were gaming cartridges for the Atari 2600 VCS, Colecovision and Commodore VIC-20. They also made the world's first ergonomic joystick, the Quickshot. In late 1982 the company was renamed to Spectravideo.
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PUBLISHER
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Sunrise Software was a small-scale producer and publisher of games for the Atari and Colecovision consoles and the Commodore 64 home computer.
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PUBLISHER
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Luc Miron (aka Pixelboy) created Team Pixelboy in 2009 after having worked with Eduardo Mello at Opcode Games. Team Pixelboy plans to develop a new programming language for the Colecovision: BasicVision.
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PUBLISHER
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Telegames was well known for supporting not just modern game systems but also classic game systems, after they've been abandoned by its manufacturer. Effective September 2004 though, Telegames, Inc. ceased support for all "classic" and "orphaned" video game systems and software in order to support only modern consoles.
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PUBLISHER
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Xonox, based in Minnesota, started developing Atari cartridges during the height of the 2600's popularity. They contributed many high quality games available for the early platforms. Xonox capitalized on the novelty and perceived value of "double-ender" cartridges. These could be inserted into the console on one of the two ends, each end offering a different game.
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DEVELOPER
4D Interactive Systems |
4D Interactive Systems was a company based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States, started by Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Dave Arneson and/or Dan Nicholson. It was incorporated on February 14, 1978. They were also responsible for the Super SubRoc, Super Zaxxon, and Tunnels & Trolls DDP's for the ADAM computer. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Action Graphics, Inc. |
Action Graphics, Inc. was a development company based in South Barrington, Illinois, United States (originally Cary), spun off of Bally to develop games for the Bally Astrocade. It was headed by Bob Ogdon, software manager for Dave Nutting Associates. It was incorporated on September 18, 1981, and folded in 1985. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Adrenalin Entertainment / Western Technologies |
Adrenalin Entertainment was, for much of the 1990s, the name of Western Technologies, Inc.'s software division. Started in 1978 and headed by Jay Smith, Western also designed and developed electronic toys and consumer electronics products. Video game hardware designed by Western includes the Vectrex game system, the Menacer gun for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, and the SegaDev board used for Sega Mega Drive/Genesis development. Colecovision game :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Cheshire Engineering |
Pasadena, California-based company started in 1982 by former APh Technological Consultants programmers after a dispute over profits from developing the M Network games for Mattel. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Computer Magic, Ltd. |
Computer Magic, Ltd. was a Long Island, New York, United States-based software house incorporated on February 26, 1980, and dissolved on September 28, 1994. It is not to be confused with the Atari 2600 third-party publisher Computer Magic Inc. (aka CommaVid) and is probably not to be confused with the publisher of Volcano for the ZX Spectrum. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Davis & Nussrallah & Associates Inc |
Davis & Nussrallah & Associates Inc was a Texas-based company incorporated on April 7, 1983. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Emag Software & Engineering Inc. |
Emag Software & Engineering Inc. appears to be/have been a Taiwanese maker of PC board and peripheral components.
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Gordon Martin & Associates |
Gordon Martin, along with Gary Littleton and others at GMA, were on the team at Texas Instruments that designed the ColecoVision. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Innoventions |
Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
James Wickstead Design Associates |
Design and engineering company started in 1968. Based in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Nice Ideas |
Based in le parc international d'activités de Valbonne Sophia Antipolis, a technology park near the south coast of France, Nice Ideas was originally started in February 1983 as Mattel Electronics' French office, established to develop Intellivision and Colecovision games that would appeal to European sensibilities. Half the programmers were recruited in London, the other in Paris. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Nuvatec |
Defunct high-tech product development consulting/manufacturing firm based in Downer's Grove, Illinois, United States. Founded by five entrepreneurs and owned by Brunswick for a while. Contributed to the development of the ColecoVision system as well as developed games. Developed the operating system and bowling games for Brunswick's Bowlervision system. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
On-Time Software Inc. |
On-Time Software Inc. was started by four ex-Roklan employees (Paul Crowley, Joe Gaucher, Cameron Shaffer, and Jack Versun) after that company folded. It was incorporated in California on May 2, 1984, and originally based in Illinois. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
The Softworks/Berkeley Softworks |
Started in 1983 by Brian Dougherty, formerly of Mattel Electronics and Imagic, as The Softworks. Renamed Berkeley Softworks in 1985. Later became known for its GEOS operating system and was renamed yet again as GeoWorks in 1990. Colecovision game :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Sydney Development |
While Sydney only released one game on their own (Evolution), they were a major player in the Colecovision arena. Many, many games were created or translated for ColecoVision by Sydney. Colecovision games :
Source : FAQ |
DEVELOPER
VSS, Inc. |
VSS, Inc. ("Video Software Specialists") was a development company in Dallas, Texas, United States, started by former Apollo employees Terry Grantham, George Kokoruda, Ed Salvo, and Mike Smith. Clients included CBS Electronics, Xonox, and Wizard Video Games. It was incorporated on November 24, 1982. Colecovision games :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
WCI Labs |
Formerly the Atari NY Lab, WCI Labs was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warner Communications formed by Steve Meyer to help design the next generation of Atari home computers. Warner later sold 78% of the company to WCI Labs management. As a result of this transaction, a new privately-held company, the Take One Company, was formed. Colecovision game :
Source : gdri |
DEVELOPER
Woodside Design Associates, Inc. |
Woodside Design Associates, Inc. was a high technology think tank in Redwood City, California, United States, headed by Jessica Stevens. It was incorporated on April 2, 1981. Colecovision game :
Source : gdri |
People
This list is neither accurate, nor complete. Here, I tried to list people who were involved in making games for the Colecovision. For homebrew people, you should go to Ole Nielsen’s excellent site colecovision.dk.
If you have information to complete/correct this list, please contact me.
Alan McNeil - Coleco - Programmer
Alan Smith - Imagic
Arnold Hendrick - Coleco - Game design
Au Nguyen - Coleco - Programmer
B. Dennis Sustare - Coleco - Game design
Bill Groetzinger - Spinnaker
Bob Stewart - Coleco
Charles Benton - Sydney Development
Charlie Winterble - Coleco - Director of ARD
Chris Capener - Epyx
Chris Gray - Micro Fun
Chris Merkel - Atarisoft - Programmer (Defender)
Chris Oberth - Micro Fun
Chuck Lockhart - Coleco - Art design
Clinton Ballard - Imagic
Dale Disharoon - Spinnaker
Dan Gorlin - Coleco
Dan Kitchen - Sydney Development
Dan Nicholson - 4D Interactive Systems
Dan Smith - Coleco
Dave Arneson - Coleco - Game design
Dave Cartt - Atarisoft - Programmer (Jungle Hunt)
Dave Johnson - Coleco - Art design
David Megarry - 4D Interactive Systems
David Wesely - 4D Interactive Systems
Dave Ritchie - Coleco - Game design
Dave Ross - Imagic
David Hwang - Coleco - Programmer
David Schultz - Coleco - Programmer
Deborah Lazarus - Coleco - Art design
Don Mattrick - Sydney
Don McGlauflin - Sierra On-Line
E.F. Dreyer - VSS
Ed English - Nuvatec
Ed Salvo - VSS
Eric Bromley - Coleco - Director of ARD
Eric del Sesto - Mattel
Frank Lam - Coleco - Art design
Frieda Lekkerkerker - Fisher Price
Garry Kitchen - Sydney Development
George Gomez - 4D Interactive Systems
George Kiss - Coleco - Programmer/Director of ARD
James Eisenstein - Atarisoft
Jay Belsky - Coleco - Engineer/programmer/game designer
Jay Fenton - Nuvatec
Jeff Sember - Sydney
Jennel Jaquays (formely Paul Jaquays) - Coleco - Director of Game Design
Jesse Kapili - Coleco - Art design
Jim Nugent - Coleco - Engineer
Jim Wolf - Nuvatec
Joe Angiolillio - Coleco - Game design
Joe Clark - Nuvatec
John Butterfield - Coleco - Game design
John Hanna - Spinnaker
John Long - Coleco - Technical writer
John Van Ryzin - The Softworks
Juan Sanchez - Coleco - Art design
Karen Elliot - Imagic
Ken Legace - Coleco - Audio programmer
Ken Leonard - Spinnaker
Ken Totten - Coleco - Game design
Kevin Hendryx - Coleco - Game design
Larry Clague - Atarisoft - Programmer
Larry W. Hutcherson - Coleco
Lawrence J. Schick - 4D Interactive Systems - Game Design
Leo Gray - Coleco - Programmer
Marie Degange - Sierra On-Line
Mark Painter - Coleco - Art design
Mark Voorsanger - Imagic
Mary Guth Fulton - Coleco - Lead writer
MaryLou O'Rourke - Sydney Development
Matt Householder - Atarisoft - Programmer (Moon Patrol)
Matthew Hubbard - Action Graphics
Michael Doherty - Coleco - Programmer
Michael P. Price - Coleco - Game design
Micheal Bates - Sydney Development
Michelle van Schouwen - Coleco - Technical writer
Mike Hendricks - Atarisoft - Programmer
Mike Livesay - Micro Fun
Mike Stackpole - Coleco
Nancy Anderson - Sierra On-Line
Paul Mouchet - Sierra On-Line
Peter Liepa - Micro Fun
Phil Taterczynski - Coleco - Game design
Radia Perlman - Coleco
Rick Banks - Sydney Development
Rick Lay - Coleco
Rob Fulop - Imagic
Rob Harris - Coleco - Programmer/designer
Rob Jepson - Coleco - Programmer
Rob Schenck - Coleco - Programmer
Robert Jaeger - Parker Brothers
Robert Rutkowski - Activision
Robert Smith - Imagic
Robin Lockwood - Coleco - Art design
Roland Rizzo - Coleco - Audio programmer
Rosha Harris - Probe 2000
Stephen Willey - Interphase
Steve Armstrong - Sydney Development
Steve Kitchen - Sydney Development
Steve Roney - Mattel
Thomas Mitchell - Sierra On-Line
Tom Fulton - Coleco - Game design
Tom Helmer - Coleco
Tom Loughry - Telegames
Tom Snyder - Spinnaker
Warren Schwader - Sierra On-Line
Wendell Brown - Imagic
Wilfredo Aguilar - Imagic
Zachary Smith - Coleco - Programmer
