part0021

Designed in part by industry legend Ralph Baer, the Telstar Arcade was the pinnacle of Coleco’s Telstar line, which included such dedicated units as Telstar Combat and Telstar Galaxy . The Telstar Arcade was triangular in shape, with each side of the console containing a different type of control apparatus. One side had rotary knobs, which were used primarily for Pong -like games. One side sported a highly realistic looking gun (complete with console holster), which was used for target shooting games. And the third side was equipped with a steering wheel and a two-position gear shift, which made driving games feel somewhat authentic.

The Telstar Arcade was scheduled for release in 1977, but didn’t hit the market until 1978. By this time, the Atari 2600 (then called the Atari VCS) and, to a much lesser extent, the Fairchild Channel F system, were already forces in the marketplace, making the Telstar Arcade look like an outdated relic upon release, despite its unique design and nifty array of built-in controllers. The system was indeed a big step up from the dedicated Pong units of the day, but was hopelessly outclassed by other cartridge-based systems and was quickly relegated to the bargain bins. Only four cartridges (which were triangular in shape, like the system itself ) were released.

With the advent of the ColecoVision in 1982, Coleco found its true place in the programmable console market, putting the Telstar Arcade safely in its rearview mirror.

PUBLISHER: Coleco. DEVELOPER: Coleco. For-

mula-1/Indy Racing/Ball-and-Paddle/Light Gun Shooter, 1 or 2 players (simultaneous). 1978.

The pack-in title with Coleco’s Telstar Arcade system, Cartridge #1 includes three different games, one for each of the triangular console’s three distinctive sides: Road Race (an overhead view game in which players drive to the right and dodge cars) is compatible with the steering wheel; Tennis (a Pong -like game) utilizes the rotary paddles; and Quick Draw (an Old West–style shootout) uses the gun attachment.

PUBLISHER: Coleco. DEVELOPER: Coleco. Ball-and-Paddle/Light Gun Shooter, 1–4 players (simultaneous). 1978.

Packaged with an extra pair of rotary controllers (for use in four-player modes), this cartridge contains three ball-and-paddle games and two light gun games. Tennis, Hockey, and Handball are Pong variants while Jumping Target and Quick Shot are basic one player target games in which the shooter takes aim with the gun and fires at simple squares.

PUBLISHER: Coleco. DEVELOPER: Coleco. Pinball/Light Gun Shooter, 1 or 2 players (alternating). 1978.

Cartridge #3 contains two basic pinball games: Bonus Pinball and Deluxe Pinball, both of which feature the same target layout of simple blocky shapes. Also included in the compilation is a pair of crude target-shooting games: Shooting Gallery and Shoot the Bear, both of which have players using the gun to shoot at unrecognizable shapes.

PUBLISHER: Coleco. DEVELOPER: Coleco. Non-Scrolling Shooter/Ball-and-Paddle/Light Gun Shooter, 1 or 2 players (alternating, simultaneous). 1978.

Cartridge #4 was not featured in the order form that came with the Telstar Arcade console, making it a harder-to-find game in today’s collectors’ market. Lucky gamers who do have this cartridge can play the following: Naval Battle, which is a rotary-controlled submarine shooter in which players fire at destroyers; Speed Ball, which is a Pong variant with bumpers; and Blast-Away, which is a light gun space shooter.