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{{short description|Second generation home video game console}}
{{refimprove|date=March 2009}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{ infobox Information appliance
{{ infobox Information appliance
| name = Coleco Gemini
| name = Coleco Gemini
| image = [[File:Coleco-Gemini-Console.jpg|250px|Coleco Gemini]]
| image = [[File:Coleco-Gemini-Console.jpg|250px|Coleco Gemini]]
| caption = The Coleco Gemini
| caption = The Coleco Gemini
| manufacturer = [[Coleco]]
| manufacturer = [[Coleco Industries, Inc.]]
| type = [[Video game console]]
| type = [[Home video game console]]
| releasedate = <!-- Use {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} - omit "|DD" or "|MM|DD" if necessary -->
| releasedate = <!-- Use {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} - omit "|DD" or "|MM|DD" if necessary -->
| generation = [[History of video games (second-generation systems)|Second generation]]
| generation = [[Second generation of video game consoles|Second generation]]
| connectivity =
| connectivity =
| lifespan =
| lifespan =
| unitssold =
| unitssold =
| media =
| controllers = Combination joystick/paddle controller
| controllers = Combination joystick/paddle controller
| os = <!--(operating system)-->
| os = <!--(operating system)-->
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| media = [[ROM cartridge]]
| media = [[ROM cartridge]]
| memory = RAM: 128 bytes
| memory = RAM: 128 bytes
| display = 160x200, 128 Colors <ref name=colecogem01>[http://www.old-computers.com/MUSEUM/computer.asp?st=2&c=1152 OLD-COMPUTERS.COM Museum - Coleco Gemini page]</ref>
| display = 160x200, 128 Colors <ref name="colecogem01">{{cite web |url=http://www.old-computers.com/MUSEUM/computer.asp?st=2&c=1152 |title=Coleco Gemini |work=Old Computers.com |access-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911123649/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=2&c=1152 |archive-date=September 11, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| service = <!--(online service/s offered)-->
| service = <!--(online service/s offered)-->
| dimensions =
| dimensions =
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| related = [[Atari 2600]]
| related = [[Atari 2600]]
}}
}}

The '''Coleco Gemini''' was an [[Atari 2600]] clone manufactured by [[Coleco]].
The '''Coleco Gemini''' is an [[Atari 2600]] [[Video game clone|clone]] manufactured by [[Coleco Industries, Inc.]] in 1983.<ref name="baker">{{cite book |last=Baker |first=Kevin |date=2013 |title=The Ultimate Guide to Classic Game Consoles |publisher=eBookit.com |pages=69–71 |isbn=978-1456617080}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Baskerville |first=Tim |date=February 26, 1983 |title=Coleco, Atari Going One-on-One in Expansion |newspaper=Billboard}}</ref>
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image: ColecoGemini.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Coleco Gemini]] -->


==Technical specifications==
==Technical specifications==
* Processor: 8-bit [[6507]]
* Processor: 8-bit [[MOS Technology 6507|6507]]
* CPU speed: 1.19&nbsp;MHz
* CPU speed: 1.19 MHz
* RAM: 128 bytes
* RAM: 128 bytes
* Resolution: 160x200, 128 Colors <ref name="colecogem01"/>
* Resolution: 160x200, 128 colors<ref name="colecogem01"/>


==History==
==History==
In 1982, Coleco released Expansion Module #1 for its [[ColecoVision]] video game system. With a custom-made clone of the Atari 2600 TIA chip and off-the-shelf components, the module enabled the ColecoVision to be compatible with [[Atari 2600]] software. Later that year, [[Atari, Inc.]] sued Coleco for [[patent infringement]],<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Coleco Industries Is Sued by Atari |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/09/business/coleco-industries-is-sued-by-atari.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |location=New York, NY |date=December 9, 1982 |access-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref> and the companies wound up settling out of court, with Coleco becoming a licensee of Atari's [[patent]]s.<ref name="settlement">{{Cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XbkwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s_sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2495%2C5116985|title=Coleco, Atari settle up|date=March 13, 1983|work=The Associated Press|access-date=November 11, 2019|publisher=The Ledger|page=51|quote=Under their settlement, the companies said Coleco could continue making and selling its Expansion Module No. 1 and its free-standing Gemini Video Game System. However, Coleco will do so as a licensee of Atari's patents.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Company News: Atari-Coleco Pact |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/12/business/company-news-atari-coleco-pact.html |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York, NY |date=March 12, 1983 |access-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref>
In 1982, Coleco released Expansion Module #1 for its [[ColecoVision]] video game system using off-the-shelf components, that enabled the ColecoVision to be compatible with the Atari 2600. [[Atari]] sued Coleco for patent infringement, however a court ruled that since Coleco used off-the-shelf components and not the same components found inside an Atari 2600, the Expansion Module #1 did not infringe on Atari's patents for the 2600. With this ruling, Coleco decided to make a stand-alone Atari 2600 clone and named it the Gemini.


==Gemini vs. 2600==
==Gemini vs. 2600==
[[File:Coleco-Gemini-Console-Breakdown-05.jpg|thumb|right|The internals of the Gemini]]
The main difference between the Coleco Gemini and the Atari 2600 is the controller design. The Coleco Gemini controllers featured an 8-way joystick and a 270-degree paddle on the same controller (the joystick was at the top of the controller, and the paddle was at the bottom of the controller). To play paddle games, a Y-connector was used to connect two controllers to the controller jack at the same time.
The main difference between the Coleco Gemini and the Atari 2600 is the controller design. The Coleco Gemini controllers (dubbed the 'Dual Command') featured an 8-way [[joystick]] and a 270-[[degree (angle)|degree]] [[Paddle (game controller)|paddle]] on the same controller (the joystick was at the top of the controller, and the paddle was at the bottom of the controller). To play paddle games on the 2600, a Y-connector could be used to connect a joystick and paddles to the controller jack at the same time, rather than physically swapping controllers.<ref name=vg1983>{{cite magazine | author=Sittnick, Mike | title=Coleco's Gemini: The Dual Purpose Game System | magazine=Video Games | publisher= Pumpkin Press | date= December 1983 | volume=2 | issue=3 | editor1-last=Sharpe | editor1-first=Roger C. | editor2-last=Canole | editor2-first=Patricia | editor3-last=Greenberg | editor3-first=Perry}}</ref>

The Gemini was much more compact than the large faux-[[woodgrain]] consoles sold by Atari at the time. The Gemini also had a different game included with the system. Atari was still including the [[Combat (video game)|Combat]] game released in 1977. The Gemini most commonly included [[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]], but at some point also included [[Carnival (game)|Carnival]] and [[Mouse Trap (arcade game)|Mouse Trap]] and [[Front_Line_(video_game)|Front Line]]. [[Sears]] also offered a version of the Gemini with both Donkey Kong and Mouse Trap included as separate cartridges.


The Gemini was more compact than the large faux-[[woodgrain]] or gloss black-trimmed consoles sold by Atari at the time. The Gemini also had a different game included with the system. Atari was including its 1982 [[Pac-Man (Atari 2600)|version of ''Pac-Man'']]<ref name=2600pacman>{{cite web|url=http://www.mr-atari.com/afbeeldingen/systems/2600pacmanblue.jpg|title=Image of box with Pac-Man sticker}}</ref> along with ''[[Combat (video game)|Combat]]'' (1977). The Gemini initially came bundled with Coleco's 1982 port of ''[[Donkey Kong (arcade game)|Donkey Kong]]'',<ref>{{cite book |title=1982 Annual Report |date=April 8, 1983 |publisher=Coleco |page=17}}</ref> but at some point also included ''[[Carnival (video game)|Carnival]]'', ''[[Mouse Trap (1981 video game)|Mouse Trap]]'' and ''[[Front Line (video game)|Front Line]]''. [[Sears]] also offered a version of the Gemini with both ''Donkey Kong'' and ''Mouse Trap'' included as separate cartridges.<ref>{{cite book |title=1983 Wish Book |date=1983 |publisher=Sears |page=597 |url=http://www.wishbookweb.com/FB/1983_Sears_Wishbook/files/assets/basic-html/page-597.html |access-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710035221/http://www.wishbookweb.com/FB/1983_Sears_Wishbook/files/assets/basic-html/page-597.html |archive-date=10 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Coleco struck a deal with [[Columbia House]] to start a video game club similar to its record club. Columbia sold the Coleco Gemini as the Columbia Home Arcade through the Columbia House Video Game Club. In Canada, CBS Electronics sold the Gemini under the Columbia Home Arcade name.


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Coleco Gemini}}
{{Commons category|Coleco Gemini}}
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20080123142939/http://www.vidgame.net/COLECO/GEMINI.html vidgame.net] (archived version of page)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080123142939/http://www.vidgame.net/COLECO/GEMINI.html vidgame.net] (archived version of page)
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZr_se2nmVw Video review and tour of the console]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZr_se2nmVw Video review and tour of the console]


{{Atari 2600}}
{{Atari 2600}}


[[Category:Coleco consoles]]
[[Category:1980s toys]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 hardware clones]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 hardware clones]]
[[Category:Coleco consoles|Gemini]]

Latest revision as of 07:09, 22 May 2024

Coleco Gemini
Coleco Gemini
The Coleco Gemini
ManufacturerColeco Industries, Inc.
TypeHome video game console
GenerationSecond generation
MediaROM cartridge
CPUMOS 6507 @ 1.19 MHz
MemoryRAM: 128 bytes
Display160x200, 128 Colors [1]
Controller inputCombination joystick/paddle controller
RelatedAtari 2600

The Coleco Gemini is an Atari 2600 clone manufactured by Coleco Industries, Inc. in 1983.[2][3]

Technical specifications

[edit]
  • Processor: 8-bit 6507
  • CPU speed: 1.19 MHz
  • RAM: 128 bytes
  • Resolution: 160x200, 128 colors[1]

History

[edit]

In 1982, Coleco released Expansion Module #1 for its ColecoVision video game system. With a custom-made clone of the Atari 2600 TIA chip and off-the-shelf components, the module enabled the ColecoVision to be compatible with Atari 2600 software. Later that year, Atari, Inc. sued Coleco for patent infringement,[4] and the companies wound up settling out of court, with Coleco becoming a licensee of Atari's patents.[5][6]

Gemini vs. 2600

[edit]
The internals of the Gemini

The main difference between the Coleco Gemini and the Atari 2600 is the controller design. The Coleco Gemini controllers (dubbed the 'Dual Command') featured an 8-way joystick and a 270-degree paddle on the same controller (the joystick was at the top of the controller, and the paddle was at the bottom of the controller). To play paddle games on the 2600, a Y-connector could be used to connect a joystick and paddles to the controller jack at the same time, rather than physically swapping controllers.[7]

The Gemini was more compact than the large faux-woodgrain or gloss black-trimmed consoles sold by Atari at the time. The Gemini also had a different game included with the system. Atari was including its 1982 version of Pac-Man[8] along with Combat (1977). The Gemini initially came bundled with Coleco's 1982 port of Donkey Kong,[9] but at some point also included Carnival, Mouse Trap and Front Line. Sears also offered a version of the Gemini with both Donkey Kong and Mouse Trap included as separate cartridges.[10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Coleco Gemini". Old Computers.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  2. ^ Baker, Kevin (2013). The Ultimate Guide to Classic Game Consoles. eBookit.com. pp. 69–71. ISBN 978-1456617080.
  3. ^ Baskerville, Tim (February 26, 1983). "Coleco, Atari Going One-on-One in Expansion". Billboard.
  4. ^ "Coleco Industries Is Sued by Atari". The New York Times. New York, NY. December 9, 1982. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  5. ^ "Coleco, Atari settle up". The Associated Press. The Ledger. March 13, 1983. p. 51. Retrieved November 11, 2019. Under their settlement, the companies said Coleco could continue making and selling its Expansion Module No. 1 and its free-standing Gemini Video Game System. However, Coleco will do so as a licensee of Atari's patents.
  6. ^ "Company News: Atari-Coleco Pact". The New York Times. New York, NY. March 12, 1983. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  7. ^ Sittnick, Mike (December 1983). Sharpe, Roger C.; Canole, Patricia; Greenberg, Perry (eds.). "Coleco's Gemini: The Dual Purpose Game System". Video Games. Vol. 2, no. 3. Pumpkin Press.
  8. ^ "Image of box with Pac-Man sticker".
  9. ^ 1982 Annual Report. Coleco. April 8, 1983. p. 17.
  10. ^ 1983 Wish Book. Sears. 1983. p. 597. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
[edit]
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