In the early 1980s, Coleco of Hartford, Connecticut released a line of tabletop arcade games that emulated the look-and-feel of their full-sized, stand-up counterparts. Marketed as “the arcade games you can take home with you,” the company’s released titles included Pac-Man, Galaxian, Donkey Kong, Frogger, Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong Junior, and Zaxxon.
Over 35 years and a successful Kickstarter campaign later, the company is back with a new series of mini-arcade games that retain the nostalgic feel of their 1980s counterparts while adding a boost of technology.
The line retains the classic shape, use of vinyl side art, and heavy-duty plastic shell construction of the originals. Inside each cabinet is updated hardware, including a full-colour, high-resolution LCD, new chipset, and a micro-USB-powered rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. An integrated speaker with an aux jack, revamped joystick, and updated action buttons round out the upgrades.
Coleco’s first two offerings, Rainbow Brite: Journey to Rainbow Land and Robotech: The Macross Saga, are based on those 1980s cartoon series. Rainbow Brite is a classic RPG-style game where players join Rainbow Brite and her horse, Starlite, to spread “color and happiness” and defeat Murky and Lurky, the enemies of Rainbow Land. Robotech: The Macross Saga is darker; the 2D side-scrolling action game has players acting as “Earth’s last defense in an epic intergalactic battle against alien forces.”
Both games check-in at $74.99 USD and are available from Coleco’s online store or a variety of other online retailers.
