New Options for the Colecovision
In 2015 Edladdin Controllers designed and built a prototype device called the the "Seagull CV" controller board, which can take incoming signal information from Atari 2600, Atari 7800, vintage Colecovision, Flashback Colecovision, and Sega Genesis controllers, as well as arcade hardware and a 12 key membrane keypad, then translate those signals for delivery to both the classic Colecovision of the early 1980s and also the Flashback Colecovision consoles that were released in 2014. The resulting controller board can be used to drive the ultimate Colecovision controller adapter, an arcade controller, or a combination of the two.
Our new controller board is the driving force behind three new products for the Colecovision:
1. The "Seagull CV" Controller Adapter
The "Seagull CV" adapter is the ultimate Colecovision controller adapter! It allows one player to use of any of the following controllers with both the original Colecovision and Flashback Colecovision consoles: Atari 2600, Atari 7800, 1982 Colecovision, Flashback Colecovision, and Sega Genesis compatible controllers.
The "Seagull CV" has an on-board 12-key membrane keypad, so no external keypads are needed to start or play Colecovision games with your favorite controller. This adapter is housed in a 5-1/2" x 6-1/2" (14cm x 15cm) aluminum enclosure that should last a lifetime. Includes a 6' (1.8m) molded connector cord.
2. The "Super Arcade Controller"
The "Super Arcade Controller" delivers authentic golden-era arcade gameplay to games on your classic Colecovision and Flashback Colecovision consoles. Equipped with an authentic Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT ball-top joystick with an octagonal restrictor plate that provides excellent touch on both 8-way shooters and 4-way maze games, while four Suzo-Happ microswitch pushbuttons fire as fast as you can tap your fingers on games that utilized Coleco's Super Action Controller. An on-board membrane keypad provides instant control of game selection and play features.
Joystick ball and fire buttons may be customized to your choice of colors. Unit is built in a durable 8-5/8" x 14-1/4" (22cm x 36cm) sloped aluminum enclosure with rubber feet that is comfortable on the lap or the tabletop. Includes a 6' (1.8m) molded connector cord.
3. The "Super Arcade Controller PLUS"
The "Super Arcade Controller PLUS" combines the "Seagull CV" controller adapter and a "Super Arcade Controller" into the ultimate Colecovision controller and adapter!
Use the onboard arcade joystick, four microswitch pushbuttons, and membrane keypad to play your favorite classic and Flashback Colecovision game, or use your favorite Atari 2600, Atari 7800, 1982 Colecovision, Flashback Colecovision, and Sega Genesis compatible controllers.
Joystick ball and buttons may be customized to your choice of colors. Unit is built in a durable 8-5/8" x 14-1/4" (22cm x 36cm) sloped aluminum enclosure with rubber feet that is comfortable on the lap or the tabletop. Includes a 6' (1.8m) molded connector cord.
You can see the working prototype for the Super Arcade Controller PLUS being tested and reviewed by William Culver at his ArcadeUSA channel on YouTube. Mr. Culver is host of the "Colecovisions" podcast and several other classic gaming podcasts, and is a respected figure in the classic gaming community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_9qmcjSOCs
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During 2015, we also located a high quality, ready-to-use controller board that would accept the signals from our arcade hardware and 12 key non-matrix keypad, then deliver programmable signal outputs via a USB cable, thus facilitating launch of our first USB arcade controller for the emulation community. This brings us to our fourth new product for the Colecovision community to be launched with this Kickstarter campaign:
4. The Super USB: Colecovision
The "Super USB: Colecovision" delivers authentic golden-era arcade gameplay to your computer for emulated games, consoles, and arcade machines.
Equipped with an authentic Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT ball-top joystick with an octagonal restrictor plate that provides excellent touch on both 8-way shooters and 4-way maze games, while four Suzo-Happ microswitch pushbuttons fire as fast as you can tap your fingers. An on-board membrane keypad provides instant control of game selection and play features on emulated Colecovision and other consoles that had keypad controllers. Use default settings for joystick, button, and keypad pushes or set any of them to the computer keyboard strokes of your choice.
At Edladdin Controllers, "Your wish is our command!"
All of our new Colecovision controllers are fully customizable. Choose the classic color scheme from Coleco's original Super Action Controller, or we will build yours with the joystick ball and fire buttons in the colors of choice.
Project Goals
At this point we have invested more than $3,700 in design engineering, prototypes, and artwork for this new line of Colecovision controllers and controller adapters. The purpose of this Kickstarter campaign is to raise an additional $9,650 to move the entire collection into production by covering the purchase of those elements with large minimum purchase requirements, including:
- Manufacture, assembly, and programming of 100 Seagull CV controller boards
- Purchase and programming of 25 USB controller boards
- Purchase of 100 large aluminum cases for arcade controllers - the "Super Arcade Controller", the "Super Arcade Controller Plus", and the "Super USB: Colecovision"
- Purchase of 25 small aluminum cases for the "Seagull CV" controller adapter.
- Purchase of production-quantity runs of matrix and non-matrix 12-key membrane keypads.
- Production-quantity runs of all four versions of the panel and side art, which are printed on vinyl with a durable protective laminate overlay
Stretch Goal #1 = $13,295
Edladdin Controllers has sufficient cash reserves to cover purchase of the low-minimum components to build all pledge rewards, however, we can realize additional savings by purchasing the following items in larger volumes as well:
- 100 Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT ball-top joysticks with octagonal restrictor plates
- 400 Suzo-Happ microswitch pushbuttons.
- 100 - six foot (1.8m) molded DB9 cables
- 25 - six foot (1.8m) USB 2.0 cables
- 100 - 20" x 10" x 8" shipping cartons
If we can raise an additional $3,645 to reach this stretch goal, everyone who pledges $25 or more will receive an 11 ounce (0.3L) black ceramic mug imprinted with the Edladdin Controllers logo that will keep your drinks as hot as your game play, in addition to their primary pledge rewards.
Stretch Goal #2 = $16,995
We've spent more than $3,700 thus far on engineering, graphic design, parts, prototypes, and filming of the campaign video. If we can recapture that investment by reaching our second stretch goal, everyone who pledges $99 or more will receive the 11 ounce (0.3L) black ceramic mug AND an Edladdin Controllers t-shirt, in addition to their primary pledge rewards.
Conclusion
When I was a kid, I thought there could be no more amazing job than to go to work for Atari, Coleco, Williams, Bally-Midway, NAMCO, or one of the other famous video game companies that were huge at the time. The "golden era" was pretty well over by the time I reached adulthood, so I never imagined another opportunity would arise to get involved with the community that has kept the golden era systems and games going and growing all these years. Launching Edladdin Controllers in 2014 has been a thrill ride of not only great games, but also of great new friendships and wonderful experiences. THANK YOU for considering supporting this project!
Risks and challenges
We have one or more vendor quotes and working prototypes for every item required to build the four new Colecovision products. Most of the quotes are with suppliers with which we have been doing business since the birth of Edladdin Controllers in 2014, or as long as 25 years through our parent company - BETAR USA.
Still, because there are so many custom and specialized parts to be produced around the world, there is the possibility that delivery of all pledge rewards may take 30-45 days longer than expected if we are delayed by one of our suppliers or the response is very strong. With that said, we are a manufacturing company with decades of experience building electronic systems and devices for retail and business clients, so there is no question about whether or not we will be able to deliver the goods.
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Funding period
- (30 days)