How to find ColecoVision Game Cartridges

OK, if you own a ColecoVision you have probably run into this problem: Tons of stores, flea markets, etc that carry old Atari games but none that carry ColecoVision games… or so you think.

The first rule to ColecoVision games is they look nearly identical to Atari cartridges, so a lot of the time when they are purchased in bulk, sellers will just stuff them in boxes of Atari games and not give them a second thought. So get ready to dig through a ton of Atari games.

The main difference that makes ColecoVision games stand out is the back. Most Atari cartridges have a simple back side that is just flat. The ColecoVision cartridge has a recessed portion with tabs which are designed to hold the controller insert card. Sadly, 99% of the time this card is missing. Another huge difference is Atari games are labeled upside down when compared to the ColecoVision. Note the pictures. Atari games are on the right, ColecoVision games on the left. You will notice the Atari side label (slightly pealing off on the top right hand picture) is on the bottom. The ColecoVision game (top left) has the cartridge contacts on the bottom. You can also clearly see the indentation in the back of the ColecoVision cartridge (bottom left) WARNING: Coleco made games for the Atari too! Just because it says Coleco doesn’t mean ColecoVision! Check the back for the indentation and make sure it says ColecoVision!

Once you have dug through a hundred copies of Missile Command, Combat and Space Invaders for Atari you should have come across at least 10 ColecoVision games. Sellers might get it in their head that it should command a higher price, when it (in most cases) shouldn’t. Just let them know there is a much lower demand for ColecoVision games, so they can either sell them to you, or they can hold on to them until they rot. In some cases, when you are friendly with the person selling or you are a repeat customer, it’s not a bad idea to school them on ColecoVision games. You might make a new friend, the best kind of new friend, a new friend that will set aside ColecoVision titles for you in the future!

It is one of those relationships that benefit both parties. They sell something they would normally have to sit on or throw away, and you don’t have to go through more trouble than Indiana Jones (minus the Nazis everywhere) to find new games.

At the flea market this weekend I talked to 3 different video game retailers. Only one knew he had ColecoVision games mixed in with his Atari games. The other two were clueless. One didn’t even know what Colecovision was and wanted to know if they could be played on the Atari. Those two were glad for the information and promised to hold back any ColecoVision games so I could have first grabs next weekend. The one who actually knew he had ColecoVision games mixed in was so impressed with the simple fact that I knew it that he gave me a bundle deal of 9 Atari 5200 games, a ColecoVision power supply, 3 ColecoVision games and 2 Atari 7800 games all for 20 bucks! So it pays to know your stuff!

So educate yourself, get out and dig, make some friends and have some fun! Who knows what you will end up with!

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Don’t forget to vote for your favorite game system on the poll located on the top of the column on the right! A lot of people have voted for the SNES, which is probably my least favorite vintage system and I really don’t think it did much to further the video game industry, but one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Anyway, VOTE! PLEASE VOTE!