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Telstar

Telstar

The Telstar is a series of video game consoles produced by Coleco from 1976 to 1978. Starting with Telstar Pong clone based on General Instrument's AY-3-8500 chip in 1976, there were 14 consoles released in the Telstar branded series.
 
Telstar was a series of video game models made by Coleco which preceded the Colecovision by 10 years.  "Telsta", Coleco's first videogame system was releases in 1976 and played only three games with three difficulty levels.  It was the first system to use the GI's AY-3-8500 chip, and was a huge success.  The system sold over a million units.  There were even two variants: one sold by Coleco in Canada as "Telstar Deluxe", and another (same) sold by Montgomery-Ward under the name "Telstar Video World of Sports" 


Telstar: Early Home Console Innovation

Released in 1976 by Coleco, the Telstar was one of the first dedicated home video game consoles. At the time, video games were still a novelty in the entertainment world, and the Telstar aimed to bring arcade-style gaming into living rooms for a fraction of the price of earlier systems.

The console was built to play a selection of simple, pong-inspired games, featuring basic black-and-white graphics. The Telstar's games were hardwired into the system, with no cartridges or discs required-players could choose from games like Tennis, Hockey, and Handball, all of which were variations of the classic Pong formula.

The console's controller was a simple rotary dial, which allowed players to control paddles or sliders on the screen. While rudimentary by modern standards, the Telstar's affordability and ease of use helped to establish it as one of the early pioneers of the home video game industry.

Though its lifespan was short, the Telstar's success helped lay the groundwork for future console developments and contributed to the growing popularity of home gaming systems. The Telstar is now remembered as an important stepping stone in the evolution of video game consoles.

Telstar Review: The Birth of Home Gaming

Released in 1976, the Coleco Telstar was a pioneering effort in the home gaming industry, offering families a chance to enjoy arcade-style video games in the comfort of their own living rooms. While it may seem primitive by today's standards, the Telstar was a groundbreaking console for its time and played an important role in the early days of home entertainment.

Design & Hardware

The Telstar was a basic, rectangular box with an iconic woodgrain finish (a popular design trend at the time). Its simplicity made it easy to use and accessible to families who were new to the world of video games. The controller, a rotary dial, was surprisingly intuitive. It was used to control paddles or sliders in the games, which was very much in line with the popular Pong-style games that dominated arcade and home gaming at the time.

The lack of a screen or any major visual enhancements kept the system's design simple, but it did its job-displaying black-and-white graphics on the TV without any fuss. The games were hardwired into the console, which meant no cartridges or discs were needed, making setup quick and easy.

Game Library & Performance

The Telstar offered a limited but fun library of games, all variations on the classic Pong formula. The most notable titles included:

  • Tennis - A straightforward pong-inspired game where you bounce the ball back and forth.
  • Hockey - A fast-paced, pong-like take on the game of hockey.
  • Handball - Another sports-inspired game, but with a slight twist on the classic Pong mechanics.

While the selection was minimal, the simplicity of the games made them easy to pick up and play for short bursts of fun. In the context of its era, the games were engaging, and the controller felt responsive, making for an enjoyable experience in a new and exciting medium.

Limitations & Drawbacks

The Telstar was very much a one-trick pony, with its entire library consisting of simple sports simulations. As a result, the system lacked the depth and variety that would later define the gaming consoles of the '80s and beyond. The graphics were basic and the sound effects minimal, which, while typical of the time, quickly made the Telstar feel outdated as more advanced systems hit the market.

Additionally, since the games were hardwired into the console, there was no way to expand or update the system's capabilities. Once you played all the games, there wasn't much more to explore.

Final Verdict

The Coleco Telstar was an important stepping stone in the history of home gaming consoles, offering the first taste of arcade-style gaming for families. While the games were basic and the console lacked the longevity of later systems, the Telstar was an affordable, simple option for those wanting to experience the burgeoning video game craze of the mid-'70s.

Today, the Telstar is a collector's item, remembered fondly for its role in the early days of home video gaming. While it may not hold up as a modern gaming experience, it remains a charming reminder of where it all began.

Score: 6/10

? A groundbreaking console for its time, but limited in scope and appeal once the novelty wore off. A collector's gem for retro enthusiasts, but not much more.

Would you like more details on its competitors from the same era or other early gaming systems?





Jt august  starsabre@att.net  on Saturday, February 26, 2000 at 23:59:55 
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The Coleco Telstar Arcade is triangular-shaped, with different controls on each side.  The first side holds two hardwired knobs; the second holds a light pistol; the third side holds a steering wheel.

There were only four triangular carts made for this machine. 
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Wiseguy  wiseguyUSA@xoommail.com  on Wednesday, January 5, 2000 at 00:30:34 
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Telestar was a series of video game models made by Coleco which preceded the Colecovision by 10+ years. The Telestar series included a dedicated Pong Clone, a Dedicated Pong clone with a light gun (the Telestar Ranger) and a programmable unit the Telestar Arcade  a triangular until with a steering wheel, light gun, and duel paddle controls that used triangular game cartridges.

Coleco derived its name from the Connecticut Leather Company which first started making plastic pools, they are most famous for the Cabbage Patch Doll. 
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Coleco Telstar Arcade