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[Vipershark]

Yeah they did, it wasn't going to play classic games at all, they were clear about that point, even mentioning it in the FAQ. The whole point of the FPGA was to play modern retro-style games that were developed for the old systems. Games like Pier Solar. After all of the backlash regarding price, they said that they might eventually create add-ons that would allow classic games to be played - cartridges with built-in FPGA cores and cartridge slots. But I think they only announced that to try and make the higher price seem more worth it.

Yeah, that's what I was saying. I guess I should have been more clear and gone back to using the three terms from the old thread (meaning games from other consoles, modern games programmed for other consoles but inside a VGS cart shell, and modern ARM core games) but as far as "playing classic games" I was specifically talking about the ability to play games with code on the cart that is native to other platforms.

The term "Retro-styled" is really misleading, especially when you're talking about games natively meant to be played on said retro consoles. At that point it isn't really "retro-styled" anymore, is it? That more accurately describes something for the ARM core that looks and is meant to play like a retro game, such as Shovel Knight.

Even if they didn't release adapters for old games (let's be realistic, SOMEONE would eventually) that was never the main thing I wanted out of this system. I wanted to be able to code a game using native snes/genesis/whatever code and have it play on this system (with the possibility of also playing it on the original system as well).

We just agreed.

However considering that it now has the Coleco branding and as far as any of us know they don't have an FPGA at this point, I am REALLY hoping that "ability to play classic games" doesn't mean "has ColecoVision games onboard but can also play new ARM stuff"

 

[Dreamwriter]

Oh yeah, I actually started to make an NES game back then, in part for the Retro VGS (and in part just for fun):

I liked the FPGA idea, hopefully it's still part of the system, even if just limited to a few 8-bit and (hopefully) 16-bit systems.

 

[NoFaceNico]

Their first update of the year:

meanwhile....

 

[Ghost_Messiah]

Their first update of the year:

meanwhile....

lol Yeah I know - we're going to need to see their game announcements and contrast them with last time to see whether this has a legitimate shot or not. They're going to need some heavy hitters and an overall launch line-up that is far stronger than last time to stand a chance. Words thrown around last time regarding their launch games were things like "anaemic" and I think that was the perfect descriptor. They had Tiny Knight, Gunlord and? If anything prevented people from pledging last time it was "this console is going to have no games isn't it" upon looking at their launch games and "future developer support" section that literally consisted of a quote from Wayforward, and pretty much just a "maybe" of Pier Solar coming to the platform and not much else.

They need to convey this as being a real gaming platform complete with real developer support. These early game announcements are crucial.

 

[dancrane212]

Taking a peek at the CC Facebook page they gave a bit more details at what they are going to show off next month.

Retro Video Game Systems, Inc. We will have a variety of full size games available to play and two controllers for multiplayer.

Guess the game announcements are still on the way as well. Not many days left in January to release that info.

NintendoLoveAffair ‏@ninloveaffair 11h11 hours ago
@RETROVGS did I miss the game lineup announcements?

COLECO Chameleon ‏@RETROVGS 11h11 hours ago
@ninloveaffair still coming

I'm more interested on whether or not they picked a cart format yet.

 

[ErbilT]

They just announced a bunch of games on their Facebook page. Apparently a port/emulation of Iron Commando that was released on the Super Famicom is coming, which is a pretty neat brawler. I asked if the games were running on real hardware and they stated that some games will be playable at the Toy Fair....

So yeah, take that as you will.

 

[emb]

They just announced a bunch of games on their Facebook page. Apparently a port/emulation of Iron Commando that was released on the Super Famicom is coming, which is a pretty neat brawler. I asked if the games were running on real hardware and they stated that some games will be playable at the Toy Fair....

So yeah, take that as you will.

I was about to bump this thread earlier today to say how appropriate the 'well, we're waiting' gif above was now.

Glad to see they made good on their promise to announce games in January.

When I looked I saw the highlight reel, half of which was a big showcase of Colecovision and Intellivision games. Guess this thing will play those then?

The new games mentioned looked fine, but nothing mind blowing. Seem like the kinds of things that will be good enough to invoke nostalgia, even if not truly great in their own right.

 

[Tempy]

They just announced a bunch of games on their Facebook page. Apparently a port/emulation of Iron Commando that was released on the Super Famicom is coming, which is a pretty neat brawler. I asked if the games were running on real hardware and they stated that some games will be playable at the Toy Fair....

So yeah, take that as you will.

First part looks like straight Colecovision games (kinda a given I suppose since they can easily get the Colecovision library) and Intellivision games. Second part looks like SNES/Genesis games? Not familiar with most of these, so I dunno if there are any original games among them.

 

[emb]

First part looks like straight Colecovision games (kinda a given I suppose since they can easily get the Colecovision library) and Intellivision games. Second part looks like SNES/Genesis games? Not familiar with most of these, so I dunno if there are any original games among them.

The only one in the later section that I definitely recognized was Sydney Hunter. It started out as a homebrew SNES game (iirc) and was slated to be one of the titles for the RVGS too. I think it was one of the ones from Collectorvision, who seemed to already be in the business of making new-old games before RVGS/CC.

 

[Dreamwriter]

They just announced a bunch of games on their Facebook page. Apparently a port/emulation of Iron Commando that was released on the Super Famicom is coming, which is a pretty neat brawler. I asked if the games were running on real hardware and they stated that some games will be playable at the Toy Fair....

So yeah, take that as you will.

All those "16-bit" games are most likely SNES games - another game in the video, Jim Power: The Lost Dimension, is a classic SNES game, and Dorke and Ymp is an old SNES game that never got finished until recently when it got released as a "modern retro SNES title". Apocalypse II is a SNES game that never got released (because it was going to be published by Psygnosis before they got bought by Sony), and Legend is a SNES beat em up that eventually got remade for PlayStation. I'm hoping they persuaded Kevtris to build them a SNES core.

Something to note about the video: it says those are all "Early Launch Titles".

 

[NeOak]

Just saw a fb update

Retro Video Game Systems, Inc.
Get ready for our Kickstarter date reveal happening here on our Facebook page live from Toy Fair NY at 9:30 AM ET next Saturday, February 13th. Then come back daily at 9:30 AM ET where we'll reveal a new Kickstarter Reward beginning with the Limited Early Bird Retail Package/Price.

https://www.facebook.com/RETROVGS/p...41829.783316545070951/944808828921721/?type=3

Announcing of an announcement of when their Kickstarter will go live.

lol

 

[NoFaceNico]

Whoa! Don't everyone get excited all at once!

While I'm sure they're doing this according to the directions found in some sort of a Kickstarter for Dummies book, I think you have to be a very special kind of dummy to be chomping at the bit for every announcement at this point.... y'know like me!

 

[Kyari]

Just saw a fb update



https://www.facebook.com/RETROVGS/p...41829.783316545070951/944808828921721/?type=3

Announcing of an announcement of when their Kickstarter will go live.

lol

Oh we're back to crowd funding? And on Kickstarter this time? I thought they said Indie Gogo was the best choice because it mirrored their values or whatnot?

 

[Mega]

I think they admitted when they ended the last campaign that Kickstarter was the right platform and they should've had everything in order for KS. The plan for months since RetroVGS failed was to get back on KS as initially promised.

 

[Dreamwriter]

Happening this weekend, they've got a booth at the Toy Fair in New York under the name Coleco/Colecovision. Definitely gonna keep an eye on this!

 

[NoFaceNico]

Make sure to keep an eye on the official twitter: https://twitter.com/colecochameleon

They'll have announcements each day of the fair.

 

[Dreamwriter]

Make sure to keep an eye on the official twitter: https://twitter.com/colecochameleon

They'll have announcements each day of the fair.

The official Twitter is retrovgs... http://www.twitter.com/retrovgs

 

[Dreamwriter]

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

I don't think I've ever been more interested in a concept and more leery of execution

 

[Mega]

This is all any of us wanted (actual hardware running games). Can't wait to see more.

And if anyone is interested in that little CRT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SONY-TRINIT...388987?hash=item1c613bbbfb:g:BL0AAOSwYIhWlfMY

They should get a 14-20" PVM, hook up the console with RGB or Component and really have the games shine.

 

[Omegasquash]

I don't even know how I missed this, but I'm glad I'm hearing of it today.

This is completely out of left field.

 

[NoFaceNico]

Alright guys, stop me if you heard this joke before...

A guy walks into a toy fair to show off his prototype.

Turns out it's just a SNES stuffed in a Jag shell and a cartridge with an Everdrive held on the back with electrical tape.

Then he says:

Good one! Right?!

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Fool me once, shame on you
Fool me 4 times shame on...

 

[Leynos]

Alright guys, stop me if you heard this joke before...

A guy walks into a toy fair to show off his prototype.

Turns out it's just a SNES stuffed in a Jag shell and a cartridge with an Everdrive held on the back with electrical tape.


Then he says:

Good one! Right?!

Oh, for fuck's sakes. I like the concept, but they keep burning any good will with their shenanigans.

 

[Jacksinthe]

Alright guys, stop me if you heard this joke before...

A guy walks into a toy fair to show off his prototype.

Turns out it's just a SNES stuffed in a Jag shell and a cartridge with an Everdrive held on the back with electrical tape.


Then he says:

Good one! Right?!

Man.

Man oh man.

 

[RealityCheque]

Nope. I checked, it's not April 1st.

There must be a lot of those old jaguar husks still lying around. Seems like every ill-conceived retro console (and dental tool manufacturer) is using them.

 

[Tempy]

Don't they say it's a SNES FPGA core?

 

[CoolZombie360]

This is gonna bomb more spectacularly than it did last time isn't it...

 

[Vamphuntr]

I don't have the technical knowledge to know if it's actually an SNES and an Everdrive but if it is shame on them. That means they don't even have a working prototype yet and are deceiving customers once again.

 

[Dreamwriter]

Yeah, they claim it's a custom SNES FPGA core, and they show it with another bare SNES cartridge board plugged in and working.

 

[NoFaceNico]

Yeah, they claim it's a custom SNES FPGA core, and they show it with another bare SNES cartridge board plugged in and working.

..... or... that could prove that it really is just a SNES in there because it's able to run a SNES game.

 

[OrbitalBeard]

Nope. I checked, it's not April 1st.

There must be a lot of those old jaguar husks still lying around. Seems like every ill-conceived retro console (and dental tool manufacturer) is using them.

This is the Retro VGS, rebranded. It's by the same guy, Mike Kennedy.

 

[Outrun]

i can't vision this working out for coleco

The Coleco Chameleon, endorsed by Bruce Leee and Elviz Presley.

 

[JasonUresti]

I think Mike might need help at this point. His actions speak to someone who is obsessed with an idea and what it represents to them. Family and friends need to step in and tell him its time to stop. All this stress and lies and hoops this foolhardy idea is making him jump through and into cant be healthy for him.

Basically I dont see this as a guy trying to scam people, just an individual now consumed by a passion project and trying anything to make it a reality. I am sure in Mike's mind he feels if he can just get that crowd funding money, even by misrepresenting key elements, he can deliver on his core idea and all the BS will have been justified.

 

[ElectricThunder]

...Misrepresenting key elements in a bid to get money out of people would have to be a top shelf example of actually scamming folks though---the ends often somehow magically end up justifying the means with such folks to boot~

If this above nonsense has actually went down, then man....worse than I'd reckoned given the gap of time and the new names they've brought along somehow.

Surely though, surely this won't be a case of 3 strikes until we get an out right? I can't fathom them making another play of this at this rate to the same degree as fathoming this latest iteration* actually succeeding.

 

[Mega]

But isn't a FPGA console like this brand new hardware we have never had before? This may have been done with the help of Kevtris as I sort of recall he was working towards doing this stuff. I'm not up to snuff on the technical details, but a 16-bit FPGA system is advanced stuff and a big deal, being able to operate as other 8- and 16-bit systems, simulating them perfectly and delivering on the promise of this project.

That an upcoming game was loaded onto a SD2SNES Everdrive as a means of testing before having a manufactured cart seems perfectly legit, although it is admittedly kind of shady and unnecessary to hide with a Jaguar cart.

 

[Tripon]

Just don't put money towards this.

 

[JasonUresti]

A scam is taking the money and running with it, knowingly that you have no intention of holding up your end of the bargain. Mike, despite all evidence to the contrary, sadly seems to think he can make this happen if he can just convince people to give him their money. Even if he has to use smoke and mirrors to get that money.

Thats just me taking as positive a view as possible on an increasingly awful looking situation. The flip side is it is all just a scam, one that is laughable in its length and inept execution.

 

[Night Angel]

This looks like a sad attempt to fleece nostalgic gamers. I hope he fails.

 

[Dreamwriter]

Keep in mind there's no evidence of this being smoke and mirrors or a scam or anything bad yet, just one guy speculating that it's a SNES in that box rather than a custom FPGA device running a SNES core like the company is claiming.

 

[Remk]

26th for the new crowdfunding campaign eh?
I predict this will be a trainwreck to behold.

 

[Cheerilee]

Alright guys, stop me if you heard this joke before...

A guy walks into a toy fair to show off his prototype.

Turns out it's just a SNES stuffed in a Jag shell and a cartridge with an Everdrive held on the back with electrical tape.

It's a very old joke.

 

[s_mirage]

Keep in mind there's no evidence of this being smoke and mirrors or a scam or anything bad yet, just one guy speculating that it's a SNES in that box rather than a custom FPGA device running a SNES core like the company is claiming.

In that case, all they need to do is show it running with the case off. At this point your think they'd want to be as open and transparent as possible, unless it is all smoke and mirrors.

 

[NoFaceNico]

Keep in mind there's no evidence of this being smoke and mirrors or a scam or anything bad yet, just one guy speculating that it's a SNES in that box rather than a custom FPGA device running a SNES core like the company is claiming.

I seriously LOL'd! How did I know you'd say that?

I can still remember the last time when they had no prototype, no concrete specs, a $1.85 million goal and only a cardboard PCB mockup to their name, you saw all of that and said: "How are they not light years ahead?"

If it's not a SNES under there, why is he using the proprietary Nintendo AV plug?

Yes, it is speculation right now but I'm willing to trust the consistently accurate speculation based on their consistently sketchy behavior. Do they have any excuse to not open the unit and prove everyone wrong right now? No. It's always "Hang in everyone and all your questions will be answered once the Kickstarter is launched" and yes, I did copy and paste that quote from an update they posted today.

 

[Dreamwriter]

If it's not a SNES under there, why is he using the proprietary Nintendo AV plug?

Maybe so that they don't have to recreate the wheel. That was part of the problem with the last project, they were doing way too much proprietary stuff for a cheap device. The engineer for example was proud of his Atari controller ports that used some advanced trickery to function with all controllers that ever used that kind of port, including rare consoles like the Fairchild Channel F, and they were talking about patenting their unique cartridge connectors. I'd say this time if they are using a standardized AV plug and maybe even SNES cartridge slot, that's a good sign for something that'll end up decently priced.

 

[Pop-O-Matic]

Maybe so that they don't have to recreate the wheel.

Why then use Nintendo's proprietary plug and not just straight RCA cable plugs like most electronics?

 

[Tempy]

Hah, I didn't even recognize that output cable.

That rear doesn't match their render...

I mean, yeah, prototype and all, and it could still be an actual FPGA with SNES ports hacked in. But it's really time to show off the internals.

 

[Bar81]

What a (continuing) shit show. At least I know where I'll be getting my comedy over the next few weeks.

 

[Tempy]

Why then use Nintendo's proprietary plug and not just straight RCA cable plugs like most electronics?

Just had a thought; maybe they realized the superiority of the RGB Scart cable!

Someone please take pics of the rear of the screen as well.

 

[mickcris]

Hah, I didn't even recognize that output cable.

That rear doesn't match their render...



I mean, yeah, prototype and all, and it could still be an actual FPGA with SNES ports hacked in. But it's really time to show off the internals.

That was a render of the RetroVGS, not the Coleco Chameleon, which is now different. They are never going to show the internals of this "prototype" as it would just prove what it really is.

Edit:
that may be wrong about the render actually. I havent looked at the site in a while