Coleco’s Telstar ‘Combat!’ Video Game System

As a kid, I cherished my Atari 2600; it was undoubtedly one of the greatest toys I ever received. However, even with such a beloved gaming console at my disposal, I couldn't help but hold a special affection for dedicated gaming systems like Coleco's Telstar 'Combat!'.

Sure, these dedicated systems might have had lower replayability compared to the versatile Atari, but there was something undeniably captivating about the arcade-like experience they offered. The dedicated controllers, though occasionally too close for comfort, added to the feeling of being immersed in an actual arcade game.

Now, some might argue that Atari had its share of peripherals too. While that is true, many of those peripherals often felt flimsy and lacked the robustness of the Coleco Telstar. Holding the Telstar's controller in hand provided a sense of sturdiness that complemented the gaming experience.

Despite owning an Atari 2600, I couldn't resist the allure of dedicated systems. Whenever the holiday season approached, I would eagerly peruse old Christmas catalogs, circling any dedicated gaming system in the hope that Santa might grant me an unexpected surprise - a second gaming system to proudly display beside my Atari.

The shelf life of systems like the Telstar 'Combat!' proved to be relatively short-lived. Launched in 1977, by 1979, these dedicated systems had all but vanished from most stores. However, even during their brief existence, they managed to leave an indelible mark on the hearts of many young gamers, myself included.

The nostalgia for these dedicated gaming systems lives on, and they remain cherished memories of a bygone era. While the gaming landscape has evolved dramatically since those days, there's something magical about revisiting the simplicity and charm of the Coleco Telstar 'Combat!' - a true dedicated arcade experience from the past.