Thanks for letting us know of the issues with these, as I was intending on buying them (if they're even still available). Unbelievable they have the screen stretching that actually cuts off part of the gameplay field. That's unbelievable lack of quality control.
Did they seriously think that people wouldn’t notice the wall missing on the left side? They’re selling this to an enthusiast crowd that knows these games. It’s the first thing I noticed. Did they really think they’d get away with this? It’s defective.
I don't understand the choices they made with the cabinet design. The arcade Frenzy was a red cabinet and berserk was black. The arcade had a joystick in the center with one button to its left and right (for left or right hand play). These changes don't improve things. Why 4 buttons for a one button game that you can't upload more games to?
Backed this 3 years ago (which ultimately didn't get funded) and the more recent one. Received them a few weeks back, same issue. Hopefully it can be fixed. Also not a huge fan of the 3D printed plastic, definitely a different "feel" than the originals
I think the CV version of Frenzy is better than either the arcade or NES versions, owing to the otherworldly music and sound effects. Player death is also way more dramatic in the CV version. Thanks for the heads up on these.
I still have my Donkey Kong & Frogger from the early 80’s. The graphics suck,they were better when they were new. Cool to display. I wish Coleco would come out with Tron. Fantastic video!
And thats why I stopped doing Kickstarters! You never know if you will even get anything or if you do you dont know if it will be a quality product. Kickstarter campaigns are just way too risky.
Gracias por el video,no sabía como se llamaba el Arcade que era parecido a Berzerk,ahora gracias a ti ahora ya se que se llama Frenzy,adiós y saludos desde Chile🇨🇱.
The issue with the screen is especially unacceptable. If you're going to make something, do it right! People look forward to stuff like this and you don't want to disappoint them. You definitely sound frustrated here, John, and I don't blame you!
If Coleco released this, couldn't they have used an emulator that lets you play the Coleco Vision version of Frenzy? It's a great adaptation of the arcade game.
Oh man that really suck great review now I don’t look forward to my top racer which I backed up it’s amazing how they don’t do quality control before sending it out hopefully they make it right for the customers and for there company
I skipped the KS for no other reason than these served no purpose for me personally in this day and age. As a kid, these Coleco table tops were the closest you could get for the arcade at home. Now we have 1:1 recreations at 1/4 & 1/6 scale coin ops with the Replicades and the Quarter Arcades lineups. I only wanted these as a kid, because this was the best that could be done, now that is no longer the case. Now of course both the Replicades and Quarter Arcades have a much higher price tag, so this fits a niche I guess. But with the old tabletop bodies and NES roms, this is more like an 1UP Arcade type product, were it gets you close, but not really. I read here in the comments that the screen issue is being worked on, but seriously, why would you ship something in this shape? The first thing I noticed when it was turned on was how the left side wasn't lined up properly. Now you've damaged any brand loyalty and for what? Replicade also has Berzerk and Frenzy in the works with actual arcade roms(with exact coin op details), so what's the point of these? I would have actually been more interested if they offered these as they would have appeared back then, with those static LCD images like the originals and Game & Watch had. As that would have been much more nostalgic for me, as it would be exactly what we didn't get back then. Stuff like this is at every Walmart, Target and BestBuy that all have mini arcade cabs with Home & arcade roms offered. And then to ship with home roms and poor quality control issues, yeah this was a big swing, and a big miss.
I have so many questions about this product. You answered some of them for me. I do find it rather odd. Some of the decisions they went with on this. But do you have any idea why this thing has four face button plus a select and start button? I mean since it is based off of the NES ROM I don’t see any reason to necessitate an additional two face but not to mention the original game only had one, but if I’m not mistaken.
I have the last set Coleco released (Robotech and Rainbow Brite) and they were disappointing as well. I'm glad I skipped these new ones altogether. They are kind of pricy for what little you get compared to something like an Arcade1up Countercade.
I don't have any problem with them using the NES ports of the games because in all fairness the Coleco games from the 80's weren't like the original arcade versions either (I know technologically they couldn't be, but still). I do think the incorrect aspect ratio is a deal breaker though and I think the sound could be better.
What a shame. I loved the idea of a new coleco machine release, and both of those are bangers! I also love the NES ports of Berzerk and Frenzy, but they looked terrible on those devices. I'm with you John, I would have demanded a refund. What a shame. Those could have been so good! Hard pass in this condition however, not a dime spent.
Wow, both of them look terrible. Given that there is a Coleco version of Frenzy I am not sure why the did not go for that ahead of the NES version. It would have been a good second best to the arcade. As you say the left hand wall is the problem. Return them for a refund.
I never knew about these “Coleco Revivals” until I saw this vid! It’s a shame about the NES ROM’s: they should have been true Old School VFD’s like back in the early 80’s on the original Coleco home arcades.
I’m surprised they managed to include a Nintendo version. I had expected it to resemble the original 80s versions, which I recall as static images that would illuminate based on the player’s progress. It’s intriguing to see a Nintendo emulator running the respective ROMs. Honestly, I wasn’t anticipating arcade ROMs and arcade emulation on this device. I’m curious about Nintendo’s involvement in this. Regardless of their relationship, the quirky sounds somehow complement this device well. Overall, it’s impressive. However, I have two concerns: the aspect ratio wasn’t maintained, and the image doesn’t look centered. Also, while this might be standard, the developer should have included fine print to inform users that they’ll be playing a Nintendo-emulated ROM.
Have you heard any updates? I talked to them via email in January and they said they are ordering all new boards for Bezerk and Frenzy to fix the screen issue, you will have to self-install and they will have instructions. But I haven't heard anything since that update.
I'm honestly not shocked by this anymore, as there are just so many retro/nostalgic cash grabs these days it's not even funny. So this is why I always wait for reviews before dropping my hard earned money on things like this.
Amazing product, i hope so that the Nintendo Game & Watch had a revival, like the Ball Game from Nintendo Club ❤ Its Impossible to get egg or other rare systems cib
Hello mate, 2 great games from the arcades, just a shame they aren't the actual real games from the arcades, very frustrating, and they should tell collectors this, as you said 🙄 Nice content dude
I didn't even know these were coming! Though I think you're being a bit hard on the buttons not being microswitches - they sure weren't on the original Coleco tabletops! :) The NES version is unsurprising, but again, I don't remember the originals saying anything about exact arcade reproductions... I guess I would have tempered my expectation to those. The screen being misaligned though, that should have been corrected, even if it was as hacky as changing the games to ignore the left column. I don't know what these cost - maybe for the price the deficiencies are worth calling out.
The left-wall problem awful. I don't mind the NES translations from Bob though, as the originals were all-LEDs games, right? The Galaga I have is the same.
Question John, if you know Bob can you find out for everybody if he gave permission for them to use these? or did they in fact just steal them and seal these? Would love to know for sure as I also backed these 👍I knew they were the NES roms, they showed video reveling this in an early update, people asked what was up and they never responded. Should have been way more present on the campaign that they used these versions. I also asked them early if they had permission from Atari, as this was going on when Atari bough Stern too.
This video highlights the bad news of these table top games. The good news is that the superior New Wave Toys 1:6 scale arcade cabs of Frenzy and Bezerk will be going on sale in 2-3 weeks. Don't sleep.
Thanks for letting us know of the issues with these, as I was intending on buying them (if they're even still available). Unbelievable they have the screen stretching that actually cuts off part of the gameplay field. That's unbelievable lack of quality control.
Makes you appreciate Atari recent product even more.
Did they seriously think that people wouldn’t notice the wall missing on the left side? They’re selling this to an enthusiast crowd that knows these games. It’s the first thing I noticed. Did they really think they’d get away with this? It’s defective.
They should have done a VFD screen. That woulda been awesome.
Good video! I remember the kickstarted campaign on these Tabletop games! Think, I am glad, that I passed on them! Thanks! for showing them on video!
I think they should have put both games into one... They are so similar and would be easy to do!
I don't understand the choices they made with the cabinet design. The arcade Frenzy was a red cabinet and berserk was black. The arcade had a joystick in the center with one button to its left and right (for left or right hand play). These changes don't improve things. Why 4 buttons for a one button game that you can't upload more games to?
Backed this 3 years ago (which ultimately didn't get funded) and the more recent one. Received them a few weeks back, same issue. Hopefully it can be fixed. Also not a huge fan of the 3D printed plastic, definitely a different "feel" than the originals
I think the CV version of Frenzy is better than either the arcade or NES versions, owing to the otherworldly music and sound effects. Player death is also way more dramatic in the CV version. Thanks for the heads up on these.
I can overlook many things, but the screen being cut off is totally unacceptable and rather disappointing.
I still have my Donkey Kong & Frogger from the early 80’s.
The graphics suck,they were better when they were new.
Cool to display.
I wish Coleco would come out with Tron.
Fantastic video!
Good job on making this succinctly clear.
Thanks for highlighting those issues!
And thats why I stopped doing Kickstarters! You never know if you will even get anything or if you do you dont know if it will be a quality product. Kickstarter campaigns are just way too risky.
They have a plan to fix the screens. There’s a FB group
Moral of the story, never release retro games without community input first!
@@progressivegorilla2017 100% agree. They did a terrible job. Not having the arcade ROM is awful.
Gracias por el video,no sabía como se llamaba el Arcade que era parecido a Berzerk,ahora gracias a ti ahora ya se que se llama Frenzy,adiós y saludos desde Chile🇨🇱.
Pretty much they sourced off-the-shelf parts of what is plentiful and affordable at the time of production.
The issue with the screen is especially unacceptable. If you're going to make something, do it right! People look forward to stuff like this and you don't want to disappoint them. You definitely sound frustrated here, John, and I don't blame you!
If Coleco released this, couldn't they have used an emulator that lets you play the Coleco Vision version of Frenzy? It's a great adaptation of the arcade game.
Oh man that really suck great review now I don’t look forward to my top racer which I backed up it’s amazing how they don’t do quality control before sending it out hopefully they make it right for the customers and for there company
Glad i was late to the party on these
Pdubs had the same issue with his. I was really close to buy it. Thank God I held back.
I skipped the KS for no other reason than these served no purpose for me personally in this day and age. As a kid, these Coleco table tops were the closest you could get for the arcade at home. Now we have 1:1 recreations at 1/4 & 1/6 scale coin ops with the Replicades and the Quarter Arcades lineups. I only wanted these as a kid, because this was the best that could be done, now that is no longer the case.
Now of course both the Replicades and Quarter Arcades have a much higher price tag, so this fits a niche I guess. But with the old tabletop bodies and NES roms, this is more like an 1UP Arcade type product, were it gets you close, but not really. I read here in the comments that the screen issue is being worked on, but seriously, why would you ship something in this shape? The first thing I noticed when it was turned on was how the left side wasn't lined up properly. Now you've damaged any brand loyalty and for what?
Replicade also has Berzerk and Frenzy in the works with actual arcade roms(with exact coin op details), so what's the point of these? I would have actually been more interested if they offered these as they would have appeared back then, with those static LCD images like the originals and Game & Watch had. As that would have been much more nostalgic for me, as it would be exactly what we didn't get back then. Stuff like this is at every Walmart, Target and BestBuy that all have mini arcade cabs with Home & arcade roms offered. And then to ship with home roms and poor quality control issues, yeah this was a big swing, and a big miss.
OH Man! That is so cool! I have wanted those to drop for years!
I have so many questions about this product. You answered some of them for me. I do find it rather odd. Some of the decisions they went with on this. But do you have any idea why this thing has four face button plus a select and start button? I mean since it is based off of the NES ROM I don’t see any reason to necessitate an additional two face but not to mention the original game only had one, but if I’m not mistaken.
I have the last set Coleco released (Robotech and Rainbow Brite) and they were disappointing as well. I'm glad I skipped these new ones altogether. They are kind of pricy for what little you get compared to something like an Arcade1up Countercade.
I don't have any problem with them using the NES ports of the games because in all fairness the Coleco games from the 80's weren't like the original arcade versions either (I know technologically they couldn't be, but still). I do think the incorrect aspect ratio is a deal breaker though and I think the sound could be better.
Ahem. 🎤 🎶 Hills is where the toys aaaaare! 🎵
What a shame. I loved the idea of a new coleco machine release, and both of those are bangers! I also love the NES ports of Berzerk and Frenzy, but they looked terrible on those devices. I'm with you John, I would have demanded a refund. What a shame. Those could have been so good! Hard pass in this condition however, not a dime spent.
Berzerk is super fun on any port... But that micro sized screen doesn't fit the cabinet at all. It makes no sense why screen is sooo tiny
IMO both roms should have been in one unit. Don't get me started on the screen and buttons...
Got Frenzy, haven’t opened it yet. Will be glad to play the New Wave Toys version instead.
Well, that's extremely unfortunate. These could have been so awesome.
The screen size should be bigger, and hollow joysticks and squishy buttons seem like they cheaped out a little.
Wow, both of them look terrible. Given that there is a Coleco version of Frenzy I am not sure why the did not go for that ahead of the NES version. It would have been a good second best to the arcade. As you say the left hand wall is the problem. Return them for a refund.
Wow. That sucks. I'm glad I passed on that kickstarter.
I never knew about these “Coleco Revivals” until I saw this vid! It’s a shame about the NES ROM’s: they should have been true Old School VFD’s like back in the early 80’s on the original Coleco home arcades.
Why do they have 4 buttons when those games use just one?? Plus the cropped screen is just unbelievable
I’m surprised they managed to include a Nintendo version. I had expected it to resemble the original 80s versions, which I recall as static images that would illuminate based on the player’s progress. It’s intriguing to see a Nintendo emulator running the respective ROMs. Honestly, I wasn’t anticipating arcade ROMs and arcade emulation on this device. I’m curious about Nintendo’s involvement in this. Regardless of their relationship, the quirky sounds somehow complement this device well. Overall, it’s impressive. However, I have two concerns: the aspect ratio wasn’t maintained, and the image doesn’t look centered. Also, while this might be standard, the developer should have included fine print to inform users that they’ll be playing a Nintendo-emulated ROM.
Great review man they’re gonna get a lot of hate..Screens are too small
Ikr, looks as if the bezel takes up 40% of the screen space.
I didnt know Coleco was still around.
A newer company licensed the name and started making products under it. Lots of read if you care to research them ;)
I still have my pacman from the 80’s. The top is missing and the battery tray is gone but its still kickin LOL
Be grateful
Have you heard any updates? I talked to them via email in January and they said they are ordering all new boards for Bezerk and Frenzy to fix the screen issue, you will have to self-install and they will have instructions. But I haven't heard anything since that update.
Thanks for the review I haven't opened mine up.
Not sure I want to now.
I'm honestly not shocked by this anymore, as there are just so many retro/nostalgic cash grabs these days it's not even funny. So this is why I always wait for reviews before dropping my hard earned money on things like this.
Love the video, hate the tabletops. You can't even see the left hand wall and the screen is too small and wrong aspect ratio. I'll pass
Amazing product, i hope so that the Nintendo Game & Watch had a revival, like the Ball Game from Nintendo Club ❤
Its Impossible to get egg or other rare systems cib
Hills is where the toys are...
I’ve looked for all those flashbacks game roms that were ported to nes on a chip. Need to track them down.
Hello mate, 2 great games from the arcades, just a shame they aren't the actual real games from the arcades, very frustrating, and they should tell collectors this, as you said 🙄
Nice content dude
ok the berzerk one is pretty cool
i hope sega rereleases frogger
maybe with the arcade rom &
the repro filter of the handheld unit 🎉
oof nes roms? it's like is that all they can get the licensing for or what 🥲
Junk.
I'm not impressed. It should be full frame and not wide-screen. The screen being cut off on the left is a deal breaker.
I didn't even know these were coming! Though I think you're being a bit hard on the buttons not being microswitches - they sure weren't on the original Coleco tabletops! :) The NES version is unsurprising, but again, I don't remember the originals saying anything about exact arcade reproductions... I guess I would have tempered my expectation to those. The screen being misaligned though, that should have been corrected, even if it was as hacky as changing the games to ignore the left column. I don't know what these cost - maybe for the price the deficiencies are worth calling out.
The left-wall problem awful.
I don't mind the NES translations from Bob though, as the originals were all-LEDs games, right?
The Galaga I have is the same.
Question John, if you know Bob can you find out for everybody if he gave permission for them to use these? or did they in fact just steal them and seal these?
Would love to know for sure as I also backed these 👍I knew they were the NES roms, they showed video reveling this in an early update, people asked what was up and they never responded. Should have been way more present on the campaign that they used these versions. I also asked them early if they had permission from Atari, as this was going on when Atari bough Stern too.
Where can you buy these?!?!?!??!?!?
They have already replied to me directly , fix coming mid February 👍👍👍…..interesting about being the NES version though 🤔🤔
Did they email you?
I should had a V8V🤯
I wonder if there is a place in side to adjust the screen size on a board of if you can replace the screen to mak it fit?
Disappointing. I loved Berzerk in the Arcade and 2600. I wonder why they didn't use a MAME emulator and arcade ROMS. Thanks for the video, John.
I DEMAND SATISFACTION!
This video highlights the bad news of these table top games. The good news is that the superior New Wave Toys 1:6 scale arcade cabs of Frenzy and Bezerk will be going on sale in 2-3 weeks. Don't sleep.
What a disappointment! Thanks John for getting the word out
How Do I Get One? I'm Looking for Berzerk!
First they have to fix these for those who supported the Kickstarter
@@johnhancockretro can I buy these?!?!?
Postage stamp sizes screen. Yikes.
"Where's the screen?"
it's a shame it didn't get the level of detail it deserved. A raspberry pi could have done bezerk and frenzy well.
Can the software be re-flashed? Maybe that would fix the issues with the left side of the screen getting chopped off.
I wonder that as well but do not know.
That's so crazy. They screwed up the easiest part of making this.
AAAAAaaaawwwwwwWWWW-MAN!!!!!
why did you buy broken turds?? i waited to see reviews... the screen has been damned.
$10 AliExpress potato electronics can emulate NES better than these.
It ain't a 1981 LED screen, and it's $40, not a $159 New Wave toys recreation. Seems fine to me.
Box art is terrible :(
Honestly I don't see a problem. This is mostly for collectors as there are probably hundreds of ways to play the arcade roms.
Micro usb in 2024? I don't understsnd.
Too bad. I loved these as a kid.