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ColecoVision

ColecoVision icon ColecoVision logo

Overview

The ColecoVision, released in 1982, offered arcade-quality ports by pairing a Zilog Z80 CPU with the Texas Instruments TMS9918A VDP and AY-3-8910 PSG. Modular expansions (Atari 2600 compatibility, Adam computer) made it a flexible platform that inspired later console designs.

REG-Linux treats ColecoVision titles via the colecovision group so compatible themes can display the appropriate artwork.

Technical specifications

  • CPU: Zilog Z80A at 3.58 MHz
  • Memory: 8 KB RAM, 16 KB video RAM
  • Graphics: TMS9918A chip with 256×192 resolution, 16 colors and sprites
  • Sound: AY-3-8910 programmable sound generator

Supported ROM extensions

bin, col, rom, zip, 7z

Quick reference

  • Emulators: libretro: Bluemsx, CLK (REG-Linux 42+)
  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/colecovision
  • Accepted formats: .bin, .col, .rom, .zip, .7z

BIOS

RetroArch’s Bluemsx core works without additional BIOS files. CLK, however, requires the ColecoVision BIOS (coleco.rom). Place it in bios/ColecoVision/coleco.rom so x86-era BIOS detection can succeed.

  • MD5 (coleco.rom): 2c66f5911e5b42b8ebe113403548eee7

ROMs

Store ROM images under /userdata/roms/colecovision. Both raw files and zipped collections are supported. Multi-area ROMs load automatically when placed in a .zip/.7z archive.

Emulators

RetroArch (libretro: Bluemsx)

Bluemsx is the libretro core for ColecoVision within RetroArch. It provides unified hotkeys, stackable shaders and netplay. Use the Quick Menu ([HOTKEY] + south button) to access advanced options or controller remapping. REG-Linux exposes system options such as colecovision.videomode, colecovision.ratio, colecovision.shaders, colecovision.pixel_perfect, colecovision.decoration, and colecovision.game_translation.

ES setting name REG-Linux.conf_key Description => ES option key_value
GRAPHICS BACKEND colecovision.gfxbackend Choose OpenGL for compatibility or Vulkan for performance. => OpenGL opengl, Vulkan vulkan.
AUDIO LATENCY colecovision.audio_latency Adjust buffer in milliseconds to prevent crackling. => 256 256, 192 192, 128 128, 64 64, 32 32, 16 16, 8 8.
REDUCE SPRITE FLICKERING colecovision.bluemsx_nospritelimits Remove the sprite per line limit to reduce flicker. => Off False, On True.

CLK

CLK (Clock Signal) offers low-latency ColecoVision emulation starting in REG-Linux 42. It requires the BIOS listed above and is recommended for users who want alternate low-level accuracy compared to Bluemsx.

Controls

The ColecoVision controller had a numeric keypad plus joystick and action buttons; the default mapping is shown on a REG-Linux Retropad:

ColecoVision controller overlay

Remap inputs per game via RetroArch’s Quick Menu if your title needs keypad entry or overlays.

Troubleshooting

  • Ensure ROMs live in /userdata/roms/colecovision with accepted extensions.
  • If using CLK, double-check the BIOS file exists at bios/ColecoVision/coleco.rom with the expected checksum.
  • Use RetroArch’s Quick Menu to assign the keypad keys or adjust the REDUCE SPRITE FLICKERING toggle if graphics look wrong.