Coleco ADAM

1983 - 2nd generation system

The Coleco ADAM was a home computer and video game console hybrid developed by Coleco Industries and released in 1983. The ADAM was designed to be a low-cost home computer, and was intended to be a competitor to other home computers of the time, such as the Commodore 64 and the Apple II. The ADAM featured a Z80A microprocessor and had 64 KB of RAM. It had built-in cassette tape drive for data storage and a built-in keyboard. It also had a built-in printer and the ability to connect to a television set for display. The ADAM also had a unique expansion system which allowed the user to add additional hardware such as a floppy drive, a second cassette drive, or even a second ADAM to create a network. The ADAM used the ColecoVision video game console as its graphics and sound hardware, which allowed it to play ColecoVision games as well as games designed specifically for the ADAM. It also featured a built-in word processor, a spreadsheet program, and a basic programming language. The ADAM also had a wide range of software available for it, including games, educational software, and productivity software. Some popular games for the ADAM include "Zaxxon", "Donkey Kong", "Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel's Castle" and "B.C.'s Quest for Tires". However, despite its potential, the ADAM had a number of technical problems and reliability issues, which led to poor sales and the discontinuation of the system in 1985. This, along with Coleco's financial troubles and the video game crash of 1983, led to the company's exit from the home computer market. The ADAM still has a dedicated community of users and collectors, and there are still a few websites and forums dedicated to supporting the ADAM and its software. The Coleco ADAM had a wide range of software available for it, including games, educational software, and productivity software. Some popular games for the ADAM include: "Zaxxon": A science fiction-themed arcade game developed by Sega. "Donkey Kong": A platform game developed by Nintendo, featuring the character Mario. "Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel's Castle": An action-adventure game developed by Coleco, based on the Smurfs cartoon and comic series. "B.C.'s Quest for Tires": A side-scrolling platform game developed by Coleco, featuring a caveman named B.C. "Duke Nukem": A action-adventure game developed by Apogee Software "Spy Hunter" : an action-driving game developed by Bally Midway "The Dam Busters": a simulation game developed by Micro Power These games were known for their high-quality graphics and sound, and many of them were also available on other platforms. Some games were developed specifically for the ADAM and were not available on other platforms. The ADAM had a good collection of games available, but due to its technical issues and reliability problems, the system didn't reached its full potential in the gaming industry.