A ColecoVision-compatible games console that you can build yourself!
License
The Leako project is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 license.
You'll want to consult the BOM PDF for the version of the Leako board you wish to assemble. The first truly "working" version was v0.6. I recommend getting the Gerber ZIPs and BOM from the Releases page.
Not all parts on the BOM (Bill of Materials) can be obtained new. Many components are salvaged and can be obtained from eBay or other Chinese-market surplus stores such as AliExpress. Because the sellers and availability are changing constantly, I unfortunately cannot recommend a specific vendor. I suggest ordering from multiple different sellers and building more Leakos with all the leftover parts :)
Namely, you will need to find:
- A TI TMS9918A/TMS9918ANL (not TMS9118, TMS9119, TMS9929, or TMS9928) VDP;
- A TI SN76489 sound chip;
- A 27c512-compatible EPROM (a 27c256 may also work but has not been tested);
- ColecoVision cartridge games;
- A ColecoVision-compatible controller
Please note the Leako has, so far, only been constructed and tested in NTSC regions. A PAL version would be a very interesting conversion, but would use a chip like a TMS9919 as well as probably some other board changes.
You will also need a USB power supply and a USB-B cable. I recommend using a USB power supply capable of at least 2A - although I have only measured ~450mA max in practice, it would not be a bad idea to have some additional headroom. A lower-quality supply is also likely to introduce more noise. I have tested with two models of Anker PowerPort.
Please also note that at the time of publication, a silicon and fabrication shortage has meant that many parts (for instance, the TI TPS60403 -5V voltage inverter) have become difficult and/or more expensive to locate than when the machine was originally designed. Some have been substituted, but there are likely others.
Tools
The ColecoVision games and console rely on the presence of a BIOS ROM. In order to program the EPROM with the BIOS, you'll need a copy of the BIOS (it can be dumped from a real ColecoVision) and an EPROM programmer such as a TL866II+.
For soldering surface-mount parts, I strongly recommend a good temperature-controlled soldering iron such as a Hakko FX-888, paste flux, and quality leaded solder from a brand like Kester or MG Chemical. You can use lead-free solder, but I haven't.
Compatibility
If you have built your own Leako and tested it with a game that's not listed here, please submit a pull request to add it to this list.
| Game | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Donkey Kong | Yes | |
| Zaxxon | Yes | |
| Time Pilot | Yes | |
| Carnival | Yes | |
| Frenzy | Yes | |
| Ken Uston's Black Jack / Poker | Yes | |
| Looping | Yes | |
| Omega Race | Yes | Tested with Hand Controller |
| Peripheral | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ColecoVision controller | Yes | |
| ADAM controller | Yes | |
| Super Action Controller | Yes | Tested with Super Action Baseball only |
| Roller Controller | Partial | Tested with Slither only; my controller is not working properly, even on a real ColecoVision |
| Expansion Module #2 (steering controller) | Partial | Tested with Turbo only; my controller is not working properly, even on a real ColecoVision |
The latter two will be re-investigated as the controllers are tested, and hopefully this table will be updated with some better news in the future.
Please note:
- The Leako board does not have a ColecoVision expansion connector, so it cannot work with any Expansion Modules, including the ADAM.
- The Leako board does not have a ColecoVision power connector, so the Roller Controller will need to be powered independently using a ColecoVision power supply such as the ColUSB, or wired for a +5V source such as a USB cable.