What We Know About the Omni Console

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If you are a retro gaming fan then you have probably heard rumors that there are two new consoles in the works. One of those consoles is being made by CollectorVision games and will primarily be a ColecoVision compatible platform. The other is by OpCode Games and will apparently be a brand new console first, then through adapters be capable of playing other console games (where have we heard that business idea before?). Let's discuss the Omni console first, shall we?

For those that do not know who OpCode games are, their claim to fame has been porting Konami titles from the MSX line of Japanese computers to the ColecoVision console (without consent of Konami). These have been commercial releases made available alongside other more original commercial releases.

First it must be made clear that the Omni is not aimed at being a mainstream console as it is squarely focused on the Atari 2600 enthusiast gamer.

Second, they have made it clear, at least Eduardo Mello, of OpCode Games, has made the price point out to be $150 to $200.

The Omni will apparently feature these specs, also according to Mr. Mello:

8-bit CPU
32KB of RAM
Tile and sprite based
16x16 sprites
64 sprites on screens simultaneously
8 colors per object
“A dozen different color palettes”
VROM in cartridge, like Nintendo did with the NES

There have supposedly been prototypes shown at recent retro gaming shows which is great. They have shown bare boards so there is no chance of slipping an SNES Mini inside a case. At least they have that going for them.

OpCode have also partnered with Ed Averett who made some memorable Odyssey2 games back in the day to work on new iterations for the Omni console. What were your favorite Odyssey2 games? Anyone?

They have also brought on Ted Mayer to work on the design of the Omni console. Mr. Mayer was known for his work on the Intellivision II and III console design.

Interestingly enough, OpCode still plan to move forward with their ColecoVision plus Super Game Module console, Prometheus, alongside the Omni.

If anyone remembers history of retro gaming at all, they probably remember how well it went for Sega to attempt to run more than one console at a time. Sega failed horribly to pull off a coup when they attempted to expand the Sega Genesis with the 32X attachment while launching the Saturn not too long afterwards. It reeked of a cash run and fans were not interested. It remains to be seen if this will happen with OpCode's offerings on two fronts here.

Especially considering those two consoles are essentially the same era (8-bit, Atari 2600 pre-Nintendo NES). It remains to be seen what will separate the two consoles from each other and entice fans to buy both – considering there are rumors that the Omni will have a ColecoVision expansion featuring the Super Game Module as well.

That leaves the Prometheus console appearing to be left in the dark when it comes to supporting it with new original games. Other than being a replacement for the ColecoVision console, the Prometheus is quickly looking dated in light of the Omni console announcement (which is weird because as of right now, they are similarly powerful consoles).

It appears that the Omni will have more than just a ColecoVision expansion cart available. Will there be adapters for NES, Atari 2600, etc? Similar to what Mike Kennedy was planning for his proven fake console, the Coleco Chameleon?

A lot of questions here and I will do my best to follow through and get answers. I do want to be honest with you, the reader, that I am personally blocked from replying or interacting with OpCode on Facebook so I cannot ask them questions directly.

This is probably due to my previous promotion of their illegal ports of Konami games to the ColecoVision console (they were done without permission/license from Konami). With that in mind, I will do my best to follow the story as it becomes available where ever possible.

Source image credit – Eduardo Mello