Clamshell & Cardboard

Facemaker / Make-A-Face

On the last Facemaker box, the name had been changed to Make-A-Face. It is very peculiar that only the name on the box was changed, while the manual and the game label retained the Facemaker name. A Make-A-Face box would be a rare find indeed.

American / Canadian

The majority of American and Canadian boxes are identical except for the Canadian versions which are bilingual (English / French).

The only significant variation came with the game Mr. Do!. On the first box version, the arcade console graphic was reversed in comparison to other boxes with the arcade console graphic. In addition, the first box rendition depicted the “For ColecoVision” graphic. On the second box version, the arcade angle was corrected and the graphic changed to “For Colecovision and Adam”.

Coleco Family Learning Software

There is a difference between the ‘Coleco Family Learning Software’ sold in the USA and Canada for the six games made. The American games came in plastic clamshell style, while the games distributed in Canada were in cardboard boxes. Everything on the boxes was identical except for the languages.

Coleco : BC II : Grog's Revenge Boxes

Both boxes show the character Thor, but their designs are different. The American version is unique, while the Canadian version is the one used for other videogame systems.

The labels on the cases were different as well. The American label was standard, while the Canadian one was black & white and bilingual. Note that this game did not come with an additional French label since the original label had already been in English and French. The presentation format of the American manual was consistent with the last manuals, while it was in line with the game concept. The Canadian version returned to the format of the first games.

Even the game rom and the introduction was different. In the American version, the first screen had the standard intro with the ColecoVision logo and the second screen was the game selection. In the Canadian version, the first screen had blue background with “Coleco Canada Presents”, the second had the credits, and the third had the game options.

Coleco : The Dam Busters

While the graphics and images on the boxes were completely different, the Canadian box was thicker than any other box made by Coleco. It was similar to a generic box made by Activision. Coleco Canada used this type of box because of the large amount of paperwork that came with the cartridge (see below). ke a generic box made by Activision. Coleco Canada used this type of box because of the large amount of paperwork that came with the cartridge (see below).

The labels on the cases were different as well. The American label was standard, while the Canadian label was black & white and bilingual. Note that this game did not come with an additional French label since the original label had already been in English and French.

The American version manual included only two booklets (Training Manual & Mission Guide), while the Canadian version had a confidential sleeve that included notes, messages and a map. These were bilingual, which doubled the number of manuals.

While there was an overlay for the American version, the Canadian version did not have one.

The rom and introduction were different. In the American version, the first screen had the standard intro with the ColecoVision logo, and the second screen was the game selection. However, in the Canadian version, the first screen had the name of the game on the top and the credits at the bottom. The second screen was identical, with game options.