Published by: Coleco Age Rating : Everyone Release Date: 1983
Atari 2600 ColecoVision
Smurfs Save the Day
Released in 1983 by Coleco, Smurfs Save the Day is a unique educational video game for the Atari 2600 that brings the Smurfs franchise into the world of interactive entertainment. Unlike typical action-packed Atari titles of the era, this game is designed with young players in mind, combining simple gameplay with learning elements focused on music, sorting, and color mixing.
What sets it apart from other Atari 2600 games is its integration with the innovative Kid Vid Voice Module, a peripheral that added an audio dimension to the experience. Most importantly, Smurfs Save the Day has the unique distinction of being the very first "multimedia" console game by seamlessly integrating recorded audio clips into the gameplay. The title is groundbreaking - it took well over a decade before CD-ROM titles capable of doing the same thing entered the market.
Gameplay: Three Smurfs, Three Challenges
Smurfs Save the Day is a three-in-one title featuring distinct mini-games, each starring a different Smurf and tied to a specific audio cassette.
In "Harmony Smurf", players guide the musically inclined Smurf to replicate melodies played through the Kid Vid module, a task reminiscent of the classic electronic game Simon. The notes fall to the ground, and players must place them in the correct order, with higher difficulty levels introducing invisible notes that rely solely on sound recognition.
"Handy Smurf" challenges players to sort objects on a conveyor belt by shape, size, or color, requiring quick reflexes and decision-making as items speed by.
Finally, "Greedy Smurf" tasks players with mixing primary colors (red, blue, yellow, and white) to match a target secondary color held by Clumsy Smurf, teaching basic color theory in a playful way.
The game offers two modes, selectable via the Atari's Game Select switch: Game Mode, where the computer provides structured challenges guided by the Kid Vid audio, and Toy Mode, which allows for freeform play without the cassette's instructions. This flexibility made it appealing to kids who wanted both guided learning and creative exploration, though the game's simplicity and lack of penalties reflect its focus on education over competition.
The Kid Vid Voice Module: Bringing Sound to the Smurfs
The Kid Vid Voice Module is a pioneering cassette player peripheral developed by Coleco that connects to the Atari 2600 via the second joystick port, transforming the console into a singing and talking educational system. For Smurfs Save the Day - the Kid Vid's pack-in title - it uses three coordinated audio cassettes — Harmony Smurf, Handy Smurf, and Greedy Smurf — to deliver voice prompts, music, and sound effects that guide gameplay.
The module plays studio-recorded audio synchronized with the on-screen action, a monumental achievement in an era of limited sound capabilities. Players insert a cassette, press play, and the tape interacts with the game cartridge, providing instructions or melodies that the player must follow. It is a truly revolutionary way to add pre-recorded audio to the gaming experience - a decade before the term "multimedia" and CD-ROM technology were invented.
A Smurfy Gem in Atari History
Smurfs Save the Day is considered a rarity among Atari 2600 collectors due to its limited release and reliance on the Kid Vid Voice Module, which was only used for this game and one other title, Berenstain Bears. The need to swap cassettes between mini-games and the additional hardware requirement likely contributed to its niche status. Despite its educational focus, the game has a smurfy charm with colorful (albeit blocky) graphics and familiar characters, offering a smurftastic glimpse into the very first multimedia console game ever made.
Smurfs Save the Day stands out for its smurfy blend of learning and play that pushes the boundaries of what the Atari 2600 can do. The title literally invented the idea of home multimedia - it's the first console game to ever blend-in professionally recorded audio. Coleco's game is a monumental achievement - even if it didn't quite save the day for mass-market success.
Smurfs Save the Day ColecoVision Prototype
A version of Smurfs Save the Day was planned for the ColecoVision. The ColecoVision version promised enhanced graphics and sound over its Atari counterpart. Although preliminary work began, the project was scrapped, possibly due to financial or strategic shifts at Coleco. Something did get finished, however: a one level demo of the game was created, showcasing a graphically enhanced version of the Harmony Smurf level featured in the Atari 2600 game.
Trivia
The original name of the Kid Vid Voice Module was Gemini Sound Module I. The Kid Vid Voice Module was also sold as the "Voice 1 Module" in Canada.
Coleco refers to Kid Vid games as Play 'N Learn cartridges. Play & Learn is an unreleased game for the ColecoVision. Perhaps Play & Learn evolved into the Kid Vid Play 'N Learn games.
See the Atari 2600 Smurfs Save the Day gallery section here.
See the Smurfs Save the Day ColecoVision prototype video here.
It's even a portable tape recorder! Bonus Kid Vid voice module can also be used as a portable cassette recorder player which can be used with any standard audio cassette.
-------------------- Have a smurfy day! Posts: 4290 | From: Smurfingland | Registered: Jul 1999
Talking Video Game System For Kids - 1984 Coleco Press Kit
Talking Video Game System for Kids!
THE FIRST EDUCATIONAL VIDEO SYSTEM OF ITS KIND ... YOU CAN EXPECT IT TO REALLY CATCH ON AND TAKE OFF IN '84!
It's a TALKING EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM! New Play 'N Learn video game cartridges interact with coordinated Sound Story Cassettes, using voices, music and sound effects to teach children their ABC's, numbers, colors, music and more!
It's an ATARI 2600VCS COMPATIBLE GAME SYSTEM! Play hundreds of compatible Atari 2600 VCS games. Includes a set of advanced combination joystick/paddle controllers, for playing most games with just one set of controllers.
It's even a PORTABLE TAPE RECORDER! Your customers can also use the KID VID Voice Module as a portable tape recorder/player with any standard audio cassette.
Kid Vid Game System - 1984 Coleco Press Kit
KID VID GAME SYSTEM Includes all of this:
KID VID Video Game System Console
Set of Advanced Joystick/Paddle Controllers
KID VID Voice Module/Portable Tape Recorder/Player
Instruction Manuals
Ear Plug
And Much, much more!
Bonus! SMURFS SAVE THE DAY CARTRIDGE with 3 Sound Story CASSETTES
Sound Story Cassette #1 HARMONY SMURF Teaches a child musical relationships.
Sound Story Cassette #2 HANDY SMURF Teaches a child to recognize shapes.
Sound Story Cassette #3 GREEDY SMURF Teaches a child color formulation.
Kid Vid Voice Module - 1984 Coleco Press Kit
KID VID
Voice Module
Transforms your Coleco Gemini, Atari 2600 VCS, or ColecoVision Expansion Module #1 into a Talking Educational System!
The KID VID Voice Module gives voice to a world of learning and entertainment for video game fans of all ages. It connects easily through the game controller port to the Atari 2600 VCS, to produce realistic human voices, music and enhanced sound effects for specially-designed action games. Players can actually hear the voices of on-screen characters as they offer instructions and comments on the game. As an added Bonus Feature... It also functions as a quality portable cassette recorder/player!
BONUS
Includes SMURFS SAVE THE DAY Play 'N Learn Cartridge with 3 coordinated Sound Story Cassettes
The first in a series of revolutionary educational games! It's actually three games in one cartridge, each game with its own Sound Story Cassette.
-------------------- __It's PeazJelly Time Posts: 434 | From: SC | Registered: Feb 2010
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