Coleco’s Frogger shrinks the 1981 arcade hit into a bright green miniature arcade cabinet: guide your frog across a busy highway and a crowded river, then hop him safely home.
Model No. 2393 was one of Coleco’s first four tabletop Mini-Arcades of 1982, with Pac-Man, Galaxian and Donkey Kong. Coleco sourced its games from factories across Asia; this one, like the example held by The Strong National Museum of Play, was made in Japan.
Interesting facts
Why it says ‘by Sega’. Frogger was created by Konami, but in July 1981 Sega won exclusive worldwide rights to make it, releasing it in America through Sega/Gremlin. So Coleco’s licence came from Sega, which owned the Frogger trademark.
Three million in a year. Frogger was one of Coleco’s first four Mini-Arcades, with Pac-Man, Galaxian and Donkey Kong. Together they sold about three million units within a year, half of them Pac-Man. Ms. Pac-Man, Donkey Kong Junior and Zaxxon followed in 1983.
Spot the difference. Not every Coleco frog is the same. Collectors identify two versions: one with blue turtles and blue-and-red cars, the other with red turtles, boxier red-and-orange cars and a squish animation. Japan’s Gakken Frogger shares the second look.