# Testing a 1981 Coleco Alien Attack Electronic Handheld Game

**Source:** Pinball Shenanigans  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2026-02-02  
**Duration:** 4m 9s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_EeYNC39qM

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## Analysis

Pinball Shenanigans host Mike Dust tests a restored 1981 Coleco Alien Attack electronic handheld game after cleaning corroded battery contacts with a Dremel tool. The device functions after restoration, featuring video and sound output, though the control scheme (requiring held buttons for movement) proves unintuitive. The host plays several rounds and estimates the working unit's value at approximately $40.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] The Coleco Alien Attack handheld required Dremel work on corroded battery contacts to achieve continuity and function — _Host describes taking a Dremel to contacts, spring, and base due to green and brown corrosion/rust_
- [MEDIUM] The restored Alien Attack handheld is worth approximately $40 — _Host states 'the working alien attack appears to be worth about 40 bucks' based on market assessment_
- [HIGH] The game's control scheme requires holding down buttons to move, which is unintuitive — _Host repeatedly discovers and comments on counterintuitive button-hold mechanic: 'You got to hold the button down to move. How not intuitive is that?'_
- [HIGH] The device produces both video and sound output — _Host states 'I do love that we got video and sound though'_

### Notable Quotes

> "You got to hold the button down to move. How not intuitive is that?"
> — **Mike Dust (Pinball Shenanigans host)**, ~2:00-2:15
> _Captures frustration with poor UX design of 1981 handheld game; central complaint about gameplay mechanics_

> "the working alien attack appears to be worth about 40 bucks"
> — **Mike Dust**, ~7:15
> _Valuation assessment; establishes secondary market price point for functional unit_

> "I did have to take a Dremel to these contacts, the spring and the base there, cuz they were pretty green and brown corrosion and rust"
> — **Mike Dust**, ~0:20-0:45
> _Documents restoration process required to make non-functional unit operational_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Mike Dust | person | Host of Pinball Shenanigans channel; performs restoration and testing of the Coleco Alien Attack handheld |
| Jamie | person | Acquaintance/associate who obtained batteries for the handheld device |
| Coleco Alien Attack | product | 1981 electronic handheld game featuring aliens, video/sound output, level progression; subject of restoration and testing |
| Coleco | company | Manufacturer of the Alien Attack handheld and other vintage electronics from 1970s-1980s era |
| Pinball Shenanigans | organization | YouTube channel producing content about pinball restoration, vintage gaming, and related technology |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Handheld game restoration and repair, 1981 vintage electronics preservation
- **Secondary:** Game design and user interface (unintuitive controls), Secondary market valuation of vintage electronics

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.72) — Host expresses satisfaction with successful restoration and functional device despite criticism of control design. Tone is upbeat and entertained throughout gameplay testing, though frustration evident with UX mechanics.

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## Transcript

Okay, I was telling Jamie about needing batteries and she was out and about and guess what she brought home. We can totally test out Alien Attack. Now, I did have to take a Dremel to these contacts, the spring and the base there, cuz they were pretty green and brown corrosion and rust. So now that that's done, we should have continuity. And let's see what happens. Skill level one. The aliens are attacking. Uhoh. I think I got attacked. And again. Okay. Son of a I think we're got to turn off the lights. Okay. Well, let's um try that again. Okay. Oh, I can fire, right? Uhoh. Or can I? I don't think I can move. I'm assuming I'm that guy there. Yeah. But joystick won't let me go anywhere. I do love that we got video and sound though. Oh, wait. Move. You got to hold that. Oh my god. You got to hold the button down to move. How not intuitive is that? Oh, these aliens. Oh, I'm stuck in the corner. No. Can I go through? This is level one. Oh my god. I got to fire. That's part of my problem. [snorts] Okay, let's uh So, you got to No. Oh, I I think I shot something. See, I got one. Aliens 10. Oh yeah, you got to hold down the button. Me one. Okay. Well, that is going to require a little bit of practice to actually be any good at this thing, but thing actually works. Pretty sweet. Okay, I played a couple practice games. Let's see if I can do any better now. that are like I can't shoot him, but they can get me. That guy right there. He's impenetrable. Get out of here. Oh, couldn't outrun him. Last chance. Oh, I shot the wrong way. Okay, that's it. I got like 20 points. Alien Attack by KO. Oh, I cleared the level. 80 points. Okay, so the working alien attack appears to be worth about 40 bucks. Is there a date on any of these? 81. Okay. But yeah, so that was pretty cool.

_(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: b1e2ac77-af73-447a-a10f-7b445656afe3*