DINA 2-IN-1 & TELEGAMES PERSONAL ARCADE

The DINA 2-in-1, originally known in Taiwan as the 創造者 50 (Chuang Zao Zhe 50, translating to “Creators’ Invent 50”), is a third-generation home video game console manufactured by Bit Corporation of Taiwan. It holds the unique distinction of being a dual-compatible clone console capable of playing both ColecoVision and Sega SG-1000 game cartridges — a feat made possible because both systems share nearly identical hardware architecture (same CPU, VDP, and sound chip).

The console features two separate cartridge slots (one for each platform), NES-style D-pad controllers, a built-in numeric keypad on the console itself, and the game Meteoric Shower built into the system ROM. The DINA’s design is heavily inspired by the Sega SG-1000 Mark II, with compact slide-in controllers that store in the sides of the unit.

First released in Taiwan in 1986, the DINA was later brought to the North American market in 1988 by Telegames USA under the name Telegames Personal Arcade. Notably, Telegames never advertised the system’s SG-1000 compatibility, leaving the second cartridge slot unexplained to American consumers — since the SG-1000 was never officially released in the United States.

Today, both the DINA and the Telegames Personal Arcade are extremely rare collector’s items, owing to limited production runs, mail-order-only distribution in the US, and the infamous 1994 tornado that destroyed Telegames’ remaining stock.

Telegames was a Britain-based video game company that operated a US subsidiary, Telegames USA, headquartered in the memorably named Gun Barrel City, Texas. After the video game crash of 1983 devastated Coleco, Telegames purchased the rights to the ColecoVision console and acquired most of Coleco’s remaining stock.

Rather than attempting to sell the bulky, aging ColecoVision hardware, Telegames made the shrewd decision to source the cheaper, more compact DINA 2-in-1 from Bit Corporation. Rebranded as the Telegames Personal Arcade, the system was marketed exclusively through Telegames’ mail-order catalog at an aggressive $40 price point — making it one of the cheapest consoles available in the late 1980s.

However, several factors undermined the Personal Arcade’s commercial success. The system was available only by mail order with virtually no retail presence or advertising. The ColecoVision was already discontinued and could be found used for less than $40. The box omitted the power supply, RF switch box, and instructions to hit the price point. And the NES had already captured the market with a vastly more capable system.

Perhaps the most curious decision was Telegames’ choice to hide the SG-1000 compatibility — the console’s most unique feature. Since the SG-1000 was never sold in North America, Telegames apparently decided the feature was unmarketable. The second cartridge slot was never explained in any advertising, leaving consumers puzzled about its purpose. Ironically, it wasn’t until years later that collectors realized these machines could play Sega games.

During a period of the rebranding, only the box carried the Telegames name — the console unit itself was still labeled “DINA 2 in one.” It is unknown whether Sega was ever aware the Telegames Personal Arcade existed, as its small-scale, mail-order distribution may have flown entirely under the radar.