View Full Version : Channel F Paper Work Update
Just finished updating the "Letter Paper Work" area of my Web Site so if there
is anyone interested in seeing some of the new Channel F Paper Work that has
been uncovered it can be seen by following the link below, all pictures can be enlarged
by clicking the picture it will open a new window which you can just close to return to the
site. Also there is much more content to view just click any of the Orange boarder boxes
at the top of the pages to navigate through the site
http://fndcollectables.com/CHANNEL_F_INFO/U_S_/Adds___Offers/LETTERS/letters.html
Hope its of interest
DREW
slapdash
10-07-2011, 12:29 AM
How interesting... A couple released games are claimed to be K-X carts! I don't think I've seen that before. And looks like K-2 was unreleased (though I'm going by memory, and I haven't thought about the Channel F library in some time).
How interesting... A couple released games are claimed to be K-X carts! I don't think I've seen that before. And looks like K-2 was unreleased (though I'm going by memory, and I haven't thought about the Channel F library in some time).
True the Channel F is not the first system that comes to mind when thinking about
classic video game systems :)
I think the K-2 Space Odyssey became # 23 Galactic Space Wars
Something I find very interesting is the statment in the Microtronix flyer that
mentions the Keyboard controller was to be plugged into the K Series VideoCarts
Looking at the Prototypes of these carts seen here on one of my hidden pages
(hidden because its unfinished and need to be fixed)
http://fndcollectables.com/CHANNEL_F_INFO/U_S_/Board_Dates/PROTOTYPES/prototypes.html
I dont see any hardware to plug into but I guess it could be on the back of the extended
board ? or maybe these are later prototypes that were finished after they decided to not
use the Keyboard.
Nicholas Talesfore ( Manager of Industrial Design / Graphic Design AT Fairchild Camera & Instrument, Exetron Division 1976 to 79 ) also mentions the Keyboard was to plug into the
VideoCarts. He also mentions he designed it but it was never built. My email Question &
answer discussion can be read here on another of my pages
EDIT: Just re-read my email interview and see Nicholas stated the Keyboard
Controller was intended to plug into the Controller Port NOT the Videocart
so it seems that Microtronix may have been confused. I would put more stock
into Nicholas statment considering he was the one who was working on it :)
http://fndcollectables.com/NINTENDO/NES_C_thru_D/SHIPPING/VIDEO_GAMES/INTELLIVISION/working_interview_notes.html
DREW
slapdash
10-13-2011, 11:44 PM
Wow... Interesting, though a shame he didn't recall more about the Checkers cart.
You're probably right about K-2.
Shame there's no keyboard prototype out there; but I kind of wonder if it never got built because Jerry and/or others on the team figured it wasn't worth anything.
Wow... Interesting, though a shame he didn't recall more about the Checkers cart..
True it would have been nice to get some additional information as to why it was
only released for such a short time
What I have been able to find out through my own research is that the Checkers cart
was only released by Zircon and only for a limited time. It was first made available
during there first re-run of games (the stock Zircon had recieved from Fairchild had
been depleated and most games were sold out so they had done a re-run) part of the
re-run included the New Releases of #19, #22, #23 & #24, these were made available
in there Holiday Special Offer Letter of Oct 29 1980 These New Releases were SOLD OUT
in 3O days according to there Keep The Good Times Rolling Letter mailed in Mid 1981
anouncing there second Re-Run of these New Releases, by the Winter of 1981 Number 19
Checkers was again Removed from there Brochures and order forms. So Basicaly Checkers
was only available at the most for 30 days in the Winter 1980 and again for a short time
Maybe 90 days at most in 1981 (between Mid 81 to the start of Winter 81)
An interesting anomaly I have found is the alternate Version of the Slot Machine game
#22 not sure if these were done in the First or Second Run of the releases or
maybe just a test batch that got mixed in but so far to date out of the 12 I have checked
only three were the alternate Version (Non Purse)
I call the Alternate Version the Non Pursed Version as there is no Purse displayed on
the game screen. BTW the most common Version, if you can any Version of this game
common is the one that shows the purse
I have included pictures below of the two versions. I have also noticed that the
Non-Purse Version does not have the Jumper, all the more common version with the
purse have two games on the same board that can be changed depending on which hole
the jumber is soldered to (Slot Machine or Checkers) this could of been a cost cutting
change were they removed the extra game in the second run ?