Help me ID a 'video game?' 'console?' from my ancient youth.

[The Adventurer]

Okay, this has been bugging the hell out of me for ages, and maybe the Retro Gaming collector's collective can finally solve this mystery for me.

When I was very young, I had this video game console. I know it was a console, because it hooked up to the TV. All I can remember for semi-certain is that its controllers were (probably) permanently attached to the console, it had soft push buttons on the console itself (perhaps a whole keyboard?), it had some built in games of which most had the system's robot mascot as a recurring theme. I don't recall if it had additional game carts. I believe it was meant to be an early learning toy, as I recall its games had an educational bent to them.

Timeline wise, I would have had it sometime between 1983 (my birth) and 1989 (when I got my NES). So I would have been 6 or younger, which explains why my memories are so hazy.

I'm sorry I can't really think of more details. Or even any solid details. I know I had this thing, and I have never seen a reference to it ANYWHERE online in all my years. And it has been driving me crazy about just what the heck it was. Or if it was all just a strange dream.

[Kirbz]

5667
Fairchild Channel F
Maybe?
Im Not Sure
Good Luck,
KIRBZ

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Okay, this has been bugging the hell out of me for ages, and maybe the Retro Gaming collector's collective can finally solve this mystery for me.

When I was very young, I had this video game console. I know it was a console, because it hooked up to the TV. All I can remember for semi-certain is that its controllers were (probably) permanently attached to the console, it had soft push buttons on the console itself (perhaps a whole keyboard?), it had some built in games of which most had the system's robot mascot as a recurring theme. I don't recall if it had additional game carts. I believe it was meant to be an early learning toy, as I recall its games had an educational bent to them.

Timeline wise, I would have had it sometime between 1983 (my birth) and 1989 (when I got my NES). So I would have been 6 or younger, which explains why my memories are so hazy.

I'm sorry I can't really think of more details. Or even any solid details. I know I had this thing, and I have never seen a reference to it ANYWHERE online in all my years. And it has been driving me crazy about just what the heck it was. Or if it was all just a strange dream.

Odyssey 2?

http://img4.findthebest.com/sites/default/files/685/media/images/Magnavox_Odyssey_2.jpg

Bally Astrocade?

http://www.emuunlim.com/doteaters/astrocade.gif

[Greg2600]

Sounds like the Odyssey 2 yes, although that system had no built in game. Either that or some kind of Fisher Price contraption.

[InsaneDavid]

Nope, I'd say it was a VTech Socrates...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTech_Socrates

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb5Im7lwc6g

[The Adventurer]

BOOM! It was the VTech Socrates! I'd recognize that robot any where!

Thank you! Thank you!



The system actually appears to be rare, now I'm pissed that I don't have it any more.

[sloan]

They had one of those Socrates things setting in a Salvation Army near me for close to four months recently. It was priced around $10, but I continually passed on it. Someone eventually must have thought it was worth something because it is no longer there.

[MachineGex]

Nope, I'd say it was a VTech Socrates...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTech_Socrates

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb5Im7lwc6g

Damn David, that's impressive!!! You're the man!!!

[Cornelius]

Damn David, that's impressive!!! You're the man!!!

Yeah, no kidding! Well done. I knew it must have been one of those edutainment type computers, but I would never have remembered the name of one, let alone nail it right off like that.

[InsaneDavid]

Thanks. Remember, some of these obscure home computers are my shtick (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB9114A84EAE237A0&feature=plcp).

I've come across a VTech Socrates here and there, boxed, but they're usually filthy as all get out due to being relegated to a garage or barn or whatever. Occasionally the keyboard / controller dock is missing. There really isn't much use for one and because there's so little to do with them they really aren't valuable or desirable. Also while it doesn't look it, these systems weigh a ton for their size. Once you factor that in they become a hassle to get rid of once the novelty wears off. I've seen them at regular swap meets, yard sales, and electronics salvage markets so I'd assume they were distributed in decent numbers or at least there were enough of them sitting in warehouses.

[BetaWolf47]

That robot reminds me of the character from VTech's later children's computers from the 90's.

[Steve W]

Those systems can't be all that rare, I tend to come across them around once a year. I almost never find any games for it, though. I guess now that I've got a system in storage I should keep my eye out for cartridges.

[Greg2600]

They had one of those Socrates things setting in a Salvation Army near me for close to four months recently. It was priced around $10, but I continually passed on it. Someone eventually must have thought it was worth something because it is no longer there.

Or it was thrown in the trash, which is where I would have thrown it. Glad I was too old to have been given the misfortune of having to use that thing. Yuck. Calling it a video game console IMO is a stretch.

Ebay check, you can buy one for 40 bucks complete in the box, like new. Nice job remembering that David. I didn't know V-Tech made anything other than cheap/defective phones.

[Atarileaf]

They had one of those Socrates things setting in a Salvation Army near me for close to four months recently. It was priced around $10, but I continually passed on it. Someone eventually must have thought it was worth something because it is no longer there.

Yea me too. Saw one in a Value Village a couple of years back, I think also at $10. Never bought it and I saw it sitting there for a while. Must have sold eventually or else it was "recycled"

[Atarileaf]

Thanks. Remember, some of these obscure home computers are my shtick (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB9114A84EAE237A0&feature=plcp).



I remember doing some research on the Tomy Tutor when trying to find some references to a Tandy Color Computer cart I have called "Don Pan". Interesting little system.