Just how many programmable handhelds/tabletops were there before 1989?

[Zap!]

To the average Joe, none. But we historians here all know about the Milton Bradley Microvision, Entex Adventure Vision, and GCE Vectrex. But there were quite a few others, so obscure they aren't even memtioned in major classic video game books! Off the top of my head, I can think of the Colorvision. Looked a bit like an Adventure Vision, with like 5 games. I seem to remember Mini-Vid Breakfree as being able to accept different games. Anyoner remember this? Then there was the Entex Select-a-Game. And there were a few more. I remember one that looked like a Game Boy, but it may have been Japan-only. Come on historians, let's try and get the complete list!

Remember, not all of them count. It only counts if the handheld/tabletop accepts new media (such as cartridges).

[Zap!]

Check out the Entex Table Top Game Machine. Looks really cool, but sadly was never released. A prototype may exist though.

[Buyatari]

Quiz Wiz !

[Zap!]

Quiz Wiz !

Ya know, I haven't heard that name for a good 25 years, and I'm not joking!

But I do remember it, thanks for bringing it up!

[ccovell]

In Japan, there was the Game Pocket Computer, released 1984.

http://www.disgruntleddesigner.com/c...kon/index.html

[Zap!]

Just found another one, the Palmtex Super Micro Cartridge System. I have never even heard of that one.

Just found this too, the MGA Game Wizard. Anyone know if it was released in the US, and the year?



Edit: Wow, it looks exactly like the Grandstand Game Player!

[neuropolitique]

The Mini-Vid didn't accept carts. There were multiple versions with different games though.

http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Mego/MVBreak.htm

[Zap!]

The Mini-Vid didn't accept carts. There were multiple versions with different games though.

http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Mego/MVBreak.htm

You are right. Not sure why I thought it did...

[Gameguy]

Just found this too, the MGA Game Wizard. Anyone know if it was released in the US, and the year?

Edit: Wow, it looks exactly like the Grandstand Game Player!

I have something like that. I got one as a kid(between '94-'96), the system looks pretty much the same but the games were different. It came with Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and King of the Jungle. I haven't seen it in years, I think I know where it is though(it's stored in a box). I remember it only had one action button.

[neuropolitique]

Just found another one, the Palmtex Super Micro Cartridge System. I have never even heard of that one.

Just found this too, the MGA Game Wizard. Anyone know if it was released in the US, and the year?



Edit: Wow, it looks exactly like the Grandstand Game Player!

Based solely on styling it's pretty safe to bet they were release after the Game Boy.

*edit* looks like they were released in 1994 Digital Press FAQ

[Arcade Antics]

Check out the Entex Table Top Game Machine. Looks really cool, but sadly was never released. A prototype may exist though.

This one was released as the Entex Select a Game Machine in 1981 and is almost identical to the prototype version pictured at that link.

[Zap!]

This one was released as the Entex Select a Game Machine in 1981 and is almost identical to the prototype version pictured at that link.

Not according to the Handheld Museum. In the link in the second post, it says it was going to be the sequel to the Select-A-Game. The screen is far larger too.

[slapdash]

There is, allegedly, a trivia portable by Langoria Bros. called "Electrivia". And Radio Shack had the Wizard PDA with game cards that I THINK go back to 88 or so.

[Zap!]

There is, allegedly, a trivia portable by Langoria Bros. called "Electrivia". And Radio Shack had the Wizard PDA with game cards that I THINK go back to 88 or so.

Electrivia exists, it's on eBay fairly often. I'll have to look up Wizard PDA.

I think the hardest part about this list is when to draw the line. What about the 1974 HP-65 calculator. Should that count? Should Quiz-Wiz?

[slapdash]

Um, wow, I've never seen the Electrivia on eBay, but then, I'm not looking much. I'm starting to doubt it was programmable though... Anyone have one?

And more so the the HP and QW, would things like the Omni count? Or the 2XL?? (At least I THINK that played games... I gotta hit Google now...).

[Zap!]

Um, wow, I've never seen the Electrivia on eBay, but then, I'm not looking much. I'm starting to doubt it was programmable though... Anyone have one?

And more so the the HP and QW, would things like the Omni count? Or the 2XL?? (At least I THINK that played games... I gotta hit Google now...).

I'm tempted to order one to find out, they're only like $20. Russ, you are the foremost expert on stuff like this. Is the 1974 HP-65 calculator programmable? I talked to an engineer who worked on it, and he said it accepts cards. Can you look into this? This could change history if it's true. I's buy one to find out, but they are $800+ on eBay.

[neuropolitique]

I'm tempted to order one to find out, they're only like $20. Russ, you are the foremost expert on stuff like this. Is the 1974 HP-65 calculator programmable? I talked to an engineer who worked on it, and he said it accepts cards. Can you look into this? This could change history if it's true. I's buy one to find out, but they are $800+ on eBay.

It is programmable and accepted cards. However, no games were ever released for it, nor have any been made that I've heard of. I'd say it doesn't count .

[slapdash]

I'm not much of an expert anymore; used to know tons of obscure stuff lots of folk hadn't heard of, but these days...

I'd bet there are chess (& bridge?) portables that took carts prior to 1989, but I'm not sure. I might have notes on some, but buried at the moment, and for the foreseeable future.

[kirin jensen]

Um, wow, I've never seen the Electrivia on eBay, but then, I'm not looking much. I'm starting to doubt it was programmable though... Anyone have one?

And more so the the HP and QW, would things like the Omni count? Or the 2XL?? (At least I THINK that played games... I gotta hit Google now...).

The 2XL used an eight track tape to provide different responses for questions. Not programmable in the usual game sense at least.

[Zap!]

Just found another one, the Bandai Digi:



http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Bandai/DigiCasseB.htm