Epoch Game Pocket Computer ( jap. エ ポ ッ ク 社 ゲ ー ム ポ ケ ッ ト コ ン ピ ュ ー タ ) is the world's second portable game console with replaceable cartridges , released by Epoch exclusively for the Japanese market in 1984 .
| Epoch Game Pocket Computer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Manufacturer | Epoch |
| Type of | Portable gaming system |
| Generation | Second |
| release date | 1984 |
| Carrier | Cartridges |
| Nutrition | 4 x AA batteries |
| CPU | 6 MHz NEC |
| Operational memory | 2176 bits of RAM , 4KB ROM built-in, up to 16K ROM in cartridge |
| Display | 75 x 64 pixels b / w LCD |
| Facilities management | D-pad and 6 control buttons |
Content
History
Epoch has previously released portable gaming systems, for example: Epoch Derby Race (mechanical) in 1977 [1] , Epoch Invader From Space in 1980 [2] , Epoch Astro Command in 1982 [3] , Epoch Penguin Restaurant in 1983 year [4] and a number of others. However, Epoch Game Pocket Computer was the first gaming system from Epoch and the second in the world after Microvision , which uses replaceable game cartridges [5] .
Game Pocket Computer appeared on the shelves in 1984 [6] [7] [8] and was sold only in Japan ; the console did not reach the European and North American market [5] [7] .
Description
The console had a rectangular shape measuring 21.5 x 14.6 centimeters 2.9 centimeters thick [9] . A monochrome LCD screen measuring 75 by 64 pixels [6] [10] [11] made it possible to create full-fledged games on the system at the level of second-generation consoles, such as Atari 2600 , Intellivision or Emerson Arcadia 2001 .
To control games in the lower part of the Game Pocket Computer case there were a D-pad (8 directions), 6 buttons, an image contrast regulator and two switches - for turning the console on / off and turning on / off the sound [10] . Game Pocket Computer was powered by four AA batteries , which lasted for 70 hours [6] [9] .
Games
Game Pocket Computer did not have much success, in a short life only five games were released for it: Astro Bomber - Shoot 'em up with horizontal scrolling , Block Maze - an arcade puzzle in the style of Pengo ( en ) on Atari 2600 or Turtles ( en ) on Odyssey² , Mahjong - Mahjong , Reversi - Reversi and Sokoban Puzzle. In addition, two games were built into the console itself: 11-puzzle ( Fifteen ) and Paint program - a simple graphical editor . [8] [10] [11]
Due to the fact that very few copies of the Epoch Game Pocket Computer have been released, in our time the console and games for it are very rare, the cost at online auctions such as Ebay can reach several hundred dollars [5] .
Specifications
| CPU | 8-bit NEC μPD78c06 |
| Clock frequency | 6 MHz |
| RAM | 2176 bit |
| ROM | 4Kb ROM |
| Screen resolution | 75 x 64 pixels LCD |
| Cartridge rom | up to 16K |
| Sound | Piezoelectric speaker |
| Control | Six buttons, one D-pad (8 directions) |
| Source of energy | 4 x AA batteries |
Notes
- ↑ Epoch Derby Race on the Museum of Handheld Game Systems website
- ↑ Epoch Invader From Space on the Museum of Handheld Game Systems website
- ↑ Epoch Astro Command on the Museum of Handheld Game Systems website
- ↑ Epoch Penguin Restaurant on the Museum of Handheld Game Systems website
- ↑ 1 2 3 Sony's PlayStation Portable and Epoch's Game Pocket Computer (English)
- ↑ 1 2 3 DOA: The Epoch Game Pocket Computer (English)
- ↑ 1 2 A Look at Handheld Game Consoles from 1976 to 2009 Archived May 25, 2010 on the Wayback Machine .
- ↑ 1 2 Epoch Game Pocket Computer Archived on April 21, 2010. on the website Pocket-gaming.ru (Russian)
- ↑ 1 2 Epoch Game Pocket Computer on the Nedopc.org website (Russian)
- ↑ 1 2 3 Epoch Game Pocket Computer at Miniarcade.com
- ↑ 1 2 Epoch Game Pocket Computer on the Museum of Handheld Game Systems website
Links
- List of Epoch handheld consoles on the Museum of Handheld Game Systems website
- Overview of games for the Epoch Game Pocket Computer at Miniarcade.com