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History of video games/Platforms/Cassette Vision

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  • The original Epoch TV Game Cassette Vision.
    The original Epoch TV Game Cassette Vision.
  • The smaller Epoch TV Game Cassette Vision Jr.
    The smaller Epoch TV Game Cassette Vision Jr.

History

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The Cassette Vision saw a Japanese only launch on June 30th, 1981.[1][2] The Cassette Vision was sold for 13,500 yen, and games were sold for 4,000 yen.[3][2] The Cassette Vision sold over 400,000 consoles and was the most popular console in Japan for a time.[3][4] The system was held back in part by internal factors, as Epoch only had a single NEC TK-80 computer to be used for game development, limiting the Cassette Vision's library.[3][5]

The Cassette Vision was discontinued in 1984.[1] and would be followed by the improved Super Cassette Vision.

Technology

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An NEC D777C CPU was included on Cassette Vision game cartridges.[6][7] This hardware was considered dated at the time.[3]

Cartridges for the system had a storage capacity of 2 kilobytes.[6]

Game library

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Cassette Vision game cartridges cost around 4,000 yen each.[2]

  • Astro Command[8]
  • Galaxian - Despite the name this game is actually based on Moon Cresta, and not the more popular game also known as Galaxian.[8] This was a launch title.[3]
  • Kikori no Yosaku[8]
  • Baseball[8] - A launch title.[3]
  • New Baseball[8]
  • Battle Vader[8]
  • Big Sports 12[8]
  • PakPak Monster[8]
  • Monster Mansion[8]
  • Monster Block[8]
  • Elevator Panic[8]
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  • The gun for the original Cassette Vision. The design appears to be based off of the Mauser C96.
    The gun for the original Cassette Vision. The design appears to be based off of the Mauser C96.
  • A real Mauser C96 handgun, said to have inspired the Cassette Vision gun.
    A real Mauser C96 handgun, said to have inspired the Cassette Vision gun.
  • An NEC TK-80 (Training Kit) computer, similar to the solitary TK-80 Epoch staff used to develop games for the Cassette Vision.
    An NEC TK-80 (Training Kit) computer, similar to the solitary TK-80 Epoch staff used to develop games for the Cassette Vision.
  • A slightly different version of the NEC TK-80.
    A slightly different version of the NEC TK-80.
  • A die shot of an NEC D777 with top metal present, similar to the one used in the Cassette Vision game cartridges.
    A die shot of an NEC D777 with top metal present, similar to the one used in the Cassette Vision game cartridges.
  • A die shot of an NEC D777 with top metal removed, similar to the one used in the Cassette Vision game cartridges.
    A die shot of an NEC D777 with top metal removed, similar to the one used in the Cassette Vision game cartridges.

External Resources

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Wikipedia has related information at Cassette Vision  and TK-80

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Epoch Cassette Vision

References

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 Parts of this page are based on materials from:
 Wikipedia: the free encyclopedia.
  1. ↑ a b "Epoch Cassette Vision (1981 - 1984)". Museum of Obsolete Media. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  2. ↑ a b c "OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum". www.old-computers.com. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  3. ↑ a b c d e f "THE FORGOTTEN EPIC". The Game Scholar. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "CLASSIC VIDEOGAME STATION ODYSSEY/EVENT/EARLY CREATERS". www.ne.jp. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "Cassette Vision by Epoch – The Video Game Kraken". Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  6. ↑ a b "Video Game Console Library". Video Game Console Library. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  7. ↑ Riddle, Sean. "decaps". Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  8. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k "Cassette Vision". Wikipedia. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
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