The Epoch Game Pocket Computer (Japanese: ゲームポケコン, Hepburn: Gēmupokekon) is a second-generation handheld game console released by Epoch Co. in Japan in 1984 for 12,800 Japanese yen.[1] It is also known as Pokekon[2] and was the first handheld console to feature interchangeable cartridges, preceding the Game Boy by 5 years.[3]
 | |
 An Epoch Game Pocket Computer | |
| Developer | Epoch Co. |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Epoch Co. |
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Second generation |
| Release date | 1984 |
| Introductory price | ¥12,800 |
| Media | ROM cartridge |
| CPU | NEC μPD78C06 @ 6 MHz |
| Memory | 2 KB |
| Display | Monochrome, 75 × 64 or 128 pixels |
| Sound | 1 sound channel |
| Controller input | 8-way joypad |
| Power | 4 AA batteries |
The system was a commercial failure in Japan,[4] and as a result, only 5 games were made for it. A puzzle game and a paint program were built into the system. It was powered by 4 AA batteries, and screen's contrast could be adjusted by the user. Input and output controls included four buttons, an 8-way joypad, a contrast dial, and a sound on-off switch.[5]
Technical specifications
editGames
editThere were a total of 7 different games released for the system.
2 were built into the system.[2] The Built-in Functions (本体内蔵機能, Hontai naizō kinō) cartridge included with the system only serves as instructions and to occupy the cartridge slot, containing no game data, as it doesn't need to be inserted into the system to play the games;
- Puzzle Game (パズルゲーム, Pazurugēmu), an 11 tile version of Fifteen puzzle.
- Graphics function (グラフィック機能, Gurafikku kinō), a Raster graphics editor paint program.
The other 5 were released separately[2] for 2,980 Japanese yen each, excluding Pocket Computer Mahjong which was 3,800 yen;[1]
See also
edit- Barcode Battler, another handheld game console released by Epoch Co.
References
edit- ^ a b ASCII (February 1985). "Data Log". LOGiN Magazine (ログイン). p. 166. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Game Pocket Computer by Epoch – The Video Game Kraken". videogamekraken. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
- ^ コミックボンボン1984年11月号、p23
- ^ a b c "Epoch Game Pocket Computer". Binarium. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
- ^ a b c d "1984 Game Pocket Computer and Cartridges". Miniarcade.com.
- ^ a b c d "Epoch Game Pocket Computer". www.handheldmuseum.com.
- ^ a b c "Chris Covell's Epoch Game Pocket Computer page". chrismcovell.com. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
External links
edit- Pictures and info about the Game Pocket Computer
- Other handheld games made by Epoch
- More pictures and info for the Game Pocket Computer
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