Epoch Game Pocket Computer
 | |
 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 pixels |
| Sound | 1 sound channel |
| Controller input | 8-way joypad |
| Power | 4 AA batteries |
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 one of the very few truly[clarification needed] handheld systems to be released in the early 1980s, preceding the Game Boy by 5 years.
The system was a commercial failure in Japan,[3] 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.[4]
Because the Game Pocket Computer failed in Japan, and was never released internationally,[5] the device is extremely rare, and units on eBay can go for hundreds of US dollars.[citation needed]
Technical specifications[edit]
- LC display: monochrome, 75 × 64 pixels[2][6][4][3][7]
- Power supply: 4 AA batteries[2]
- Battery life: Not clear; >70 hours[3] or 60 hours[7]
- CPU: NEC μPD78C06 clocked at 6 MHz[7]
- RAM: 2 KB[2]
- ROM (cartridges): 8 or 16 KB[2]
- Sound: 1 sound channel[2]
Games[edit]
There 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]
- Astro Bomber (アストロボンバー, Asutorobombā)[4]
- Block Maze (ブロックメイズ, Burokkumeizu)[6]
- Pocket Computer Mahjong (ポケコンマージャン, Pokekon mājyan)[4]
- Pocket Computer Reversi (ポケコンリバーシ, Pokekon ribāsi)[6]
- Sokoban (倉庫番, sōko-ban)[6]
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.
- ^ a b c "Epoch Game Pocket Computer". Binarium. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
- ^ a b c d "1984 Game Pocket Computer and Cartridges". Miniarcade.com.
- ^ "30 Years of Handheld Game Systems". PCWorld. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ 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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