Tomy's road to black technology for handheld consoles
Introduction: "Pong", a latecomer that even Bell did not expect
Ralph Henry Bell invented the brown box, the prototype of the video game console. At that time, his project was approved by his supervisor With the full support of Herb Campman, Sanders Associates, the U.S. defense contractor where Bell worked, became the owner of the brown box.
Sanders Associates wanted to mass-produce brown boxes, so they contacted relevant companies. Although many companies did not dare to try, they finally found their partner Magnavox. Milohua, which obtained relevant patents through the transfer, produced the world's first commercial home electronic game console.
was released in September 1972, and its first game was the prototype of Atari 's popular game "Pong", called "Table Tennis".
Perhaps even Bell did not expect that "Pong" would be so popular...
Fairchild Channel F
Atari lost the lawsuit! The home machine plan was forced to be delayed
Although the release date of the arcade version of "Pong" was November 29, 1972, which was two or three months later than "Table Tennis", it may not even be possible that Atari founder Nolan Bushnell didn't expect that in 1974, Sanders Associates and Magnavox jointly sued Atari, pointing out that "Pong" infringed on their game "Table Tennis". Regarding this case, first of all, the patent rights related to Odyssey are very complete. Even the design documents for "Table Tennis" can be traced back to 1966. Secondly, the court also confirmed that in May 1972, Nolan Bushnell did attend a game showcase at Odyssey and played "Table Tennis". Finally, there is another point: "Pong" itself has not applied for any patents.
The court finally ruled that Atari lost the lawsuit and had to pay a copyright fee of US$700,000. There was also an agreement that Magnavox would own the copyright of all Atari products within one year.
Nolan Bushnell
Obviously, at that time, Milohua had already noticed that Atari also wanted to enter the home console market. In order to delay the competition, he came up with this strategy.
And this strategy did affect Atari's entry into the home console market. Atari's idea was to develop a game console equipped with a microprocessor and a game cartridge that could be replaced. However, it was precisely due to interference from competitors that the Atari VCS (Video Computer System) was released in 1977. This time point is actually one year later than the Fairchild Channel F released by Fairchild Semiconductor in 1976.
Fairchild Channel F was the first home game console with programmable ROM features and the first platform to use a microprocessor. It is said that Fairchild Channel F was originally called VES (Video Entertainment System), but after Atari launched VCS, it was changed to Fairchild Channel F. Maybe it was because the names were too similar. In 1977, a total of 25,000 units of this game console were sold. By the way, a total of 27 game cartridges were released for this game console.
"Mattel Football" was sold out
"Mattel Football" became a hit! Mattel has actually made the console
to separate the game console and the cassette, which is definitely a big trend. First of all, because the cassette can be replaced, the console will be difficult to become obsolete in a short time. Secondly, the price of the console can be further reduced. However, success is a failure, and the huge amount of low-quality cassettes has also destroyed Atari's hegemony to a certain extent. Perhaps many players will shift the responsibility to third-party manufacturers. Although it makes sense, the first party's failure to live up to expectations is also to blame.
I don’t know if it was influenced by Gunpei Yokoi’s concept. Nintendo launched Color TV-game 6 and Color TV-game 15 in 1977, but they did not follow the trend. Nintendo's so-called multiple games are just limited variations. For example, tennis is called table tennis. The actual changes are minimal, and the gameplay is no different.Finally, Nintendo considered singles and doubles as different games, and in total, they came up with 15 games. Fortunately, at that time, players were not so resistant to this approach, and were even still enveloped in the novelty. In the end, Color TV-game 15 sold millions of copies.
Color TV-game 15
It was also in these two years that handheld consoles were created. Mattel, an American toy manufacturing company, released a game called "Mattel Auto Race" in 1976 handheld machine. As the name suggests, the content of the game is racing, and the screen is composed of a row of diodes that can emit light. Visually, the red dot represents the car, and the beeps are not pleasant to the ears. However, the price of this handheld console was $24.99 at the time, which was not very cheap. However, this handheld console is said to be selling well, but even so, Mattel's internal staff does not support the company's development of the handheld console business, but they still continue to make a "Mattel Football" on an experimental basis. (Thailand Football) handheld console, I didn’t expect that the first edition of 100,000 units was sold out, and even after replenishment, it would often be sold out. It was precisely based on this situation that in 1978, Mattel decided to establish an electronics department dedicated to the development of the electronic game industry. Of course, Mattel not only continued to release handheld consoles, but also released a console, and the sales were pretty good.
Returning to Mattel's handheld consoles, they continued to choose sports as themes for subsequent works. After all, the success of rugby gave Mattel a taste of the sweetness. Later, Mattel's football, basketball, and baseball games were developed one after another, but speaking of it, the real core gameplay really had little to do with the sports themselves.
Mattel basketball handheld console
This was the development status of electronic game consoles and handheld consoles at that time. We can see that as an emerging industry, many former toy manufacturing malls also chose to join in. For example, this is true for Mattel, Nintendo, Bandai, and Tomy, which we are about to mention. This is actually not unusual. It is said that in the days when third parties could produce Atari cassettes on their own, even biscuit manufacturers and milk manufacturers were producing Atari games in order to suddenly become rich.
Speaking of which, everyone has recognized Mattel's "Mattel Auto Race" as the world's first electronic handheld console, but what about the earliest handheld console in Japan? Is it Gunpei Yokoi’s GameWatch? The answer is obviously no.
Tomy's high-tech handheld console: Blip
Tomy's high-tech handheld console "Blip"! Hybrid power, two-player battle becomes the highlight
I don’t know if you have heard of Tomy, which is Tomei Corporation, which was founded in 1924. Today's Takara actually merged with its competitor Takara in 2006, and its name was changed to Takara Co., Ltd. Suddenly, the author remembered a piece of news from 2006, which came from TAKARA TOMY. At that time, they also released a handheld console called Pocket Dream Console. It is said that this handheld console comes with 30 games and uses a three-section seven You can play for about 15 hours on a small battery. In addition, this handheld console is also equipped with a corresponding interface that can display images on a TV. The final price is 8,400 yen, and there are three colors of machines available: red, white, and blue.
I believe that I don’t need to say it. Everyone knows the fate of this handheld console. After all, it was a product in 2006. It is not enough to just play some small games, although these small games may be enough to make Tegali Dome scratch her head. You know, the WonderSwan Color made by Gunpei Yokoi for Bandai was launched at the end of 2000, Nintendo's NDS was also launched at the end of 2004, and and Sony's PSP were also released following the footsteps of the NDS. In 2006, it was really difficult for people to see the competitiveness of Tejiali Domei. Even if it competed with GBA, it would lose...
The handheld work after the merger of Tomy and Takra
But this is not the case To hinder Tomei's achievements in the field of handheld consoles, they actually released the handheld game "Blip" in 1977. If the author's research is correct, this machine should be Japan's first handheld console.The unique feature of this handheld console that uses diodes is that it uses hybrid power, which is something that the author has rarely heard of. The content of the
game is actually Atari's "Pong", so you should know the author's intention of starting with "Pong". As for the hybrid power just mentioned, a battery is needed to display the ball. If you want the ball to operate normally, you must use the Timer knob, just like winding up. Only in this way can the game be complete. Get up and running. As for the scoreboard, it is even more magical. How do you calculate the score in the game? If the opponent doesn't catch it, you need to serve again. Every time you dial the serve button, one point will be added to the opponent's scoreboard. Isn't it a bit weird? After all, this handheld console basically has no so-called precision electronic components or so-called program calculations. It is a type that relies on mechanical control.
The "Kirby Dream Story" that I really want
However, unlike Mattel's handheld console, Tomy's "Blip" strongly advocates two-player games in concept, whether it is a Mattel handheld console or Yokoi Gun Ping's GameWatch failed to take it into account. Of course, no matter whether it is Nintendo's subsequent handheld consoles or Sony's handheld consoles, there has not been much exploration in the two-player same-screen mode, and this is even more true for handheld consoles from other manufacturers. Fortunately, this problem has been solved by Nintendo's Switch. 's solved. But when you look back, this handheld console from 1977 can take care of both single-player and two-player games, which is admirable.
As for playing, I still have to complain. The small balls bouncing around in the game do not follow the laws of physics at all, and it is just a game of fortune. As for where the ball will land at 1, 2, or 3, quick reaction is the key to victory, especially when the ball is about to arrive, it will suddenly twist, which is simply whimsical. But maybe this would have brought some different joy to family games at the time.
By the way, Tomy actually made improvements to this kind of handheld game console. The author was also lucky enough to get a basketball handheld console produced by Tomy Company. This handheld console should be a product in 1980. However, the specific content will be introduced separately by the author soon, so please continue to pay attention.
Tomy’s learning machine
learning machine market is in trouble! Tomy didn't let it go, and launched Pyuuta
in 1982. Unlike Nintendo's full-scale entry into the video game industry, Tom actually still misses toys, but the profits from video games make them not want to miss it. Even Japan’s learning machine craze, Tomy couldn’t help but participate in it. As for Tomy’s black technology elements, they were also brought in.
If we want to talk about personal computers, the Apple II in 1977 must have been a good start, and many manufacturers rushed to join. However, these products can only be considered niche in Japan. After all, the price of 200,000 yen is not something that an ordinary family can easily afford. It is said that many children were very interested in writing programs at that time. In addition, many promotional slogans such as "As long as you have a computer, anyone can make games, they also had a very big impact."
Famicom learning machine peripherals
At that time, children could only use computers by going to computer stores or some large department stores. Japanese manufacturers seem to have seen business opportunities and have launched so-called learning machines one after another. As for the selling price, the lowest one is only 30,000 yen. The cost savings include, first, that the performance is much lower than that of a real computer, and second, that it can be directly plugged into a TV without having to purchase a separate display device. Of course, most of these learning machines are eventually used as game consoles, and it seems that learning is just a reason to buy them.
This point, for the author's generation, no need to say much to understand what is going on, haha!
In 1982, Tomy also launched the Pyuuta learning machine, priced at 59,800 yen. Of course, after the release of the Famicom, Nintendo also launched its learning machine peripherals, namely Family Basic, priced at 14,800 yen.
Let's go back to Pyuuta. Tomy wanted to add Japanese to programming, so he improved a G-Basic language. For novices, it may be convenient to input some more common instructions directly in Japanese. But the problem was the environment at that time. Many children had already learned regular Basic. Tomy’s black technology caused a lot of inconvenience. Tomy finally had to work hard to improve the game lineup. Finally, in order to take advantage of the many games, Tomy simply released a model that removes the keyboard and enhances the game play function. It seems that it does not even need to deceive parents into pocketing money.
Mattel's Intellivision
In other words, Tomy has not only explored the field of handheld consoles, but also tried in the field of home consoles, including game consoles with learning machine casings.
The same is true for other manufacturers. Bandai, Sega, Panasonic and other companies have also launched their own brand of learning machines. The release date of the SC-3000 learning machine launched by Sega happened to be July 15, 1983, which is The day when the Famicom was born...
In addition, Toyo & Co. and Epoch introduced Atari's 2600 for sale in 1977 and 1979 respectively. Even EMI also introduced Mattel's Intellivision, which was launched in 1979. There were 125 games on sale, and sales exceeded 3 million. However, when Bandai introduced it, it was already 1982, and the price of 49,800 yen was indeed too expensive.
Tomy's toys
In this troubled world, each manufacturer is showing its own capabilities. Some research black technologies on their own, some make compatible machines, and some simply import them directly. Naturally, some sell game consoles under the guise of learning machines. ...It was precisely in this chaos that Nintendo was able to identify the market and launch GameWatch and Famicom, which was indeed not easy. Of course, judging from Nintendo's current development trajectory, including the success of Switch, we also clearly understand that Nintendo's success at that time was no accident. However, this should be another story. Let me introduce it slowly next time. Welcome to pay attention to my medieval column. Thank you for reading.
Regarding Tomy’s high-tech handheld consoles, there are actually quite a few. Although Tomy is no longer ranked in the video game market, the products and the spirit of exploration at that time are still very worthy of recognition!
Okay, that’s it for this issue. See you next time. If readers want to know something or have any new insights, please feel free to communicate with the author and make progress together.
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