Epoch Cassette Vision

Epoch Cassette Vision

The Epoch Cassette Vision with a Galaxian cartridge.
Manufacturer	Epoch Co.
Type	Video game console
Generation	Second generation
Release date	JP July 30, 1981
Introductory price	¥13,500
Media	ROM cartridge
Input	Internal controllers
Successor	Super Cassette Vision

The Epoch Cassette Vision (カセットビジョン, Kasetto Bijon) was a video game console made by Epoch and released in Japan on July 30, 1981.

Despite the name, the console used cartridges, not cassettes, and it has the distinction of being the first successful programmable console video game system to be made in Japan. The system retailed for 13,500 yen, with games going for 4,000. It is believed, though not confirmed, that Sega and/or SNK made games for the Cassette Vision. Its graphics were less refined than the Atari 2600, and the only controls were four knobs (two to a player, one for horizontal movement, one for vertical) built into the console itself, along with two fire buttons to a player. Though the Cassette Vision was not a fantastic seller, it managed to spawn off a smaller, cheaper version called the Cassette Vision Jr. and a successor called the Super Cassette Vision. The latter was released in 1984, and was sold in Europe, with little success.

Except for their failed Game Pocket Computer handheld system, Epoch never had another system released.

Cassette Vision

Games

• Astro Command - Astro Command was and is an Action game released by Epoch for the Cassette Vision in 1983.
• Baseball - Baseball was and is a Baseball game released by Epoch for the Cassette Vision 1981.
• Battle Vader - Battle Vader was and is a Shoot 'em up released by Epoch for the Cassette Vision in 1982.
• Big Sports 12 - Big Sports 12 was and is a Sports game released by Epoch for the Cassette Vision in 1981.
• Elevator Panic
• Galaxian
• Grand Champion
• Kikori no Yosaku
• Monster Block
• Monster Mansion (Donkey Kong clone)
• New Baseball
• PakPak Monster

Specifications

Cassette Vision's controllers are integrated into the body.

Cassette Vision

• 2 x 2-directional lever switches
• 4 x Push buttons
• 4 x Revolving dials
• 1 x Course switch
• 1 x Select button
• 1 x Start button
• 1 x AUX. button

Cassette Vision Jr.

• 1 x 2-directional lever switch
• 4 x Push buttons
• 1 x Select button
• 1 x Start button

Cassette Vision hardware has only the controllers and power supply circuit. Other components including 1chip CPU, Memory and Video Processor are on the cartridge circuit board.

Super Cassette Vision

Games

• Astro Wars
• Astro Wars II - Battle in Galaxy
• BASIC Nyuumon
• Boulder Dash
• Comic Circus
• Doraemon
• Dragon Ball: Dragon Daihikyō
• Dragon Slayer
• Elevator Fight
• Lupin III
• Mappy
• Milky Princess
• Miner 2049er
• Nebula
• Nekketsu Kung-Fu Load
• Pole Position II
• Pop and Chips
• Punch Boy
• Rantou Pro-Wrestling
• Shogi Nyuumon
• Sky Kid
• Star Speeder
• Super Base Ball
  • Giants Hara Tatsunori no Super Base Ball
• Super Golf
• Super Mahjong
• Super Sansu-Puter
• Super Soccer
• TonTon Ball
• WaiWai(Y2) Monster Land
• Wheelie Racer

Specifications

Super Cassette Vision (1984)

• CPU: µPD7801G microcontroller (Z80 compatible core)
• RAM: 128 bytes (internal to CPU)
• ROM: 4KB (internal to CPU)
• Video Processor: EPOCH TV-1
• VRAM: 4KB (2 × µPD4016C-2) + 2KB (EPOCH TV-1 internal)
• Colour: 16
• Sprites: 128
• Display: 256×256
• Sound Processor: µPD1771C
• Sound: 1 channel (Tone, Noise or 1bit PCM)
• Controllers: 2 × hard-wired joysticks

External links

• Epoch's official website
• EPOCH Super Cassette Vision Emulator for Win32
• EPOCH Super Cassette Vision hardware info (in Japanese)
• Epoch Cassette Vision hardware information (in Japanese)
• Yeno & Epoch Super Cassette Vision
• http://dempa.jp/rgb/heaven/g_scv.html (in Japanese)