Palmtex Portable Videogame System
 Super micro branded console with cartridge and LightPak inserted. | |
| Also known as | PVS Command Console |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Palmtex |
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Second generation |
| Release date | January 1984 |
| Introductory price | US$49 |
| Media | 4k ROM cartridge |
| Memory | 2k RAM (inside cartridge) |
| Display | LCD 32x16 57.15×38.1 mm |
| Input | R/M/P/A/B/C buttons, 2 8-directional D-pads, contrast dial, power switch |
| Power | 6 x AA batteries (4 x console / 2 x LightPak) |
The Palmtex PVS (Portable Videogame System), later renamed and distributed by Home Computer Software as the Super Micro, is a handheld video game console developed and manufactured by Palmtex, released in January 1984.
The system sold poorly, and only 3 games are known to have been released.
History
Palmtex Inc. was registered on November 12 1980 in San Fransisco, California[1].
In 1982, Palmtex distributed several electronic games, like the Tri-Screen Time & Fun series by VTech, in the United States. Most notably, they were considered by Nintendo to distribute several Game & Watch handhelds, like "Octopus" and "Donkey Kong", but it is unknown if the deal ever happened or if any Palmtex branded handhelds exist.[2]
In January 30, 1983, Palmtex announced the PVS, meaning "Palmsized Videogame System", making mention of its interchangeable cartridges, 3D effects due to several layers of glass providing depth, color graphics, sound control, and the inclusion of a pause button. The unit would retail for $30, while additional games would be $20. It's was described as a "dramatic design breakthrough" for handheld games[3].
In May 1983, more details about the console were revealed, showing an illustration of an early prototype, along with with 5 different game cartridges announced for the system and a brief description of each, Crystals of Morga, Star Trooper, Mayday!, Spell Bound, and Mine Field[4]. The company hoped to have at least 12 different games including the 5 launch titles by the end of 1983, and release the system by March or April of 1984[5], however, by July 1983 the release date was pushed back to May 1984 [6], and Palmtex advertised that if you bought the system, the custumer would additionally receive the game "Spell Bound" for free. [7]
Originally, the game cartridges would slide into the unit, compared to the final product where the cartridge clips into the back of the screen. The PVS name was changed to mean "Portable Videogame System".[8]
In 1984 at the Winter CES, which took place from January 7 to January 10, Palmtex showcased the redesigned system, alongside 3 launch games, Outflank, React Attack, and Aladdin's Adventures[9]. Although it had been slated for release around May, the system was released to the public for $49, with each additional game costing $15, sometime before January 26.[10]
Palmtex expected to release two new games each month for the system[11], but those plans don't seem to have been materialized.
Home Computer Software Inc.
Home Computer Software Inc. was registered on January 14 1983, in Sunnyvale California[12].
Later PVS units started being distributed by HCS with the name changed to Super Micro.
The name change from PVS to Super Micro took place sometime after the system was released. This means older systems have a metal plate showcasing the "Palmtex PVS" name, while the later releases have a sticker with "Super Micro" written on it. Super Micros still contain the Palmtex logo and copyright on the sticker at the bottom of the console.
Both companies were suspended by the Franchise Tax Board at an unknown date.
Hardware
The console has three different components: the PVS itself, the game cartridge, and the LightPak.
The PVS uses a clam-shell design that opens and closes using a plastic clip on the front. The two halves of the system are connected by hinges and a flexible flat cable. The top half contains the cartridge port and a polarizing layer for the LCD, which is located in each cartridge. The bottom half contains the battery compartment for 4 AA batteries, and speaker. The front of the console contains a power switch, 2 Player Controllers, which are D-pads with 8 directions, and 6 buttons, R (reset), M (mute) which turns the sound on or off from the internal speaker, P (pause) to pause the game, and 3 action buttons A B and C. On the back there is a contrast dial for the LCD.
The game cartridges contain the main processor and ram, similar to the Microvision, as well as the monochrome 32x16 LCD with a color overlay with fixed sprites for the game graphics. They clip on the back of the display, and connect via 36 pins, 2 18-pin connectors on each side, and are necessary for turning on the console. The back of the cartridge contains a decal with the name of the console (PVS or Super Micro) and the name of the game.
The LightPak uses 2 AA batteries to power 6 light bulbs behind a textured diffuser to provide a back-light to the screen, and clips on top of the cartridge, enclosing it on its plastic shell, but is considered optional as it doesn't connect to the main circuit of the console like the cartridges do, and a room with adequate lighting makes it unnecessary for play, but the manual advises against direct sunlight.
It works by using the LCD to cover up the entire overlay of sprites with black squares (pixels), except the sprites being used at that moment. The light shines through the back of the translucent overlay and screen for visibility with either the light pack or ambient light.
Hardware problems
The console is infamous for being of poor quality construction, the plastic is described as light and brittle, and due to the use of plastic clips during assembly of the cartridge and LightPak, every time it is used, it seems at risk of breaking. The power switches also suffer from this problem.
The Cartridges are also prone to breaking.
The Light pack is also easily broken, the light bulbs inside often come loose, making it lose some of its functionality,
The battery compartment of the LightPak functions normally, but the one on the PVS has a problem where the cover needs to be inserted for the batteries to stay inside, and if the cover is closed all the way, it will be sealed shut, and require significant force to open, possibly scuffing or breaking the plastic.
Games
Although 5 games had been announced with intentions to make more, none of the 5 were released, instead, only the 3 new games showcased at CES are known to have been released;
Outflank
Outflank is a game of Reversi on an 8x8 grid.
React Attack
React Attack is a strategy game where you need to collect several items in different rooms, before confronting a terrorist in the control room to stop a nuclear meltdown.
Aladdin's Adventures
References
- ^ https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/C1009445
- ^ "PALMTEX Octopus, Donkey Kong, Turtle Bridge, Snoopy Tenis". A show of Handhelds. Electronic Fun with Computer Games. Vol. 01, no. 02. Fun Games Publishing US. December 1982. p. 70. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ "Palmtex Puts Programmability In Your Palm". Arcade Express. Vol. 01, no. 13. 30 January 1983. p. 04. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ Sharpe, Roger C. (May 1983). "Handy Crafts". Blips. Video Games. Vol. 01, no. 08. Pumpkin Press Inc. p. 10. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ "Keyboards, Keypads, and Power". New Products. Electronic Fun with Computer Games. Vol. 01, no. 07. Fun Games Publishing US. May 1983. p. 12. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ "Hand-Held Cartridges". Technocracy. Joystik. Vol. 01, no. 06. July 1983. p. 62. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ "PVS Offers Two For One". Electronic Games. Vol. 01, no. 17. July 1983. p. 18. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ "Stand-Alone Preview 83'". Electronic Games. Vol. 01, no. 17. July 1983. p. 31. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ Sharpe, Roger C. (April 1984). "CONVENTIONAL WISDOM Spotlighting Developments At The Winter CES". Video Games. Vol. 02, no. 07. Pumpkin Press Inc. p. 37. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ "In The Palm Of Your Hand". News Desk. Popular Computing Weekly. Vol. 03, no. 4. 26 January 1984. p. 05. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ "Hardware Beat". Electronic Games. Vol. 02, no. 11. July 1983. p. 18. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/C1131894