This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(August 2015) |
TheVTech CreatiVisionis a hybridcomputerandhome video game consoleintroduced byVTechin 1981 and released in 1982 during thesecond generation of video game consoles.It cost $295Australian Dollarsin Australia.[1]The hybrid unit was similar in concept to computers such as theAPF Imagination Machine,[2]the olderVideoBrain Family Computer,and to a lesser extent theIntellivisiongame console andColeco Adamcomputer, all of which anticipated the trend of video game consoles becoming more like low-end computers. It was discontinued in 1986.[3][1]
 | |
 VTech CreatiVision | |
| Manufacturer | VTech |
|---|---|
| Type | Home video game console/Home computer |
| Generation | Second generation |
| Release date | 1982(Hong Kong) |
| Discontinued | Early 1986 |
| CPU | Rockwell 6502@ 2MHz |
| Memory | 1 Kb RAM, 16 Kb VRAM |
| Storage | Cassette tapes |
| Removable storage | ROM cartridges |
| Graphics | Texas Instruments TMS 9918/9929 |
| Sound | TI SN76489 |
| Controller input | Joystick/membranekeypadcontrollers |
| Successor | VTech Socrates |
History
editThe CreatiVision was distributed in manyEuropeancountries, including most German-speaking countries likeWest Germany,AustriaandSwitzerlandand alsoItaly,South Africa,inIsraelunder theEducat 2002name, as well as inAustraliaandNew ZealandunderThe Dick Smith Wizzardname. Other names for the system (all officially produced by VTech themselves) include theFunVision Computer Video Games System,Hanimex Rameses(both released in Australia and New Zealand) andVZ 2000(planned for release inFrance,likely unreleased). All CreatiVision and similar clones were designed for use withPALstandard television sets, except the Japanese CreatiVision (distributed by Cheryco) which was NTSC and is nowadays much sought after by collectors. However, theUSrelease was planned but never sold efficiently.
The CreatiVision console sports an8-bitRockwell6502CPU at a speed of 2 MHz, 1KBofRAMand 16KBofVideo RAM,and has a graphics resolution of 256 × 192 with 16 colors and 32 sprites.[3][1]The console has two integratedjoystick/membranekeypadcontrollers (much like theColecoVisionandAtari 5200) which, when set in a special compartment on top of the console, can be used as acomputer keyboard.The CreatiVision has interfaces for acassetteplayer, an extra rubber keyboard, parallel I/O interface,floppy diskdrive andmodem(likely unreleased) and one memory expansion module for use with theBasiclanguage cartridge. AnyCentronics-compatible printer can be connected to the I/O module if present.
The CreatiVision was discontinued in late 1985/early 1986.[3][1]
A computer was produced by VTech in 1984-1986, based on CreatiVision hardware and compatible with most of its games:Laser 2001,which is also sold in West Germany and was brought toFrance. It was also available inFinlandthroughSalora,with the name ofManager.[3]The Manager had a Finnish keyboard layout andcharacter set.
A module to allowColecoVisiongames to be played was designed for use with the CreatiVisionMark-2model (a later revision of the 1st model, incorporating hardware changes specifically designed to make the Coleco-module work). Before being produced, the module was modified internally and released for use on theLaser 2001andManagercomputers only. A special adaptor (homebrew) would be needed to make the Coleco-module work on the CreatiVision Mark-2.
List of games
editIn some regions, the console and its games were distributed by different companies, such asCherycoin Japan, andHanimexin Australia. VTech reissued several previous existing games in 1985.
There were18titles known to have been released.
- Background shading indicates games that were reissued in 1985.
| # | Title | AKA title(s) | Genre(s) | Clone of | Release year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air/Sea Attack |  Submarine Air/Sea Battle |
Fixed shooter | 1981 | |
| 2 | Astro Pinball | Pinball | None | 1982 | |
| 3 | Auto Chase | Car Chase |
Maze,Driving | Rally-X | 1981 |
| 4 | BASIC Interpreter 1.0 | None | None | 1982 | |
| 5 | Chopper Rescue | Scrolling shooter | 1983 | ||
| 6 | Crazy Chicky | Crazy Paku |
Maze | Pac-Man(with modified gameplay) | 1982 |
| 7 | Crazy Pucker[note 1] | Maze | Pac-Man | 1981 | |
| 8 | Deep Sea Adventure | Scrolling shooter | Defender | 1982 | |
| 9 | Locomotive | Platformer | BurgerTime | 1983 | |
| 10 | Mouse Puzzle | Puzzle | Loco-Motion | 1982 | |
| 11 | Music Maker | Music | None | 1983 | |
| 12 | Planet Defender | Earth Defense Force (Chikyū Bōeigun)Galaxy Defender |
Scrolling shooter | Defender | 1981 |
| 13 | Police Jump | Platformer | Donkey Kong | 1982 | |
| 14 | Soccer | Sports | None | 1983 | |
| 15 | Sonic Invader | Invaders |
Fixed shooter | Space Invaders | 1981 |
| 16 | Stone Age | Puzzle | Pengo | 1984 | |
| 17 | Tank Attack | Tank Battle |
Multi-directional shooter | Combat(video game) | 1981 |
| 18 | Tennis | Who's for Tennis? |
Sports | None | 1981 |
Notes
edit- ^Crazy Puckerwas reissued with two different titles;Crazy ChewyandCrazy Moonie.
References
edit- ^abcd"CreatiVision by VTech – The Video Game Kraken".Retrieved2022-12-13.
- ^"VTech CreatiVision - Player's Choice Video Games".www.playerschoicevideogames.com.Retrieved2022-12-13.
- ^abcd"OLD-COMPUTERS.COM: The Museum".2010-11-21. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-11-21.Retrieved2022-12-13.
External links
edit
- CreatiVEmu: CreatiVision Emulation Central
- Creativision Datasette Interface
- VTech Creativision - Dark Watcher's Console Historyat theWayback Machine(archived September 26, 2009)
- Video Game Console Librarydatabase entry
- 20th Century Retro Games entry(Gallery page for many VTech CreatiVision models and regional variants.)
- Retrospective: A Tale Of Dick Smith’s Wizzard(AUSRETROGAMER E-Zine. May 9, 2016 By Aaron Clement.)