Developer Epoch Graphics 75 × 64 pixels | Manufacturer Epoch | |
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Release date 1984; 33 years ago (1984) | ||
The Epoch Game Pocket Computer is a handheld game console released by Epoch in Japan in 1984. It was one of the very few truly handheld systems to be released in the early 1980s, preceding the Game Boy by 5 years. The Game Pocket Computer used an LCD screen with a 75 × 64 resolution, and could produce graphics at about the same level as early Atari 2600 games. The system was a failure in Japan, 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. Possibly due to its failure in Japan, the Game Pocket Computer was never released in North America. The unit is extremely rare, and units on eBay can go for hundreds of dollars, when and if they turn up. Except for their moderately successful Cassette Vision, Super Cassette Vision And TV Tennis Electrotennis, Epoch had no other released systems. It had 4 buttons, an 8-way joypad, a contrast dial, and a sound on-off switch.