LCD/VFD handheld/tabletop game machines
Probably like many of us at WOS I grew up watching that type of gaming devices.
I coveted many my schoolmates had and only a few times I got one as a gift or birthday present.
When the speccy came along my interest waned but I never really lost it completely.
But alas, now it is too late and my memory is confused!
There's a sea of information out there and I don't know were to start.
Anybody knows of books documenting the makers, models, game-names, pictures, etc that could be used as reference?
If none exists maybe there are sites covering this subject?
I coveted many my schoolmates had and only a few times I got one as a gift or birthday present.
When the speccy came along my interest waned but I never really lost it completely.
But alas, now it is too late and my memory is confused!
There's a sea of information out there and I don't know were to start.
Anybody knows of books documenting the makers, models, game-names, pictures, etc that could be used as reference?
If none exists maybe there are sites covering this subject?
Comments
http://www.pica-pic.com/
also check out
https://archive.org/details/handheldhistory
http://www.handheldmuseum.com
Yes, the site layout is dated and not updated often now, but there's a lot of info with pics of systems, boxes and instructions that is hard to match in any other single resource.
I've not seen much in the way of books on the topic. I kept Electronic Plastic sealed for a rainy day for a few years, but when I did open it, it wasn't as good as I expected, a little light on content.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electronic-Plastic-J-Gielens/dp/3931126447
For years I've been suggesting to Darran that these need at least semi regular coverage in Retro Gamer, but he doesn't seem that interested. Shame really, imo it's an easy page filler, with pics of system and packaging and just a little text needed to satisfy that nostalgic curiosity thing the mag should be hitting.
I agree!
One other thing I would like RG to do someday (I never suggested it and perhaps many others already have in the meanwhile...) is a special edition (or editions) covering all the "complete game guide to / conversion capers" they have published so far. I just love that kind of comparison articles - just makes me want to lose time trying out all versions and decide which one is best! :P
I'll be loosing sleep going over all of them.
From memory or experience, which ones really stand out?
Just found this:
https://www.exotica.org.uk/wiki/Lost_In_Translation
Already discovered a couple ones I didn't know.
https://www.handheldmuseum.com/Bandai/ZaxxonLCD.htm
Good video here that shows it to have two distinct graphic sets for gameplay in space and over the surface with different enemies:
My sister had Dr. Kong Jnr which was also very good
I do believe there were about 4 or 5 others, green, orange, purple, yellow maybe even a black one. I do also believe the games were available at some point in another larger configuration like the Tomy electonic video games.
https://picclick.com/Vintage-Panorama-Nintendo-Game-Watch-Game-and-113331762392.html
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is the mono black on grey, like a digital watch.
VFD is far better imo, although things like the Game and Watch Donkey Kong did good stuff with LCD.
This is probably my fave handheld game, it's actually more fun than the arcade version, wish I still had it :(
Loaned it to my cousin in about 1987, saw it at his house in about 1991, and was about to take it back, but it resulted in a full blown family war with my aunt calling me a thief, and my little cousin crying, and my older cousin basically just saying "f*ck it", and going upstairs to get stoned. My ma, and my aunt ended up in a big row, and in the end I was like "just leave it" it's not worth this hassle.
….We all get along great now though :))
Wonder if one of my cousins still has it? :))