fmctm1sw Posted May 13, 2002 Share Posted May 13, 2002 Anybody know what it's worth? I got offered one today. No box or anything, just the unit and games.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitfall Harry Posted May 13, 2002 Share Posted May 13, 2002 The RCA Studio II is a funny thing. It's as rare as rare gets to find one, but nobody really cares about it if you do. On the Supply vs Demand curve, the Studio II has near zero Supply and near zero Demand, making its value far lower than what you'd expect for an item so rare. I see them go on eBay from time to time for $20-$60, depending on completeness and condition. However, for items which come up very infrequently, spectacular price fluctuations can be seen at any time. As far as value to the video gamer goes, the RCA Studio II is the grand turkey of all time. Non-detachable keypad controllers force players to hunch over the console. Keypad controllers? What were they thinking! The console features its own internal sound system, a 29 cent cardboard speaker, blooping and bleeping in a rasping monophonic sound. The games for the Studio II were almost as complex and almost as fun as the games you used to play in grade school, the ones you scribbled on a lunch bag passed back and forth to the desk across the aisle when the teacher wasn't looking. RCA earned its place in the record books, giving us pixels the size of slices of bread. But they didn't bother to give us color. The bread was either raw or it was burnt toast... the console itself was both. For all its shortcomings, I still like the RCA Studio II more than the X-Box. Black and white Bowling with a keypad controller and a breadslice ball is just too cool! Ben 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Slocum Posted May 13, 2002 Share Posted May 13, 2002 Make sure the unit has the RCA switch box. Like the old 5200, you plug the power supply into the switch box, so without that original switchbox it's useless. I've been VERY slowly working on a multicart for the Studio II. Hopefully it will have all the games plus Paul Robson's homebrews (Space Invaders, Combat, and Hockey). I don't plan to sell them, but I will provide a detailed how-to. It will probably be a while before this comes together, though. -Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geogray Posted May 13, 2002 Share Posted May 13, 2002 THE GRAND TURKEY! Blasphemy! : ) Really, as much as I LOVE this thing, it was a turkey. Even new, gobble city. BUT...if ya can get one, get it! Well, if it's CHEAP, anyway. These things are great...state of the art (in 1971)...exciting gameplay...awesome design...ok, I'll stop now. It CAN be fun (in small doses.) I am really amazed at what Paul Robson did with the emulator and the games he wrote. I had NO IDEA it could do space invaders or pac man. Very cool. Shabby Chic for video games. (Of course, the Channel F is the bigger turkey, but it did have controllers that you could move and it had that ultra chic woodgrain tape cabinet.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ze_ro Posted May 15, 2002 Share Posted May 15, 2002 quote: Originally posted by Pitfall Harry: Non-detachable keypad controllers force players to hunch over the console. Keypad controllers? What were they thinking! It's probably for the best... imagine how rare Studio II controllers would be now! Was there ever a Studio I? --Zero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted May 15, 2002 Share Posted May 15, 2002 Nope, no Studio I. But recently Ianoid uncovered some interesting documents from get this... the Studio II newsletter! Apperently Studio II owners actually built some kind of programming cart for it and the newsletters have all kind of programs you can type in. I don't think I saw the instructions on how to build the programming cart though, I'll have to check. I guess the Studio II had a bigger following than I thought. The newsletter ran at least from 77 to 79. Tempest 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geogray Posted May 16, 2002 Share Posted May 16, 2002 Tempest: The Studio II was actually a nifty little computer. It was sold in a package called ELF as well. I don't recall too many details about that, but there articles in various mags (Radio-Electronics was one) about interfacing ascii keyboards, 'enhanced' graphics, etc. The 'language' that was used for the built in games is called Chip-8. Tom Pittman wrote (I THINK it was Mr. Pittman) a version of BASIC for the machine. There MANY hacks around for it. As a video game, it sucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekeefe Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Hello, @Tempest: I have details on the "programming cart" you referred to, including: Picture of the front and back of the cart PCB Instructions on it's use Schematic of the cart Hex listing of the ROM I can dig it up if it would be helpful. ED 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari2008 Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 I'm thinking of adding an RCA Studio II to my collection, and I want to know what is a reasonable price to pay for a complete and tested unit (both boxed and without the box)? I'm looking at one now that doesn't have the box but is complete (has the switchbox and power supply) comes with the owners manual and 5 complete, boxed games. It's been tested and working and the seller offers a 2 week return. It's $100. Is that a good price? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Which games?Without the console box, and assuming the games are "commons," I'd go more like $75-80. But I'm cheap. And I was lucky enough to get mine (also with five CIB games) for $50 a couple years ago. For me, the console box and/or CIB copies of Gunfighter/Moonship, Speedway/Tag, and Biorhythm need to be there before I'll start talking triple digits.Of course, the Studio II is overvalued at ANY price... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari2008 Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Fun with Numbers Blackjack TV Schoolhouse Tennis/Squash Space War All commons, right? The console doesn't come with the box but it has the switchbox and power supply, and everything looks to be in good condition. The system doesn't have scratches and the numbers on the keypad aren't faded. The game boxes are very nice, no creasing or anything like that. And the seller said it works and will accept returns for up to 2 weeks. I like your price range much better as I'm cheap as well. Can't envision paying $100 plus the $16 shipping. You got a good deal! I agree...the Studio II is more of a $10 console. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Fun with Numbers Blackjack TV Schoolhouse Tennis/Squash Space War All commons, right? Yessir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamemoose Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 I actually still have the switch box for this from when I came across one in the early 90's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari2008 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Do you still have your Studio II Gamemoose? I saw a switchbox only for the system go on eBay for $25. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamemoose Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 No. Sadly it got water soaked a long time ago with done other pong systems and my then small collection of game magazines (first year of Nintendo power, first few issues of EGM, GamePro, Sega Visions, Game Player, VG&CE-I was mad at that crappy shed). The switch box ended up in my PC parts drawer. One of the fork terminals is off but last I used it the thing worked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari2008 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 No. Sadly it got water soaked a long time ago with done other pong systems and my then small collection of game magazines (first year of Nintendo power, first few issues of EGM, GamePro, Sega Visions, Game Player, VG&CE-I was mad at that crappy shed). The switch box ended up in my PC parts drawer. One of the fork terminals is off but last I used it the thing worked. Sorry to hear of your collection that got water soaked! I had a lot of stuff I collected in my childhood in a shed that got wet and moldy so I know the feeling. Sometimes Studio II's come up on eBay without the switchbox, you could add one of those to your collection if you wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobotech Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Man, what a blast from the past. My parents bought me one brand new in 1979/1980 when Radio Shack was blowing them out. I did actually enjoy that bowling game. No idea what ever happened to it, tossed out long ago I assume. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamemoose Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 Sorry to hear of your collection that got water soaked! I had a lot of stuff I collected in my childhood in a shed that got wet and moldy so I know the feeling. Sometimes Studio II's come up on eBay without the switchbox, you could add one of those to your collection if you wanted. Thanks. It ticked me off then and I never replaced the stuff except after finding one of my magazines at my parents's place years later I got the bug and replaced most of my magazines. The Studio II was interesting but with me getting out of collecting it's ok. If anyone needs a switch box though, I'd be happy to part with it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari2008 Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 Man, what a blast from the past. My parents bought me one brand new in 1979/1980 when Radio Shack was blowing them out. I did actually enjoy that bowling game. No idea what ever happened to it, tossed out long ago I assume. That's awesome. I love hearing from people who actually owned one of these less popular systems back in the day. People seem to have enjoyed the bowling game, I've played it, it's actually pretty fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobotech Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Yeah, it was entertaining. I never had any other cartridges for it though. I actually traded it for a yamaha branded bike frame back around 80/81 to a friend. My step-dad was pissed and made me trade it back though. LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari2008 Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Yeah, it was entertaining. I never had any other cartridges for it though. I actually traded it for a yamaha branded bike frame back around 80/81 to a friend. My step-dad was pissed and made me trade it back though. LOL I've been playing with the other carts, I've been having fun. That's funny that your dad made you trade the bike back! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decle Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Hello, @Tempest: I have details on the "programming cart" you referred to, including: Picture of the front and back of the cart PCB Instructions on it's use Schematic of the cart Hex listing of the ROM I can dig it up if it would be helpful. ED Hi ED. Stumbled across this yesterday. I would be interested seeing more details of the programming cart, if you could make it available. I cannot find references to either it, or the newsletter elsewhere on the web. Thanks decle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_79 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Scans of the first 7 issues of the newsletter have been posted here: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/209519-rca-studio-ii-gold-mine-an-interview-with-the-studio-2-production-manager/page-20?do=findComment&comment=2918924 I too would be very interested in looking at the programming cart tech docs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekeefe Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Hello Guys, Here is a link to the information I have for the "programming cart". It will convert a Studio II to an Elf computer. http://www.cosmacvip.com/StudioII_to_Elf.zip It contains: Picture of the front and back of the PCB Instructions for using it Schematic Hex listing for the ROM I hope you find it helpful. ED 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djones60 Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Hello Guys, Here is a link to the information I have for the "programming cart". It will convert a Studio II to an Elf computer. http://www.cosmacvip.com/StudioII_to_Elf.zip It contains: Picture of the front and back of the PCB Instructions for using it Schematic Hex listing for the ROM I hope you find it helpful. ED Thanks for posting this. I was interested in one of these too. So now I have yet another project to do David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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