Atari2008

I actually just bought a system because I was inspired by this thread and would like to own a multi-cart.

I am highly interested in a Multi-Cart. I greatly appreciate the work you've done and are doing currently with the S2.

Thank you for sharing that story fauxscot! The "pool detector" really drove the point home, and I think it's a very good one that early engineers were operating heavily under the engineer mindset. Sort of reminds me of my job, I work with attorneys and oftentimes we'll have general meetings, and they'll begin to nitpick a simple document or start to argue over petty details, but it makes sense given their training. I hope that at some point we'll get to hear some of your other engineer tales, as they seem quite interesting. :-) Also, I do see more clearly how from an engineering point of view, certain design decisions in the RCA Studio II made sense. That makes sense that you were privy mostly to the aspects of production that related directly to your work, but I appreciate you sharing what you did hear. The RF switch explanation was interesting. I realized since none of the classic consoles I own have a proprietary switch box, I'm used to just connecting them to the coaxial connection on the back of the TV. I didn't realize the reason why systems traditionally had the twin lead connector that you had to screw on, but that makes sense. Imaging broadcasting the RCA Studio II to the neighborhood. :-) I do have a question, I've always wondered why the console had the sequel-like name of RCA Studio II? One premise I read was that RCA's recording studio was considered the Studio 1 and the game console was their second studio. Not sure how accurate that was as there was no citation. Hope you enjoyed the article.

Hi fauxscot, Thank you for your response. No need to apologize, I appreciate you taking the time as well as your very thorough and informative response. I have to say that you gave me a very good understanding of the business point of view in the design of the Studio II. Originally I thought, why on earth would RCA design it with black & white output only and equip it with keypads, but now it all makes sense. This was still a very new concept, components were expensive, so choices had to be made. Also, RCA wasn't in a position like Fairchild who were in the semiconductor business and could make all the parts in house and save money. Atari was sold to Time Warner in order to have enough money to release their console, so clearly RCA chose the only route available to them - cutting back to keep price within reason. Also, as you pointed out, while it was quite the amusing exaggeration, the engineer mentality was an interesting component. Unlike, Atari who had experience from pioneering the arcade market, RCA didn't have that understanding of video games nor the insight as to what consumers wanted. I'm curious, do you recall what sort of advertising campaign RCA had for the Studio II? To date, I've only found old newspaper ads from Google News archives, but were there TV ads as well? You mentioned that the keypads were likely selected so that the console could be marketed as more than a game system, that would make sense as to why it was called the Home TV Programmer - they were going for a more educational angle. That Tandy/Radio Shack connection is intriguing. In case you're interested, I have attached the article. Interesting timepiece.

What is a good deal for an RCA Studio II? I'd like to know some good price ranges for a boxed console, loose console, console with a few games.

You're right it has been pretty dry since, and none have been released on cart. I played Rocket, it's very similar to one player Space War where you fly a rocket into a ufo, not very groundbreaking. Just bigger sprites than Space War. It's in the Emma O2 emulator. I noticed it also has the RCA VIP COSMAC if you want to play those games as well.

You know I thought I was the only person in the world that finds Squash so oddly appealing. You're right, it's way more fun than it had any right to be. I think just like the Breakout game for the COSMAC VIP, Squash was the perfect type of game for the limited Studio II hardware. I'm hoping that Chip-8 games could be ported somewhat easily to the Studio II, it would be great to see its modest library expanded with some fun titles. If you scroll down to the middle of this page, you'll see a screenshot of the Space Invaders homebrew which I've played on an emulator and is actually loads of fun, I'm hoping if a Multi-Cart is made, that it will be included on there. There's also a port of the Atari 2600 Combat as well as an improved Pong: http://www.robsons.org.uk/archive/www.classicgaming.com/studio2/screen.htm It's nice to see the RCA S2 finally getting some love.

Thank you for this post, I have no knowledge of the RCA Cosmac VIP so it's nice to see what some of the games look like and what's potentially possible with the RCA Studio II!! These games look doable and fun! I like the Blinky (Pac-Man clone) and the Invaders interpretation of Space Invaders looks like a great way to get around the system's limitation. I'd love to see these games on the Studio II. This is exciting!!!

i agree multicarts and homebrews are exciting possibilities for this system! The Space Invaders homebrew showed that an arcade game could be ported to the system. I'd like to see other simplified versions of arcade classics, perhaps Pac-Man. Chip-8 games would be interesting! I'm certainly in for homebrews and multicarts for the Studio II.

fauxscot, thank you for your time, this is very informative and interesting! I'm curious as to why RCA designed the Studio II the way they did - black & white instead of color and built-in keypads instead of joysticks. Why did RCA go with this design? Also, you mentioned that the systems piled up in the warehouse, was the system commercially viable anywhere? I remember an old thread where someone posted an article from a store in Texas, claiming the Studio II was a big hit among its customers. Thank you again for your time.

Same here, if there is a multi-cart, consider me a pre-order as well. I'd like to support this project any way I can.

That makes sense, still quite amazing! It's cool that the system was able to get this marquee title, looks like it might be fun too.

Wow!!! I am simply stunned, I echo the sentiments that this is one of the most exciting and informative posts that I've read here in a long while. Although I have never played nor owned an RCA Studio II, as a collector and retrogamer, I haven been interested in it for quite some time. One of my guilty pleasures, is to comb the internet from time to time and dig up any information I can on this obscure system. As has been mentioned here, there isn't much information on it, so I've never turned anything up...until tonight. I'm glad I checked! Blazing Lazers, I thank you, this is very informative and I appreciate you sharing this slice of history with us. fauxscot, thank you for taking the time to answer all of Blazing Lazers questions as well as ours. Last but not least, thank you for your contribution to video game history. I'm looking forward to seeing what, if anything, is in store for the S2 in the future...perhaps a multicart, emulation, homebrew? Who knows.

It's so interesting that Star Wars was released in such an obscure system. I'm looking forward to seeing the gameplay. A multi-cart would be cool! The homebrew Space Invaders is fun. I believe there is also Combat and another one. Someone expressed interest in porting Pac-Man to it, but I believe that project was abandoned. :-)

I know, I've been checking daily ever since I read on his message board that he had started reviewing games for it. They're right at the top now.

The Video Game Critic has now added the Fairchild Channel F to his game review library, the first 3 are up: http://videogamecritic.net/channelf.htm

Price dropped. PM me if interested.

Get one!!!! It's really awesome. The only Multi-Cart I own and I love it. Also definitely get a Channel F, fun quirky system.

Good question actually as I grew up with the NES and it took me a while to realize that most Atari 2600 games don't have ending to aspire to. But for me it's always been about the simplicity of the graphics and games and how much fun they can be without any fanciness. I mean even during the NES era which is when I was exposed to gaming as a little kid, the 2600 was already dated technically speaking yet I still loved it. Today it's still my favorite retro console and the one I keep going back to. Even compared to its contemporaries - the Intellivision, Odyssey2 and Colecovision - I prefer the 2600 over all of those and it's the one I keep playing. Matter of fact, if I had to, I'd sell my whole collection except the Atari 2600 (and the Channel F too). Also the system to me looks super awesome, looking at it alone invokes memories of being a kid...wondering what that old system in our storage closet was. I used to take it out and examine it like an alien invention.

Good point! Thank you! I've removed the shipping amount for the listing, and have asked that people who are interested PM me and I can get a quote then. Hopefully someone will be interested. Great system, I just hardly play it.

Thank you Dan! I really wasn't sure how much shipping would cost. Does $25 sound more accurate? I appreciate your help!

Up for sale is my modest Colecovision collection which includes the following: Colecovision System. It's in full working condition with two controllers, original RF cable, heavily shielded coaxial cable (excellent image quality), adapter to connect the coaxial cable to the Colecovision, and US power supply. The one issue I experienced when I bought it were alternating wavy lines on my LCD TV. You may have better luck on a tube TV. However I was able to get around it by using a heavily shielded coaxial cable and a gold-plated adapter to connect it to the Colecovision. Perfect image! You'll get the coaxial cable and the adapter as well. Also, I noticed if you do press on the area of the Colecovision where the RCA cable connects it does mess up the image on the TV, but as long as you leave it alone, it works great. No issues with the power supply whatsoever, no garbled graphics. The Colecovision label on the bottom of the console is peeling off. Other than that it looks great cosmetically. One controller works great, the other seems to have a slight delay in responding when you try turning left, it might need cleaning. However it is usable. Loose games: Frogger (label in okay condition, slightly dirty, also has sticker from the store on the back), Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel's Castle (label is beginning to wear out at edges, also has a sticker from the store on the back), Popeye (sticker is a little dirty and starting to come off on the edge, also has a sticker from the store on the front). All games are in full working condition. Homebrew game: Girl's Garden! The cart is in excellent condition as is the instruction manual. Box is in great condition except the flap on the top inside has a few creases from opening and closing the box. I believe this game is now sold out. I'm asking for $85 for everything above plus shipping. I accept PayPal. PM me if you're interested (and if you'd like a shipping quote).

I did figure that as well, given their unreliability, few hardcore collectors would want to part with their spares. Plus it sounds like a spare is a necessity with an Astrocade. I yes, I saw an email come in today from Kevin Lill in the Astrocade Yahoo Group. Also, I figured people may want to keep their spares in case they need the parts for repairs. Good luck finding your back up unit. I guess on the flipside when I do obtain a fully working unit, after all this patience and effort, I'll enjoy it that much more. I just remember really enjoying the Incredible Wizard, I used to show it off to my friends.

From the sound of things, sounds like my best bet is to get one from a fellow retro-gamer. Astrocades are quite the expensive purchase (relatively speaking anyway) and I'd hate to be disappointed and $200 short on a system that doesn't work. Plus as has been noted not only would a fellow collector be more honest, they'll also be more patient with the testing. Plus, I know me, as soon as I receive the system I'm going to want to rush home and play, and I'd rather avoid the disappointment of it being DOA if I can. Ok so it sounds like I'll have to save up a bit, gather up that $200 and then I'll post an ad on all the retro sites...starting with Bally Alley and Atari Age of course. I sure hope the Astrocade lives up, it's a bit of an investment and a bit of a gamble given the reliability issues. But I love obscure consoles and I do have the emulator so I'll be trying before buying so to speak.

Thank you bennybingo! I really appreciate that. Yes the prices for the units on eBay are wild and nearly all of them offer no returns and are untested. I'll probe BallyAlley and may even take your suggestion of asking anyone in the group if they have a spare they'd be willing to part with. In the meantime I downloaded MESS so I'm looking forward to playing some of the games. Also, it is really nice to see that an obscure system like the Astrocade still has a following. By the way, you got an amazing deal...the white Astrocades are quite rare, aren't they?