Help Me Name This Vintage Handheld

[dvdguy]

Ok, this is going to drive me bonkers.

 

I had a toy computer when I was a kid (early 80s). It was cream/tan colored, ran on 6-8 AA batteries, and was entirely cartridge based. The carts went into a slot underneath the screen area, and the slot was similar to the Genesis 1 slot with protective doors that would spring in and out to keep dust away.

 

Cartridges were brown-ish (I think), thin and rectangular. Each cart came with an overlay for the keyboard that slid in just over the keys.

 

It was not a color display, and the graphics were fairly blocky. The motif of the system was usually a running man, similar in style to the guy in Mattel/Intellivision games.

 

Help!

[George Gray]

Might this be your game?

http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Vtech/Variety.htm

[dvdguy]

Nope. Not it. Older. Looks like an old Tandy computer. Creamy tan color.

[George Gray]

Ok, one more stab tonight. (Yes, I've nothing else to do...sigh.)

http://www.computermuseum.li/Testpage/Matt...System-1980.htm

and

http://www.ggdb.com/GGDB/Details.asp?VID=6...t=YearRoot.1980

I've rather enjoyed this little stroll down memory lane. I found tons of games that I had or played when I was much younger. Been kinda fun.

[dvdguy]

YES! The top link! That's it! Oh man, thank you!

 

Now I gotta actually find one.

[George Gray]

YES!  The top link!  That's it!  Oh man, thank you!

 

Now I gotta actually find one.  

 

You are welcome! I rather enjoyed the little trip down memory lane. That second link was to a description (w/o picture) of the same unit. Interesting stuff. I was hoping to find more, but it seems to be a rather obscure unit. I did'nt check eBay, but that might be a good place to start your seach (you knew that, did'nt you?)

 

Good luck finding one!

[George Gray]

I did'nt check eBay, but that might be a good place to start your seach (you knew that, did'nt you?)  

 

Hmm...that did'nt come off right...was'nt trying to imply anything. Sorry

[dvdguy]

If there's one thing I've always kicked myself for dumping off at a garage sale, it was this little baby. Moreso now, since it seems to be impossible to find.

 

There was one unit on Ebay in the last month. Didn't sell. But it was also just the unit itself. Other than that, no carts, no manuals, no nothing.

 

I miss it and want it back.

[George Gray]

I forgot to give you this link:

http://www.evg2000.com/html/cds.htm

It is a list of cartridges that were released. I don't know how complete the list is, but the person who put it together said that if it were on the list, they had it. Might be another place to look.

[Stingray]

You had one of those? I'm quite jealous, I remember seeing them in stores, but was never able to nag my parents into buying one for me.

 

-S

[dvdguy]

I had all the carts too except for the Foods ones... which I didn't know even existed until today.

[bcostin]

Hey, I remember that unit, too. Cute little system. I never owned one, but back in the day I had a Sears Wish Book that I'd page through and admire. (Actually, I still do the same thing now. )

[Lord Thag]

Wow! Talk about your childhood flashbacks! I had forgotten all about that unit! I remember (vaguely) having one of those for a month or so at one point (I think I traded with someone at school, but the kids mom made me give it back). I also remember being really bummed out when that happened. Crazy how many obscure electronic do-dads were made back then. Good luck finding one!

[sega saturn x]

I had no idea that so many of those lcd systems even exsisted. Boy do i feel young after that.

[dvdguy]

YES! YES! YES! I found one! It's all mine!

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=5938881596

 

Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooray meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[Trip_Cannon]

What exactly does that thing play or do?

[Susuwatari]

Like a Gameboy with lkeyboard. It's low res dot matrix screen were in panoramic view and could accomidate (I think been a while since I looked) 8 chars x 2 lines. It did anything like music, spellings, various games, etc. I even have a basic programming cart for it.

 

I just wish I knew how many carts altogether or where my CDS lot are. I have one boxed along with about 20 boxed games and a few loose game carts.

[dvdguy]

It was, essentially, an educational toy... but there were some arcade-y aspects to it. Even the educational carts like WORDS had games on it like Hangman.

 

I remember the Music cart specifically. It came with a big book of songs you could program into it. Nadia's Theme, for some reason, comes to mind. You could also use all the sound effects and groove Eddy Grant style.

 

There's a link to all the carts available for the machine up in this thread somewhere.

 

I know I'm going to get this and will have talked it up too much.

[Susuwatari]

I have lots of game cartridges not mentioned in the link above. I don't think there's a complete list at all

[dvdguy]

I have lots of game cartridges not mentioned in the link above.  I don't think there's a complete list at all

 

Should you come across your collection, please either post here again or contact me directly. I'd love to get more info on this system out there.

[Stingray]

Congrats on tracking one down. Who says you can't re-live your childhood?

 

-S

[dvdguy]

Congrats on tracking one down. Who says you can't re-live your childhood?  

 

Oh I'm on a mission now. Next up: 2XL.

[George Gray]

Congrats on tracking one down. Who says you can't re-live your childhood?  

 

Oh I'm on a mission now. Next up: 2XL.

 

Dude! Glad you found one. That's awesome.

[The Historian]

Congrats on tracking one down. Who says you can't re-live your childhood?  

 

Oh I'm on a mission now. Next up: 2XL.

 

You know there are way to many collectors in Jacksonville, FL...

[dvdguy]

You know there are way to many collectors in Jacksonville, FL...  

 

Wow, no kidding! You're the fourth I've run into on these boards. No wonder my thrifting never produces results anymore.