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The Video Game Console Library - Bally Home Library Computer (Astrocade)

Bally Technologies logo Bally Home Library Computer Bally Technologies logo

  DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy
Developer Manufacturer Release Date Country(s) Initial Price Model Number Game Releases Overall Rating
Bally Technologies Bally, Astrovision Dec-1977 USA $299 USD BPA1200 Approx. 30 N\A
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
Bally Home Library Computer (Astrocade)
Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release.  Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality) N\A
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile) N\A
Controllers (design, response, feel, use) N\A
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation) N\A
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects) N\A
Media (game media format, design, durability) N\A
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging) N\A
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library) N\A
Innovations (technological industrial strides) N\A
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?) N\A
Collector Value (good collector investment?) N\A
Games Rarity (general availability of games) N\A
Console Rarity (general availability of a system) N\A
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Reviews
Bally Home Library Computer (Astrocade)

 

 

Muncher Game Screen Shot

DW FACTS
 - by Dark Watcher

The Bally Professional Arcade (a.k.a. Bally Computer System, a.k.a. Bally Astrocade) was released in 1978 in order to compete with the Atari 2600. The console was designed by their Midway Games division (funny to know that the makers of Mortal Kombat once made a videogame console ).  With a small keypad built into the console, the unit was capable of writing very simple basic programs, as well as playing it's cassette shaped games. The Astrocade also came with 4 built in games (Gunfight, Checkmate, Calculator, Scribbler).

The Bally Astrocade had other unique innovations that set it apart from other consoles of its time. Rather then using different controllers for different games like it's competitor Atari, the Bally Astrocade decided to create a single controller with a variety of game play options. This controller was truly ahead of its time. It resembled the pistol grip of a gun, and even featured a trigger-like action button. A small joystick rested on the top of the pistol grip for normal game play. The joystick also featured a twistable knob that could be used for paddle games such as Pong or Breakout. Essentially the Bally Astrocade controller was both an analog and digital controller. The Astrocade was also one of the first consoles to have 4 controller ports.

Even though the Astrocade seemed to have more to offer then the Atari 2600, it was another victim of Atari hogging all arcade licensing rights. Although they lacked the licenses, many of the Astrocade games are actually clones based on some Atari titles, and many are considered to be of better quality.

Unfortunately, the "Great Videogame Crash of 1984" killed off the Astrocade as well as many other videogame consoles.

FACT: An interesting note about this system was its appearance in the movie National Lampoons Family Vacation. While Clark mapped out the family's route on the family computer, Russ was somehow able to chase the family car Pac Man style.

"Russ, don't eat the family Truckster."   *Alien appears and shoots the Pac Man-esque figure that is chasing the Truckster*   "Thank you Audrey".  


  HANDS ON REVIEW
 

Coming soon...
 

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Pictures & Video

Various picture\video media for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Picture of a rare white system

 Rare 77 Bally Home Library Computer
 Bally Home Library Computer (Astrocade) Advertisement Start-Up Screen Displaying Games\Apps

 Start up screen showing the built-in games\apps
Manual Cover

 Picture of from inside the manual
 The System w\Box

 The system along with it's original packaging
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Specs

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.
 Processor Type  Processor Speed  Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM
Zilog Z80 1.789 MHz None 4K expandable to 64k

Screen Resolution

Color Palette

Polygons \ Sprites

 Audio
160 x 102 up to 320 x 204 8 Colors N\A 3 Sound Channels

Media Format

Media Capacity

Games Released

Other Supported Formats
Cartridge (cassette tape appearance) 8 KB Approx. 30 None

Internal Storage

External\Removable Storage

Game Controllers

Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None None Pistol-style Joystick Keypad (on console unit),
Light Pen (optional)
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video
Four (4) None Expansion port RF Connection

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
120 V AC External Adapter None None
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Games & Emulation

Games screen shots\videos released for this system.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Gunfight (included in game hardware)
 Gunfight Game Footage
Video courtesy of Umma6umma. 		Dog Patch
Astrobattle
 Muncher Game Footage
Video courtesy of Umma6umma. 		Muncher
Third Party Emulators
Program Website Description
M.E.S.S. http://www.mess.org/ Multi-Emulator Super System is a DOS based emulator capable of running many systems including this one. It has a Windows based GUI, and should be usable by most PC systems
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Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Bally Home Library Computer
Released: 1977
Manufacturer: Bally

1977 Bally Home Library Computer
 Bally Home Library Computer (Astrocade) Advertisement Bally Computer System
Released: 1981
Manufacturer: Astrovision

1981 Bally Computer System
Bally Professional Arcade
Released: 1978
Manufacturer: Bally

1978 Bally Professional Arcade
 Bally Astrocade
Released: 1982
Manufacturer: Astrovision

1982 Bally Astrocade
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Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).
No clones were released for this system.
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Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.
Name Website Description
Bally Alley http://www.ballyalley.com/ The ultimate resource for this system
THE Bally/Astrocade FAQ http://www.glankonian.com/~lance/Ballyfaq.html Great FAQ on the Astrocade
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