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The Video Game Console Library - Bandai Super Vision 8000

Bandai Super Vision 8000

Bandai Super Vision 8000

 Bandai Super Vision 8000

  HANDS ON REVIEW by Marriott_Guy            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
Bandai \ LSI Bandai Dec-79 Japan $560 USD 9100226 7 8.5
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
Bandai Super Vision 8000
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) 08
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile) 08
Controllers (design, response, feel, use) 05
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation) 07
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects) 06
Media (game media format, design, durability) 06
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging) 06
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library) 02
Innovations (technological industrial strides) 08
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?) 01
Collector Value (good collector investment?) 09
Games Rarity (general availability of games) 10
Console Rarity (general availability of a system) 10
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Reviews
Bandai Super Vision 8000

DW FACTS
  - by Dark Watcher

Bandai had continued their successful TV Jack console line since 1977. The final evolution of the TV Jack series came about in 1979 with the release of TV Jack 8000. This version was named Supervision 8000 or Bandai TV Jack Micro Computer System. This release not only marked the series first programmable cartridge capable console (Actually one of the first Japan cartridge based-systems), but also marked Bandai's attempt to also delve into the computer markets. It was developed with the help of Logic Systems International (L.S.I).

The Supervision 8000 was an impressive console for its time. It was driven by an 8-bit NEC D780C (Z80 clone) processor capable of max 3.58mHz speeds. It also used a General Instruments AY-3-8910 co-processor, which supported 3 sound channels, and two general purpose parallel IO ports that are used for joysticks. Similar processors could later be found in the Amstrad GX400, and the popular Japanese MSX computer line released in the 1980's. This makes the Supervision 8000 well ahead of its time. The console chassis contained a housing for the controllers, and had a small divot at the bottom for possible keyboard support.

Unfortunately being ahead of its time came at a price. The Supervision 8000 retailed for a high price of 59,800 Yen, and came with a pack in game called "Missile Vader". The high price must have kept the console out of the hands of many gamers (Particularly since its TV Jack predecessors retailed for much less). Only six other games were released. Bandai later dropped support for Supervision 8000 in favor of becoming a distributor for Mattel's Intellivision in 1982. This marked the end of the TV Jack console line.

FACT: The Supervision 8000 console layout, particularly its controllers, may cause one to believe it is a clone of Mattel's Intellivision. Both consoles use the AY-3-8910 co-processor, but the main processors are quite different. The Supervision 8000 used an 8-bit Zilog clone (3.58mHz) that was oddly faster then the Intellivision's 16-bit GI 1600 (500kHz), which displayed better graphics.

The console's time of release can also lead you to believe it's a clone. Bandai announced the Supervision 8000 at the Tokyo Trade Show in September of 1979. It was later released in December of that same year. The Intellivision was test marketed in late 1979, and was sold in 1980.

The Supervision 8000 is clearly not a clone. However it is our theory that Mattel duplicated the design of Bandai's controllers. To keep things cool, Mattel approached Bandai with an offer to distribute the Intellivision in Japan. Bandai later continues to remain a distributor well throughout the 1980's. Hmmm.
 


  HANDS ON REVIEW
  - by Marriott_Guy (14-Nov-07)


Notable game developer Bandai was very involved in hardware development and manufacturing beginning in 1977 with its popular line of TV-Jack pong based consoles (six total releases within two years). Building on their mild success in this arena, the Bandai Super Vision 8000 debuted in 1979 and was the very first programmable game cartridge system released in Japan. This timeline (1979) and notoriety (initial entry and the developer, Bandai) may be a surprise to some simply due to the fact that Japan has been a leader in video game technology for some time, with big hitters Nintendo and Sega in the fold.

While the video game player in the USA had been exposed to the new programmable game cartridge systems (Fairchild Channel F, Atari VCS, APF MP-1000, Bally Professional Arcade, Odyssey 2) beginning in 1976, pong based consoles enjoyed a prolonged following within the Japanese market. This initially retarded the growth, development and embracement of new technology. The release of the Super Vision 8000 was a small, but significant, step taken by Bandai in changing the atmosphere within the hardware gaming market in Japan.

Constructed of hard, thick plastics, the light grey chassis of the Super Vision 8000 is accented well with classic black molding resulting in a clean, crisp look. Cradles for the two included controllers flank the respective sides. This console will never be mistakenly described as being small. The Super Vision 8000 is a healthy sized piece of hardware, relatively rectangular in design with a gradual incline of roughly 15 degrees from the bottom to the top. The seven (7) confirmed games were rendered in 16-bit color across three sound channels, graphically in between the output of the Atari VCS and the Mattel Intellivision. Powered by an 8-bit NEC D780C running at 3.58 MHZ that was complimented by a AY-3-8910 coprocessor, this advanced piece of hardware was quite revolutionary, as well as expensive, at that time in Japan. With an initial offering of around 60,000 yen ($560 USD, $1,300 USD comparable in 1979), the Super Vision 8000 was priced out of the reach of most Japanese gamers.


Bandai Super Vision 8000This console is often mistaken for being a clone of the Mattel Intellivision, primarily due to controller design. However, the exact opposite actually applies. The Super Vision 8000 was released prior to the Intellivision, and the internal hardware specifics are completely different and not compatible at all. The story behind the controller similarity is varied, with half of those with actual knowledge of both systems siding with the thinking that Mattel was the original developer, the other stating it was Bandai. There seems to be more historical data to side with the former in this debate.

Though the hardware technology at the time (1979) in Japan was not as advanced as that in the USA, there is evidence that the Super Vision 8000 was developed independently, and prior to, the Intellivision. Further, there are claims that Bandai was going to sue Mattel for patent right violation(s) when the initial Intellivision was displayed at a gaming demonstration forum. There seems to be some validity to this story since Bandai gained the rights in 1980 to be the sole manufacturer of the Intellivision console in Japan. With the Super Vision 8000 not selling well at the time (due to the high price and a changing Japanese market), Bandai focused their efforts on production of Intellivision units. This eventually lead to the cessation of production and development for of the Super Vision 8000 within one year of its release.

Bandai, though mostly known now as a great game developer, was a big player in the video game hardware industry in Japan and paved the way for juggernauts like Nintendo and Sega. The Super Vision 8000 is an extremely rare system and is considered to be a holy grail amongst console collectors. Games for this system will run you around $80-$100 USD due to their rarity. The system itself was not sold in great quantities. Finding one at all (working or non) is quite a chore. To land yourself a working, CIB unit, expect to lay out $700+, plus S/H. This is definitely a system that should be targeted by only the most serious of console collectors.  
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Pictures & Video

Various picture\video media for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Super Vision 8000 - Front

Super Vision 8000 - Front		 Game & System Demo Video
Video courtesy of Eric Krust. 		Super Vision 8000 - w\Manual

Super Vision 8000 - w\Manual
Super Vision 8000 - Box Front

Super Vision 8000 - Box Front		 Super Vision 8000 - Hardware

Super Vision 8000 - Hardware		 Super Vision 8000 - Box Back

Super Vision 8000 - Box Back
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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

8-bit NEC D780C

 3.58 MHz AY-3-8910 co-processor None

Screen Resolution

Color Palette

Polygons \ Sprites

 Audio
256 x 192 16 colors Unknown 3 channel

Media Format

Media Capacity

Games Released

Other Supported Formats
Cartridge Unknown 7 None

Internal Storage

External\Removable Storage

Game Controllers

Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None None Directional \ Keypad Input Possible keyboard support
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video
Two (hard-wired) None None RF Connection \ Antenna

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
Standard 110w Built-In Power Supply None Channel 1 or 2 switch for Video Out
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Games & Emulation

Games screen shots\videos released for this system. 

Bandai Super Vision 8000 gamesBandai Super Vision 8000 games

Missile Vader
Cassette 1
Release Date: 1979
Developer: Bandai Electronics

Space Fire
Cassette 2
Release Date: 1979
Developer: Bandai Electronics
Othello
Cassette 3
Release Date: 1979
Developer: Bandai Electronics

Gun Professional
Cassette 4
Release Date: 1979
Developer: Bandai Electronics

PacPacBird
Cassette 5
Release Date: 1979
Developer: Bandai Electronics
 


Submarine
Cassette 6
Release Date: 1979
Developer: Bandai Electronics

Beam Galaxian
Cassette 7
Release Date: 1979
Developer: Bandai Electronics
Third Party Emulators
Program Website Description

No emulators have been released for this system.
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Models

Additional authorized releases for this console. 

No additional models were released for this system.
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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
     
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Page last updated 04-May-2010

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