The Video Game Console Library - 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	16131	7	8.5
Ratings	Reviews	Pictures\Media	Specs\Manuals	Games\Emulation	Models	Clones	Links

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

Reviews

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 Super Vision 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 Super Vision 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 audio chip, 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 GX4000 and the popular Japanese MSX computer line released in the 1980's. This makes the Super Vision 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 Super Vision 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 Super Vision 8000 console layout, particularly its controllers, may cause one to believe it is a clone of the Mattel Intellivision. Both consoles use the AY-3-8910 co-processor, but the main processors are quite different. The Super Vision 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 Super Vision 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 Super Vision 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 sound chip, 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.

This 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.

Game & System Demo Video

Video courtesy of our good friend Eric Krust.

Pictures & Media

Various picture\media for this console. Pictures courtesy of the system that Marriott_Guy purchased from our good friend Eric Krust. Click pictures to enlarge.

Bandai Super Vision 8000 - Documentation

Specs & Manual

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 Sound Chip	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
Power Supply - External	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: AC 100V, 50/60Hz, 18VA Output A: DC 9V, 800mA Output B: DC, 100mA	None	Channel 1 or 2 switch for Video Out
Manuals
Not available. Can you help us out? You will receive full credit in addition to keeping the history of video gaming alive for all! Please contact me.

Games & Emulation

Games, media format, emulators and screen shots for titles released on this system.

Software for the Bandai Super Vision 8000 was distributed on ROM cartridges. Bandai was the sole developer of games for this console, releasing seven (7) titles during its brief life span. Missile Vader came packaged with the system.

The boxes themselves are constructed of a rather flimsy, cheap cardboard that opens up book-style. A plastic housing provides storage for the cartridge the game box.

Due to the extremely limited run, all games for the Bandai Super Vision 8000 are horribly difficult to acquire. Expect to invest upwards of $120 USD for any of the titles.

A special thanks to Dento Teramachi at Classic VideoGame Station:Odyssey for providing some of the pictures featured below.

Bandai Super Vision 8000 Game Collection

Game Boxes for the Bandai Super Vision 8000

Bandai Super Vision 8000 Game Boxes

Bandai Super Vision 8000 Sample Game Packaging

Bandai Super Vision 8000 Game Screenshots

Cassette 1 - Missile Vader

Cassette 2 - Space Fire

Cassette 3 - Othello

Cassette 4 - Gun Professional

Cassette 5 - PacPacBird

Cassette 6 - Submarine

Cassette 7 - Beam Galaxian

Unreleased - Super Tank

Third Party Emulators
Program	Website	Description
No emulators have been released for this system.

Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.

No additional models were released for this system.

Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).

No clones were released for this system.

Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.

Name	Website	Description
Classic VideoGame Station	http://www.ne.jp/asahi/.../sv8000/setframe.html	Great page on the Super Vision 8000 (Japanese)

visitors since 01-Apr-2008
Page last updated 02-Feb-2012

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