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The Video Game Console Library - Gakken Compact Vision (TV Boy)

Gakken logo Gakken Compact Vision (TV Boy) Gakken 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
Gakken Co., Ltd. Gakken Co., Ltd. October 1983 Japan $99 USD Unknown 6 N\A
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
Gakken Compact Vision (TV Boy)
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
Gakken Compact Vision (TV Boy)

DW FACTS
 - by Dark Watcher

Gakken was a popular manufacturer of arcade and handheld games throughout the 1980's. In 1983, Gakken decided to try their hand at the home console market with the Gakken Compact Vision.

The Compact Vision was a cartridge based color game system that retailed for a nice low price of 8800 Yen. The console design is by far one of the most unique and innovative for its time. The one controller (Yes. Only 1 Player) is built into the unit. However, rather then using a standard joystick or paddle it used a throttle / shifter controller that shifted both horizontal and vertical. A fire button was mounted on the side of the throttle for easy access with the right thumb. Obviously using this type of controller would cause the small console unit itself to move around. To alleviate this problem, Gakken added a grip ready handle. Basically you shift with the right hand and hold the console steady with the left. The "Start" button was built into the handle, and the console dash contained the "Power" and "Pause" buttons. The console was also labeled both above the throttle, and on the box as TV Boy (Japanese Text). This may also be another name used for the console (Gakken TV Boy sounds better aye).

The console design, though unique, may have been restricting for left-handed players. It also lacked 2-Player support. The console may have also fell victim to the popular Famicom, which was released shortly after. Six games have reportedly been released. This appears to have been Gakken's only attempt at the home console market.
 


  HANDS ON REVIEW
 

Coming soon...
 

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Pictures & Video

Various picture\video media for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Gakken Cmpact Vision
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Gakken Cmpact Vision
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Gakken Cmpact Vision
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Gakken Cmpact Vision

These are pictures are of Marriott_Guy's
actual system and the eBay pictures that were
supplied for this purchase from Japan-Games.com.		 Gakken Cmpact Vision
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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
Contained on Cartridges Unknown Motorola MC 6847 2 KB

Screen Resolution

Color Palette

Polygons \ Sprites

 Audio
Unknown 16 (Not verified) N\A Yes (specs unknown)

Media Format

Media Capacity

Games Released

Other Supported Formats
Cartridge Unknown 6 None

Internal Storage

External\Removable Storage

Game Controllers

Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None None T-Shaped, 2 Fire Buttons None
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video
1 Built-in Controller None None RF Connection

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
External AC Adaptor Channel 1/2 switch MC6801 microcontroller on each cartridge
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Games & Emulation

Games screen shots and\videos released for this system.
Gakken Compact Vision (TV Boy) Games
Third Party Emulators
Program Website Description

No emulators are available for this system.
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Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.
No additional models were released.
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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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visitors since 01-Apr-2008
Page last updated 06-Feb-2010

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