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The Video Game Console Library - Casio PV-1000

Casio PV-1000 Casio PV-1000 Casio PV-1000

  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
Casio of Japan Casio of Japan Oct-83 Japan $139 USD PV-1000 15 6.0
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
Casio PV-1000
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) 07
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile) 08
Controllers (design, response, feel, use) 06
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation) 05
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects) 05
Media (game media format, design, durability) 07
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging) 05
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library) 01
Innovations (technological industrial strides) 04
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?) 01
Collector Value (good collector investment?) 08
Games Rarity (general availability of games) 09
Console Rarity (general availability of a system) 09
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Reviews

  DW FACTS
  - by Dark Watcher

Casio of Japan, known for their line of calculators, decided to cash in on the console videogame craze. In 1983 Casio produced the PV-1000 console and the PV-2000 computer.

At this present time we do not have much detail on this console. Our assumption is either the PV-1000 is a modified console port of the PV-2000 computer, or the PV-2000 computer merely played PV-1000 cartridges. Both most likely shared the same specs with the PV-2000 using a Zilog Z80 processor at 3.5Mhz and 4Kb of RAM. What we do know however is that the console PV-1000 retailed for 14,800 Yen, used the exact same controller as the PV-2000 computer, and most likely was killed off by the success of the Nintendo Famicom released that same year.

Casio PV-1000

Also some of the games released were ports of titles Casio published for the MSX computer. A BASIC cart was also available for would be programmers, which further leads us to believe the computer / console share similar builds.

 
  HANDS ON REVIEW
  - by Marriott_Guy (19-Sep-07)

Casio of Japan, a successful electronics manufacturer, released first video game console, the Casio PV-1000 in October of 1983 for 14,8000 yen ($139 USD). Debuting against the likes of the Sega SG-1000 and the Nintendo Famicom, this extremely rare and obscure system rapidly was an afterthought and not to be seen on video game store shelves shortly after its release.

The PV-1000 itself is not unattractive and the housing feels very well constructed utilizing thick, durable plastics. Dark-teal in color and rectangular in shape, the soft, curved molding culminates with the game cartridge tier. The front inputs are simple but elegant - two joystick ports are centered in the front of the unit face. The back features the same no-nonsense approach with the power connection and RF connectors anchoring the far left and right. The power toggle switch is located on the right side and there is a port on the left side of the system that resembles a PC connector of some sort (use unknown to me). Overall, the PV-1000 design is sleek, unobtrusive and modern compared to its counterparts.

Casio PV-1000Powered by a Z80A micro-processor at 3.579 Mhz with 2Kb of RAM, this engine was able to display games at a resolution of 256 x 192 pixels in 8 colors. Games were released on cartridges approximately the size of Nintendo Famicom carts. A total of 15 games were released for this system, mostly ports of earlier Casio releases for MSX compatible computers including Pooyan, Amidar, Tutankhamon and Dig-Dug. Overall video quality is comparable to the Colecovision. Game control is driven through a solid joystick featuring one (1) fire button at the top of the it along with a 'start', 'select' and a large auxiliary button at its base (packed in with the system). Casio also produced the PV-2000 in December 1983, which was a computer version of the PV-1000. Both the PV-1000 and PV-2000 joysticks are compatible though the game cartridges are not.

Overall, the Casio PV-1000 was a below average system when it debuted and met its demise quickly. This is an extremely rare item and only recommended for the ultra-serious console collector. This console was released solely in Japan for a short period of time. I do not have a recommendation for price since I have only seen one of these systems once for sale - the one pictured in this review. Be prepared to invest heavily if you do wish to pursue - games are just as scarce and pricey.

 

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Pictures & Video

Various picture\video media for this console.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Casio PV-1000 - Front

 Casio PV-1000 - Front
 Casio PV-1000 - Back

 Casio PV-1000 - 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
Z80A Micro-Processor (D780C-1) 3.579 MHz D65010G031 (for video & sound) 4 KB \ 16 KB

Screen Resolution

Color Palette

Polygons \ Sprites

 Audio
256 x 192 8 colors 32 Sprites 3 Channel

Media Format

Media Capacity

Games Released

Other Supported Formats
Cartridge Unknown 15 None

Internal Storage

External\Removable Storage

Game Controllers

Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None None Joystick  
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video
Two (2) None None  

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
AC Adaptor 110 V 50/60 Hz 15w None Channel 1/2 Switch
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Games & Emulation

Games screen shots and\videos released for this system.
Third Party Emulators
Program Website Description

None released at this time.
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Models

Additional authorized releases for this console. 
There was a computer version of this system called the Casio PV-2000.  The joystick controllers are compatible, though the cartridges are not.
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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
Old-Computers.COM http://www.old-computers.com/.../...asp?st=1&c=849 Game screen shots here
Japan-Games.com http://www.japan-games.com/.../PV-1000/index.htm Great pictures!!
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