The Video Game Console Library

	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\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)	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

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.

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-1000 Powered 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.

Pictures & Media

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

Casio PV-1000 - Front

Casio PV-1000 - Back

The following excellent pictures courtesy Charles Lee.

Specs & Manuals

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	None
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
Two (2)	None	None	RF
Power Supply - External	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: AC 110V, 50\60Hz, 15VA Output: DC 15V, 500mA	None	Channel 1\2 Switch
Manuals
Casio PV-1000 Owners Manual - 0.84 MB Images courtesy of our good friend Eric at Japan-Games.com

Games & Emulation

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

Casio PV-1000 Game Cartridge - Back
Software for the Casio PV-1000 was distributed in the ROM cartridge format.

Casio PV-1000 Game Boxes

Casio PV-1000 Amida game box Casio PV-1000 Dig-Dug game box Casio PV-1000 Dirty Chameleon game box Casio PV-1000 Fighting Bug game box Casio PV-1000 Mahjong game box Casio PV-1000 Naughty Boy game box Casio PV-1000 Pachinko UFO game box Casio PV-1000 Pooyan game box Casio PV-1000 Space Panic game box Casio PV-1000 Super Cobra game box Casio PV-1000 Turpin game box Casio PV-1000 Tutankham game box Casio PV-1000 Warp & Warp game box

Casio PV-1000 Game Screenshots

Amida

Dig-Dug

Mahjong

Pooyan

Space Panic

Super Cobra

Turpin

Tutankham

Warp & Warp

Third Party Emulators
Program	Website	Description
None released at this time.

Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.

Casio PV-2000 computer system

There was a computer version of this system called the Casio PV-2000. which is pictured to the left.
The joystick controllers are compatible with the PV-1000, but the cartridges are not.

Various Promos for the Casio PV-1000 and PV-2000
Click images to enlarge.

Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).

No clones were released for this system.

Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.

Name	Website	Description
Game-Nostalgia.net	http://www.old-computers.com/.../...asp?st=1&c=849	Game boxes and more!
Japan-Games.com	http://www.japan-games.com/.../PV-1000/index.htm	Great pictures!!

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Page last updated 22-Jan-2012

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