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In 1992 another multimedia gaming machine arrived silently on the market. The Tandy Video Information System (VIS). The VIS supported CD-ROM based educational video game software and audio compact discs, and offered an optional modem for connection to online services. Tandy sold the device with the concept "MANY OF THE BENEFITS OF MULTIMEDIA WITHOUT HAVING TO PURCHASE A COMPUTER" The system was packaged with Compton's Multimedia Encyclopedia and Webster's Intermediate Dictionary. The VIS resembled a traditional VCR. It used a wireless control pad to interface with both software and music CD's. The VIS was driven by a product known as "Modular Windows". In case you're not familiar with this, Modular Windows was basically the operating system forerunner to Windows CE (the system used in the Dreamcast). Since the kernel is based on a stripped down Windows 95, it was possible to run some programs on the VIS and visa versa. Of course Microsoft would never admit that. The unit was sold only in Radio Shack stores. It retailed for $699 USD with discs around $30 to $80. Unfortunately, gamers were not interested in a device that played educational entertainment software. The software could be played on a Windows driven computer. The price was also a bit much. The VIS was later sold as a catalogue only item called the Memorex MD 2500 Video Information System. The price went down to $399. Needless to say the VIS was a mere blip on the videogame radar. The product was a huge loss for Tandy. Reviewers played on the VIS name calling it "Virtually Impossible to Sell".
FACT: It would seem that Microsoft's
involvement in video gaming outside of the PC area occurred
sooner then their work on the Dreamcast
operating system. |
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In the early 1990's, the rage in video game hardware development was all about being an all-in-one device. The following lists the prominent companies that took a swing at providing the buying public with the 'one' product that would satisfy all\most of their multimedia needs:
o 1991 -
Philips CD-i (video games, audio CDs, edutainment CDs, movies) As you can see, the above lists some pretty big hitters in the electronics industry. In 1992, Memorex, owned at the time by Tandy Corporation (owner of RadioShack stores), released yet another 'wonder' machine into the fray with the release of the VIS (Visual Information System). This obscure system left a very small imprint on the sands of video console history due to a few reasons. The VIS was essentially a stripped down Windows PC in a VCR style casing. A 16-bit Intel 80286 processor running at 12.5 MHz powered the system that produced games in 16.7M colors at a resolution of 640x480. A customized version of Windows 3.1 is the backbone of the system and audio\video performance. At the time, this was quite antiquated in terms of overall technical horsepower. The chassis itself does not even merit further dialog, as the picture of this system obviously displays. Wireless controllers were a nice touch and did differentiate it from its competitors, but the button alignment and offerings mirrors the chassis - nothing to write home about. The media choice was sound as all VIS titles were released on CD-ROM (Audio CD was also supported). So what about those titles? |
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Almost ALL VIS titles can be categorized into the edutainment genre with about 50% of those targeted directly to children in the age range 8-15. Compton's Encyclopedia was included with the initial purchase of the VIS, but no true games were. There were a great deal of rumors out there of PC ports for this system that never went into production (King's Quest V, Space Quest IV, et al). The only true game that I can attest to being in existence, apart from the educational point-and-click safaris, is a release from Access Software called Links: The Challenge of Golf. Some of you may remember this popular 386 PC classic (which the Links franchise and company was later bought out by Microsoft). The graphics for the VIS are slightly less than their 386 counterpart, though navigation is a bit easier. All told around 70 titles or so were released for this system. Two versions of the VIS were released. The Tandy version retailed for $699 and was only sold in RadioShack retail outlets (actually hit store shelves in December 1992). The Memorex model was only available as an exclusive catalogue-direct sale from the parent company, but retailed for $399 (no changes at all in the hardware or included software). The re-branding of the VIS to the more popular Memorex label and lowering the price did nothing to save this console from its demise. To be honest, this system could have retailed for $39.95 and would still have been a bad value for the consumer - this console is truly that bad. Tandy's foray into the video game console market was extremely short-lived and ended up being an extremely costly venture for them. They do not even acknowledge the existence of the VIS in their company's historical timeline.
The Memorex VIS
is only recommended for the true console collector - not at all for the
gamer of any level. The system is rather hard to come by.
Approximately 11,000 units were actually sold (total for both models).
Expect to pay about $150 USD for a bare console, $225 USD or so for a
CIB unit. This estimate is entirely dependant upon the source you
are buying from. Since the VIS is sometimes mistaken for a
standard CD player, you might be able to grab it for $20 from someone
who doesn't know what they truly have. If you are a collector, get
one from a trusted peer. |
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Various picture\video media for this console. Click pictures to enlarge. |
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Memorex VIS - Front
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VIS Loading Screen Video courtesy of ruekov. |
Memorex VIS - Back
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Memorex VIS - Controller
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Memorex VIS - Games (bottom row)
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Memorex VIS - Controller
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For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love. |
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Games screen shots and\videos released for this system. |
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Additional authorized releases for this console. |
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Non-licensed releases (clones). |
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Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system. |
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Copyright 2008-2009 The Video Game Console Library. This website
and the information contained within it is protected by copyright.
Reproduction of part or all of the |
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HANDS ON REVIEW by
DW FACTS by 
DW FACTS
HANDS ON REVIEW