Gakken Compact Vision (TV Boy)
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 it's 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.
Games
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