CURIOUS VIDEO GAME MACHINES - A COMPENDIUM OF RARE AND UNUSUAL CONSOLES, COMPUTERS AND COIN-OPS

Aug 7, 2026

A history-focused compendium of uncommon video game hardware, tracing rare and unusual consoles, computers, and coin-operated machines through pivotal eras of the industry. Guided by notable examples like early handhelds and region-specific systems, the narrative highlights obscure devices overlooked by mainstream gaming accounts. It contextualizes technical and cultural factors behind their design choices, brief market runs, and niche audiences, presenting a broader tapestry of contributors beyond the most celebrated brands.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages443

Reading Time11 h 22 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Timeline

Foreword

Note from the Author

Acknowledgements

Recommended Reading

End notes

CURIOUS VIDEO GAME MACHINES [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) To Kitty, Lottie, Arthur and Rory. You are wonderful. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) CURIOUS VIDEO GAME MACHINES A COMPENDIUM OF RARE AND UNUSUAL CONSOLES, COMPUTERS AND COIN-OPS LEWIS PACKWOOD [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) First published in Great Britain in 2023 by Pen and Sword WHITE OWL An imprint of Pen & Sword Books Ltd Yorkshire-Philadelphia Copyright © Lewis Packwood, 2023 ISBN 978 1 39907 377 6 ePub ISBN 978 1 39907 378 3 Mobi ISBN 978 1 39907 378 3 The right of Lewis Packwood to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Cover art credits: The photos of the Interton VC 4000, Atari Stunt Cycle, Casio Loopy and Time Traveler are all by Darren Sulfridge; the photo of the Galaksija on the spine is by Damir Perec; the photo of the Galaksija on the back cover is by Vlado Vince; and the image of the Virtuality arcade machines is courtesy of Richard Holmes. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the Publisher in writing. Pen & Sword Books Ltd incorporates the imprints of Pen & Sword Books Archaeology, Atlas, Aviation, Battleground, Discovery, Family History, History, Maritime, Military, Naval, Politics, Railways, Select, Transport, True Crime, Fiction, Frontline Books, Leo Cooper, Praetorian Press, Seaforth Publishing, Wharncliffe and White Owl. For a complete list of Pen & Sword titles please contact PEN & SWORD BOOKS LIMITED George House, Units 12 & 13, Beevor Street, Off Pontefract Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S71 1HN, England E-mail: [enquiries@pen-and-sword.co.uk](enquiries@pen-and-sword.co.uk) [Website:](Website: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk)[ ](Website: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk)[www.pen-and-sword.co.uk](Website: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk) or PEN AND SWORD BOOKS 1950 Lawrence Rd, Havertown, PA 19083, USA E-mail: [uspen-and-sword@casematepublishers.com](uspen-and-sword@casematepublishers.com) [Website:](Website: www.penandswordbooks.com)[ ](Website: www.penandswordbooks.com)[www.penandswordbooks.com](Website: www.penandswordbooks.com) [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Contents Foreword by Damien McFerran Note from the Author Timeline 1 How to Make a Wargame out of Calculators (Kimtanktics, 1977) 2 Atari’s Forgotten Consoles (Home Pong, Video Music, etc. 1975– 77) 3 Germany Joins the Console Race (Interton consoles, 1975–78) 4 Grandfather to the Game Boy (MB Microvision, 1979) 5 A Box that Broke Atari’s Monopoly (Atari VCS dev kit, 1979) 6 Yugoslavia’s Open-Source Computer (Galaksija, 1983) 7 It’s Like a Living Entity More than it is a Machine (RDI Halcyon, 1985) 8 The Power of Nick and Dave (Enterprise, 1985) 9 Any Colour as Long as it’s Pink (Super Cassette Vision Lady’s, 1985; Master System Girl, 1994; Casio Loopy, 1995) 10 The Console Made by a Car Company (Daewoo Zemmix consoles, 1985–91) 11 Attack of the Famiclones (Dendy, Pegasus, etc., 1980s–Present) 12 Video Games on VHS (ActionMax, Video Challenger, etc., 1987– 99) 13 When the Noodles Came to Life (Barcode Battler, Barcode Battler II, etc., 1991–94 approx.) 14 The Hologram Cowboy who Travelled Through Time (Time Traveler, 1991) 15 Virtual Reality Dies Before it has a Chance to Thrive (Virtuality, 1991) 16 The Second Life of the CD32 (CUBO CD32, 1995) 17 Fly Me to the Balloon (Prop Cycle, 1996) 18 Turning the Whole World into a Video Game (Avatar Machine, 2008) Acknowledgements Recommended Reading End notes [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Foreword by Damien McFerran I t’s often said that history is written by the victors, and that’s

FAQs

What kind of devices does the book cover?

The book surveys rare and unusual consoles, computers, and coin-ops that played roles in the evolution of interactive entertainment.

How does the book approach mainstream video game history?

It challenges victor-centric narratives by focusing on lesser-known companies and systems, including machines that many mainstream gamers may not recognize.

Which early portable and console examples are discussed in the materials provided?

Examples mentioned include the MB Microvision (1979), Nintendo-related influence via Game & Watch, and the Casio Loopy with its built-in thermal colour printer for stickers.

Aug 7, 2026

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