Channel F

[Bill Loguidice]

 

 

 

Wow, I've never seen that flyer before. What year was that from? (81/82?)

[e5frog]

 

 

 

Wow, I've never seen that flyer before. What year was that from? (81/82?)

 

Judging from the title of it you probably already knew it was Christmas 1982.

[e5frog]

BTW here's the back:

 

The pamphlet that came with it:

 

This is were we see the title "Casino Royale" and strange graphics that wasn't in the final version.

 

 

 

... and the envelope:

 

 

I think I got them from FND - he's good with the paperworks...

Edited September 27, 2009 by e5frog

[Bill Loguidice]

 

 

 

Wow, I've never seen that flyer before. What year was that from? (81/82?)

 

Judging from the title of it you probably already knew it was Christmas 1982.

 

No, I didn't notice, actually, that's why I asked. I'm amazed that Zircon was still so relatively active with the platform as of ~December 1982. I never expected that.

[Bill Loguidice]

Interesting that they would put placeholder graphics in "Casino Royale" that were so obviously above and beyond everything else pictured...

[Atari2008]

 

 

 

Wow, I've never seen that flyer before. What year was that from? (81/82?)

 

Judging from the title of it you probably already knew it was Christmas 1982.

 

No, I didn't notice, actually, that's why I asked. I'm amazed that Zircon was still so relatively active with the platform as of ~December 1982. I never expected that.

 

Thank you for sharing these pamphlets e5frog, it's always interesting to see the original advertising especially for the Channel F. I'm also surprised to see that Zircon was still so active with the system in December 1982...the Atari 5200 and the Colecovision were already on the market by then.

 

Those Channel F Jet-Sticks must be very rare...

[Video]

 

 

 

Wow, I've never seen that flyer before. What year was that from? (81/82?)

 

Judging from the title of it you probably already knew it was Christmas 1982.

 

No, I didn't notice, actually, that's why I asked. I'm amazed that Zircon was still so relatively active with the platform as of ~December 1982. I never expected that.

 

Thank you for sharing these pamphlets e5frog, it's always interesting to see the original advertising especially for the Channel F. I'm also surprised to see that Zircon was still so active with the system in December 1982...the Atari 5200 and the Colecovision were already on the market by then.

 

Those Channel F Jet-Sticks must be very rare...

 

Awesome flyers dude. Yeah, I always though the system poped up in 76 and was dead by the end of 77....maybe 78 at the latest. Didn't know it was around over 5 years.

 

Knowledge is power

[e5frog]

Awesome flyers dude. Yeah, I always though the system poped up in 76 and was dead by the end of 77....maybe 78 at the latest. Didn't know it was around over 5 years.

 

Knowledge is power

 

 

It seems the later carts were mostly offered to registered customers to buy via mail order - someone who bought them at the time probably knows exactly.

[Rev. Rob]

 

Lots of consoles had multiple action buttons prior to the NES...

 

Really? Other than Vectrex?

[Atari2008]

 

Lots of consoles had multiple action buttons prior to the NES...

 

Really? Other than Vectrex?

 

The Atari 5200 has 2 action buttons as well as the Colecovision. It's been a while since I've seen an Intellivision controller, it either has 2 or 4.

[Bill Loguidice]

 

Lots of consoles had multiple action buttons prior to the NES...

 

Really? Other than Vectrex?

 

The Atari 5200 has 2 action buttons as well as the Colecovision. It's been a while since I've seen an Intellivision controller, it either has 2 or 4.

 

The Intellivision systems actually have three independent fire buttons, even though there are four actual buttons:

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3653/a_history_of_gaming_platforms_.php?page=2

 

Whether you want to count it or not, the ColecoVision Super Action Controllers have four action buttons.

 

Finally, besides all of the systems already mentioned, the Emerson Arcadia 2001 had more than one action button. So yeah, a large percentage of pre-crash consoles actually had more than one action button, and many had keypads, so the NES controller wasn't much of an advance on the norm other than moving from a predominant joystick model to a predominant d-pad model.

[darthkur]

.....so the NES controller wasn't much of an advance on the norm other than moving from a predominant joystick model to a predominant d-pad model.

 

Which is about the worst thing to ever happen to video games. I assume it was simply a cost cutting measure that unfortunately stuck.

[Bill Loguidice]

.....so the NES controller wasn't much of an advance on the norm other than moving from a predominant joystick model to a predominant d-pad model.

 

Which is about the worst thing to ever happen to video games. I assume it was simply a cost cutting measure that unfortunately stuck.

 

I disagree about the cost cutting thing. It's probably just a Japanese thing, just like the precedent for Japanese arcade games to have the joystick on the left. D-pads were probably a more comfortable design for smaller Japanese hands. There's nothing inherently wrong with d-pads, though certainly diagonals can be a challenge depending upon the design. For me, the biggest adjustment from joysticks was getting used to the left/right switch. In a way, today's analog sticks can be thought of as hybrids of the best of the classic joysticks and d-pads. They have a similarly low profile, but have some throw to them like full-sized sticks allowing for freer multi-directional movement.

[darthkur]

.....so the NES controller wasn't much of an advance on the norm other than moving from a predominant joystick model to a predominant d-pad model.

 

Which is about the worst thing to ever happen to video games. I assume it was simply a cost cutting measure that unfortunately stuck.

 

I disagree about the cost cutting thing. It's probably just a Japanese thing, just like the precedent for Japanese arcade games to have the joystick on the left. D-pads were probably a more comfortable design for smaller Japanese hands. There's nothing inherently wrong with d-pads, though certainly diagonals can be a challenge depending upon the design. For me, the biggest adjustment from joysticks was getting used to the left/right switch. In a way, today's analog sticks can be thought of as hybrids of the best of the classic joysticks and d-pads. They have a similarly low profile, but have some throw to them like full-sized sticks allowing for freer multi-directional movement.

 

Perhaps it was a matter of ergonomics but I have rarely found them preferable to a good old fashioned arcade stick. Try playing Pac-Man or any similar game with a d-pad and tell me it's not horribly frustrating. As for the analog sticks on modern controllers I always find myself trying to use them like a joystick, grasping them by the edges of the disc with thumb and forefinger. Using them with my thumb on top, like they're designed for, feels too sloppy. I can never control anything with any semblance of accuracy that way.

[Bill Loguidice]

Perhaps it was a matter of ergonomics but I have rarely found them preferable to a good old fashioned arcade stick. Try playing Pac-Man or any similar game with a d-pad and tell me it's not horribly frustrating. As for the analog sticks on modern controllers I always find myself trying to use them like a joystick, grasping them by the edges of the disc with thumb and forefinger. Using them with my thumb on top, like they're designed for, feels too sloppy. I can never control anything with any semblance of accuracy that way.

 

It's just a matter of adapting as far as I'm concerned. It took me a long time to be able to feel comfortable using a gamepad, just like it took me a while to learn to use a natural (split) keyboard and thumb trackball. Now I can freely move between anything. With that said, I'm sure some of us just can't adapt, but really, if you use something enough I'm sure you'll become more than proficient. You almost have to.

[Rev. Rob]

Well, I take it all back then!

 

As for D-pad vs. joystick, I personally far prefer the D-pad. Maybe it's just because I am younger. Once I got a Genesis when I was a kid, I used that controller on my 2600 almost ever since.

[Atari2008]

Well, I take it all back then!

 

As for D-pad vs. joystick, I personally far prefer the D-pad. Maybe it's just because I am younger. Once I got a Genesis when I was a kid, I used that controller on my 2600 almost ever since.

 

Yes! D-pads all the way. I'm so glad that my girlfriend lent me her Sega Genesis controllers so I can use them on my 2600. The 6-button controller that is also slimmer in size is very comfortable.

 

I think joysticks are cool for the retro experience, but I've found that the D-pads are more ergonomic and comfortable especially for extended game play sessions.

[pinball22]

It took me a long time to adapt to the world changing to d-pads... the first time I played an NES I was bewildered as to why anyone would ever have designed such a thing. I didn't understand how my left thumb was supposed to take over control from my right arm. I eventually adapted, though, and am just as comfortable with pads/analog thumbsticks as with joysticks now (though for 2600/C64 games I still am better with the joystick, since that's how I learned them). I never did get comfortable with left-hand-joysticks, though -- I cross my arms when playing arcade games that have them.

[Video]

I grew up on the Joystic, but I just sorta fell into D pads. I mean, to me it just makes so much more sense. Still, it took forever to get used to using my left hand to control the direction and right to do the actions. That's what had me messed up.

 

Still, some games simply don't play well (or at all) without sticks. Take Pac-man on Genesis, and you'lll find it an exersize in frustration at best, and simply deam the game unplayable at worst.

 

I personally love the new analog stumpy sticks, the best of both worlds IMO, but they seem when you get into the action, like my thumb won't stay on it, or won't stay centered, so I spend a lot of time (rightin the middle of things) repositioning my thumb.

[BassGuitari]

I'm curious were there any magazine reviews of the Channel F? I know that the home video game industry was still in its infancy at the time, but I'm assuming some consumer products magazine or computer magazine would've reviewed it. Maybe even a newspaper column. It would be interesting to read people's initial reaction to the system when it first came out and was the first of its kind and when it had competition from the Atari 2600. Any sources out there?

 

This is going to sound like a plug...

 

Track down a copy of "Ken Uston's Guide To Buying And Beating The Home Video Games." It was first published in May, 1982, and covers just about every game available at the time for Atari VCS, Intellivision, Odyssey 2, Channel F, and Astrocade. (It doesn't mention Miniature Golf on the 2600, though, which was discontinued by then).

 

The author (better known as a Blackjack master) gives detailed descriptions of the games, the controls, playing strategies, and even "screenshots" (aka illustrations of the game screen...which actually look more or less just like the actual game). Ken also compares the games to similar games on other systems of the time. He even goes over the consoles themselves, in no small detail.

 

At the risk of infringing on any copyrights, here's the introduction to the section on the Channel F games(all 26 cartridges are discussed, by the way):

 

"When one considers that the Channel F cartridges, for the most part, were produced a number of years ago, it is evident that the achievement level at the time was superb. Some of the Channel F cartridges are timeless; no matter what technological developments occur, they will continue to be of interest.

 

In our rankings, I have of necessity evaluated the Channel F system relative to current competition, the only sensible approach. While some of these offerings fall by the wayside due to technical obsolescence, others are quite effective.

 

Interest: Of the 32 Channel F games [ed: on cartridges with multiple games, like Videocart 1, Ken counts each game individually] almost one-half rate high in interest (see page 604), an impressive proportion. These include two shooting-type games, ALIEN INVASION and VIDEO WHIZBALL. PINBALL CHALLENGE is a fast-moving rendition of a BREAKOUT-type game. Many of the cartridges contain excellent educational games for children..."

 

So not only was the Channel F still alive in 1982 -albeit on life-support- but the author's remarks about it were generally favorable, even in comparison to the Atari VCS and Intellivision, which were in full swing by then. I found that kind of illuminating, myself.

[Video]

Neat, I'll have to pick up that book from the sound of it, sounds like it would be fascinating to read.

[Atari2008]

I'm curious were there any magazine reviews of the Channel F? I know that the home video game industry was still in its infancy at the time, but I'm assuming some consumer products magazine or computer magazine would've reviewed it. Maybe even a newspaper column. It would be interesting to read people's initial reaction to the system when it first came out and was the first of its kind and when it had competition from the Atari 2600. Any sources out there?

 

This is going to sound like a plug...

 

Track down a copy of "Ken Uston's Guide To Buying And Beating The Home Video Games." It was first published in May, 1982, and covers just about every game available at the time for Atari VCS, Intellivision, Odyssey 2, Channel F, and Astrocade. (It doesn't mention Miniature Golf on the 2600, though, which was discontinued by then).

 

The author (better known as a Blackjack master) gives detailed descriptions of the games, the controls, playing strategies, and even "screenshots" (aka illustrations of the game screen...which actually look more or less just like the actual game). Ken also compares the games to similar games on other systems of the time. He even goes over the consoles themselves, in no small detail.

 

At the risk of infringing on any copyrights, here's the introduction to the section on the Channel F games(all 26 cartridges are discussed, by the way):

 

"When one considers that the Channel F cartridges, for the most part, were produced a number of years ago, it is evident that the achievement level at the time was superb. Some of the Channel F cartridges are timeless; no matter what technological developments occur, they will continue to be of interest.

 

In our rankings, I have of necessity evaluated the Channel F system relative to current competition, the only sensible approach. While some of these offerings fall by the wayside due to technical obsolescence, others are quite effective.

 

Interest: Of the 32 Channel F games [ed: on cartridges with multiple games, like Videocart 1, Ken counts each game individually] almost one-half rate high in interest (see page 604), an impressive proportion. These include two shooting-type games, ALIEN INVASION and VIDEO WHIZBALL. PINBALL CHALLENGE is a fast-moving rendition of a BREAKOUT-type game. Many of the cartridges contain excellent educational games for children..."

 

So not only was the Channel F still alive in 1982 -albeit on life-support- but the author's remarks about it were generally favorable, even in comparison to the Atari VCS and Intellivision, which were in full swing by then. I found that kind of illuminating, myself.

 

Thank you for sharing that! That's pretty amazing. I know that the Channel F wasn't the most successful console around and has ended up with a so-so reputation so it's really interesting to read a review from the time and that it's generally positive. I'll definitely have to track down a copy since it sounds like an interesting read.

[retrozoneorg]

I have 2 Channel F model 2's now.

 

Most of the games are simple and similar to the very early Atari 2600 titles. Although the sound is a lot more primitive.

The Fairchild is one of those machines people want to own becuase "it's a part of history" being the first games machine to accept programmable cartridges.

 

It's design is very formal - it almost looks like a business machine and I guess it was supposed to look at home on the coffee table.

 

There were a number of add-ons planned including a numeric keypad and several keypad games. Does anyone know it a prototype for these exist. I have photos on a software catalouge from the time.

 

Anyway thought I would include a photo of my Channel F too enjoy!

[Rev. Rob]

I have 2 Channel F model 2's now.

 

Most of the games are simple and similar to the very early Atari 2600 titles. Although the sound is a lot more primitive.

The Fairchild is one of those machines people want to own becuase "it's a part of history" being the first games machine to accept programmable cartridges.

 

It's design is very formal - it almost looks like a business machine and I guess it was supposed to look at home on the coffee table.

 

There were a number of add-ons planned including a numeric keypad and several keypad games. Does anyone know it a prototype for these exist. I have photos on a software catalouge from the time.

 

Anyway thought I would include a photo of my Channel F too enjoy!

 

Dude, you missed four pages of discussion. We concluded that the Channel F is awesome three pages ago!

[retrozoneorg]

Dude, you missed four pages of discussion. We concluded that the Channel F is awesome three pages ago!

 

 

I Blame it on the Time Difference!