VideoBrain cart based pre-Atari computer

[high voltage]

Who here has a VideoBrain, which came out in 77, and it was the first color home computer with cartridge support and FOUR joystick ports:

What games came out for this machine which supported 4 players?

Anyone here has any games for this computer? All I can find on ebay are utility programs.

 

Seeing on ebay people asking $600 for that thing!

Edited March 16, 2011 by high voltage

[+5-11under]

I sold mine a few years ago for about $300, including some games.

 

The Gladiator/Football/? game supported 4 players, I think. I only had 2 joysticks, though.

[ballyalley]

I don't own the machine myself but I am a member of the YahooGroup dedicated to the VideoBrain:

 

http://tech.dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/channel_f_and_videobrain/

 

The number of postings are quite small, but I've learned quite a bit there. There are photos and some documents too.

 

Adam

[Tempest]

I believe I have one of the largest VideoBrain collections (including the only known demo cart). At the moment I'm only missing Expander #2 and the system box. It's quite rare, but personally I don't think it's worth nearly as muchas it seems to go for. The games are pretty crappy, they play like very early 2600 games only they don't feel quite as polished. Also, as you pointed out, there really aren't many games for the system to begin with.

 

I'm hardly an expert on it, but my page can be found here: http://www.atariprotos.com/othersystems/videobrain/videobrain.htm

 

I'll have my VideoBrain on display at the MGC this year.

 

Tempest

[Streck]

I've never had one, but I've always thought it was one of the best-looking computers ever made, including the packaging.

 

 

Everything about that keyboard is awesome except its usability. The layout, the font, the color scheme, the isolated "MASTER CONTROL" key. Awesome. And the cartridge looks like a textbook!

 

 

The box design screams '70s, and in a good way.

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 130496779795

 

This eBay auction has some more nice shots of the cartridges and packaging.

[Tempest]

I've never had one, but I've always thought it was one of the best-looking computers ever made, including the packaging.

Yeah it is a sharp looking unit, if only the keyboard were a little more standard (or even close to being standard for that matter).

 

Tempest

[Streck]

I've never had one, but I've always thought it was one of the best-looking computers ever made, including the packaging.

Yeah it is a sharp looking unit, if only the keyboard were a little more standard (or even close to being standard for that matter).

 

Tempest

But that's why it's so cool. It's like a keyboard designed by an alien or a crazy person. I'd bet they'd have even ditched QWERTY if they could get away with it.

 

The PET 2001's keyboard also falls into that category, but the VideoBrain's looks a lot slicker.

[BassGuitari]

I'll have my VideoBrain on display at the MGC this year.

 

Tempest

 

Cool, I'll have to check that out if I get a chance. Very interesting-looking machine! (In a good way.)

 

[bojay1997]

I actually was very close to getting a NIB system, controllers and a bunch of sealed games from a Craigslist posting five years ago in San Jose. Unfortunately, the seller stopped responding to e-mails. I'm guessing he found another buyer. I still feel great regret as I haven't seen another NIB one since.