Bally Astrocade

Bally Astrocade
ManufacturerBally Manufacturing
Astrovision
TypeHome video game console
GenerationSecond generation
Release dateApril 1978; 46 years ago (April 1978)
Introductory priceUS$299 (equivalent to $1,500 in 2023)
Discontinued1983 (1983)
CPUZilog Z80 clocked at 1.789 MHz
Memory4 KB–64 KB (with external modules) RAM
8 KB ROM
Removable storageROM cartridge
Graphics160×102 or 320×204 in 4/8 colors
Sound3 × oscillators with noise mixing and hardware global vibrato

The Bally Astrocade (also known as Bally Arcade and initially as Bally ABA-1000[1]) is a second-generation home video game console and simple computer system designed by a team at Midway, at that time the videogame division of Bally. It was originally announced as the "Bally Home Library Computer" in October 1977 and initially made available for mail order in December 1977. But due to production delays, the units were first released to stores in April 1978 and its branding changed to "Bally Professional Arcade". It was marketed only for a limited time before Bally decided to exit the market. The rights were later picked up by a third-party company, who re-released it and sold it until around 1984. The Astrocade is particularly notable for its very powerful graphics capabilities for the time of release,[citation needed] and for the difficulty in accessing those capabilities.

  1. ^ Video Magazine. 1980. Video Buyer's Guide. Article "Video Games". page 78.