Cassette Vision

Cassette Vision
ManufacturerEpoch
TypeHome video game console
GenerationSecond generation
Release date
  • JP: July 30, 1981
Introductory price¥13,500 ($61)
DiscontinuedAugust 1984
Units soldc. 400,000[1]
CPUNEC uPD77xx
Removable storageROM cartridge
Display54 x 62, 8 colors
GraphicsμPD778
SoundBeeper
InputInternal controllers
PredecessorTV Vader
SuccessorSuper Cassette Vision

The Cassette Vision[a] is a second generation home video game console made by Epoch Co. and released in Japan on July 30, 1981. A redesigned model called the Cassette Vision Jr. was released afterwards.

The term cassette is a contemporary Japanese synonym for ROM cartridge, not to be confused with the magnetic cassette tape format. In terms of power, it is comparable to the Atari 2600. The Cassette Vision has unusual controls: four knobs built into the console itself, two for each player (one for horizontal, one for vertical), plus two buttons per player.

The system originally retailed for ¥13,500, with games priced at ¥4,000. The Cassette Vision sold around 400,000 units,[2] and was the best selling video game console in Japan before Nintendo's Family Computer.[3] It received a successor called the Super Cassette Vision. As a 1984 machine, the Super Cassette Vision was more comparable to the likes of the Famicom and Sega's SG-1000 line. The SCV was also sold in Europe, but with little known success.[4] The Super Lady Cassette Vision, a version of the Super Cassette Vision that was aimed at a female market, was released exclusively in Japan. While the specs were exactly the same, the plastic was pink in color and included a carrying case and the "Milky Princess" game.

  1. ^ "株式会社 エポツク杜 堀江正幸氏 (pg. 9)" (in Japanese). 1998. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  2. ^ "Epoch and the Cassette Vision – 1997 Developer Interview". shmuplations.com. Archived from the original on 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  3. ^ "株式会社 エポツク杜 堀江正幸氏 (pg. 9)" (in Japanese). 1998. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  4. ^ "Epoch Super Cassette Vision: History & Reviews". Video Game Console Library. Retrieved August 29, 2017.


Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).