The True Holy Grails
of Video Game Hardware

 
We have already established that the term Holy Grail is a highly subjective adjective in the first part of this series, along with identifying systems 11-20 of those that 98PaceCar and I deem worthy of this lofty title.  We now move on to the Top 10 - those systems that truly are the center pieces in any hardware collection.

As in the past article, we limited ourselves to considering the standard release of a console (no crazy development units, clones, protos or LE/SE editions).

As in any collecting field, the more obscure and rare and item is directly impacts its price.  We did not list any suggested prices for any of these systems, but some descriptors will give you a pretty good idea of their value in terms of cold hard cash (along with availability).

Most of the following consoles are unknown to the standard gamer.  These are systems that basically should be targeted by only the most serious  hardware collector and require substantial investment.  Finding these at all will take considerable effort (for the most part).

OK, let's get to it - the Top 10 Holy Grails for the hardware collector.

The True Holy Grails of Video Game Hardware - The Majors.
 
    

10.  Bandai Pippin @WORLD

 
In 1995, Apple Computer Inc. joined the console foray by finishing the development of a system based on a scaled down version of their System 7 OS. Named the Pippin, Apple followed the 3DO Company's lead by licensing this technology to an outside manufacturer - Bandai Digital Entertainment.  The Bandai Pippin @WORLD is the North American release of this console.  It is estimated that only 5,000 of these were sold during its limited lifespan.
 

09.  Funtech Super A'Can

 
In 1995, Funtech Entertainment Corporation released the first original gaming system in Taiwan - the Super A'Can. Produced and sold exclusively in its native country, the console and controllers feel very fragile, constructed of thin plastics that belies its strong, dark grey outwardly appearance and extremely high price tag.  Very few of these systems were sold, and it has been reported that Funtech Entertainment Corporation lost $6 million USD in this venture. This is a hard one to acquire since it does have a pretty strong cult following due to the obscurity of this system.
  

08.  APF Imagination Machine

 
In late 1978, a company by the name of APF Technologies released a simple cartridge based system similar to other consoles on the market named the APF M1000.  The console itself could then be "docked" to the MPA-10 to create a hybrid computer. The combined unit became the APF Imagination Machine and provided the BASIC program language, keyboard, 9K of RAM and could be expanded to 17K RAM, color graphics and a built in cassette recorder.  Finding a complete system is extremely difficult due to the fact that these are cherished by collectors from the era (both video game and computer enthusiasts).
 

07.  Entex Adventure Vision

 
Released in 1982 to a lukewarm reception, the Adventure Vision had only about a year lifespan on the market before it was pulled. The consoles that were sold were fragile and troublesome, so few have survived to today. This makes it difficult to find a working example and nearly impossible to find one for a low price. It's estimated that only 10,000 of the consoles were made.  Few other consoles have the star power of the Adventure Vision. It's a well known grail item that any true collector will have at least heard of. The only downside to hunting for one is that you will often find yourself bidding against hand held collectors as well as console collectors, making the interested audience that much bigger. If you want to add an Adventure Vision to your collection, you had better be ready to break out the checkbook.
 

06.  Casio PV-1000

 
Casio of Japan, known for their line of calculators, decided to cash in on the console videogame craze. In 1983 Casio produced the PV-1000 console.  This Japanese exclusive was below average compared to the competition (Sega SG-1000 and the Nintendo Famicom) when it debuted and met its demise quickly. This is an extremely rare item and only recommended for the ultra-serious console collector.  This console lacks the fanfare of the some earlier entries, but is actually more difficult to find due to its limited run.
 

05.  Capcom CPS Changer

 
In 1994, Capcom decided to follow SNK's lead in the Neo Geo AES and released the CPS Changer.   Based entirely upon existing arcade hits, this system produced excellent quality and game play.  This system is a new addition to a very lucky member of the VGCL team - 98PaceCar.  Both of us have been hunting for this system for quite a long time and have only seen it available on Yahoo-Japan once or twice.  Only 11 titles were released for this Japanese system.  This system is extremely pricey - expect to be competing with arcade collectors as well when trying to acquire this treasure.
 

04.  Bandai SuperVision 8000

 
Notable game developer Bandai was very involved in hardware development and manufacturing beginning in 1977 with its popular line of TV-Jack pong based consoles (six total releases within two years). Building on their mild success in this arena, the Bandai Super Vision 8000 debuted in 1979 and was the very first programmable game cartridge system released in Japan (before Sega and Nintendo). This system is one of the least known amongst collectors, but its place in history is unquestioned and is truly a milestone in any collection.
 

03.  Daewoo Zemmix Turbo CPG-120

 
Korean based Daewoo produced the Zemmix CPG-120 console (Zemmix in Korean means "It's Fun") that was the pinnacle of its line of MSX based systems.  This console was basically a MSX computer in a console casing. It was an NTSC based machine capable of playing MSX cartridge games.  All Zemmix systems are expensive and rare, but this 'UFO' anomaly is a true grail for the hardware enthusiast.  Be prepared to dig out and sell any gold fillings you may have - this console is a serious investment.
 

02.  Katz Media Player KMP 2000

 
The Katz Media Player is the European release of the Bandai Pippin ATMARK (itself a rather obscure system).  98PaceCar and I have never seen one of these for sale in all of our combined years of collecting hardware.  This may be a questionable entry to this list since there is some speculation if this system was actually sold for retail.  I can not even guess what it would take to acquire one of these beasts.  If you were married to Jessica Biel, expect to pimp her for a good two years straight to pay for this peach. 
 

01.  RDI Halcyon

 
For the console collector, there are no systems that will match the rarity of the RDI Halcyon. If you are fortunate enough to locate one, it will be the centerpiece of any collection.  Little is known about the true production of the system and it is a non-confirmed rumor that the system was even available at retail. Current information tells us that no more than 10 units were built for the investors of the company, all of them by hand.  It doesn't get any better than this folks - welcome to the true holy grail of video game hardware!!
 

 
 Did We Miss Any Consoles from our Two Part Series?
 

   Happy Hunting!!