[img width=300 align=right]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/hardware/J-136/bf/J-136-H-00010-A.jpg[/img]Casio of Japan, a successful electronics manufacturer, released their first video game console, the Casio PV-1000 in October of 1983 for 14,8000 yen ($129 USD). Debuting against the likes of the Sega SG-1000 and the Nintendo Famicom, this extremely rare and obscure system rapidly was an afterthought and not to be seen on video game store shelves shortly after its release.
The PV-1000 itself is not unattractive and the housing feels very well constructed utilizing thick, durable plastics. Dark-teal in color and rectangular in shape, the soft, curved molding culminates with the game cartridge tier. The front inputs are simple but elegant - two joystick ports are centered in the front of the unit face. The back features the same no-nonsense approach with the power connection and RF connectors anchoring the far left and right. The power toggle switch is located on the right side and there is a port on the left side of the system that resembles a PC connector of some sort (use unknown to me). Overall, the PV-1000 design is sleek, unobtrusive and modern compared to its counterparts.
[img width=300 align=left]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/hardware/J-136/bb/J-136-H-00010-A.jpg[/img]
Powered by a Z80A micro-processor at 3.5Mhz and 2Kb of RAM, this engine was able to display games at a resolution of 256 x 192 pixels in 8 colors. Games were released on cartridges approximately the size of Nintendo Famicom carts. A total of 15 games were released for this system, mostly ports of earlier Casio releases for MSX compatible computers including Pooyan, Amidar, Tutankhamon and Dig-Dug. Overall video quality is comparable to the Colecovision. Game control is driven through a solid joystick featuring one (1) fire button at the top of the it along with a 'start', 'select' and a large auxillary button at it's base (packed in with the system). Casio also produced the PV-2000 in December 1983, which was a computer version of the PV-1000. Both the PV-1000 and PV-2000 joysticks are compatible though the game cartridges are not.
Overall, the Casio PV-1000 was a below average system 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 was released solely in Japan for a short period of time. I do not have a recommendation for price since I have only seen one of these systems once for sale - the one pictured in this review. Be prepared to invest heavily if you do wish to pursue - games are just as scarce and pricey.
[img width=300 align=right]http://www.rfgeneration.com/images/hardware/C-142/bf/C-142-H-00010-A.jpg[/img]
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. This system is often mistaken as a
SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) clone due to both the physical design and the processor powering this unit. A closer inspection of this rare oddity reveals a different picture.
Appearing just at the end of the hugely successful 16-bit era, the
Super A'Can utilizes dual Motorola processors to deliver its gaming experience. The first of these central processing units (CPU) was the 16-bit Motorola 68000, which was also the driving core used in the
Sega Genesis and
Neo Geo AES systems. The 8-bit Motorola 6502, which originally debuted inside the
NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), comprised the second CPU. This dual engine rendered games using a 32,768 color palette and was quite powerful compared to the rest of the 16-bit systems. This processing power would have been a significant advantage for the
Super A'Can if this console was released in 1989 instead of 1995. 32-bit technology was already being fully utilized within the gaming market at the time of its release and the
Super A'Can was technologically obsolete before it hit the store shelves.
The twelve (12) confirmed games, with an additional nine (9) rumored to be in existence, were released in rather large,
SNES-like cartridges. Games came presented in flamboyant, cardboard boxes which included a plastic game holder and instruction manual (also well presented). This matched the fun and playful design of the systems packaging. Overall game graphics and play are very similar to the
Neo Geo and
SNES. Bold, vibrant colors are pleasantly displayed in 2D environments. One of the best games for this system is
C.U.G., a
Super Mario type clone. The complete list of
confirmed games for the
Super A'Can :
[img width=300 align=left]http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/images/1990s/95_Funtech_Super_ACan/95_Funtech_Super_ACan_Games.jpg[/img]
- BoomZoo
- C.U.G.
- Dragon Force
- Formosa Duel
- Gambling Lord
- Magic-Stick Billiards
- Monopoly: Adventure in Africa
- Rebel Star
- Sango Fighter
- Sonic Flying Dragon
- Super Taiwanese Baseball League
- The Son of Evil
The
Super A'Can failed miserably due to utilizing outdated technology and being initially offered for sale at an exorbitant price. Very few of these systems were sold, and it has been reported that
Funtech Entertainment Corporation lost $6 million USD in this venture. Unsold units were disassembled and were parted out to various companies in the USA and abroad.
Collecting for this console is an expensive proposition, due to the limited number of units that were purchased and the exclusivity to the Taiwanese market. Expect to invest heavily if pursing this console - $100/$150 USD for a loose system, $250 USD plus for complete in box (CIB). Unfortunately, games are more rare that the system itself and usually run around $50 a piece for the common games more for the more elusive titles.
Super A'Can systems and games are most commonly found from Taiwanese sellers. Shipping costs to the USA will run you a few dollars, but overall are quite reasonable compared to other countries.
Overall, the
Super A'Can is a pretty rare console solely due to its failure in the gaming industry. There is nothing extraordinary about the system or the game library for it. Only serious console/game collectors should pursue purchasing the
Super A'Can - the system itself does not warrant the high investment by the casual gamer.
