Epoch Game Pocket Computer

The Epoch Game Pocket Computer (Japanese: ゲームポケコン, Hepburn: Gēmupokekon) is a second-generation handheld game console released by Epoch Co. in Japan in 1984 for 12,000 Japanese yen.[1] It is also known as Pokekon[1] and was one of the very few truly handheld systems to be released in the early 1980s, preceding the Game Boy by 5 years.

Epoch Game Pocket Computer
An Epoch Game Pocket Computer
DeveloperEpoch Co.
ManufacturerEpoch Co.
TypeHandheld game console
GenerationSecond generation
Release date1984 (1984)
Introductory price¥12,000
MediaROM cartridge
CPUNEC D78C06 @ 6 MHz
Memory2 KB
DisplayMonochrome, 75 × 64 pixels
Sound1 sound channel
Controller input8-way joypad
Power4 AA batteries

The system was a bust in Japan,[2] and as a result, only 5 games were made for it. A puzzle game and a paint program were built into the system. It was powered by 4 AA batteries, and screen's contrast could be adjusted by the user. Input and output controls included four buttons, an 8-way joypad, a contrast dial, and a sound on-off switch.[3]

The Game Pocket Computer failed in Japan, and was never released internationally. The device is extremely rare, and units on eBay can go for hundreds of US dollars.

Technical specifications
  • LC display: monochrome, 75 × 64 pixels[1][4][3][2][5]
  • Power supply: 4 AA batteries[1]
  • Battery life: Not clear; >70 hours[2] or 60 hours[5]
  • CPU: NEC uPD78c06 clocked at 6 MHz[5]
  • RAM: 2 KB[1]
  • ROM (cartridges): 8 or 16 KB[1]
  • Sound: 1 sound channel[1]

Games

There were a total of 7 different games released for the system.

2 were built into the system.[1] The Built-in Functions (本体内蔵機能, Hontai naizō kinō) cartridge included with the system only serves as instructions and to occupy the cartridge slot, containing no game data, as it doesn't need to be inserted into the system to play the games;

  • Puzzle Game (パズルゲーム, Pazurugēmu), an 11 tile version of Fifteen puzzle.
  • Graphics function (グラフィック機能, Gurafikku kinō), a Raster graphics editor paint program.

The other 5 were released separately;[1]

  • Astro Bomber (アストロボンバー, Asutorobombā)[3]
  • Block Maze (ブロックメイズ, Burokkumeizu)[4]
  • Pocket Computer Mahjong (ポケコンマージャン, Pokekonmājyan)[3]
  • Pocket Computer Reversi (ポケコンリバーシ, Pokekonribāsi)[4]
  • Sokoban (倉庫番, sōko-ban)[4]

See also

References
  1. "Game Pocket Computer by Epoch – The Video Game Kraken". videogamekraken. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  2. "Epoch Game Pocket Computer [BINARIUM]". binarium.de. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  3. "1984 Game Pocket Computer and Cartridges". www.miniarcade.com.
  4. "Epoch Game Pocket Computer". www.handheldmuseum.com.
  5. "Chris Covell's Epoch Game Pocket Computer page". chrismcovell.com. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
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