Bally Astrocade
It was September 1977, Atari had already launched its famous console called VCS – Atari 2600 (click the link above), when Bally, pinball specialist (click the link above), decided to have its own game console market.
The first version first appeared under the name “Home Library Computer” and was only available by mail order. The manufacturing times do not allow deliveries before 1978
The console was commercially available in early 1978 for $ 299 under the name “Bally Professional Arcade”.
The console contains four games (Gunfight, Checkmate, Scribbler, Calculator), a calculator with a numeric keypad, and four controllers that resemble the handle of a revolver.
Bally sold the rights to Astrovision, which marketed the console in 1981 under the name “Bally Computer System”.
The name of the console was changed again to Astrocade in 1982 and that was until 1985.
If you want to review the manual, click HERE.
The console has an analog joystick controller that can move freely in any direction. There is an action button on the bottom of the controller. Each controller is individually numbered, but each controller can be connected to any port.
The console didn’t have much success, largely because of a mediocre advertising campaign.
We find the classic games of the time.
Here are some pictures of boxes.
The game “ICBM Attack” (research) is the copy of “Missile Command” on Atari 2600
Bottom left to right and top to bottom:
Artillery Duel – Cosmic Raider – Dogpatch – Galaxian
The Incredible Wizard – Muncher – Space Fortress – Shootout
To find out all about the games, click HERE.
To find out more about the console’s pricing, it is HERE.
For games click on HERE.
Offers are rather rare.
Video bonus:
