Arcadia 2001
Encyclopedia
The Arcadia 2001 is a second-generation 8-bit
console released by Emerson Radio Corp. The game library was composed of 51 unique games and about 10 variations. The graphic quality is similar to that of the Intellivision
and the Odyssey²
.
The Arcadia was not named after the company of the same name. Arcadia Corporation, manufacturer of the 2600 supercharger
, was sued by Emerson for trademark infringement. Arcadia Corporation then changed its name to Starpath
. Emerson licensed the Arcadia 2001 worldwide, and over 30 Arcadia clones exist.
The system came with two Intellivision
-style control pads, but with a lighter touch on the side 'fire' buttons. The control pads have screw holes in their centers, so that one could transform them into a joystick, as with the later Sega Master System
's controller. Most games came with mylar overlays which could be applied to the controllers. The console itself had five buttons: power, start, reset, option, and select.
There are at least three different types of cartridge case styles and artwork, with variations on each. Emerson-family carts come in two different lengths of black plastic cases; the short style is similar to Atari 2600 carts in overall size. This family uses a unique "sketch" type of picture label. MPT-03 family cart cases (see below) resemble Super NES carts in size and shape, except that they are molded in brown plastic. Their labels look much more modern and stylized, with only a minimal picture on each. There is also a family of what seems pirate carts, that look nothing like the others in shape, size or label artwork. The different labeled versions, however, all used the same cartridges.
. The system came out at nearly the same time as the Atari 5200
and the ColecoVision
were released. In addition, Atari's use of exclusive rights to many games made it virtually impossible for Emerson to get popular games to the console.
Emerson actually created many popular arcade titles including Pac-Man
, Galaxian
and Defender
for the Arcadia and had them manufactured. However, Atari started to sue its competitor companies for releasing games to which it had exclusive-rights agreements and Emerson was left with thousands of manufactured games that could no longer be sold.
8-bit
The first widely adopted 8-bit microprocessor was the Intel 8080, being used in many hobbyist computers of the late 1970s and early 1980s, often running the CP/M operating system. The Zilog Z80 and the Motorola 6800 were also used in similar computers...
console released by Emerson Radio Corp. The game library was composed of 51 unique games and about 10 variations. The graphic quality is similar to that of the Intellivision
Intellivision
The Intellivision is a video game console released by Mattel in 1979. Development of the console began in 1978, less than a year after the introduction of its main competitor, the Atari 2600. The word intellivision is a portmanteau of "intelligent television"...
and the Odyssey²
Magnavox Odyssey²
The Magnavox Odyssey², known in Europe as the Philips Videopac G7000, in Brazil as the Philips Odyssey, in the United States as the Magnavox Odyssey² and the Philips Odyssey², and also by many other names, is a video game console released in 1978.In the early 1970s, Magnavox was an innovator in the...
.
The Arcadia was not named after the company of the same name. Arcadia Corporation, manufacturer of the 2600 supercharger
Starpath Supercharger
The Starpath Supercharger was an add-on module created by Starpath to expand the game capabilities of the Atari 2600 video game console. The device resembled a long game cartridge with a handle on one end. The Supercharger interface multiplied the Atari 2600's RAM 49-fold, from its meager built-in...
, was sued by Emerson for trademark infringement. Arcadia Corporation then changed its name to Starpath
Starpath
Starpath was a U.S. company known for creating the Starpath Supercharger in 1982. The company was founded in 1981 under the name Arcadia Corporation, but it changed its name to Starpath shortly after for trademark reasons...
. Emerson licensed the Arcadia 2001 worldwide, and over 30 Arcadia clones exist.
Description
The Arcadia is much smaller than its contemporary competitors and is powered by a standard 12-volt power supply so it can be used in a boat or a vehicle. This portability feature, however, requires a portable television, which was extremely rare in the early 1980s. It also has two outputs (or inputs) headphone jacks on the back of the unit, on the far left and far right sides.The system came with two Intellivision
Intellivision
The Intellivision is a video game console released by Mattel in 1979. Development of the console began in 1978, less than a year after the introduction of its main competitor, the Atari 2600. The word intellivision is a portmanteau of "intelligent television"...
-style control pads, but with a lighter touch on the side 'fire' buttons. The control pads have screw holes in their centers, so that one could transform them into a joystick, as with the later Sega Master System
Sega Master System
The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe....
's controller. Most games came with mylar overlays which could be applied to the controllers. The console itself had five buttons: power, start, reset, option, and select.
There are at least three different types of cartridge case styles and artwork, with variations on each. Emerson-family carts come in two different lengths of black plastic cases; the short style is similar to Atari 2600 carts in overall size. This family uses a unique "sketch" type of picture label. MPT-03 family cart cases (see below) resemble Super NES carts in size and shape, except that they are molded in brown plastic. Their labels look much more modern and stylized, with only a minimal picture on each. There is also a family of what seems pirate carts, that look nothing like the others in shape, size or label artwork. The different labeled versions, however, all used the same cartridges.
Market Failure
The Emerson version of the console was essentially considered dead on arrival in the USAUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The system came out at nearly the same time as the Atari 5200
Atari 5200
The Atari 5200 SuperSystem, commonly known as the Atari 5200, is a video game console that was introduced in 1982 by Atari Inc. as a higher end complementary console for the popular Atari 2600...
and the ColecoVision
ColecoVision
The ColecoVision is Coleco Industries' second generation home video game console which was released in August 1982. The ColecoVision offered arcade-quality graphics and gaming style, and the means to expand the system's basic hardware...
were released. In addition, Atari's use of exclusive rights to many games made it virtually impossible for Emerson to get popular games to the console.
Emerson actually created many popular arcade titles including Pac-Man
Pac-Man
is an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution in the United States by Midway, first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. Immensely popular from its original release to the present day, Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games,...
, Galaxian
Galaxian
is an arcade game developed by Namco in 1979. It was published by Namco in Japan and was imported to North America by Midway in 1980. A fixed shooter-style game in which the player controls a spaceship at the bottom of the screen and shoots enemies descending in various directions, it was designed...
and Defender
Defender (game)
Defender is an arcade video game developed released by Williams Electronics in 1980. A shooting game featuring two-dimensional graphics, the game is set on a fictional planet where the player must defeat waves of invading aliens while protecting astronauts...
for the Arcadia and had them manufactured. However, Atari started to sue its competitor companies for releasing games to which it had exclusive-rights agreements and Emerson was left with thousands of manufactured games that could no longer be sold.
Variants
The Arcadia 2001 was licensed to many different companies and sold under different names. However, not all consoles are compatible due to differences in cart slots and cases.| Name | Manufacturer | Country | Compatibility family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advision Home Arcade | Advision |  |
Emerson console |
| Arcadia | Bandai |  |
Emerson console |
| Arcadia 2001 | Emerson |  |
Emerson console |
| Cosmos | Tele-Computer |  |
Emerson console |
| Dynavision | Morning-Sun Commerce | |
MPT-03 console |
| Ekusera | P.I.C. | |
MPT-03 console |
| Hanimex MPT-03 | Hanimex | |
MPT-03 console |
| HMG-2650 | Hanimex |  |
Emerson console |
| Home Arcade Centre | Hanimex | |
Emerson console |
| Intelligent Game MPT-03 | Intelligent Game | |
MPT-03 console |
| Intercord XL 2000 System | Intercord | |
Emerson console |
| Intervision 2001 | Intervision |  |
Ormatu console |
| ITMC MPT-03 | ITMC | |
MPT-03 console |
| Leisure-Vision | Leisure-Dynamics |  |
Emerson console |
| Leonardo | GiG Electronics |  |
Emerson console |
| Ormatu 2001 | Ormatu Electronics BV |  |
Ormatu console |
| Palladium Video Computer Game | Neckermann | |
Palladium console |
| Polybrain Video Computer Game | Polybrain | |
Palladium console |
| Poppy MPT-03 Tele Computer Spiel | Poppy | |
MPT-03 console |
| Prestige Video Computer Game MPT-03 | Prestige | |
MPT-03 console |
| Robdajet MPT-03 | |
MPT-03 console | |
| Rowtron 2000 | Rowtron |  |
MPT-03 console |
| Schmid TVG-2000 | Schmid | |
Emerson console |
| Sheen Home Video Centre 2001 | Sheen |  |
Ormatu console |
| Soundic MPT-03 | Soundic |  |
MPT-03 console |
| Tele Brain | Mr. Altus | |
Palladium console |
| Tele-Fever | Tchibo Tchibo Tchibo is a German chain of coffee shops and cafés, also known for its weekly-changing range of other products. The latter includes: clothing, household items, electronics and electrical appliances... |
|
Emerson console |
| Tempest MPT-03 | Tempest | |
MPT-03 console |
| Tobby MPT-03 | Tobby | Tobby | MPT-03 console |
| Trakton Computer Video Game | Trakton | |
Palladium console |
| Tryom Video Game Center | Tryom | |
MPT-03 console |
| Tunix Home Arcade | Monaco Leisure |  |
Emerson console |
| UVI Compu-Game | Orbit Electronics | |
Orbit console |
| Video Master | Grandstand | |
Orbit console |
Bandai Arcadia
In 1982 the Bandai Arcadia, a variant of the Emerson Arcadia 2001, was released in Japan by Bandai. There were four Japan-exclusive game releases developed by Bandai which were the only known Arcadia titles written by other companies than UA Ltd.- Doraemon
- Dr. Slump
- Mobile Soldier Gundam
- Super Dimension Fortress Macross
Technical specifications
- Main Processor: Signetics 2650Signetics 2650The Signetics 2650, was a very early 8-bit microprocessor. According to Adam Osborne's classic book An Introduction to Microprocessors Vol 2: Some Real Products, it was "the most minicomputer-like" of the microprocessors available at the time....
CPU running @ 3.58 MHz- Some variants run a SigneticsSigneticsSignetics, once a major player in semiconductor manufacturing, made a variety of devices which included integrated circuits, bipolar and MOS, the Dolby circuit, logic, memory and analog circuits. They developed microprocessors like the 2650, the bipolar 8X300 and had licensed Motorola 68000...
2650A
- Some variants run a Signetics
- RAM: 512 bytes
- ROM: None
- Video Display: 128 × 208 / 128 × 104, 8 Colours
- Video Display ControllerVideo Display ControllerA Video Display Controller or VDC is an integrated circuit which is the main component in a video signal generator, a device responsible for the production of a TV video signal in a computing or game system...
: SigneticsSigneticsSignetics, once a major player in semiconductor manufacturing, made a variety of devices which included integrated circuits, bipolar and MOS, the Dolby circuit, logic, memory and analog circuits. They developed microprocessors like the 2650, the bipolar 8X300 and had licensed Motorola 68000...
2637 UVI - Sound: Single Channel "Beeper" + Single Channel "Noise"
- Hardware Sprites: 4 independent, single color
- Controllers: 2 × 2 way
- Keypads: 2 × 12 button (more buttons on some variants)
Games
Many of the games for the Arcadia 2001 are ports of lesser-known arcade games such as Route 16 and Jungler.- 3-D Bowling - a Bowling game released for the Arcadia by Emerson Radio Corp. in 1982.
- 3-D Raceway - 3D Raceway
- 3-D Soccer - a Soccer game released by Emerson Radio Corp. for the Arcadia in 1982.
- Alien Invaders - is a Shoot-'Em-Up game released by Emerson Radio Corp. for the Arcadia in 1982.
- Astro InvaderAstro InvaderAstro Invader was the first arcade game ever released by Stern Electronics. It debuted in the summer of 1980. It was an American adaptation of Konami's Kamikaze, released in Japan in 1979...
- American Football - is a Football game released by Emerson Radio Corp. for the Arcadia in 1982.
- Baseball
- Brain Quiz
- Breakaway
- Capture
- Cat Trax
- Crazy Gobbler
- Crazy ClimberCrazy Climberis a coin-operated arcade game produced by Nichibutsu in 1980. It was also released in North America by Taito America Corporation by UA Ltd. in 1982 for the Emerson Arcadia 2001 and other video game consoles. It is one of Nichibutsu's most highly-acclaimed video games in its library...
(unreleased) - Escape
- Funky Fish
- GalaxianGalaxianis an arcade game developed by Namco in 1979. It was published by Namco in Japan and was imported to North America by Midway in 1980. A fixed shooter-style game in which the player controls a spaceship at the bottom of the screen and shoots enemies descending in various directions, it was designed...
- Grand Prix 3-D
- Grand Slam Tennis
- Hobo
- Home Squadron
- Jump Bug
- Jungler
- Kidou Senshi Gundamu (only in Japan)
- Math Logic
- Missile War
- Ocean Battle
- Pleiades
- RD2 Tank
- Red Clash
- Robot Killer (clone of BerzerkBerzerkBerzerk is a multi-directional shooter video arcade game, released in 1980 by Stern Electronics of Chicago.-Gameplay:The player controls a green stick-figure, representing a "humanoid." Using a joystick , the player navigates a simple maze filled with many robots, who fire lasers back at the...
) - Route 16
- Soccer
- Space Attack
- Space Chess
- Space Mission
- Space Raiders
- Space Squadron
- Space Vultures
- Spiders
- Star Chess
- Super Bug
- Super Gobbler
- Tanks A Lot
- The End
- TurtlesTurtles (video game)Turtles is a 1981 arcade game. It was developed by Konami and published by Stern and Sega. The game was then ported to the Magnavox Odyssey² and the Entex Adventure Vision in 1982...
/Turpin
Emulation
- WinArcadia and AmiArcadia emulators.
- The Emerson Arcadia 2001 Emulator The first (DOS) emulator.
- MESS: Multiple Emulator Super System.
External links
- Emerson Arcadia 2001 Central.
- Emerson Arcadia 2001 Gaming Guide.
- The Dot Eaters entry on the Arcadia 2001.
- www.old-computers.com Emerson Arcadia 2001 museum entry.
- www.old-computers.com Article about Arcadia 2001 and "clones".
- MESS wiki Arcadia 2001 documentation and games snapshots