Retro|Spective 218: Hardware

[Neon Ignition]

Had a check and both joysticks pop out of the console, you have to feed the wire back into the unit through a hole which I guess keeps things tidy but feels like a faff. The reliance on new models was clearly a barrier, these all came out in quick succession

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 45 - Bandai TV Jack 5000 Blue
Oddly enough, this bold coloured variant of the 5000 is actually the main model with the brown version above being much rarer.



Love a Bit of Blue?

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 46 - Bandai TV Jack 1000 Black Edition
The original version of Bandai's console recieved a rarer variant, the same in design and content but in a harder to source colouring




Does Black Make For the Systems Best Look?

[jonathan_ingram]

I absolutely cannot wait til we exit the Bandai TV Jack rut

[Neon Ignition]

The TV Jack is very nearly done... but Bandai is not

[jonathan_ingram]

The TV Jack is very nearly done... but Bandai is not

If it's all the Wonderswan revisions then I am absolutely here for that

[egparadigm]

If it's all the Wonderswan revisions then I am absolutely here for that

Wishful thinking. 🤣

[Yakumo]

It will be that apple pippin thing 😉

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 47 - Bandai TV Jack Super 8000
The final of the TV Jacks, this was the true next gen version of the console even though the entire line up fell within just a two year period. The 8000 contained seven games which came on interchangeable cartridges.



Did you ever experience the 8000 and was it their finest hour for design?

[Yakumo]

Wow, Bandai sure did flood the market with all those TV Jack's. I can't imagine they sold that well.

[egparadigm]

Hardware 47 - Bandai TV Jack Super 8000
The final of the TV Jacks

Like when your cat decides it hasn't quite finished vomiting and decides the last bit should go on your nice, new rug.

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 48 - Bandai RX-78
Coming four years after the TV Jack series, the RX-78 was a microcomputer with a whopping 30KB of RAM.



What are your thoughts of the design of the RX-78?

[Yakumo]

Gundam inspired name for sure.

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 49 - Bandai RX-78 Tele-Fever
A slightly earlier version of the console, this clunkier model comes in two parts



Classic retro design or clunky mess?

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 50 - Bandai RX-78 Sportston
The last of the RX systems we'll be looking at, this one heralded in the start of the dial based systems for Bandai but with some corporate branded flavour added as well.



Thirsty for this design?