Epoch Game Pocket Computer

The Epoch Game Pocket Computer is a handheld game console released by Epoch in Japan in 1984. It was one of the very few truly handheld systems to be released in the early 1980s, preceding the Game Boy by 5 years. The Game Pocket Computer used an LCD screen with a 75 X 64 resolution, and could produce graphics at about the same level as early Atari 2600 games. The system was a failure in Japan, 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 brightness could be adjusted by the user. Possibly due to its failure in Japan, the Game Pocket Computer was never released in North America. The unit is extremely rare, and units on eBay can go for hundreds of dollars, when and if they turn up. Except for their moderately successful Cassette Vision, Epoch had no other released systems.

Games

*Astro Bomber
*Block Maze
*Mahjong
*Reversi
*Sokoban

Internal programs

*11-puzzle
*Paint program

External links

* [http://www.epoch.gr.jp/ Epoch's official website]
* [http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Epoch/GamePock.htm Pictures and info about the Game Pocket Computer]
* [http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Epoch/ Other handheld games made by Epoch]
* [http://www.miniarcade.com/epoch/pgc.htm More pictures and info for the Game Pocket Computer]