The best 5 VFD table top handheld games ever made
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5 жыл бұрынThis video shows you the best 5 handheld /table top games with a Vacuum Fluorescent Display ever made.
Number 5 Gakken/Lansay Crazy Kong: 0:06
Number 4 Parker Brothers Q*bert: 3:22
Number 3 Gakken/CGL Konami Amidar: 6:26
Number 2 Bandai FL Burgertime: 10:17
Number 1 Epoch Astro Thunder 7 aka Grandstand/I.T.M.C Firefox 7: 16:01
I'm writing a book, 2kB of Fun, on the first handheld video gaming era from 1976-1985. The title refers to the average ROM size these games had.
There is also a version of this video with Dutch subtitles. I still have to find out how to make SRT's, so now they are hard-baked, but that might be welcome for silent watching in silence.
When you look closely at the background, you see more items that will come up in future video's, like the Vectrex, the Korg PSS-50 Super Section, some vintage drum machines and synthesizers.
I'm wearing a Uniqlo Pac-Man 30th aniversary T-shirt from Tokyo 2009.
@OTTOgraphd 5 жыл бұрын
Great reviews with gameplay! But where's 6-10 of the best??? MOAR! ... please. :)
@2kBofFun 5 жыл бұрын
I have a runner up list.... Guess which ones are on that!
@andrerussell28 5 жыл бұрын
Fantastic video mate, really enjoyed that. They all still look incredibly good fun even after 35 years of new technology to contend with.
@2kBofFun 5 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@schmitty1944 10 ай бұрын
Totally agree with your #1 pick. Amazing game with a lot of variety and great sounds. One small correction the tune when you first turn it on is from Thunderbirds not Star Wars, although there is a Star wars song later in the game.
@andyfranklin5004 9 ай бұрын
Great video! I was always fascinated as a kid when friends had them around the house!
@buckbo3426 3 жыл бұрын
Great video. I hope that you create more. I would agree 100% about Burgertime. The game is beautiful looking and plays fantastic. I have one as well, but the box condition is only fair-good. Yours is in amazing condition. I would love to see more of your collection!
@buckbo3426 3 жыл бұрын
I forgot to mention that I also collect boxed or sealed blister-packed vintage electronic games.
@Beamerverleih2012 5 жыл бұрын
this is absolutely great, thank you! very informative and very cool how you managed to record the gameplay. im a tabletop addict and i WILL buy your book.
@MackDaddi 5 жыл бұрын
This video is great, I really liked the detailed explanation of the rules/instructions of each game and the different game modes. That's really helpful for those who don't have them. Also, the close-up gameplay of each game is very good. As a collector and repairer of such games. I only have the top 2. I need to work on getting 3-5. Thanks for making this video.
@Synthematix 28 күн бұрын
Super cobra and crazy climber were my favourites
@RetroRey16 10 ай бұрын
Great video and my gem from my small collection of CIB vintage electronic handheld games is Bandai Machine Man that's built like a tank, loud sound and bright VFD display. Lucky to buy new old stock condition 12 yrs ago. Subbed from Canada!
@2kBofFun 10 ай бұрын
Your name sounds familiar. handheldmuseum.com or ebay seller?
@PiepsiPanic 5 жыл бұрын
Awesome video, Martijn!! I stopped collecting since I'm running out of space and nowadays the prices are just insane. :-/ Hope to get Burgertime some day, I always wanted one but never managed to get one. You're absolutely right with number one, I own two of them, both boxed: Astro Thunder 7 (poor box condition) and Firefox F7 (by the German brand "Schuco Tronic" - a super rare version of Astro Thunder 7 / Firefox F7!). I so love that VFD game! Hope to read your book someday ... count me in for your first edition!
@24theMoney 5 ай бұрын
Very cool games
@fanmercer 3 ай бұрын
I agree firefox f7 or astro thunder was number 1. Incredible multi levels and game play
@rollergoalie16 7 ай бұрын
I think Coleco's Frogger deserves a spot in the top 5. It's hands down one of the best translations from arcade to home tabletop in my opinion.
@2kBofFun 7 ай бұрын
I've the Gakken. I had plans to put it in a video with positions 6-10.
@maxwarfield6699 5 жыл бұрын
Awesome video - make more! Cheers!
@2kBofFun 5 жыл бұрын
Any requests?
@CharleeBee 3 жыл бұрын
Great to see Crazy Kong, my first game ever, only in UK I think it was called Super Kong. Btw the intro music for the Firefox game is from Thunderbirds, a classic UK marionette sci-fi show.
@Reaperman4711 4 жыл бұрын
I love this video, and I think I now have some more VFD's to buy. I think Amidar's probably my #1, but you're right about Astro Thunder being an incredible value and gateway product. I haven't played the rest, of your top list. As for coleco, Alien Attack is the one that grabbed me the most, but I hear the Japan/Euro versions are much trickier (if a bit uglier). Amazing footage of the displays, BTW.
@Dauerbomber 5 жыл бұрын
Nice video. I am a collector of those games, too ;-)
@2kBofFun 5 жыл бұрын
How many do you have? Especially VFD or also LCD?
@Dauerbomber 5 жыл бұрын
@@2kBofFun i guess about 350 or more. Both, LCD and VFD. Totally love those games ;-)
@mrjohntheo154 Ай бұрын
A good list but honourable mentions for me have to include Tomy Tron, Entex Arcade Defender, Coleco Frogger / CGL Frogger, Entex Cobra Command. All excellent for me. Frogger wins for best conversion from arcade after Amidar. Please do a top 10 with your collection.
@randycharlesjohnson6248 3 ай бұрын
My favorite VFD game is Scramble by Tomy.
@jasonturner2476 4 жыл бұрын
I have the Radio Shack Astro Thunder version and I agree it's darn great. Opinions vary, but on my list would be Tomytronic Tron (hard though) and Scramble. Scramble is just one I don't get tired of playing. I have some others too in my collection.
@PSVitaFan 2 жыл бұрын
The Coleco tabletop games had a power adapter the power adapter consisted of 4 C cell looking adapters and would be put into the battery compartment and hooked up to a power adapter then the wire would come out of the battery cover and then the adapter would plug into the wall The adapter was called the Prima power adapter
@2kBofFun 2 жыл бұрын
I know, but that solution sucked big time compared to the elegant "Gakken Puck Monster" way of doing things: same as Bandai, Bambino, Tomy etc. used to offer adapter ports.
@rollergoalie16 7 ай бұрын
Coleco Perma Power.
@broken1394 Жыл бұрын
The best one i've played would be DK jr tabletop - great playability. I have the AMIDAR and have owned Q*Bert. Would love try Burgertime - that must be pricey to get now. I've had some of the Coleco's and they look much better than they play imo - still would like to try the Frogger out - that one looks really good. Great collection! 🙋🏻♂️
@2kBofFun Жыл бұрын
This is only a small part of the collection. I've over 100 VFD games. I also have DK JR, it is not included as that is an LCD game.
@wolfcanine100 Жыл бұрын
those color lcd screens that nintendo used were good enough to fool you into thinking it was a vfd tbh. lol
@gamesyouloved 3 жыл бұрын
Astro Wars! ;)
@lovemadeinjapan 2 жыл бұрын
Great visuals of the gameplay. How were they filmed? We need these viauals for the MAME emulation instead of the crappy SVG images.
@2kBofFun 2 жыл бұрын
All with the cabinet removed, so no fresnel lenses are in between, using a macro-lens.
@retroelectrical 3 жыл бұрын
Great video, but where is Tomy's Tron? That was one of the most complicated VFD games ever. Also, what about Tomy's amazing 3D binocular games?
@2kBofFun 3 жыл бұрын
Tron had a very cool appearance, but I found the gameplay rather simple. It was quite amazing they managed to fit 3 different games in a single screen layout. The binocular games are cool too, especially the stereo one Skyfighters.
@schmitty1944 10 ай бұрын
The binocular games are great but they are LCD not VFD, This video is specifically top 5 VFD games.
@georgeloizou2484 4 жыл бұрын
What are your thoughts on Entex Stargate? That's definitely one of my favorite vfd games . Firefox f7 is also one of my favorites. Out of all my collection Firefox and stargate have the best sound effects . Another one that deserves a mention is grandstand Starforce, that has great graphics and a large display . Also how about Rosy 3d games such as Astro Vader/attack, simply amazing but definitely not cheap or easy to find .
@2kBofFun 4 жыл бұрын
Guess you mean Grandstand Starforce? Stargate is definitely cool on the sound effects, but Entex was fan of using high sprite counts with little detail. Guess Stargate has 400 sprites, but most are simple dots and lines. Epoch on the other hand was using low amounts of highly detailed sprites, if you see Fight of the Titans for example, it has very detailed sprites. I chose Firefox as best as it combines a lot of excellent stuff: big multi-colour sprites, multiple stages, great tunes and sound effects, challenging but also open to get better.
@georgeloizou2484 4 жыл бұрын
@@2kBofFun yeah I too think Firefox is amazing. You are right about Entex graphics style being simpler in design which feels to me as if they were aimed at a older age group (which of course wasn't the case ). Galaxian2 had nice graphics though even though still simple . What are your thoughts on super-cobra by Entex?
@VectrexForever 4 жыл бұрын
What voltage are you using for Amidar? I tried 6 volts but that doesn't work. I don't want to try a voltage that is too high. I have Gakken Jungler as well, which also has really cool gameplay. I have Firefox F-7 and really like the sounds and graphics. I just played my Tomy Alien Attack tabletop yesterday, a Scramble clone, and the secret base fades in as well, I had never seen that effect before on a VFD display (guess I didn't get that far on Firefox F-7). I really like the gameplay of Bandai Frisky Tom. Other VFD games I have are Tomy Tron and Kingman, Bandai Zaxxon and Packri Monster, Entex Galaxian II, Super Cobra, Defender and Pac Man II, Tandy Alien Chase and Gakken Paint Roller.
@2kBofFun 4 жыл бұрын
6V is the recommended voltage, but I run them all on obsolete 5V phone chargers I swapped the plug on.
@VectrexForever 4 жыл бұрын
@@2kBofFun Thanks for the quick answer! How odd that both Amidar and Jungler won't work on 6 volts with a 2.5mm plug here, tried both polarities. The same plug works fine on my other games.
@2kBofFun 4 жыл бұрын
@@VectrexForever Guess the plug on the game is bad. They have a switch mech, that disconnects the battery when a plug is in, and they can be heavily corroded after those years. You could swap it with a fresh one, or try to clean it in some cola.
@VectrexForever 4 жыл бұрын
@@2kBofFun Thanks for the tip! That could very well be it. I need to open it up and have a look at it. Going to get my Gakken Paint Roller looked at in a few hours, it still looks like new, in box with manual, but has never worked, which is why I got it for only 6 Euro :^) Hopefully they will be able to figure out what is wrong with it.
@VectrexForever 4 жыл бұрын
To give an update on this, they did get it working! Three people of a retro computer museum/club nearby looked at it and figured out which component had gone bad. They replaced it with a similar one, but it runs too hot. I ordered a correct replacement for it, but still have to put it in there, hopefully that one won't run hot, otherwise something else is wrong with it.
@Ni5ei 5 жыл бұрын
I have a couple of VFD tabletops and also love my Firefox F7 the best! I have the Grandstand version which I believe was manufactured for the UK. I have a spare boxed version of Tandy Caveman for sale. Interested? In fact I'm considering selling all my VFD and LED handhelds and tabletops. I'm in the Netherlands.
@2kBofFun 5 жыл бұрын
Can't find any contact info on your channel. Can you contact me through the FB page?
@Ni5ei 5 жыл бұрын
@@2kBofFun sent you an email.
@Elvis-guy1973 8 ай бұрын
Your top 5 game was named Firefox in the UK.
@2kBofFun 8 ай бұрын
I think I have a Grandstand Firefox version as well.
@Elvis-guy1973 8 ай бұрын
@@2kBofFun Really good game.
@Beamerverleih2012 5 жыл бұрын
qbert is cool, but the crazy kong i do not like too much.. I think Gakken Frogger and tomy caveman are still some of the best games, even if they are not rare at all, and also some of the entex games. .... and really need a burger time..... please sell me one!
@BreakingBatman187 3 жыл бұрын
I always hated Q-bert. I didn't understand it then I don't understand it now. I did like the Q-bert cartoon on Saturday Supercade though.
@2kBofFun 3 жыл бұрын
The VFD version is lovely though!
@wolfcanine100 Жыл бұрын
by the way Astro Thunder is a secret clone of star wars the arcade game just don't let George Lucas know. lmao
@dallase1 5 жыл бұрын
Crazy Kong is Not better than the Coleco Donkey Kong.
@2kBofFun 5 жыл бұрын
In the video I say its my opinion: Coleco's is a PITA to steer, you easily fall off the sides. The display is less nice with minuscule sprites and only 2 colours. Sound is annoying as well, and no power socket to keep the batteries away. Easy win for Gakken IMO. Oh, and I hate decals. It must be hard to accept for Americans they were treated second class by Gakken, but it makes perfect sense from Gakken's perspective.
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