Epoch Cassette Vision
Developer: Epoch
Year Released: 1981
Generation: 2nd
A cartridge-based console released by Epoch in Japan. The term “cassette” is a contemporary synonym for “ROM cartridge”, not to be confused with the magnetic cassette tape format. It was one of the first cartridge system released in Japan and had almost no real competitor until the launch of the Nintendo Famicom in 1983. The system had a strange design. Instead of a controller the console had four knobs attached to it. Each player controlled two knobs each, one for horizontal movement and one for vertical. There were also four fire buttons labelled PUSH-1,2,3 and 4. The original Epoch Cassette Vision was only released in Japan and did not sell well.