Videocart-2 (Fairchild Channel F review)

Developer: Fairchild

Publisher: Fairchild

Released: 1976

 

Videocart-2 is a collection of two games based around the shooting genre.

 

First up is Desert Fox which is the precursor to Combat (1977, Atari 2600). It's multiplayer only and the aim is move your tank around the battlefield barriers and shoot your opponent; the winner is the player who scores the most points within the allotted time limit. Accidentally touching one of the five mines scattered around the screen affords your opponent one point so careful manoeuvring is required. The gameplay really shows off the strengths of the Fairchild controller, as you can simultaneously steer your tank while twisting the paddle to aim shots. It works brilliantly, and even though it only allows for 45° increments, being able to strafe in 1976 is seriously impressive! The game's competitive nature makes for some laugh-out-loud matches and the barriers add a good wrinkle to the gameplay, as you sometimes need to put yourself in danger to advance position. The only downside is the slightly dodgy collision detection around these barriers. Next up is Shooting Gallery where your objective is to fire balls from your stationary rifle and hit moving targets. The rifle is repositioned after each hit and you frequently have to use the walls to ricochet shots towards the target. Each game is timed (from 2-20 minutes) and your final score is displayed when the clock hits zero. For what is essentially a very basic game it's tons of fun due to the skill, precision and quick-second reactions it requires. This is especially true in the turn-based multiplayer mode as you race against the clock to rack up a high score. However, this is exactly the same game that appeared on Videocart-1 (1976, Fairchild Channel F) and it really has no business being here again.

 

Videocart-2 contains two excellent games with Arcade-style action, tight controls and superb multiplayer capabilities. It loses marks though due to the unnecessary rehash of Shooting Gallery, which, despite being a joy to play, has no new modes or gameplay mechanics to justify its inclusion on the first two Fairchild Channel F cartridges.

 

 

 

Random trivia: To further add to the Shooting Gallery anomaly, the first two Videocarts were released simultaneously in North America on December 31, 1976.

Videocart-1 (Fairchild Channel F review)

Developer: Fairchild

Publisher: Fairchild

Released: 1976

 

Videocart-1 consists of four titles and has the distinction of being the first programmable ROM cartridge in videogame history.

In Tic-Tac-Toe you play on a 3x3 grid and the winner is the first person to place three X's or O's in a row. The gameplay is mildly entertaining for a few goes but unfortunately there's no multiplayer. In single player, it's impossible to lose as you always move first allowing you to capture the top-corners for a quick win. A respectable rendition of the classic game but limited replayability. In Shooting Gallery the object is to hit as many targets as possible against the clock. Your rifle icon changes position after each hit and ricochets are frequently required. It's purely skill-based and combines split-second accuracy for some surprisingly enjoyable action; in fact, it reminds me of trick-shots in snooker! The timer adds some tension and there's even turn-based multiplayer. A simple, but addictive twitch-style game. Doodle is a sketching application with three colours and five pen sizes. The controls are okay but it's difficult to move diagonally with precision. There's also an issue when you stop drawing, as taking control of the cursor to move to another position overwrites part of what you've just sketched. Neat for the time but more of a novelty nowadays. Quadra-Doodle is a kaleidoscopic application where the computer creates patterns on-screen. It requires minimal input and your only participation is changing the background colour or line size. After a short while the overuse of lines spanning across three colours begins to look garish and cluttered to the point where it hurts your eyes! The patterns are randomised though and I like that you can import them into Doodle mode. However, it's pretty pointless these days unless you're really, really bored!

 

Videocart-1 is a sluggish first step in the Fairchild Channel F's library, as three quarters of what it has to offer is marginally entertaining at best. Still, Shooting Gallery is definitely worth playing if you're a fan of early Arcade blasters and its focus on multiplayer gives it a competitive edge that's missing in the cartridge's other titles.

 

 

 

Random trivia: In 1978, German electronics company SABA released a translated version of the cartridge alongside the console's launch in Germany.

Hockey / Tennis (Fairchild Channel F review)

Developer: Fairchild

Publisher: Fairchild

Released: 1976

Hockey / Tennis are Pong style clones that are both built into the Fairchild Channel F console.

The object is to score more goals than your opponent by batting a ball off a paddle until it lands behind them. In Hockey, the playfield is surrounded by walls (even on the vertical axis) and you control both an attacker and a goalie independently. In a brilliantly simple twist, you can change the angle of your paddle; this allows for some sharp angles where the ball bounces unpredictably, making the gameplay more fun and intense. Controlling the goalie with Up and Down on the plunge is a great idea but it's not particularly accurate. Another unique aspect is that you can move the paddle across the entire horizontal width. While this might sound like you can stand in front of your opponent's goal for many cheap points it actually adds another layer of strategy; that's because you leave yourself open to attack if you miss the ball, and have to rely on the imprecise goalie controls to deflect incoming shots! Overall, it's a unique version of Pong that you can sink a lot of time into. Tennis is a more traditional variation where you control a single paddle and only have to contend with walls on the horizontal axis. Although you can't twist the paddle, you can angle your shots depending on which part of the paddle the ball hits (e.g. the top and bottom force the ball to careen off at sharper angles). This adds a fun risk-reward element, as being successful can pay dividends, yet you chance missing the ball completely due to the pixel-perfect precision that's required! However, there's not much variety here; after a few games enthusiasm starts to wain and it's impossible to escape the feeling that you've seen it all before.

 

While Tennis is a perfectly good Pong clone, it's Hockey that's the clear star of the show due to its more substantial and innovative gameplay. Sure, it might use existing ideas but it also expands upon the formula and creates an engaging game that's perfect for multiplayer sessions. 

 

 

 

Random trivia: Few consoles had built-in games but notable ones include the Atari 7800 (Asteroids) and the Sega Master System (Alex Kidd, and others).