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Takara \ Bandai Video Challenger
| Type |
Console |
Developer |
TakaraTomy |
| Release Date |
1987 |
Region(s) |
Japan, Canada, UK |
| Initial Price |
$99 USD |
Games Released |
7 |
|
 |
 MG FACTS
by Marriott_Guy |
The most common media forms for games in the 1980s was the cartridge, but developers conceived the idea of using VHS video cassettes
as a new form of game media.
A company called Worlds of Wonder first introduced the "VHS Console" in 1987 with their system named the
Action Max. TakaraTomy
(now simply Tomy) followed suite with their own version calling it the Video Challenger. Like the Action Max, this system required the owner to own a VCR.
All games were shooters that took advantage of the console's light gun, called the Challenge Blaster. The light gun fired an
infrared beam that gave off the impression that you were shooting the onscreen characters (like the Decpticons from the Transformers).
Likewise the onscreen characters could return fire (registered by a sensor on the light gun). The more of the villains you hit,
the higher your score. Get clipped by a baddie, your score would decrease. The results were displayed on a register on the
Challenge Blaster.
A total of seven (7) games were released for the Video Challenger:
After Burner
Cobra Command
Godzilla Challenge 1 & 2
Road Blaster
Sky Wars
Space Challenge
Turtle Challenge (UK exclusive) |
 |
The Video Challenger was distributed by TakaraTomy (Japan), Bandai (Japan and the UK), GiG (Brazil) and Irwin Toy (Canada). This
console was marketed as a toy (and rightly so), but nonetheless is a system that is rather rare and should be considered by console
collectors.
|
 MODELS
Officially licensed releases |
|
Bandai Video Challenger |
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Irwin Toy Video Challenger |
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GiG Video Challenger |
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|
 CLONES
Non-licensed hardware releases |
No clones were released for this system.
|
 FORMAT, PACKAGING & GENERAL INFO
Interesting facts on software for this system |
Software for the Video Challenger was distributed on VHS tapes. The cardboard casing is the same style and
thickness of any other media that was released in the VHS format.
The graphics on the front cover feature a game screen shot along with some promotional text.
Each regain differed in the presentation, though the Video Challenger logo was used consistently utilized. Some sample game
play videos are listed below. |
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|
 SCREENSHOTS
Captured in-game images |
After Burner
  |
Road Blaster
  |
Space Challenge
 
|
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|
 EMULATION
First and third party system emulators |
No emulators have been released for this system.
|
 SPECS & MANUALS
For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love. |
| Processor Type |
Processor
Speed |
Other
Processor Information |
RAM \ Video RAM |
| HD401010 (8-bit) |
4 MHz |
None |
32 bytes |
|
Screen Resolution
|
Color Palette
|
Polygons \ Sprites
|
Audio |
320 x 200 NTSC
320 x 256 PAL |
N\A |
N\A |
Internal (blips) |
|
Media Format
|
Media Capacity
|
Games Released
|
Other Supported Formats
|
|
VHS Cassette Tape |
90 minutes |
7 |
None |
|
Internal Storage
|
External \ Removable Storage
|
Game Controllers
|
Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
|
|
1 KB ROM |
None |
Light Gun |
None |
| Controller Ports |
Network Ports |
Other Ports
|
Audio \ Video
|
|
None (the system is the controller) |
None |
None |
Composite |
|
Power Supply - External
|
Other Outputs
|
Other Details \ Notes
|
|
Four (4) AA batteries |
None |
VHS tape
delivers stereo sound through the television |
| Manuals |
|
Not available. Can you help us out? You will definitely receive full credit for your contribution. Email
MG@videogameconsolelibrary.com. |
|
 WEB RESOURCES
Highly recommended websites for this system |
Transformers Wiki
Great resource for this oddity |
Everything2
Review of the system and software
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2010s - NOTES
DISCUSS