Epoch Game Pocket Computer

The Epoch Game Pocket Computer (Japanese: ゲームポケコン, Hepburn: Gēmupokekon) is a second-generation handheld game console released by Epoch Co. in Japan in 1984 for 12,800 Japanese yen.^[1] It is also known as Pokekon.^[2]

Epoch Game Pocket Computer

An Epoch Game Pocket Computer
Developer	Epoch Co.
Manufacturer	Epoch Co.
Type	Handheld game console
Generation	Second generation
Release date	1984; 41 years ago (1984)
Introductory price	¥12,800
Media	ROM cartridge
CPU	NEC μPD78C06 @ 6 MHz
Memory	2 KB
Display	Monochrome, 75 × 64 or 128 pixels
Sound	1 sound channel
Controller input	8-way joypad
Power	4 AA batteries

The system was a commercial failure in Japan,^[3] 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 contrast could be adjusted by the user. Input and output controls included four buttons, an 8-way joypad, a contrast dial, and a sound on-off switch.^[4]

Technical specifications

• LC display: monochrome, 75 × 64 pixels^{[2][5][4][3][6]}
• Power supply: 4 AA batteries^[2]
• Battery life: Not clear; >70 hours^[3] or 60 hours^[6]
• CPU: NEC μPD78C06 clocked at 6 MHz^[6]
• RAM: 2 KB^[2]
• ROM (cartridges): 8 or 16 KB^[2]
• Sound: 1 sound channel^[2]

Games

There were a total of 7 different games released for the system.

2 were built into the system.^[2] The Built-in Functions (本体内蔵機能, Hontai naizō kinō) cartridge included with the system only serves as instructions and to occupy the cartridge slot, containing no game data, as it doesn't need to be inserted into the system to play the games;

• Puzzle Game (パズルゲーム, Pazurugēmu), an 11 tile version of Fifteen puzzle.
• Graphics function (グラフィック機能, Gurafikku kinō), a Raster graphics editor paint program.

The other 5 were released separately^[2] for 2,980 Japanese yen each, excluding Pocket Computer Mahjong which was 3,800 yen;^[1]

• Astro Bomber (アストロボンバー, Asutorobombā)^[4]
• Block Maze (ブロックメイズ, Burokkumeizu)^[5]
• Pocket Computer Mahjong (ポケコンマージャン, Pokekon mājyan)^[4]
• Pocket Computer Reversi (ポケコンリバーシ, Pokekon ribāsi)^[5]
• Sokoban (倉庫番, sōko-ban)^[5]

See also

• Barcode Battler, another handheld game console released by Epoch Co.