SHG Black Point FS 1003/FS 2000

Lore & Background

The SHG Black Point FS 1003/FS 2000 was released in 1982 as the third model in SHG's Black Point line. Two models exist: the FS-1003 and the FS-2000, both bearing the name SHG Black Point. The console features ten buttons on the housing to select games from cartridges, along with a difficulty switch, an on/off switch, and a start button. It uses detachable analog game controllers with one fire button each. The system relies on PC-50x cartridges that contain the AY-3-8xxx chip, as the console itself has no CPU or RAM. A cartridge with ten variations of Pong was included with the console. Games were sold for approximately 50 to 80 DM (about 50 to 75 € in 2020).

Reader's Guide

The SHG Black Point FS 1003/FS 2000 represents a transitional design in early home video game consoles, bridging dedicated Pong-style systems and programmable cartridge-based platforms. By using PC-50x cartridges that housed the entire processing chip, the console avoided the cost of a built-in CPU while still offering game variety through swappable cartridges. Its limited release only in Germany and its manufacture by Radofin (Hong Kong) place it within the broader ecosystem of first-generation consoles that licensed the AY-3-8xxx chipset. The system's two models (FS-1003 and FS-2000) differ primarily in power supply requirements, with the FS-2000 also supporting battery operation. The known library of seven or eight cartridges includes sports, racing, and shooting themes, typical of the era. The console's obscurity today stems from its regional exclusivity and the rapid obsolescence of first-generation hardware following the arrival of second-generation systems.

Did You Know?

• The console has no CPU or RAM; game logic is contained entirely on the cartridge via an AY-3-8xxx chip.
• The FS-2000 can be powered by six 1.5 V batteries or a 9-11 V adapter.