Super Cassette Vision
Epoch's 8-bit competitor to the Famicom and SG-1000.
The Super Cassette Vision is a home video game console developed by Epoch Co. and released in Japan on July 17, 1984, with a later release in France in 1984 under the Yeno brand. It was the successor to the Cassette Vision and competed with Nintendo's Family Computer and Sega's SG-1000 line in Japan.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Epoch Co.
- Generation
- Third
- Release Date
- JP · July 17, 1984 · EU · 1984
- Price
- ¥14,800
- Discontinued
- 1987
- Units Sold
- 300,000
- Media
- ROM cartridge
- Cpu
- NEC μPD7801G
- Memory
- 128 bytes RAM, 4kB VRAM
- Display
- 309×246 resolution, 16 colors, 128 on-screen sprites
- Graphics
- EPOCH TV-1 VDC
- Sound
- μPD1771C @ 6 MHz
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Epoch's original Cassette Vision, introduced in Japan in 1981, achieved steady sales and captured over 70% of the Japanese home console market, selling around 400,000 units. However, the arrival of next-generation systems from Nintendo, Casio, and Sega quickly pushed back the original Cassette Vision, prompting Epoch to rapidly develop a successor. The Super Cassette Vision was released in 1984 at a price of ¥14,800, featuring an 8-bit processor and improved performance to better compete. It was later released in France by ITMC under the Yeno brand, with at least sixteen games brought over from Japan for a European release. A version targeting the young female market was released in 1985 as the Lady Cassette Vision, priced at ¥19,300, and came packed in a pink carrying case alongside the game Milky Princess. This system did not take off and was unable to match the massive popularity of the Nintendo Famicom, leading Epoch to drop out of the console market by 1987.
Reader's Guide
The Super Cassette Vision represents Epoch's attempt to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving Japanese home console market of the mid-1980s. Its 8-bit processor and enhanced performance brought it more in line with rivals like the Family Computer and SG-1000, but it ultimately could not overcome the dominance of Nintendo's console. The system's library included a variety of titles, from arcade conversions like Mappy and Pole Position II to original games such as Milky Princess and the educational BASIC Nyuumon. The Lady Cassette Vision variant, aimed at young female players, was a notable but unsuccessful marketing effort. By 1987, Epoch had exited the console market entirely, making the Super Cassette Vision the company's final home video game system. Its legacy is that of a capable but overshadowed competitor in a pivotal generation of gaming hardware.
Did You Know?
- The Super Cassette Vision was released in France under the Yeno brand by ITMC.
- A pink version called the Lady Cassette Vision was released in 1985 targeting young female players.
- The system's CPU had only 128 bytes of internal RAM.
- At least 16 games were brought from Japan for European release.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Super Cassette Vision?
The Super Cassette Vision is an 8-bit home video game console created by Epoch Co. and launched in Japan on July 17, 1984. It served as the direct follow-up to Epoch's earlier Cassette Vision system.
What processor and memory does the Super Cassette Vision use?
The system runs on an 8-bit NEC μPD7801G microcontroller clocked at 4 MHz, with 128 bytes of RAM built into the chip itself. Graphics memory consists of 4 KB of VRAM split across two μPD4016C-2 chips, plus an additional 2 KB of internal video RAM on the EPOCH TV-1 display unit.
How did the Super Cassette Vision compete with the Famicom and SG-1000?
Epoch positioned the Super Cassette Vision as a budget 8-bit alternative to Nintendo's Family Computer and Sega's SG-1000, pricing it at ¥14,800 in Japan. Despite sharing the same 8-bit generation, it ultimately couldn't match the software libraries of its bigger rivals.
Was the Super Cassette Vision sold outside Japan?
Yes, the console also appeared in France during 1984, where it was marketed under the Yeno brand name. Beyond these two markets, it did not receive a broader international release.
How does the Super Cassette Vision relate to the original Cassette Vision?
The Super Cassette Vision is the direct successor to Epoch's first console, the Cassette Vision, which launched earlier in the 1980s. It carried forward the cassette-based cartridge format while upgrading the hardware to an 8-bit architecture to stay competitive.
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