Romtec Colorvision
First handheld with colored LCD sprites, no overlays needed.
The Romtec Colorvision, a handheld game console from Hong Kong’s Romtec Enterprises, hit the market in Hong Kong and Europe in 1984. It stands out as the first handheld system to display colored sprites directly on an LCD screen, bypassing the overlays or VFD displays used by earlier devices like the Entex Select-A-Game. While those older systems required add-on overlays to improve visuals, the Colorvision needed only its cartridge.
Romtec manufactured and released the console, but it also appeared under other brand names such as Altic, Bazin, and Bristol. The hardware stored all game code internally, so the cartridges worked like the jumper cards of the Magnavox Odyssey—they simply selected which game to play. Each cartridge contained only the LCD portion with the sprites. The LCD itself was clear, and the plastic shell had a window to let light pass through.
The console housed the controls, and a cartridge port on the top accepted cartridges that slid into place, revealing a bezel with the game’s name. The play screen used a mirror, similar to the Adventure Vision, reflecting the LCD image via light from the top window.
Only five games are known to have been released. Because the cartridges held only graphics, not the actual game code, it remains unclear whether additional games were programmed into the console for future release or if only these five were ever planned. The cartridges bore names in both English and French: Beasts Planet / Planète des Bêtes, Horror House / Salle des Horreurs, Jungle Boy / Fils de la Jungle, Monster Chase / Chasse aux Monstres, and Submarine / Bataille Navale.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Romtec
- Generation
- Second generation
- Power
- 2 x C batteries
- Display
- Color LCD
- Sound
- Internal speaker
- Input
- Action button, HR/CLR and ACL buttons, Joystick
- Release Date
- 1984
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Colorvision was developed and manufactured by Hong Kong–based Romtec Enterprises, Ltd., and released in Hong Kong and Europe in 1984. It was also distributed under several brands, including Altic, Bazin and Bristol. The console's game code was entirely contained within the unit itself, meaning the cartridges functioned similarly to the jumper cards on the Magnavox Odyssey—they controlled which game would be played but only contained the LCD portion with the sprites. The LCD was clear, and the plastic shell included a window to let light through. The play screen was a mirror, akin to the Adventure Vision, that reflected the LCD image using light from the window on top. The cartridge port was located on the top, where the cartridge slid into place, showing a bezel with the name of the game.
Reader's Guide
The Romtec Colorvision holds a distinct place in handheld gaming history as the first system to use colored sprites on an LCD screen, eliminating the need for the overlays that earlier handhelds like the Entex Select-A-Game required. Its design, with game code stored in the console and cartridges serving only to select the game and provide the LCD graphics, was an unusual approach that reduced cartridge complexity. Only five games are known to have been released for the system, and because the cartridges did not contain the actual game code, it is not known whether additional games were programmed inside the console for future releases or if only those five were planned. The system's distribution under multiple brands suggests a broad retail strategy, but its overall impact was limited by the small library and the niche market of early handheld LCD gaming.
Did You Know?
- The Colorvision is the first handheld console with colored sprites on an LCD screen, not overlays or VFD displays.
- The cartridges contained only the LCD graphics, while the game code was stored in the console itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Romtec Colorvision?
The Romtec Colorvision is a handheld video game console developed and manufactured by Romtec Enterprises, Ltd. in Hong Kong. It launched in 1984 and is recognized as the first portable system to render colored sprites natively on an LCD panel without requiring external overlays.
How did the Romtec Colorvision differ from earlier handhelds like the Entex Select-A-Game?
Earlier devices such as the Entex Select-A-Game relied on transparent plastic overlays or VFD displays to add visual detail, whereas the Colorvision displayed colored sprites directly on its own LCD screen. This meant players only needed the cartridge itself to get the full visual experience, with no add-on overlays required.
Where was the Romtec Colorvision sold and when did it come out?
The console was released in 1984 and was available in two primary markets: Hong Kong and Europe. It was not a North American release, so its audience was limited to those two regions.
Under what other brand names did the Romtec Colorvision appear?
Although Romtec Enterprises produced the hardware, the same unit was also marketed under the Altic, Bazin, and Bristol brand names. This meant that a player in Europe might have purchased what was essentially the identical Colorvision hardware under one of those alternative labels.
How many games were made for the Romtec Colorvision?
Only five titles are documented as having been released for the system. All game code was stored directly on the cartridge, which served as the sole medium for both software and the colored-sprite data displayed on the LCD.
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