Super Cassette Vision

The Super Cassette Vision was introduced by Epoch in 1984 to replace its earlier Cassette Vision console. Faced with increased competition from the Atari 2800, Sega SG-1000 and Famicom all of which had launched in Japan the previous year, the Super Cassette Vision was an substantial technical upgrade over Epoch's previous console . It also offered cabled (albeit hardwired) joysticks which were a large improvement over the knobs and buttons which were physically part of the actual console on the Cassette Vision.

Boasting a video chip supporting a 256x256 screen with 16 colors, and up to 128 sprites, the Super Cassette Vision had competitive video capabilities although it had limited memory and only one channel of sound. The sound capabilities meant that sound effects would interrupt any attempts to have a running soundtrack. The CPU used an 8-bit chip from NEC running at 4 mhz. Games for the Super Cassette Vision were on ROM cartridges, not tape cassettes as the name of the console might imply. Some cartridges had batteries within the case to allow for persistent high scores and save games, making it one of the first consoles to do so. The console itself also had a 12 button keypad which was used for games like Mahjongg.

The Super Cassette Vision was available in Europe from French company Yeno, which enjoyed sales success before the NES was released in Europe. Epoch also made it's own "Lady's" version of the console in a pink color intended to be attractive to female gamers in Japan. Ultimately the Super Cassette Vision wasn't able to compete with more popular consoles from Nintendo and Sega, and by 1986 software titles had started to dry up. Less than 40 game titles were produced for the system by the end of its run. Eventually Epoch would shift to become a software company producing games for the Famicom and other consoles.