Milton Bradley Microvision Electronic Programmable Game System - Model 4952
(Milton Bradley - 1979)
The hand held base unit for the Microvision game system was pretty basic, it was really only a controller and LCD display screen since the actual CPU chips were part of each game cartridge.
So in reality it was more like a docking station for the games. It provided the user interface for which you could interact with the games.
The Microvision looked pretty odd without a game cartridge installed, as you could see the electronics in the guts of the system.
To today's standards, the unit would seem large, but you have to put into context that this gaming device was made in 1979. It was an engineering marvel and light years ahead of any competition. After all, it was the world's first hand held LCD electronic game system with interchangeable cartridges.
Depending on which manufacturing run the unit came from, it ran off of either one or two 9volt batteries and you could only get about one hour of playtime out of it before the batteries were drained.
To insert a cartridge you had to slide in the tabbed end at the top of the game into the slot at the top of the Microvision, then pivot the game down until it snapped into place. To remove the cartridge you had to squeeze the grips on either side near the bottom of the game and pivot up.
Specifications for the Microvision Electronic Programmable Game System
Basic specifications for the Microvision handheld electronic game are listed below.
Model:
4952
Release date:
November 1979
Original Price:
US $39.97
Batteries:
(1 or 2) 9v batteries depending on revision
Dimensions:
3-1/2"W (89mm) x 9-1/2"L (241mm) x 1-3/8"D (35mm)
Screen Type:
16x16 LCD
Screen Size:
1-1/2"W (38mm) x 1-1/2"H (38mm)
CPU:
Texas Instruments TMS1100 4bit 100kHz
RAM:
32 nibbles
ROM:
2k
User Comments
Below are the user comments about the Milton Bradley - Microvision topic. Feel free to join the conversation and share your comments or experiences with the Geek Vintage community.
(3) comments leave a comment
Microvision
jboypacman | Apr 21, 2010 3:55pm
Such a interesting system now and for it's time really. I never had a chance to play this wonderful machine but i would of bet it would of just ruled my little corner of the universe as a young man for sure.
Microvision
| Feb 10, 2010 11:59pm
This was and is the BEST handheld gaming system EVER invented. I want another one NOW, I am on a quest to get one ASAP with BLOCKBUSTER first.... Michael Clemmer
Best in class... wait, it was the only one in its class...
8 Bit Cowboy | Aug 26, 2009 3:39pm
Ok, now this was a dream machine back in 1979... I mean, come on, a hand held video game system that had interchangeable cartridges and games with programmable parameters? Pinch me! Milton Bradley hit a short lived home-run with the Microvision.
Soon after it's release, the market was swarming with a plethora of "me too" electronic handhelds with similar capabilities. But the Microvision will always hold a special place in my heart, being the first to break ground in this arena.
Soon after it's release, the market was swarming with a plethora of "me too" electronic handhelds with similar capabilities. But the Microvision will always hold a special place in my heart, being the first to break ground in this arena.
