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The APF Imagination Machine was a combination home video game console and computer system released by APF Electronics Inc. in late 1979. It was composed of two seperate components, the APF-M1000 game system, and an add on docking bay with full sized typewriter keyboard and tape drive. The APF-M1000 was built specifically to compete with the Atari 2600, and did so fairly well until the Video game crash of 1983. (The Imagination Machine is generally regarded as being the number 3 console of the time, behind the Atari 2600 and the ColecoVision) The Imagination Machine has the distincion of being one of, if not the first, affordable home PCs to connect to the television, and is still one of the most expandable consoles ever marketed. The full APF Imagination Machine, including the APF-M1000 console and the IM-1 computer component originally sold for around $700, today, that would be about $1,800. Image File history File links APFLogo. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata APF_Electronics_Inc_Imagination_Machine. ...
A console manufacturer is a company that manufactures and distributes video game consoles. ...
The Nintendo GameCube is an example of a current generation video game console. ...
Although the history of computer and video games spans almost five decades, computer and video games themselves did not become part of the popular culture until the late 1970s. ...
This article deals with the history of video game consoles prior to the video game crash of 1983. ...
This page refers to the year 1979. ...
In a variety of electronic equipments, a cartridge (in video game terms, cart, game pack, or Game Pak) can be one method of programming different functionality, providing variable content, or a method by which consumables may be replenished. ...
This page refers to the year 1979. ...
The APF-M1000 is an early 8-bit cartridge-based game console released in 1978 by APF Electronics Inc. ...
The APF-M1000 is an early 8-bit cartridge-based game console released in 1978 by APF Electronics Inc. ...
The Atari 2600, released in 1977, is the first successful video game console to use plug-in cartridges instead of having one or more games built in. ...
Screenshot of E.T. (Atari 2600 version) The video game crash of 1983 was the sudden crash of the video game business and the bankruptcy of a number of companies producing home computers and video game consoles in North America in late 1983 and early 1984. ...
The Atari 2600, released in 1977, is the first successful video game console to use plug-in cartridges instead of having one or more games built in. ...
The Colecovision is Colecos third generation video game console, released in August 1982. ...
The APF-M1000 is an early 8-bit cartridge-based game console released in 1978 by APF Electronics Inc. ...
Specifications
- CPU: 8-bit 3.579mhz Motorola 6800
- ROM: 14kb
- RAM: 9kb
- Resolutions: 256x192x4 / 128x192x8
- Colors: 8
- Controllers: 2
- 13 buttons
- 0-9 numeric keypad
- Clear and End key
- Trigger
- 4 way joystick
Motorola 6800 Microprocessor The 6800 is a microprocessor produced by Motorola and released shortly after the Intel 8080 in 1975. ...
Special Features The APF Imagination Machine had a few stand out features for its time.
APF Basic First and foremost, was the bundled APF Basic compilier, which would allow almost anyone to program their own games and programs. Most retailers of the system offered a full and hefty instruction manual to teach you how the specialized code worked, and most even offered a tech sheet that specified every function of ever chip on the console, so as to allow the users to make the most efficient code possible. To enourage more home users to create their own games and trade them, a monthly mailing list was started that lasted well through the video game crash of '83 and into the era of the next generation of consoles.
Special Cassette Second, and often one of the most marketed features of the console, was the fact that it had a dual sided cassette drive, that would allow the user to not only write or use a game or program from it, but also either record their own voice to it or listen to prerecorded audio. The feature was generally used for programmers to leave notes of their work, or for instructions to be read aloud before a game was played.
Peripherials Third, the console had an unprecidented number of aftermarket add-ons, which included: - RS232 Storage Cartridge
- Floppy Disk Storage
- 8k RAM Cartridge
- Mini Floppy Disk Storage
- Telephone Modem
As well as a hub of sorts, generally called the "building block" which would allow for the connection of a good deal of standard computer accessories.
Games Only 15 official game cartridges were ever released by APF Electronics Inc, and 1 cartridge that came with the console, the Basic compilier; although several game cartridges contained multiple titles. Many games were created by an active proramming community of owners and distributed through their monthly newsletter, but these were all released only on tape cassette form, or in some cases, merely as a print out of the code that would have to be recompiled if it was not transferred through a copied cassette.
The official game list is as follows:
- Artist and Easel
- Backgammon
- Baseball
- Blackjack
- Bowling / Micro Match
- Boxing
- Brickdown / Shooting Gallery
- Budget Manager
- Casino
- Catena
- Hangman / Tic-Tac-Toe / Doodle
- Pinball / Dungeon Hunt / Blockout
- Rocket Patrol
- Space Destroyers
- UFO / Sea Monster / Break it down / Rebuild / Shoot
APF IM-2 Console APF had planned on releasing a follow up to the original M1000 Imagination Machine game console, but went out of business just before the console could go to market. No official specs have ever been released, although some who were with the company at the time have mentioned that it was essentially the same M1000 core with typical upgrades.
External Links - APF Imagination Machine Page
- Specifications at the Machine Room
- The Trailing Edge APF Page
- Stage Select APF M1000 Game List
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