|
Blackjack |
Another one of those unwritten requirements for being considered a"real" computer in the 70's was the ability to play Blackjack. Since Blackjack is a fairly simple game and not too graphically intense, almost every computer had a version of it and the VideoBrain was no exception.
The VideoBrain version of Blackjack is pretty decent.
The suit and value of each card is easy to read, but
there are no actual graphics for the cards (only a number and
suit symbol). The computer AI won't win any awards for
its cleverness, but since Blackjack is more a game of luck
than skill, most people probably won't notice. Obe
interesting note is that Blackjack is one of two VideoBrain
games to use characters to make a decorative border at the top
and bottom of the starting screen. Money Minder is the
other (using $ symbols).
Although it may seem pretty dull nowadays, being able to
play a game of cards against a computer was considered a big
deal back in the day. Games like Blackjack were often
used to impress potential customers by showing that a computer
could think like a human.
Blackjack had a production run of 2,329 cartridges making it
one of the more uncommon cartridges. Blackjack was
manufactured from 6-18-78 to 2-14-79.
