Cartridge

Box

Manual

 

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 entire game is controlled by the joysticks rather than the keyboard which makes it easier for two players (the VB keyboard is crowded enough for one player much less two).  Although Blackjack is supposed to be more a game of luck than skill, the AI seems to like to let the player win on low level bets but then pull out a Blackjack the second they put in a high bet.  It's probably just coincidence, but this has lead to more than one accusation of computer cheating amongs players.   One 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.