

Ask any of your fellow gamers what they think of the
VideoBrain and you're likely to get a bunch of blank stares in
return. The VideoBrain was an obscure and ultimately
short-lived system, yet it holds a special place in computer
history as the first cartridge based computer system (not video
game system).
When it was released in 1977, the VideoBrain came with a
sculptured 36 key keyboard (with 71 distinguishable input
symbols), 1K of RAM, 4K of ROM, two joysticks and sold for
$300. Built into the system where four programs: text
editor, clock, alarm, and color bar generator. New
programs could be loaded into the system via cartridges which
sold from $20 to $40 each. The VideoBrain could be
connected to a printer, cassette player, or a modem through
special expansion modules. While it may not sound like
much now, this was very impressive for 1977.
The VideoBrain library consists mostly of productivity
and educational software, with few simulation and strategy games
mixed in. Most cartridges make liberal use of the keyboard
even when it probably wasn't necessary. This was not by
accident, the keyboard was one of the main features that
separated the VideoBrain from pure video game consoles like the
Atari 2600 and was one of its main selling points.
Unfortunately a number of problems plagued the VideoBrain
from the start and it was never able to gain a sufficient market
share. While most families own at least one computer
today, back in 1977 they weren't well understood by the general
public. Not helping win people over was the VideoBrain's
confusing and non-user friendly keyboard which was poorly
designed and makes even simple typing a chore. Another key
to the VideoBrain's downfall was that it did not support the
popular programming language BASIC, instead users had to settle
for APL/S, an obscure and quirky programming language used
mainly by mathematicians. The VideoBrain also had trouble
finding a target audience with it's poorly designed program
library. Most of the available programs were either
productivity or educational in nature with only a smattering of
action titles. But what may have been the nail in the
VideoBrain's coffin was lack of advertising and
availability. While game systems such as the Atari 2600
were sold in toy and department stores, the VideoBrain was
mostly sold directly through the company via mail order
(although one former VideoBrain employee has stated that it was
available through Macy's Department Stores for a short period of
time).
While the VideoBrain may have been revolutionary for its
time, its poorly planned and executed launch doomed the system
to an early grave. It wouldn't be until two years later
with the arrival of Atari's 400 and 800 computer systems that
the public warmed up to the idea of a cartridge based computer
system. Even if the VideoBrain had lasted awhile longer
it's doubtful that it could have competed against the more
powerful and advanced Atari 8-bit computer line.
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