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Interton VC 4000
The Interton VC 4000 is an early 8-bit cartridge-based home video game console released in Germany in 1978 by Interton. The console is quite obscure outside Germany, but many software compatible systems can be found in many European countries. It's unclear if Interton really made the VC 4000 from scratch or if they bought the rights and the design to produce it, as many other brands produced similar systems the following years.

The VC-4000 is powered by a Signetics 2650A CPU (same as the Arcadia 2001) and a Signetics 2636 Video Controller. The two controllers are composed of a 12-key keypad, 2 fire buttons and an analog joystick. On the control panel of the system, One can find an on/off switch and three buttons: RESET, SELECT and START.

Interton VC 4000 Review: A Forgotten Pioneer


The Interton VC 4000, released in 1978, is a lesser-known console from the early days of home gaming. Manufactured by the German company Interton, it was part of the first wave of programmable cartridge-based systems, competing with the Atari 2600 and Fairchild Channel F. While not as iconic as its competitors, the VC 4000 played an important role in gaming history.


Hardware & Design

The console had a simple, boxy design typical of the era, with built-in controller docks. Its controllers were a unique blend of a keypad and joystick, featuring 12 buttons and an analog stick-a bold choice at the time. Unfortunately, the controls were somewhat clunky, making fast-paced gameplay challenging.


Game Library

The VC 4000 featured around 40 games, many of which were variations of Pong-style sports games, shooters, and simple maze games. Some notable titles included:

  • Motocross
  • Super Space
  • Black Jack
  • Tank Battle

The games were quite basic, often featuring simple blocky graphics and repetitive gameplay, but they were on par with other systems of the time.


Performance & Legacy

While the VC 4000 never gained worldwide popularity, it spawned several clone consoles under different brand names across Europe. However, it lacked the third-party developer support that helped the Atari 2600 thrive, leading to its obscurity.


Verdict

⭐ 6/10 - The Interton VC 4000 was a capable system for its time, offering unique hardware but lacking standout games. Today, it's mostly of interest to collectors and gaming historians rather than casual retro gamers.

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