Entex Adventure Vision

The Adventure Vision (sometimes spelled as AdventureVision) was a self-contained, cartridge-based, tabletop game console developed by Robert McCaslin and released by Entex Industries in 1982 as their second-generation system. It underperformed commercially, selling only 50,757 units worldwide.

Its display is mechanically-based, using a single line of forty red LEDs with a motorized spinning double-sided mirror, making for a resolution of 150×40 pixels. A similar system is seen in the Nintendo Virtual Boy.

Games
Only four games were ever officially released for the system.
 * Defender (pack-in title)
 * Super Cobra
 * Turtles
 * Space Force

Why It Wasn't Really an Adventure

 * 1) The monochrome screen, along with the motor used to spin the double-sided mirror, eats up a lot of battery power.
 * 2) *This can be averted by using the Adventure Vision's built-in AC adapter port.
 * 3) Because the display is mechanical in nature, the parts, especially the mirror motor, would wear down over time.
 * 4) The cartridges are essentially just IC chips in plastic shells.
 * 5) Because of the display system, the screen tends to flicker and wobble during gameplay.

Redeeming Qualities

 * 1) The fact that it was a self-contained system means that no TV or monitor is required to play it.
 * 2) The system has storage spaces for four game cartridges, thus you can put the entire collection there. (which are, respectively, four titles)
 * 3) The face buttons are duplicated on either side of the joystick, allowing for ease of use for both left- and right-handed players.

External Link(s)

 * Wikipedia article
 * Weird Retro Video Games: The Smoke and Mirrors of Entex AdventureVision