Arcadia 2001

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title: "Arcadia 2001" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["home-video-game-consoles", "second-generation-video-game-consoles", "bandai-consoles", "products-introduced-in-1982", "products-and-services-discontinued-in-1984", "1980s-toys", "discontinued-video-game-consoles"] description: "1982 home video game console" topic_path: "arts/music" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcadia_2001" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 1982 home video game console ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox information appliance"]

Field	Value
name	Arcadia 2001
aka	MPT-03/Video Computer Game
logo	[[File:Emerson Arcadia 2001 Logo.png
image	Emerson-Arcadia-2001.jpg
caption	An Arcadia 2001
manufacturer	Emerson Radio
type	Home video game console
generation	Second generation
release_date
lifespan	18 months
price	US$99
discontinued	1984
units_sold	Unknown
media	ROM cartridge
power	12 volt
cpu	Signetics 2650
memory	1 KB RAM
display	TV; 128 × 208 / 128 × 104, 8 Colours
graphics	Signetics 2637 UVI
sound	2 channels (Beeper and Noise)
input	Controllers
controllers	2 x Intellivision-style controller (12 button keypad and 'fire' buttons on the sides)
top_game	Unknown
predecessor	None
successor	None
website
::

| name = Arcadia 2001 | aka = MPT-03/Video Computer Game | logo = [[File:Emerson Arcadia 2001 Logo.png|250px]] | image = Emerson-Arcadia-2001.jpg | caption = An Arcadia 2001 | developer = | manufacturer = Emerson Radio | family = | type = Home video game console | generation = Second generation | release_date = | lifespan = 18 months | price = US$99 | discontinued = 1984 | units_sold = Unknown | units_shipped = | media = ROM cartridge | os = | power = 12 volt | system_on_chip = | cpu = Signetics 2650 | memory = 1 KB RAM | storage = | memory_card = | display = TV; 128 × 208 / 128 × 104, 8 Colours | graphics = Signetics 2637 UVI | sound = 2 channels (Beeper and Noise) | input = Controllers | controllers = 2 x Intellivision-style controller (12 button keypad and 'fire' buttons on the sides) | camera = | touchpad = | connectivity = | platform = | online_services = | dimensions = | weight = | top_game = Unknown | compatibility = | predecessor = None | successor = None | related = | website =

The Arcadia 2001 is a second-generation 8-bit home video game console released by Emerson Radio in May 1982 for a price of US$99, several months before the release of ColecoVision. It was discontinued only 18 months later, with a total of 35 games having been released. Emerson licensed the Arcadia 2001 to Bandai, which released it in Japan. Over 30 Arcadia 2001 clones exist despite the system being a commercial failure.

Description

The Arcadia is much smaller than its contemporary competitors and is powered by a standard 12 volt power supply so it can be used in a boat or a vehicle. It has two headphone jacks on the far left and right sides of the back.

The system came with two Intellivision-style controllers with a 12-button keypad and "fire" buttons on the sides. The direction pads have a removable joystick attachment. Most games came with BoPET overlays that can be applied to the controller's keypads. The console itself has five buttons: Power, Start, Reset, Option, and Select.

There are at least three different cartridge case styles and artwork, with variations on each. Emerson-family cartridges come in two different lengths (short and long) of black plastic cases.

Technical specifications

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Emerson-Arcadia-2001-Motherboard-01.jpg" caption="Arcadia 2001 motherboard"] ::

• Main Processor: Signetics 2650 CPU (some variants run a Signetics 2650A)
• RAM: 1 KB
• ROM: None
• Video display: 128 × 208 / 128 × 104, 8 Colours
• Video display controller: Signetics 2637 UVI @ 3.58 MHz (NTSC), 3.55 MHz (PAL)
• Sound: Single Channel "Beeper" + Single Channel "Noise"
• Hardware Sprites: 4 independent, single color
• Controllers: 2 × 2 way
• Keypads: 2 × 12 button (more buttons on some variants)

Console variants and clones

Many variants and clones of the Arcadia 2001 have been released by various companies in different countries. These systems are mostly compatible with each other. In 1982, the Bandai Arcadia was released only in Japan, and licensed by Emerson. Four exclusive games were released for the system. ::data[format=table]

Name	Manufacturer	Country	Compatibility family	Image
Advision Home Arcade	Advision	FRA	Emerson console
2001 ALTOS Home Video Centre	Altos India Limited	IND	Emerson console	[[File:2001 Altos JPEG.jpg
Arcadia	Bandai	JPN	Emerson console	[[File:Bandai Arcadia 2001 (1982) 2.jpg
Arcadia 2001	Emerson	USA	Emerson console	[[File:Emerson-Arcadia-2001.jpg
Cosmos	Tele-Computer	ESP	Emerson console
Dynavision	Morning-Sun Commerce	JPN	MPT-03 console
Educat	unknown	ISR	MPT-03 console
Ekusera	P.I.C.	JPN	MPT-03 console
Hanimex MPT-03	Hanimex	FRA	MPT-03 console
HMG-2650	Hanimex	DEU
CAN
AUS	Emerson console	[[File:Hanimex HMG 2650.jpg	200px]]
Home Arcade Centre	Hanimex	GBR	Emerson console
Intelligent Game MPT-03	Intelligent Game	USA
CAN	MPT-03 console
Intercord XL 2000 System	Intercord	DEU	Emerson console
Intervision 2001	Intervision	CHE FIN	Ormatu console	[[File:Intervision 2001.jpg
ITMC MPT-03	ITMC	FRA	MPT-03 console
Leisure Vision	Leisure-Dynamics	CAN	Emerson console
Leonardo	GiG Electronics	ITA	Emerson console
Home Entertainment Centre Ch-50	Inno-Hit	ITA	Ormatu console
Ormatu 2001	Ormatu Electronics BV	NED	Ormatu console	[[File:Acradia2001 Ormatu Netherlands Game Console 8 bit.jpg
Palladium Video-Computer-Game	Neckermann	DEU	Palladium console
Polybrain Video Computer Game	Polybrain	DEU	Palladium console
Poppy MPT-03 Tele Computer Spiel	Poppy	DEU	MPT-03 console
Prestige Video Computer Game MPT-03	Prestige	FRA	MPT-03 console
Robdajet MPT-03	Robdajet	CHE	MPT-03 console	[[File:Robdajet MPT 03.jpg
Rowtron 2000	Rowtron	GBR	MPT-03 console
Schmid TVG-2000	Schmid	DEU	Emerson console	[[File:Schmid TVG 2000.jpg
Sheen Home Video Centre 2001	Sheen	AUS	Ormatu console
Soundic MPT-03	Soundic	FIN
SGPhttps://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19820716-1.2.144.1?ST=1&AT=search&k=MPT-03&QT=mpt-03&oref=article	MPT-03 console	[[File:Soundic Video Computer Game MPT-03.jpg	200px]]
Tedelex Home Arcade	Tedelex	ZA	Emerson console
Mr. Altus Das Tele-Gehirn Color (German for tele brain)	HGS Electronic	DEU	Palladium console	[[File:HGS Mr. Altus Tele-Gehirn.jpg
Tele-Fever	Tchibo	DEU	Emerson console	[[File:Tchibo Tele-Fever.jpg
Tempest MPT-03	Tempest	AUS	MPT-03 console
Tobby MPT-03	Tobby	?	MPT-03 console
Trakton Computer Video Game	Trakton	AUS	Palladium console
Tryom Video Game Center	Tryom	USA	MPT-03 console
Tunix Home Arcade	Monaco Leisure	NZL	Emerson console
UVI Compu-Game	Orbit Electronics	NZL	Orbit console
Video Master	Grandstand	NZL	Orbit console
::

Bandai Arcadia

| title = Bandai Arcadia | logo = [[File:BANDAI.svg|90px]] | image = | manufacturer = Bandai | type = Video game console | generation = Second generation | release_date = 1982 | discontinued = | authorlink = | isbn = | cpu = Signetics 2650 @ 3.58 MHz | media = ROM cartridge | top_game = | predecessor = Bandai Super Vision 8000 | successor = Bandai RX-78

In 1982, the Bandai Arcadia, a variant of the Emerson Arcadia 2001, was licensed and distributed to Japan by Bandai for a price of 19,800 yen.

Reception

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/1982_Consumer_Electronics_Show_CES_Chicago_(4507853558)_(cropped).jpg" caption="The Emerson Booth at CES 1982, featuring their Arcadia 2001 system"] ::

After seeing the Arcadia 2001 at the summer 1982 Consumer Electronics Show, Danny Goodman of Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games reported that its graphics were similar to the Atari 2600's, and that "our overall impression of the game play was favorable for a system in this price range, though no cartridge stands out as being an exciting original creation". He called the controller offering both Intellivision-like disc and joystick functionality "A great idea".

Games

Emerson planned to launch the console with 19 games. Some Arcadia 2001 games are ports of lesser-known arcade games such as Route 16, Jungler, and Jump Bug, which were not available on other home systems.

Emerson actually created many popular arcade titles including Pac-Man, Galaxian and Defender for the Arcadia, but never had them manufactured as Atari started to sue its competitor companies for releasing games to which it had exclusive-rights agreements. Early marketing showed popular arcade games, but they were later released as clones. For instance, the Arcadia 2001 game Space Raiders is a clone of Defender, and Breakaway is a clone of Breakout.

Released games

There are 55 games known to have been released for the Arcadia 2001 and its clones during the system's lifetime.

1. 3D Attack – a Zaxxon clone
2. 3D Bowling (1982)
3. 3D Soccer (1982)
4. Alien Invaders (1982)
5. American Football
6. Astro Invader
7. Auto Race
8. Baseball
9. Basketball
10. Battle
11. Blackjack/Poker
12. Boxing
13. Brain Quiz – AKA Math/Logic
14. Breakaway
15. Capture – a clone of the board game Othello
16. Cat Trax
17. Circus – also known as Clowns on some systems, clone of Exidy's Circus
18. Combat
19. Crazy Climber
20. Crazy Gobbler
21. Dictionary – English/German
22. Doraemon (Japan only)
23. Dr. Slump (Japan only)
24. Escape
25. Funky Fish
26. Golf
27. Grand Slam Tennis
28. Hobo
29. Horse Racing (plays similar to the Intellivision game)
30. Jump Bug
31. Jungler
32. Missile War
33. Mobile Suit Gundam (Japan only)
34. Monaco Grand Prix – AKA 3D Raceway
35. Nibblemen – AKA Super Gobbler and Devilman the Dot Muncher
36. Ocean Battle – AKA Sea Battle
37. Parashooter
38. Pleiades
39. R2D Tank
40. Red Clash
41. Robot Killer (clone of Berzerk)
42. Route-16
43. Soccer
44. Space Attack
45. Space Mission
46. Space Raiders
47. Space Squadron
48. Space Vultures
49. Spiders
50. Star Chess – AKA Video Chess
51. Super Dimension Fortress Macross (Japan only)
52. Super Bug
53. Tanks A Lot
54. The End
55. Turtles/Turpin

Homebrew games

Three homebrew games are known to have been made for the system:

• Frogger
• JTron
• Tetris

References

References

1. Forster, Winnie. (2005). "The encyclopedia of consoles, handhelds & home computers 1972 - 2005". GAMEPLAN.
2. Watcher, Dark. "Emerson Arcadia 2001 - DW Facts". Video Game Console Library.
3. "obsoletemedia.org: Emerson Arcadia 2001 (1982 – 1984)".
4. retroplace. "Mr. Altus Das Telegehirn {{!}} Emerson Arcadia 2001".
5. Motoschifo. "Mr. Altus Tele Brain - MAME machine".
6. "Mr. Altus Das Tele-Gehirn Color".
7. Goodman, Danny. (Spring 1983). "Home Video Games: Video Games Update".
8. (2002-06-04). "Arcadia 2001: Frequently Asked Questions". digitpress.com.
9. Lester, John. "History of Consoles: Arcadia 2001 (1982)". Gamster81.
10. "Arcadia 2001 Gaming Guide".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::