Curious Video Game Machines: A Compendium of Rare and Unusual Consoles, Computers and Coin-Ops

Video game history is typically presented through the major manufacturers—Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and Microsoft. However, numerous rare and unusual gaming machines exist beyond this mainstream narrative. Curious Video Game Machines explores the stories of these lesser-known consoles, computers, and arcade games. Examples include Kimtanktics, a 1970s wargame computer built from calculator parts; Korea-exclusive consoles manufactured by Daewoo; the Casio Loopy, a 1990s console with integrated sticker printer functionality; the RDI Halcyon, a 1985 LaserDisc machine with voice recognition; and the Interton VC 4000, a German console made by a hearing-aid company. The book also covers unusual arcade machines, ranging from early virtual reality experiments to pedal-powered flying games. The book documents both missed opportunities, such as the Enterprise 64 computer that arrived too late for the British microcomputer market, and overlooked successes, including the Galaksija DIY computer kit that brought computing to Yugoslavia before the country's conflict. Featuring interviews with creators, developers, and collectors, the book documents forgotten aspects of video game history.