E: Enterprising Acorn... A to Z of Game Consoles & Computers

Here is a brand new A to Z for the April Blog Challenge. Missed this for a few years, but now returning with a kind of quick reference guide to gaming systems including original consoles, handhelds and home computers. PC's, emulation boxes, minis and mobile devices don't get included, this is a list of dedicated machinery for mostly playing games and educational software. This is valid up till March 2018. If anybody notices any missing systems you feel belong in this list, feel free to contact me. 

The years stated are years of release, not when a system ended production.

Let's continue with E...

• Epoch Cassette Vision, 1981 by Epoch Co.
• Epoch Cassette Vision Jr, 1983 by Epoch Co.
• Educator 64, 1983 by Commodore Business Machines
• Etch-a-Sketch Animator 2000, 1998 by Ohio Art Company
• Electron, 1983 by Acorn Computers
• Enterprise 64/128, 1983 by Enterprise Computers
• Exidy Sorcerer, 1978 by Exidy.
• Einstein 256, 1984 by Tatung
• Einstein TC-01, 1984 by Tatung
• Esselte 100, by Esselte
• Exeltel, 1986 by Exelvision
• Executive, 1982 by Osborne Corporation

Pictured are Electron, Enterprise 64, Epoch Cassette Vision

R - Roland on the Ropes! He's the Prince of the Swingers...

Amsoft's attempt to create their very own mascot saw the emergence of the ever-changing Roland, in which over the course of several games became an expert at space exploration, caves diving and tomb raiding. Roland on the Ropes see's him in a more human and appropriate form, dodging the ghosts, rats and spooks to find the treasure and escape the rope laden tomb. With sound instantly recognisable SFX and colourful if a little flickering of the graphics, playing this 1984 adventure is a good laugh. Hard as hell in places, with seemingly endless mazes and tunnels and ropes, and ghosts which true to folklore appear out of the walls in an instant. Squeaky rope amusement ol' rollie-boy!

Honourable Mentions - Rampage, R-Type, Rastan.

Amstrad Coverart - Tape Version

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E - Everyone's a Wally! A Nelly or a Nana or A Nerk...

A game that is more famous for it's accompanying Mike Berry song, Mikro-Gen's Everyone's a Wally is a fun little adventure ditty which tasks you to play as various protagonists and achieve a set task in one day in town. Fun of silly humour and zany characters such as Dick the Brick and Harry the Hippie, buyers of all versions got as a bonus a hilarious song on the flip side of the tape, one which you would be humming all day once heard. It was somewhat dull in terms of gameplay once the jokes had worn off, but still a very notable game of the era.

Honorable Mentions - Elite, E-motion, Enduro Racer.

Promotional poster for the 8-bit systems

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D - Dizzy! The Yolks on You...

Never before was a true cartoon adventure game fully realised in all it's glory until 1987 with The Oliver Twins' Dizzy:The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure. I originally got this as a demo on a magazine cover tape, and immediately wanted the full game. You control Dizzy, a lovable hero egg as you guide him to defeat the evil wizard Zaks. High challenge, loads of pitfalls, excellent music and a wonderful environment, Dizzy was the closest mascot figure that represented the 8-bit home computer generation, and one to be remembered very fondly. A classic game for the Spectrum and CPC.

Honorable Mentions - Double Dragon, Driller, Daley Thompsons Decathlon.

Amstrad CPC coverart tape version.

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