This will be a forum series where I'll talk about the history and my experience with the gaming consoles I own and this time I'm looking at a really obscure console, the APF MP-1000.
APF MP-1000
History:APF wasn't new to making video games, they like Atari, Coleco and Magnavox made Pong consoles first then tried to make a changeable cartridge console. So in 1978 the MP-1000 was released. They also tried to make the system compete with PC's with a computer expansion module.
How did it do?Terrible, It was a total failure. I really cant find a lot of info on this console. Only 12 games and the computer module was ever released.
Graphics: Primitive even by late 70s. Games looked more like the RCA Studio. Only had an eight color palate and most where ugly compared to Atari or the Astrocade.
Is this system still fun to play?No, all the games are basic 70s games, nothing stands out worth playing. Space Destroyers is a Space Invaders clone, but you might as well play it on Atari. Plus the joysticks are small and uncomfortable to use. Who puts the fire button on the back of the joystick.
What games are worth playing? With games like Backgammon, Baseball, Blackjack, Bowling, Boxing, Brickdown, Casino, Catena, Hangman, Pinball, Rocket Patrol, Space Destroyers and UFO you tell me? lol
How many versions are there?Just One.
What do I need to know if I start collecting this system? Good luck finding one in good shape that works for one. The joysticks are very cheap plastic feeling and will break easy. The controllers are hardwired into the console making replacing difficult. The computer expansion module is so rare that I've personally only seen it in videos and pictures. The system has one game built into it called Rocket Patrol so even if you can't find any games for it, there's at least one built into the console. A working MP1000 isn't cheap, most sell as high as $200-$300. Finding one of these in the wild would be impressive.
My Experience with the ConsoleI bought mine offline from a collector who kept it in great shape, but I had a hell of a time trying to play it. It won't work on any of the HDTV's I have and I couldn't get it to work on any of the newer CRT color TVs I own ether, at first I thought “great it doesn't work” but then I hooked it up to an old B&W from the 70s I have and it played great. Finicky little snot of a game console. Trying to play it is another thing. The joysticks feel so fragile that I feel like its going to break in my hands. No wonder these things are hard to find working. Even the reset button on the console feels cheap and will break if I look at it funny. I have yet to plug this console in again after the first testing. The game carts look like ripoffs of the Atari 2600, same size and feel. The carts are made better then the console.
Final ThoughtsThis is another one of those consoles that only die hard collectors will want to hunt down. But if you are lucky enough to find one in the wild, it is a nice rare piece of gaming history you might want to grab.
Let me know what you think, I'm planning on continuing the reviews in a somewhat order of when they came out, kinda makes you see the evolution. I'll try and have one up every weekend.
Leave reply's on your experience with the APF MP-1000, Somehow I doubt you've played this obscure console but if you have I would love to hear it.
Next week I'll review a console that was never released in the States.
By the Numbers: Only 3 people own this console on Vgcollect. What a shock.
Past Reviews:
Bally Astrocade
Atari 2600
Coleco Telstar Arcade
RCA Studio II
Fairchild Channel F
PC-50X
Pong Consoles
Magnavox Odyssey