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Handheld History

A handheld game console is a small, portable self-contained video game console with a built-in screen, game controls, and speakers. Handheld game consoles are smaller than home video game consoles and contain the console, screen, speakers, and controls in one unit, allowing people to carry them and play them at any time or place.

In 1976, Mattel introduced the first handheld electronic game with the release of Auto Race. Later, several companies—including Coleco and Milton Bradley—made their own single-game, lightweight table-top or handheld electronic game devices. The oldest true handheld game console with interchangeable cartridges is the Milton Bradley Microvision in 1979.
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73
software
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1
Donkey Kong Clone
1
LCD game
1
Tandy Game
1
Tomy Electronics
Collection
Creator
19
tiger electronics
11
bandai
9
konami
6
coleco
3
parker brothers
3
tomy
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Title
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Handheld History
Handheld: MC Hammer
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 40
favorite 1
comment 1
Rap music has never been the same since M.C. Hammer blazed onto the scene with the kind of moves no one has ever seen before! But now there's a chance for a new star to be born. Will it be you? But to be the ultimate rap star, you have to pay your dues! Can you learn from practice? Can you challenge Hammer and keep up? Can you use your own creativity to create new moves? Lace up your shoes, listen to the beat, and get ready to move your feet! Keys: Power On/Start: 1 Change Mode: 5 Leg Leaps...
favoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Handheld History
Lone Ranger (handheld)
by Konami
software
eye 17
favorite 1
comment 0
Keys: Power On/Start: 1 Move: Left/Right Arrow Keys Action: Left Control
Handheld History
Merlin: The Electronic Wizard
by Parker Brothers
software
eye 16
favorite 0
comment 0
Using this Emulation: The emulator is enabled for mouse control and can be clicked on. Merlin (sometimes known as Merlin, the Electronic Wizard) was a handheld electronic game first made by Parker Brothers in 1978. The game was invented by former NASA employee Bob Doyle, his wife Holly, and brother-in-law Wendl Thomis. Merlin is notable as one of the earliest and most popular handheld games, selling over 5 million units during its initial run, as well as one of the most long-lived, remaining...
Handheld History
Altered Beast (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics (licensed from Sega)
software
eye 15
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Move: Arrow Keys Power On/Start: 1 Kick/Attack: LEFT CONTROL KEY Punch Left: LEFT ALT/OPTION KEY Punch Right: SPACE
Handheld History
Coleco Galaxian
by Coleco
software
eye 8
favorite 2
comment 1
Game Keys: Player 1: LEFT and RIGHT arrows to move, LEFT CONTROL to fire. Player 2: D and G to move left and right, A to fire. Manual: [archiveorg manuals-handheld-games-Coleco-Galaxian width=100% height=480 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Handheld History
Apollo 13 (handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 7
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On/Start: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Thruster Left: Left CTRL Key Thruster Right: Right CTRL Key Parachute: SPACE Capture: Left SHIFT Key
Handheld History
Pac-Man (Coleco, Rev. 29)
by Coleco
software
eye 7
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Player One: Arrow Keys Player Two: R, F, D, G. Manual: [archiveorg manuals-handheld-games-Coleco-PacMan width=100% height=480 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]
Handheld History
Coleco Ms. Pac-Man
by Coleco
software
eye 6
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Player 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Player 2 Movement: R, F, D, G Manual: [archiveorg manuals-handheld-games-Coleco-MsPacman width=100% height=480 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]
Handheld History
Pengo (Bandai)
by Bandai
software
eye 6
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Movement: Arrow Keys Action: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Contra (handheld)
by Konami
software
eye 6
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On/Start: 1 Select: 5 Arrow Keys: Movement Action Button: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Garfield (handheld)
by Konami
software
eye 6
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On/Start: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Action Button: Left Control
Handheld History
Battletoads (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics (licensed from Rare/Tradewest)
software
eye 6
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Score: 5 Movement: Arrow Keys Attack Left: Left CTRL Key Attack Right: Left ALT/OPTION Key Select: Spacebar
Handheld History
Donkey Kong (Coleco)
by Coleco
software
eye 5
favorite 1
comment 2
Keys: Movement: Arrow Keys Jump: Left CTRL Key
( 2 reviews )
Handheld History
Packri Monster
by Bandai
software
eye 5
favorite 0
comment 0
Pack-Mon (Also known as Pacri Monster) is a Pac-Man clone created by Bandai in 1981. Instructions/Keys: Start: 1 Arrow keys to Move Manual: [archiveorg manuals-handheld-games-Bandai-PackriMonster width=100% height=480 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]
Handheld History
Burger Time (Bandai)
by Bandai
software
eye 5
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: CTRL Key: Start/Pepper ALT/Option Key: Select/Attack
Handheld History
Knock-Em Out Boxing
by Bambino
software
eye 5
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Start: 1 Player 1: Ducking: , (Comma) Player 1 Back: I Player 1 Normal: K Player 1 Punch Low: M Player 1 Punch Medium: J Player 1 Punch High: U Player 2 Ducking: Z Player 2 Back: Q Player 2 Normal: A Player 2 Punch Low: X Player 2 Punch Medium: S Player 2 Punch High: W
Handheld History
Nightmare Before Christmas (handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 5
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On/Start: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Action Button: Left CTRL
Handheld History
Dig Dug (Gakken)
by Gakken
software
eye 5
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Select: 5 Movement: Arrow Keys Pump Button: Left Control Key
Handheld History
Master Merlin
by Parker Brothers
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Numbers: NUMPAD New Game: N or ENTER Score: S Computer Turn: C Same Game: G
Handheld History
Q*Bert (Parker Brothers)
by Parker Brothers
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Movement: Arrow Keys Manual: [archiveorg manuals-handheld-games-ParkerBros-QBert width=100% height=480 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]
Handheld History
Simon (Revision A)
by Milton Bradley
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 1
Simon is an electronic game of memory skill invented by Ralph H. Baer and Howard J. Morrison, with software programming by Lenny Cope. The device creates a series of tones and lights and requires a user to repeat the sequence. If the user succeeds, the series becomes progressively longer and more complex. Once the user fails, the game is over. The original version was manufactured and distributed by Milton Bradley and later by Hasbro after it took over Milton Bradley. Much of the assembly...
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Handheld History
Batman Forever - Double Dose of Doom (handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On/Start: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Grappling Gun: Left CTRL Key Batarang: Left ALT/Option Key Help: Spacebar Thruster: Left SHIFT Key
Handheld History
Karnov (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics (licensed from Data East)
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Max Score: 5 Movement: Arrow Keys Fire-Ball: Left CTRL Key Boomerang: Left ALT Key Shield: Spacebar
Handheld History
Alien Attack
by Coleco
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Alien Attack is a 1979 handheld video game made by Coleco using a VFD display. It came in a bright orange futuristic-styled case and controls were a joystick, fire button, and move button. The controls were unusual in that the player's ship could fire in any direction by moving the joystick with the fire button pressed. Movement only occurred when the move button was pressed. Firing while moving was not possible. There was a grid of barriers representing a city that the player could use for...
Handheld History
Mortal Kombat (handheld)
by Tiger Electronics (licensed from Midway)
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Power On: 1 Select: 5 Movement: Arrow Keys Punch High: Left CTRL Key Punch Low: Left ALT Key Kick High: Spacebar Kick Low: Left SHIFT Key
Handheld History
World Championship Baseball
by Mattel
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Player 1 Numbers: Number Pad Player 1 Clear: Z or DELETE Player 1 Enter: C or Enter (on Number Pad) Score: R Inning: T Player 2 Number Pad 7 8 9: H J K Player 2 Number Pad 4 5 6: Y U I Player 2 Number Pad 1 2 3: 6 7 8 Player 2 Enter: Comma Player 2 Clear: N
Handheld History
Hook (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Sword Up: Up Sword Down/Dodge: Down Move Left and Right: Left and Right Arrow Keys Swing Left: Left CTRL Key Swing Right: Left ALT/OPTION Key Attack/Pick: Space 
Handheld History
Gauntlet (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics (licensed from Tengen)
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Select: 5 Movement: Arrow Keys Pick: Left CTRL Key Attack: Left ALT/OPTION Key Bomb: Spacebar Key: Left SHIFT Key
Handheld History
Frisky Tom (Bandai)
by Bandai
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Start: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Action: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Pac Man 2 (Entex, Red Pacman Variant)
by Entex
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Skill Control: 1 Demo Light Test: 5 P1 Movement: Arrow Keys P2 Movement: R/D/F/G
Handheld History
Double Dragon (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics (licensed from Technos/Tradewest)
software
eye 4
favorite 0
comment 0
Power On: 1 Status: 5 Jump: Up Sway: Down Move Left and Right: Arrow Keys Punch/Pick: Left CTRL Key Kick: Left ALT Key
Handheld History
2 Player Baseball (Fonas)
by Fonas
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
A simple game with controls dependent on player: P1 (always batter) has: Pitch, swing, steal, show score, reset game. P2 (always pitcher) has: Left or right curve, slow, fast and pick off. Game can be played in the following modes: P1 vs. computer, Player. Keys: P1 Swing: Left CTRL Key P1 Pitch: Left ALT/Option Key P1 Steal: Spacebar P1 Score: Left SHIFT Key P1 Reset: Z P2 Curve Right: A P2 Slow: S P2 Pick Off: Q P2 Fast: W P2 Curve Left: n/a
Handheld History
Pair Match
by Bandai
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Player 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Player 1 Action: Left CTRL Key Player 2 Movement: R, F, D, G Player 2 Action: A Pair Match is a tabletop electronic matching game for one or two players originally produced and marketed in 1984 by Bandai for the Japanese market. The game played like an audio version of Concentration – you need to match pairs of sound effects hidden behind squares on the display. The game was used as a display piece in the Ten Forward lounge aboard the USS Enterprise-D (much...
Handheld History
Robocop 3 (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Power On: 1 Jump/Fly: Up Down/Pick: Down Rescue: Left Move Right: Right Shoot Up: Left CTRL Key Shoot Left: Left ALT/OPTION Key Shoot Right: Spacebar
Handheld History
Kingman
by Tomy
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
This is Tomy's version of Donkey Kong. Work your way up to the big bad monster and release the lovely princess! Beware of the Babykings. This game was also released in a flat handheld version by TANDY. The ob|ect of the game is to move the Boy (using the control buttons and the JUMP button) to rescue the Girl, while evading the Mother King and the Baby King through four game patterns.  Use the arrow keys for UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT. Use the LEFT CONTROL KEY for the action button. GAME MANUAL:...
Topics: Donkey Kong Clone, Tomy Electronics, LCD game, Tandy Game
Handheld History
Zackman
by Bandai
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Movement: Arrow Keys Fire: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Heiankyo Alien (Gakken)
by Gakken
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Movement: Arrow Keys Dig: Left CTRL Key Bury: Left ALT/OPTION Key
Handheld History
Golden Axe (handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Instructions for Usage: Power On/Start: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Attack Left: CTRL Attack Right: ALT/Option Magic: Spacebar
Handheld History
Robocop 2 (handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Jump/Fly: Up Down/Pick: Down Rescue: Left Move Right: Right Shoot Up: Left CTRL Key Shoot Left: Left ALT Key Shoot Right: Spacebar
Handheld History
Gradius (handheld)
by Konami
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Select: 5 Up and Down: Arrow Keys P1 Button 1: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Batman (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Max Score: 5 Movement (Up, Down, Right): Arrow Keys Pick: Left CTRL Key Attack: Left ALT/Option Key
Handheld History
Zaxxon (Bandai)
by Bandai
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Player 1 Select: 5 Move the Ship with Arrow Keys Fire Button: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Star Hawk (Mattel)
by Bandai (Mattel license)
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Score: 5  Movement: Arrow Keys Fire: Left CTRL Key Land: Left ALT/OPTION Key
Handheld History
Judge Dredd (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Kick: Left CTRL Key Punch: Left ALT Key Pick/Call: Spacebar Fire: Left SHIFT Key
Handheld History
Ultraman Monster Battle
by Bandai
software
eye 3
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Left/Right: Arrow Key Left and Right Action Button: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Dokodemo Dorayaki Doraemon
by Bandai
software
eye 2
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Movement: Arrow Keys Action: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
NFL Football (handheld)
by Konami
software
eye 2
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Pause: 5 Movement: Arrow Keys Action Button: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Double Dribble (Handheld)
by Konami
software
eye 2
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Level Select: 5 Movement: Arrow Keys Action Button: Left CTRL Button
Handheld History
Skeleton Warriors - The Dark Crusade (handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 2
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Attack Left: Left CTRL Key Attack Right Left ALT/OPTION Key Pick/Call: Spacebar
Handheld History
Machine Man
by Bandai
software
eye 2
favorite 0
comment 0
Handheld History
Back to the Future (handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 2
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Repair: Up Brake: Down Left and Right: Arrow Keys Left/Right Accelerate: Left CTRL Key Rescue: Left ALT Key
Handheld History
Bucky O'Hare (handheld)
by Konami
software
eye 2
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Move Up and Down: Arrow Keys Action Button: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Dribble Away Basketball
by Bambino
software
eye 2
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Start: 1 Display: 5 Shoot: Up Move Left or Right: Arrow Keys Dribble Low: Left CTRL Key Dribble Medium: Left ALT/OPTION Key Dribble High: Spacebar
Handheld History
Vindicators (handheld)
by 1988
software
eye 1
favorite 0
comment 0
Power On: 1 Max Score: 5 Up/Left/Right: Arrow Keys Fire: Left CTRL Key Gun Left: Left ALT/OPTION Key Gun Right: Spacebar
Handheld History
007: GoldenEye (handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 1
favorite 0
comment 0
GoldenEye 007 is a single-player handheld electronic LCD video game that was developed and released by Tiger Electronics circa 1995-98 to coincide with the 1995 James Bond film of the same name. Two different GoldenEye-themed games were released by Tiger: a sideways-moving game in a conventional handset form factor and a 'grip games' vertical shooter featuring hardware resembling a pistol grip. Both game variants are based on the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye and loosely follow its plot. Due...
Handheld History
Electronic Number Muncher
by Vtech
software
eye 1
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: F1 Power Off: F2 Numbers: Number Pad Arithmetic: +, -, /, - Left,. Right: Arrow Keys Choose Divide: F Choose Multiple: D Choose Minus: S Choose Add: A Quiz E Count: Q Game: W Equals: Return/Enter Calculate/Clear: R
Handheld History
Blades of Steel (Handheld)
by Konami
software
eye 1
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Action Button: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Swamp Thing (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On/Start: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Punch/Fire: Left CTRL Key Throw: Left ALT Key
Handheld History
Championship Football (Model 60-2150)
by Tandy Radio Shack
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Movement: Arrow Keys Pass: Left CTRL Key Kick: Left ALT/OPTION Key Status: 1 Score: 2
Handheld History
Pac-Man (Tomy)
by Tomy
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Movement: Arrow Keys Manual: [archiveorg manuals-handheld-games-Tomy-PacMan width=100% height=480 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]
Handheld History
Tamagotchi
by Bandai
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Button 1: Left CTRL Key Button 2: Left ALT Key Button 3: Spacebar The Tamagotchi (たまごっち) [tamaɡotꜜtɕi] is a handheld digital pet, created in Japan by Akihiro Yokoi (ja) of WiZ and Aki Maita of Bandai. It was released by Bandai on November 23, 1996 in Japan and May 1997 in the rest of the world, quickly becoming one of the biggest toy fads of the 1990s and early 2000s. As of 2010, over 76 million Tamagotchis have been sold world-wide. Most Tamagotchi are housed in a small...
Handheld History
Astro Command
by Epoch
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Start: 1 Select: 5 Movement: Arrow Keys Missile: Left CTRL Key Bomb: Left ALT Key
Handheld History
Space Harrier II (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On/Start: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Fire: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
The Incredible Crash Dummies (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Start: 1 Select: 5 Up/Down: Up and Down Arrow Brake: Left Arrow Crash: Right Arrow Accelerate: Left CTRL Key Pick: Left ALT Key
Handheld History
Frogger (Coleco)
by Coleco
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Start: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Manual: [archiveorg manuals-handheld-games-Coleco-Frogger width=100% height=480 frameborder=0 webkitallowfullscreen=true mozallowfullscreen=true]
Handheld History
Space Jam (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On / Start: 1 Movement: Arrow keys Shoot/Block: Left CTRL Key Tune/Steal: Left ALT Key
Handheld History
Sonic the Hedgehog (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power on: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Action: Left CTRL Key
Handheld History
Super Double Dragon (Handheld)
by Tiger Electronics (Licensed from Technos)
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Start: 1 Select: 5 Jump: Up Arrow Down/Pick: Down Arrow Left and Right: Left/Right Arrow Keys Kick Left: Left CTRL Key Kick Right: Left ALT/OPTION Key Special Technique: SPACE Punch: Left SHIFT Key
Handheld History
The Adventures of Bayou Billy (Handheld)
by Konami
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Power On: 1 Movement: Arrow Keys Button 1: Left CTRL Key Button 2: Left ALT Key
Handheld History
Tron (Tomy)
by Tomy
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 1
Keys: Movement: Arrow Keys Action Button: Left CTRL Key
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Handheld History
Thief in Garden
by Tronica
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Up/Down: Arrow Keys Numbers: Number Key Action Button: Left CTRL Key C: Delete ALM: X ACL: C Mode: Z Operations: / * + -
Handheld History
R-Zone: Indy 500
by Tiger Electronics
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
Keys: Start: 1 Select: 5 Movement: Arrow Keys Button 1: Left CTRL Key Button 2: Left ALT Key Button 3: Space Button 4: Left SHIFT Key
Handheld History
Speak & Spell (US, 1979 Version)
by Texas Instruments
software
eye 0
favorite 0
comment 0
This Speak and Spell can be controlled using a mouse or from the keyboard. From Wikipedia: The Speak & Spell line was a series of electronic hand-held child computers by Texas Instruments that consisted of a TMC0280 linear predictive coding speech synthesizer, a keyboard, and a receptor slot to receive one of a collection of ROM game library modules (collectively covered under patent US 3934233). The first Speak & Spell was introduced at the summer Consumer Electronics Show in June...

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