Action Max

The Action Max is a home video game console. The games that run on it came on VHS tapes. It was made in 1987 by Worlds of Wonder. Its release was limited outside the United States.

Action Max
Action max logo.png
Action-Max-Set-FL.jpg
Action Max with light gun
ManufacturerWorlds of Wonder
TypeHome video game console
GenerationThird generation
Release date1987
MediaVHS tape

Gameplay

 
Inside the system
 
The Action Max motherboard

The Action Max requires a VCR because it cannot play VHS tapes. Light guns are used to simulate shooting the screen. The games are played by getting or losing points depending on how good the shots are, making it not possible to win or lose. The system lost popularity quickly because of this and the only games for it were light gun games of different themes that play the same way every time.[1]

The red sensor must be placed on the bottom right corner of the television screen. The games contain a black circle there that flashes white quickly when something can be shot. The targets flash at the same time. These are used to see if something has been hit. The targets that flash the exact same are enemies, adding points. The targets that flash wrong are friendly, losing points.

All of this allows games to be stored on any format, not just VHS, as long as the video is made to work with the light gun.

Games

Five VHS tapes came out for the system:

  • .38 Ambush Alley, a police target range.
  • Blue Thunder, based on the 1983 movie.
  • Hydrosub: 2021, a futuristic underwater voyage.
  • The Rescue of Pops Ghostly, a comic haunted-house adventure.
  • Sonic Fury, aerial combat, came with the system.

A planned sixth cassette, Fright Night (possibly based on the 1985 horror movie of the same name), did not come out because the Action Max was discontinued.

Technical specifications

  • CPU: HD401010
  • Sound: internal speaker
  • 2 character, 7 segment LED score display

Related pages

References

  1. Plunkett, Luke (March 28, 2011). "Only In The 80's Would They Put Video Games On A VHS Tape". Kotaku. Retrieved December 26, 2015.

Other websites