Videogame Review, Hockey on the Fairchild Channel F Videogame Console (w/ “Knob” Controller)

Videogame Review, Hockey on the Fairchild Channel F Videogame Console (w/ “Knob” Controller)

Imagine playing “hockey” (old-fashioned pong) with a knob controller that twists, pulls, pushes, and moves.  The controls may be a tad gross in this respect because most other videogame controllers don’t necessarily “plunge” in movements.  At least the puck moves from line to line, space to space.  By today’s standards the “puck” (or dot) appears to launch itself either like a rolling ball of yarn or an immense bouncing ball.  YouTube videos will suffice if there’s just a need for the imagery although I highly recommend the “knob” controller.  Just look at this black thing!  Doesn’t it look like a pump?  You’ll have to grab another player, but this was rather great technology for 1976 and you’ll find games on the Fairchild console which look like variations of pong with style.  My machine has bugs in it though.  No, not literally insects; programming flicks which would’ve not appeared originally on the game.  Really it’s nice to simply own the machine for historical reference and I was happy in being able to use the “knob” controller in unique fashion.  For example, I move the goalie or net-keeper around by pulling and pushing on the “knob” in a plunging motion.  I’m telling you!  After playing Hockey for about an hour I was sweating pretty hard from all the action taking place.  What’s pretty hard about Hockey is that you could accidentally shoot the puck backwards until it possibly goes past your own net-keeper.  Graphics are typically visualized in the Red VS. Blue format even if other colors are possible through technological renovations.  Fairchild systems include 2 “knob” controllers- the “knob” is shaped like a rounded triangle and requires unique handling with the fingers to get the hockey-playing action on the way.  Particulars in the visual style of this hockey game include the twisting/turning motion of the main-field hockey players and the “double bar” look to the goalies or net-keepers.  Of course as my review indicates this hockey game isn’t realistic… duh!  But the scores are kept efficiently on good quality timers during the heat of battle: simply remarkable.  And, oh yes… it’s a battle!  A player can move his main-field player right up to the net-keeper’s face, allowing for taunt, as the puck resembles so much from what the dot’s programming provides.  Warning: action gets very intense!  The puck seems to give at odd angles when illustrated through the “knob” controller.  Perhaps this was a late-70s joke on the hockey concept… then again, a lot of people were kind during this time except for the haters.

https://youtu.be/zjPLC-9OKqI