RCA Studio II

The RCA Studio II was a first generation home video game console made by RCA released in January, 1977. The unit used two keypads that were built into the console itself rather than a joystick or similar game controller, and was capable of making simple 'beep' sounds with slight variations in length.

The Studio II had five built-in games displayed using black and white graphics, and was capable of running a number of other games using cartridges. The unit used a unique switchbox that powered the console with DC power whilst relaying the modulated RF signal of the console's video to the television set. This type of hookup was only ever used for the Studio II and later, the Atari 5200.

Unfortunately, the console was already obsolete by the time it hit the market, competing against second generation units such as the Fairchild Channel F. The final blow came only nine months after the launch of the Studio II when the vastly superior Atari 2600 console was released. The unit was soon discontinued.