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A TV game refers to any number of self contained highly portable game systems operating on batteries or a DC adapter which plugs directly into a TV or VCR. The game software is built directly into the unit and typically the unit is designed to look like a toy or classic game controller with two AV wires running from it. These systems tend to either contain either highly specialized games or activities, such as the Jakks Pacific's "Sponge Bob Arcade" TV Game(TM) and Tiger's "Mission:Paintball Plug n' Play" Collections, or contain a number of classic games, typically between 5 and 10, such as the Mammoth Toy's "C64(TM) Direct TV 30 in 1 system" or Majesco's "Konami(TM) Arcade Advanced(TM) TV Arcade".
As the game software is integrated into the game unit and not designed to be changed by the user these game systems typically are classified and sold by retailers as electronic toys or collectibles rather than game consoles. Most units sell for under 50 USD with an average price of 20 USD.
Manufactures
Jakks Pacific: Uses the name "TV Games" sells and distributes classic systems with original games from ATARI, Namco, Midway, Capcom, and Activision. They also have deals to distribute game systems based on Disney, Nickelodeon (Sponge Bob and Blues Clues), Spiderman, Batman, Dragon Ball Z, EA Sports, and Star Wars franchises. Jakks Pacific sometimes distributes these toys through Toymax.
Radica: Uses the name "Play TV(TM)" sells and distributes classic games based on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Tetris, and Space Invaders. They also sell specialized sport and racing games.
Majesco: uses the name "TV Arcade" sells and distributes classic Konami games and several video poker games.
Tiger: uses the name "Plug 'n Play" sells specialized sports games such as paintball and Lord of The Rings sword game.
Mammoth Toys: produces the C64 Direct TV game systems.
Video Extreme: uses the names "vsMaxx" and "Video Maxx" sells controllers with 15 -95 classic games and also sells poker and electronic card TV games.
Atari/Infrogames: makes the Atari(TM)Flashback game console
Ohio Art makes the Etch & Scketch ETO an electronic version of the Etch & Sketch that lets you draw on the TV
Manley makes the Power Rangers Dino Thunder Plug 'N Play Game
Pelican makes a 15 in 1 TV game called the Game Station with generic games.
Techno Source makes the Intellivision 25 Video Game System
NrTrade Makes the Power Games series. TV game system with built in games and expansion ports for extra controler and games
Although several manufactures produced these devices prior to 2002 they were popularized by Jakks Pacific's Atari Classic 10 in 1 TV Game. Most manufactures have their own trademarked names for these systems, such as Radica's "Play TV(TM)" or Majesco's TV Arcade, however most retailers refer to all of them as TV games or Plug & Play games.
See also video game console
See also Family game
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