LJN Video Art

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LJN Video Art
DeveloperLJN
ManufacturerLJN
TypeEducational home video game console
GenerationThird generation
Release date
  • WW: 1987 (1987)
[1]
Retail availability1989
Lifespan1987–1989
Discontinued1989
MediaROM cartridge
DisplayNTSC television
Graphics16 colors[2][1]
Controller input2 × joystick[1]
Power2 × AA battery
Best-selling gameVideo Art Activity Cartridge

The LJN Video Art is an educational home video game console that was developed and manufactured by LJN. It was introduced sometime in 1987, remaining on the market until at least late 1989[3] at a heavy price drop.

Gameplay[]

Core functionality is similar to basic personal computer paint programs.[3][2] There are two joysticks—one controlling a cursor to draw lines and curves, and another to blend up to 16 colors.[1] Turning on the system without a cartridge inserted gives a blank screen for drawing.[citation needed] The game library is mostly based on themed coloring books, connect the dots, and puzzles. Animations can be made by creating a series of drawings and recording a slide show to a VCR.[2] Video Art Activity Cartridge is included, with several outline drawings that can be colored.[citation needed]

Games[]

This is the Video Art game cartridge library:

  • Video Art Activity Cartridge
  • A Trip To The Zoo
  • Disney Coloring Book
  • Disney Story Book
  • Looney Tunes
  • Marvel Super-Heroes
  • My Dream Day
  • My Favorite Doll
  • On the Move

Marketing[]

Video Art was positioned against a wide range of educational toys and interactive television systems, such as View-Master Interactive Vision and VideoSmarts, and against television itself.[3] It was sold alongside, but not directly positioned against, mainstream game consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Sega Master System.[citation needed] A patent was filed in 1986, granted in 1988.[4][1]

In 1987, LJN spent most of its $5 million TV and print advertising budget on Gotcha! and Video Art.[5] A TV advertisement includes a rap-style beat, saying "Watching TV, watching TV, you just keep searching for something to see. But then my mom, she got smart! She got me Video Art!"[citation needed]

Reception[]

In December 1987, in a year of increasing price trends on high-tech interactive toys but without a single breakaway hit product, Toys R Us reported that the Video Art at about US$100 (equivalent to about $228 in 2020) was among its "hot toys" for Christmas, alongside the NES and talking dolls such as Cabbage Patch Kids and Julie.[6] The Philadelphia Daily News said likewise, also including LJN's own Gotcha! paintball game.[7]

On December 2, 1987 USA Today negatively reviewed a list of toys that "deserve to be dumped", calling Video Art "A costly color Etch-a-Sketch for your TV set that's much harder to work and not much fun. The results don't look nearly as lush and well-defined as those shown on the TV ads."[8] On December 6, 1987, Newsday reviewed a variety of educational and artistic electronic toys, saying of Video Art that "The toy's most innovative feature is its animation potential. You can make cartoons by recording your drawings one at a time on your VCR, then playing them back."[2] In 1989, Catherine Cella of the Entertainment News Service reviewed Video Art, saying that "the slightest touch sends the cursor all over the screen, making even the simplest drawing impossible" and found the included Video Art Activity Cartridge to be capable of only "video scribbling". She said Video Art was one of the less successful interactive video machines compared to View-Master Interactive Vision and VideoSmarts.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Andrews, Edmund L. (November 5, 1988). "Patents; Device Converts TV Set Into a Coloring Book". New York Times. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Wissner-Gross, Elizabeth (December 6, 1987). "KIDS TV Video Art and Smarts TV-Related computers can help budding spellers and visual artists". Newsday. Retrieved February 15, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Cella, Catherine (September 3, 1989). "'Hands on' approach to kids' videos". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. p. 132. Retrieved February 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ 4,782,335 
  5. ^ Barmash, Isadore (September 4, 1987). "ADVERTISING; A Split at LJN Toys". New York Times. p. 14. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  6. ^ Young, Terry (December 6, 1987). "Talking toys say, 'Buy me.' Adults listen". Los Angeles Daily News. Los Angeles. p. 134. Retrieved February 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Beck, Barbara (December 2, 1987). "A GUIDE TO TOY LAND: LEAVE YOUR BUDGET HOME: THE VARIETY OF TOYS THIS YEAR WILL SET YOUR HEAD - AND WALLET - SPINNING". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 39. Retrieved February 15, 2021 – via ProQuest.
  8. ^ "These deserve to be dumped: FINAL Edition". USA Today. December 2, 1987. p. 04D. ProQuest 305973494. Retrieved February 15, 2021 – via ProQuest.

External links[]

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