The Handheld Museum: A tribute to the early history of handheld gaming

Aug 30, 2008

Coleco Electronic Quarterback (1978, LED, 9 Volt, Model# 2020)
US Patent #s 4,249,735 (game) and 4,327,915 (display)
Invented by: Eric Bromley (according to the patent)
View Manual

There appear to be some color variations here--First one is "normal", second one has black directional buttons (I suspect the overlay sticker is just faded, which would explain the light blue and white word "Electronic", but maybe it was printed this way), the third one has yet another color of buttons, as well as featuring the newer Coleco logo (I think that was the newer one...) THe first version also changed in that the earliest models ((C) 1978 on the box) have an A/C adapter port on the top of the game, later models ((C) 1980 on the box) no longer have this. Also licensed to Sears as Electronic Touchdown.

Electronic Quarterback has been found in Disney's movie Tron. When they are at Flynn's arcade in his apartment, he picks it up and starts playing it for a few seconds. You never see the front of the game, but it's obvious what it is... :) See screen shot at bottom of page.

** Though I call this "Beta Dog", I remember a lot of kids had this.

Credit: Drew McBee/Tech Republic