Login
Login

Mattel Aquarius#Character set

{{short description|1983 home computer}}

{{More citations needed|date=July 2019}}

{{Infobox computer

| Photo = Mattel-Aquarius-Computer-FL.jpg

| logo = Mattel Aquarius logo.svg

| Type = Home computer

| manufacturer = Mattel Electronics

| Released = {{Start date|1983|06}}

| Discontinued = {{End date|1983|10}}

| Processor = Zilog Z80A @ 3.5 MHz

| Memory = 4KB RAM (expandable to 36KB), 8KB ROM

| OS = Microsoft BASIC

| input = Keyboard

| predecessor = Intellivision

| successor = Aquarius II, Aquarius+

| media = Cassette tape, ROM Cartridge

| price = {{nowrap|160 US$}} {{nowrap|(today ${{Inflation|US|160|1983|r=-1}})}}

| graphics = TEA1002 colour encoder

| display = 80x72 semigraphics in 16 colors (40x24 character text, 8x8 pixel font)

| sound = One voice

}}

The Aquarius is a home computer designed by Radofin and released by Mattel Electronics in 1983. Based on the Zilog Z80 microprocessor, the system has a rubber chiclet keyboard, 4 KB of RAM, and a subset of Microsoft BASIC in ROM. It connects to a television set for audiovisual output, and uses a cassette tape recorder for secondary data storage. A limited number of peripherals, such as a 40-column thermal printer, a 4-color printer/plotter, and a 300 baud modem, were released. The Aquarius was discontinued in October 1983, only a few months after it was launched.{{Cite news |last=Mace |first=Scott |date=23 Jan 1984 |title=Where is Logo taking our kids? |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fC4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=InfoWorld+...John+Allen%2C+president+of+The+Lisp+Company...announcing+TLC+Logo%2C+which+could+run+on+the+Mattel+Aquarius...Today%2C+the+Mattel+Aquarius+is+virtually+off+the+market...&pg=PA49 |work=InfoWorld |pages=49 |quote=...John Allen, president of The Lisp Company...announcing TLC Logo, which could run on the Mattel Aquarius...Today, the Mattel Aquarius is virtually off the market...}}

Development

Looking to compete in the home computer market, Mattel Electronics turned to Radofin, the Hong Kong based manufacturer of their Intellivision consoles.{{Cite web |title=Mattel Aquarius |url=https://oldcomputers.net/aquarius.html |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Steve's Computer Collection}}{{Cite web |date=2006 |title=Player 3 Stage 3: Contender to the Throne |url=http://www.thedoteaters.com/p3_stage3.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109002827/http://www.thedoteaters.com/p3_stage3.php |archive-date=2006-11-09 |access-date= |website=The Dot Eaters}} Radofin had designed two computer systems. Internally they were known as "Checkers" and the more sophisticated "Chess". Mattel contracted for these to become the Aquarius and Aquarius II, respectively.{{Cite web |title=RADOFIN ELECTRONICS LIMITED AQUARIUS 2 |url=http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=74&st=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720194428/http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=74&st=1 |archive-date=2011-07-20 |website=OLD-COMPUTERS.COM}}

Aquarius was announced in 1982 and finally released in June 1983, at a price of $160. Production ceased four months later because of poor sales. Mattel paid Radofin to take back the marketing rights. Four other companies: CEZAR Industries, CRIMAC, New Era Incentives, and Bentley Industries also marketed the unit and accessories.

The Aquarius was often bundled with the Mini-Expander peripheral, which added game pads, an additional cartridge port for memory expansion, and the General Instrument AY-3-8910 sound chip. Other peripherals were the Data recorder, 40 column thermal printer, 4 and 16 KB RAM carts. Less common first party peripherals include a 300 baud cartridge modem, 32 KB RAM cart, four color plotter, and Quick Disk drive.

Reception

File:Haus der Computerspiele - Mattel Aquarius.jpg

Although less expensive than the TI-99/4A and VIC-20 home computers it competed against, the Aquarius was made a less attractive purchase by its comparatively weak graphics and limited memory.{{Cite web |title=Mattel Aquarius |url=https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/502/Mattel-Aquarius/ |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Centre for Computing History}} Internally, Mattel programmers adopted Bob Del Principe's mock slogan, "Aquarius – a system for the seventies",{{cite web |last=Klooster |first=Erik |title=Mattel Aquarius - home computer with the shortest career |url=http://computermuseum.50megs.com/brands/aquarius.htm |access-date=2020-01-28 |website=HISTORY OF HOME AND GAME COMPUTERS |quote=Besides that, the Mini Expander was equipped with the same sound chip (AY-3-8914) as the Intellivision. But that didn't appeal to the programmers: they almost considered it as a punishment to develop a game for the Aquarius. Programmer Bob Del Principe even invented this cynical slogan: 'Aquarius - system for the seventies!'}} which was a slight because the Aquarius was developed and released in the eighties. Of the 32 software titles Mattel announced for the unit, only 21 were actually released, and most of those were ports of Intellivision games, often inferior ports. Because of the hardware limitations of the Aquarius, the quality of many games suffered. The absence of any all-points-addressable graphics mode was so glaring that Radofin crafted the character set for the Aquarius with many tile and sub-tile, as well as block graphics characters, so games could at least feign sprites and use semigraphics. It proved not enough. As one then-popular magazine put it:

"The Aquarius suffered one of the shortest lifespans of any computer—it was discontinued by Mattel almost as soon as it hit store shelves, a victim of the 1983 home computer price wars."{{Cite news |date=April 1985 |title=Mattel Aquarius Benchmark |url=https://archive.org/details/1985-04-compute-magazine/page/n19/mode/2up |work=COMPUTE! |pages=18 |issue=59}}

Decades after the spectacular market failure and exceptionally short original product life of the Aquarius, retrocomputing enthusiasts returned to this platform with renewed interest and intrigue, partly due to rarity and hacker interest in working within—and pushing—tight system constraints. Multiple homebrew games were thus published scores of years after-the-fact,{{Cite web |last=Steenoven |title=Mattel Aquarius Games: Turmoil 2022 |url=https://www.vdsteenoven.com/aquarius/turmoil.php |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Mattel Aquarius Home Computer}} and development and niche user interest in Aquarius software continues, using surviving original hardware, FPGA reimplementations, and emulators.{{Cite web |title=Mattel - Aquarius Emulators |url=https://www.zophar.net/aquarius.html |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Zophar's Domain}} In September 2024, all remaining—hitherto missing—Aquarius characters were added to Unicode 16.0, in the Symbols for Legacy Computing Supplement Unicode block.

= Aquarius II =

Just after the release of the Aquarius, Mattel had announced plans for the Aquarius II, and there is evidence that the Aquarius II reached the market in small numbers under the Radofin brand,{{Cite web |date=2007-03-11 |title=Mattel Aquarius : Le chant du cygne |url=http://perso.orange.fr/rogue/aquarius.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311211104/http://perso.orange.fr/rogue/aquarius.html |archive-date=2007-03-11 |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=ColecORIC}} but it was also not a commercial success. Technically otherwise identical to the previous version, the Aquarius II came with a 16 KB RAM extension, mechanical keyboard and Extended Basic.

Technical specifications

File:Mattel-Aquarius-Motherboard-FL.jpg

  • CPU: Zilog Z80 @ 3.5 MHz
  • Memory: 4 KB RAM, expandable to 36 KB; 8 KB ROM
  • Keyboard: 48-key rubber chiclet keyboard
  • Display: {{Resx|80|72}} semigraphics ({{Resx|40|24}} text characters - with a 25th "zero" row at top - with a size of {{Resx|8|8}} pixels, equivalent to {{Resx|320|192}} pixels) in 16 colors (TEA1002 colour encoder)
  • Sound: one voice, expandable to four voices
  • Ports: television, cartridge/expansion, tape recorder, printer
  • PSU: non-removable external power supply hard-wired into case providing 8.8 / 16 / -19 VDC

Peripherals

Image:Mattelaquarius.jpgDespite its relatively short time on the market, Mattel Electronics and Radofin managed to have most of the announced peripherals available within a month or so of the release of the system. Some products never materialized beyond prototype phase, and some were available only in specific markets. Beginning in 2016, new user-designed peripherals began to show up, mostly on eBay or on vintage computer forums such as AtariAge.

class="wikitable"
NameProduct TypeYearCreatorNotes
Mini ExpanderSystem expander1983Mattel/RadofinIncluded two Hand Controllers, with slots for RAM and ROM cartridges. Difficult to find outside of North America
Data RecorderSerial storage device1983Mattel/RadofinIncluded data cable and sample software cassette
Thermal PrinterSerial printer1983Mattel/RadofinIncluded printer cable and roll of thermal paper
Color PrinterSerial plotter1984Mattel/RadofinIncluded printer cable, roll of paper, and spare pens. Unit was a rebrand of a similar Tandy/RS printer
ModemCartridge-based 300 Baud Modem1984Mattel/RadofinIncluded phone cables and software on cassette
4k RAMRAM cartridge1983Mattel/RadofinExpanded available RAM to about 6k
Quick DiskDisk-based storage1984?Mattel/Radofin?Released only as a prototype unit{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0MpUMh80zk |title=Mattel Aquarius QD Disk Drive |last=Spiranto |date=September 14, 2010 |website=YouTube |access-date=December 1, 2023}}
32k RAMRAM cartridge2015Jay Snellen, IIIExpanded available RAM to about 34k
Micro ExpanderSystem Expander2016Bruce AbbotIncluded 32k RAM, custom ROM with USB BASIC, USB interface, AY-3-8910 PSG, and 3.5mm audio out
Aquarius MXSystem Expander2022Harrington, Mack, Kaylor, et al.Included 32k RAM, custom ROM with MX BASIC 2.0, USB interface, AY-3-8910 PSG, and DB9 hand controller ports{{cite web |last=Harrington |first=Sean P. |date=October 14, 2022 |title=Aquarius MX |url=https://aquarius.1stage.com/aquarius/aquarius-mx-micro-expander |access-date=December 1, 2023 |website=Get Your 8-Bit On!}}

Interfacing

File:Mattel-Aquarius-Computer-BR.jpg, the DIN-type external cassette drive connector, the TV channel 3/4 selector switch,per page IN7 (Introduction 7) of the Aquarius Guide to Home Computing, and also called channel selector on the Aquarius's Simplified Instruction Cards the TV-out connector, and the hardwired power lead]]

The Aquarius manual did not contain detailed documentation on any of the ports available, but Aquarius FAQ files, and later retrocomputing websites shared the ascertained information.

=Cassette port=

The cassette port, although using the same 5-Pin DIN 41524 connector as the TRS-80, did not have the same pinout and thus was incompatible with readily available cables for the TRS-80, even though they physically fit the sockets on both the computer and cassette player. The Aquarius-branded cassette deck came with the appropriate cable.{{cite web |last1=Horvat |last2=Parrish |date=May 6, 2001 |title=Mattel Aquarius FAQ |url=https://archive.kontek.net/aqemu.classicgaming.gamespy.com/aqfaq2.htm |access-date=October 13, 2022 |website=ArchiveKontek.net |publisher=}}

The cassette port a 5-pin female DIN 41524 connector

File:DIN41524-5fp.svg

class="wikitable"
PinFunction AquariusFunction TRS-80
1MICREMote
2Common GroundCommon Ground
3EARREMote
4Not usedEAR
5Not usedMIC

The MIC and EAR connections from the Aquarius each go to the tip/center of one of the two mini-plugs being attached to the recorder; Ground goes to the base/outside of both mini-plugs.

=Printer port=

The printer interface is a 3.5 mm mini-stereo socket with 3 lines (tip, ring, sleeve), the same as on the Mattel Entertainment Computer System. The Aquarius printers came with their own cables. The interface conforms to RS-232 serial signal standards (+12VDC/-12VDC), and with knowledge of its pinout it is possible to interface with RS232-compatible serial printers.

Typical serial printers had DB-25 interfaces; some had DE-9 interfaces; and some Radio Shack (RS) printers had round 4-pin female DIN serial interfaces (with the pin sockets numbered left-to-right: 4, 3, 2, 1).

The following shows the pinout for the printer connector on the Aquarius, as well as for connection with the aforementioned serial printers:

class="wikitable"
Aquarius
printer port		style="text-align: center;" | ⎯⎯⎯⎯ compatible cable ⎯⎯⎯▶colspan=3 | Serial printer's
connector
3.5mm TRSFunctionDB-25DB-9RS DIN
TipData Out [to printer] (TxD)Pin 3Pin 2Pin 4
RingPrinter Busy/Data Set Ready (DSR)Pin 20Pin 4Pin 2
SleeveSignal Ground (GND)Pin 7Pin 5Pin 3

The serial transfer protocol is fixed to 1200 baud 8N2, and provided both carriage return and line feed commands to the printer; thus the printer needed to be set to not also execute a line feed on carriage return. Because the Aquarius printer port used only a minimum number of pins (TxD/DSR/GND), the use of this port was unidirectional, from the computer to the printer (or other attached serial device).

Character set

The following table shows the Mattel Aquarius character set.{{Cite web |title=Mattel Aquarius Homecomputer system |url=http://www.vdsteenoven.com/aquarius/ |website=Mattel Aquarius Home Computer}}{{Cite book |url=https://www.unicode.org/L2/L2019/19025-terminals-prop.pdf#page=20 |title=L2/19-025: Proposal to add characters from legacy computers and teletext to the UCS |date=2019-01-04 |publisher=International Organization for Standardization |pages=20}}{{Cite book |url=https://www.unicode.org/L2/L2019/19025-aux-LegacyComputingSources.pdf |title= Sources for L2/19-025 |date=2019-01-04 |publisher=Unicode}} Each character is shown with its Unicode equivalent.

{{Special characters|Unicode|section=table|fix=Symbols for Legacy Computing Supplement#Implementation}}

{{chset-table-header1|Mattel Aquarius}}
{{chset-left1|0x}}

|{{chset-cell1|0 U+00A3 POUND SIGN|£}}

|{{chset-cell1|1 U+00BD VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF|½}}

|{{chset-cell1|2 U+00BC VULGAR FRACTION ONE QUARTER|¼}}

|{{chset-cell1|3 U+00BE VULGAR FRACTION THREE QUARTERS|¾}}

|{{chset-cell1|4 U+00F7 DIVISION SIGN|÷}}

|{{chset-cell1|5 U+00A9 COPYRIGHT SIGN|©}}

|{{chset-cell1|6 U+2192 RIGHTWARDS ARROW|→}}

|{{chset-cell1|7 U+2190 LEFTWARDS ARROW|←}}

|{{chset-cell1|8 U+2191 UPWARDS ARROW|↑}}

|{{chset-cell1|9 U+2193 DOWNWARDS ARROW|↓}}

|{{chset-cell1|10 U+2197 NORTH EAST ARROW|↗}}

|{{chset-cell1|11 U+2199 SOUTH WEST ARROW|↙}}

|{{chset-cell1|12 U+2198 SOUTH EAST ARROW|↘}}

|{{chset-cell1|13 U+2196 NORTH WEST ARROW|↖}}

|{{chset-cell1|14 U+1CDF0 TOP HALF FORWARD-FACING RUNNER|𜷰}}

|{{chset-cell1|15 U+1CDF1 BOTTOM HALF FORWARD-FACING RUNNER FRAME-1|𜷱}}

{{chset-left1|1x}}

|{{chset-cell1|16 U+1CDF2 BOTTOM HALF FORWARD-FACING RUNNER FRAME-2|𜷲}}

|{{chset-cell1|17 U+1CDF3 BOTTOM HALF FORWARD-FACING RUNNER FRAME-3|𜷳}}

|{{chset-cell1|18 U+1CDF4 BOTTOM HALF FORWARD-FACING RUNNER FRAME-4|𜷴}}

|{{chset-cell1|19 U+1CDE6 TOP HALF STANDING PERSON|𜷦}}

|{{chset-cell1|20 U+1CDE7 BOTTOM HALF STANDING PERSON|𜷧}}

|{{chset-cell1|21 U+1CDE8 TOP HALF RIGHT-FACING RUNNER FRAME-1|𜷨}}

|{{chset-cell1|22 U+1CDE9 BOTTOM HALF RIGHT-FACING RUNNER FRAME-1|𜷩}}

|{{chset-cell1|23 U+1CDEA TOP HALF RIGHT-FACING RUNNER FRAME-2|𜷪}}

|{{chset-cell1|24 U+1CDEB BOTTOM HALF RIGHT-FACING RUNNER FRAME-2|𜷫}}

|{{chset-cell1|25 U+1CDF5 MOON LANDER|𜷵}}

|{{chset-cell1|26 U+2597 QUADRANT LOWER RIGHT|▗}}

|{{chset-cell1|27 U+259D QUADRANT UPPER RIGHT|▝}}

|{{chset-cell1|28 U+2596 QUADRANT LOWER LEFT|▖}}

|{{chset-cell1|29 U+2598 QUADRANT UPPER LEFT|▘}}

|{{chset-cell1|30 U+259A QUADRANT UPPER LEFT AND LOWER RIGHT|▚}}

|{{chset-cell1|31 U+2584 LOWER HALF BLOCK|▄}}

{{chset-left1|2x}}

|{{chset-ctrl1|32 U+0020 SPACE| SP }}

|{{chset-cell1|33 U+0021 EXCLAMATION MARK|!}}

|{{chset-cell1|34 U+0022 QUOTATION MARK|" }}

|{{chset-cell1|35 U+0023 NUMBER SIGN|#}}

|{{chset-cell1|36 U+0024 DOLLAR SIGN|$}}

|{{chset-cell1|37 U+0025 PERCENT SIGN|%}}

|{{chset-cell1|38 U+0026 AMPERSAND|&}}

|{{chset-cell1|39 U+0027 APOSTROPHE|'}}

|{{chset-cell1|40 U+0028 LEFT PARENTHESIS|(}}

|{{chset-cell1|41 U+0029 RIGHT PARENTHESIS|)}}

|{{chset-cell1|42 U+002A ASTERISK|*}}

|{{chset-cell1|43 U+002B PLUS SIGN|+}}

|{{chset-cell1|44 U+002C COMMA|, }}

|{{chset-cell1|45 U+002D HYPHEN-MINUS|Hyphen-minus

}}

|{{chset-cell1|46 U+002E FULL STOP|.}}

|{{chset-cell1|47 U+002F SOLIDUS|/ }}

{{chset-left1|3x}}

|{{chset-cell1|48 U+0030 DIGIT ZERO|0}}

|{{chset-cell1|49 U+0031 DIGIT ONE|1}}

|{{chset-cell1|50 U+0032 DIGIT TWO|2}}

|{{chset-cell1|51 U+0033 DIGIT THREE|3}}

|{{chset-cell1|52 U+0034 DIGIT FOUR|4}}

|{{chset-cell1|53 U+0035 DIGIT FIVE|5}}

|{{chset-cell1|54 U+0036 DIGIT SIX|6}}

|{{chset-cell1|55 U+0037 DIGIT SEVEN|7}}

|{{chset-cell1|56 U+0038 DIGIT EIGHT|8}}

|{{chset-cell1|57 U+0039 DIGIT NINE|9}}

|{{chset-cell1|58 U+003A COLON|:}}

|{{chset-cell1|59 U+003B SEMICOLON|;}}

|{{chset-cell1|60 U+003C LESS-THAN SIGN|<}}

|{{chset-cell1|61 U+003D EQUALS SIGN|{{=}}}}

|{{chset-cell1|62 U+003E GREATER-THAN SIGN|>}}

|{{chset-cell1|63 U+003F QUESTION MARK|?}}

{{chset-left1|4x}}

|{{chset-cell1|64 U+0040 COMMERCIAL AT|@}}

|{{chset-cell1|65 U+0041 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER A|A}}

|{{chset-cell1|66 U+0042 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER B|B}}

|{{chset-cell1|67 U+0043 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER C|C}}

|{{chset-cell1|68 U+0044 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER D|D}}

|{{chset-cell1|69 U+0045 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER E|E}}

|{{chset-cell1|70 U+0046 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER F|F}}

|{{chset-cell1|71 U+0047 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER G|G}}

|{{chset-cell1|72 U+0048 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER H|H}}

|{{chset-cell1|73 U+0049 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER I|I}}

|{{chset-cell1|74 U+004A LATIN CAPITAL LETTER J|J}}

|{{chset-cell1|75 U+004B LATIN CAPITAL LETTER K|K}}

|{{chset-cell1|76 U+004C LATIN CAPITAL LETTER L|L}}

|{{chset-cell1|77 U+004D LATIN CAPITAL LETTER M|M}}

|{{chset-cell1|78 U+004E LATIN CAPITAL LETTER N|N}}

|{{chset-cell1|79 U+004F LATIN CAPITAL LETTER O|O}}

{{chset-left1|5x}}

|{{chset-cell1|80 U+0050 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER P|P}}

|{{chset-cell1|81 U+0051 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER Q|Q}}

|{{chset-cell1|82 U+0052 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER R|R}}

|{{chset-cell1|83 U+0053 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER S|S}}

|{{chset-cell1|84 U+0054 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER T|T}}

|{{chset-cell1|85 U+0055 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER U|U}}

|{{chset-cell1|86 U+0056 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER V|V}}

|{{chset-cell1|87 U+0057 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER W|W}}

|{{chset-cell1|88 U+0058 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER X|X}}

|{{chset-cell1|89 U+0059 LATIN CAPITAL LETTER Y|Y}}

|{{chset-cell1|90 U+005A LATIN CAPITAL LETTER Z|Z}}

|{{chset-cell1|91 U+005B LEFT SQUARE BRACKET|[}}

|{{chset-cell1|92 U+005C REVERSE SOLIDUS|\}}

|{{chset-cell1|93 U+005D RIGHT SQUARE BRACKET|]}}

|{{chset-cell1|94 U+005E CIRCUMFLEX ACCENT|^}}

|{{chset-cell1|95 U+005F LOW LINE|_}}

{{chset-left1|6x}}

|{{chset-cell1|96 U+0060 GRAVE ACCENT|`}}

|{{chset-cell1|97 U+0061 LATIN SMALL LETTER A|a}}

|{{chset-cell1|98 U+0062 LATIN SMALL LETTER B|b}}

|{{chset-cell1|99 U+0063 LATIN SMALL LETTER C|c}}

|{{chset-cell1|100 U+0064 LATIN SMALL LETTER D|d}}

|{{chset-cell1|101 U+0065 LATIN SMALL LETTER E|e}}

|{{chset-cell1|102 U+0066 LATIN SMALL LETTER F|f}}

|{{chset-cell1|103 U+0067 LATIN SMALL LETTER G|g}}

|{{chset-cell1|104 U+0068 LATIN SMALL LETTER H|h}}

|{{chset-cell1|105 U+0069 LATIN SMALL LETTER I|i}}

|{{chset-cell1|106 U+006A LATIN SMALL LETTER J|j}}

|{{chset-cell1|107 U+006B LATIN SMALL LETTER K|k}}

|{{chset-cell1|108 U+006C LATIN SMALL LETTER L|l}}

|{{chset-cell1|109 U+006D LATIN SMALL LETTER M|m}}

|{{chset-cell1|110 U+006E LATIN SMALL LETTER N|n}}

|{{chset-cell1|111 U+006F LATIN SMALL LETTER O|o}}

{{chset-left1|7x}}

|{{chset-cell1|112 U+0070 LATIN SMALL LETTER P|p}}

|{{chset-cell1|113 U+0071 LATIN SMALL LETTER Q|q}}

|{{chset-cell1|114 U+0072 LATIN SMALL LETTER R|r}}

|{{chset-cell1|115 U+0073 LATIN SMALL LETTER S|s}}

|{{chset-cell1|116 U+0074 LATIN SMALL LETTER T|t}}

|{{chset-cell1|117 U+0075 LATIN SMALL LETTER U|u}}

|{{chset-cell1|118 U+0076 LATIN SMALL LETTER V|v}}

|{{chset-cell1|119 U+0077 LATIN SMALL LETTER W|w}}

|{{chset-cell1|120 U+0078 LATIN SMALL LETTER X|x}}

|{{chset-cell1|121 U+0079 LATIN SMALL LETTER Y|y}}

|{{chset-cell1|122 U+007A LATIN SMALL LETTER Z|z}}

|{{chset-cell1|123 U+007B LEFT CURLY BRACKET|{}}

|{{chset-cell1|124 U+007C VERTICAL LINE|{{pipe}}}}

|{{chset-cell1|125 U+007D RIGHT CURLY BRACKET|}}}

|{{chset-cell1|126 U+007E TILDE|~}}

|{{chset-cell1|127 U+2588 FULL BLOCK|█}}

{{chset-left1|8x}}

|{{chset-cell1|128 U+2587 LOWER SEVEN EIGHTHS BLOCK|▇}}

|{{chset-cell1|129 U+258F LEFT ONE EIGHTH BLOCK|▏}}

|{{chset-cell1|130 U+1CDEC TOP HALF LEFT-FACING RUNNER FRAME-1|𜷬}}

|{{chset-cell1|131 U+1CDED BOTTOM HALF LEFT-FACING RUNNER FRAME-1|𜷭}}

|{{chset-cell1|132 U+1FB8F LOWER HALF MEDIUM SHADE|🮏}}

|{{chset-cell1|133 U+1FB8C LEFT HALF MEDIUM SHADE|🮌}}

|{{chset-cell1|134 U+2592 MEDIUM SHADE|▒}}

|{{chset-cell1|135 U+25CF BLACK CIRCLE|●}}

|{{chset-cell1|136 U+2582 LOWER ONE QUARTER BLOCK|▂}}

|{{chset-cell1|137 U+2586 LOWER THREE QUARTERS BLOCK|▆}}

|{{chset-cell1|138 U+1F6E7 UP-POINTING AIRPLANE|🛧}}

|{{chset-cell1|139 U+1CDF8 DOWN-POINTING AIRPLANE|𜷸}}

|{{chset-cell1|140 U+1CDEE TOP HALF LEFT-FACING RUNNER FRAME-2|𜷮}}

|{{chset-cell1|141 U+1CDEF BOTTOM HALF LEFT-FACING RUNNER FRAME-2|𜷯}}

|{{chset-cell1|142 U+25B6 BLACK RIGHT-POINTING TRIANGLE|▶}}

|{{chset-cell1|143 U+25B2 BLACK UP-POINTING TRIANGLE|▲}}

{{chset-left1|9x}}

|{{chset-cell1|144 U+2581 LOWER ONE EIGHTH BLOCK|▁}}

|{{chset-cell1|145 U+2589 LEFT SEVEN EIGHTHS BLOCK|▉}}

|{{chset-cell1|146 U+1CDF6 TOP HALF FLAILING ROBOT FRAME-1|𜷶}}

|{{chset-cell1|147 U+1CDF7 TOP HALF FLAILING ROBOT FRAME-2|𜷷}}

|{{chset-cell1|148 U+1FB8E UPPER HALF MEDIUM SHADE|🮎}}

|{{chset-cell1|149 U+1FB8D RIGHT HALF MEDIUM SHADE|🮍}}

|{{chset-cell1|150 U+2B24 BLACK LARGE CIRCLE|⬤}}

|{{chset-cell1|151 U+258E LEFT ONE QUARTER BLOCK|▎}}

|{{chset-cell1|152 U+258D LEFT THREE EIGHTHS BLOCK|▍}}

|{{chset-cell1|153 U+258C LEFT HALF BLOCK|▌}}

|{{chset-cell1|154 U+2708 AIRPLANE|✈}}

|{{chset-cell1|155 U+1CDF9 LEFT-POINTING AIRPLANE|𜷹}}

|{{chset-cell1|156 U+1CDFC DOWN-POINTING FROG|𜷼}}

|{{chset-cell1|157 U+1CDFB UP-POINTING FROG|𜷻}}

|{{chset-cell1|158 U+25C0 BLACK LEFT-POINTING TRIANGLE|◀}}

|{{chset-cell1|159 U+25BC BLACK DOWN-POINTING TRIANGLE|▼}}

{{chset-left1|Ax}}

|{{chset-ctrl1|160 U+00A0 NO-BREAK SPACE|NBSP}}

|{{chset-cell1|161 U+1FB00 BLOCK SEXTANT-1|link=🬀}}

|{{chset-cell1|162 U+1FB01 BLOCK SEXTANT-2|link=🬁}}

|{{chset-cell1|163 U+1FB02 BLOCK SEXTANT-12|link=🬂}}

|{{chset-cell1|164 U+1FB03 BLOCK SEXTANT-3|link=🬃}}

|{{chset-cell1|165 U+1FB04 BLOCK SEXTANT-13|link=🬄}}

|{{chset-cell1|166 U+1FB05 BLOCK SEXTANT-23|link=🬅}}

|{{chset-cell1|167 U+1FB06 BLOCK SEXTANT-123|link=🬆}}

|{{chset-cell1|168 U+1FB07 BLOCK SEXTANT-4|link=🬇}}

|{{chset-cell1|169 U+1FB08 BLOCK SEXTANT-14|link=🬈}}

|{{chset-cell1|170 U+1FB09 BLOCK SEXTANT-24|link=🬉}}

|{{chset-cell1|171 U+1FB0A BLOCK SEXTANT-124|link=🬊}}

|{{chset-cell1|172 U+1FB0B BLOCK SEXTANT-34|link=🬋}}

|{{chset-cell1|173 U+1FB0C BLOCK SEXTANT-134|link=🬌}}

|{{chset-cell1|174 U+1FB0D BLOCK SEXTANT-234|link=🬍}}

|{{chset-cell1|175 U+1FB0E BLOCK SEXTANT-1234|link=🬎}}

{{chset-left1|Bx}}

|{{chset-cell1|176 U+1FB0F BLOCK SEXTANT-5|link=🬏}}

|{{chset-cell1|177 U+1FB10 BLOCK SEXTANT-15|link=🬐}}

|{{chset-cell1|178 U+1FB11 BLOCK SEXTANT-25|link=🬑}}

|{{chset-cell1|179 U+1FB12 BLOCK SEXTANT-125|link=🬒}}

|{{chset-cell1|180 U+1FB13 BLOCK SEXTANT-35|link=🬓}}

|{{chset-cell1|181 U+258C LEFT HALF BLOCK|link=▌}}

|{{chset-cell1|182 U+1FB14 BLOCK SEXTANT-235|link=🬔}}

|{{chset-cell1|183 U+1FB15 BLOCK SEXTANT-1235|link=🬕}}

|{{chset-cell1|184 U+1FB16 BLOCK SEXTANT-45|link=🬖}}

|{{chset-cell1|185 U+1FB17 BLOCK SEXTANT-145|link=🬗}}

|{{chset-cell1|186 U+1FB18 BLOCK SEXTANT-245|link=🬘}}

|{{chset-cell1|187 U+1FB19 BLOCK SEXTANT-1245|link=🬙}}

|{{chset-cell1|188 U+1FB1A BLOCK SEXTANT-345|link=🬚}}

|{{chset-cell1|189 U+1FB1B BLOCK SEXTANT-1345|link=🬛}}

|{{chset-cell1|190 U+1FB1C BLOCK SEXTANT-2345|link=🬜}}

|{{chset-cell1|191 U+1FB1D BLOCK SEXTANT-12345|link=🬝}}

{{chset-left1|Cx}}

|{{chset-cell1|192 U+25E2 BLACK LOWER RIGHT TRIANGLE|◢}}

|{{chset-cell1|193 U+25E3 BLACK LOWER LEFT TRIANGLE|◣}}

|{{chset-cell1|194 U+1FBE8 TOP JUSTIFIED LOWER HALF BLACK CIRCLE|🯨}}

|{{chset-cell1|195 U+258A LEFT THREE QUARTERS BLOCK|▊}}

|{{chset-cell1|196 U+25AA BLACK SMALL SQUARE|▪}}

|{{chset-cell1|197 U+2666 BLACK DIAMOND SUIT|♦}}

|{{chset-cell1|198 U+00B7 MIDDLE DOT|·}}

|{{chset-cell1|199 U+1FBEC TOP RIGHT JUSTIFIED LOWER LEFT QUARTER BLACK CIRCLE|🯬}}

|{{chset-cell1|200 U+253C BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL|┼}}

|{{chset-cell1|201 U+1FBED BOTTOM LEFT JUSTIFIED UPPER RIGHT QUARTER BLACK CIRCLE|🯭}}

|{{chset-cell1|202 U+2571 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT DIAGONAL UPPER RIGHT TO LOWER LEFT|╱}}

|{{chset-cell1|203 U+1FBE9 RIGHT JUSTIFIED LEFT HALF BLACK CIRCLE|🯩}}

|{{chset-cell1|204 U+2534 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT UP AND HORIZONTAL|┴}}

|{{chset-cell1|205 U+251C BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT VERTICAL AND RIGHT|├}}

|{{chset-cell1|206 U+2510 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT DOWN AND LEFT|┐}}

|{{chset-cell1|207 U+2514 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT UP AND RIGHT|└}}

{{chset-left1|Dx}}

|{{chset-cell1|208 U+1CDFF EXPLOSION FRAME-3|𜷿}}

|{{chset-cell1|209 U+1CDFE EXPLOSION FRAME-2|𜷾}}

|{{chset-cell1|210 U+1FBEA BOTTOM JUSTIFIED UPPER HALF BLACK CIRCLE|🯪}}

|{{chset-cell1|211 U+1CDFD EXPLOSION FRAME-1|𜷽}}

|{{chset-cell1|212 U+2665 BLACK HEART SUIT|♥}}

|{{chset-cell1|213 U+2663 BLACK CLUB SUIT|♣}}

|{{chset-cell1|214 U+2502 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT VERTICAL|│}}

|{{chset-cell1|215 U+1FBEE BOTTOM RIGHT JUSTIFIED UPPER LEFT QUARTER BLACK CIRCLE|🯮}}

|{{chset-cell1|216 U+2573 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT DIAGONAL CROSS|╳}}

|{{chset-cell1|217 U+1FBEF TOP LEFT JUSTIFIED LOWER RIGHT QUARTER BLACK CIRCLE|🯯}}

|{{chset-cell1|218 U+2572 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT DIAGONAL UPPER LEFT TO LOWER RIGHT|╲}}

|{{chset-cell1|219 U+1FBEB LEFT JUSTIFIED RIGHT HALF BLACK CIRCLE|🯫}}

|{{chset-cell1|220 U+252C BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT DOWN AND HORIZONTAL|┬}}

|{{chset-cell1|221 U+2524 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT VERTICAL AND LEFT|┤}}

|{{chset-cell1|222 U+250C BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT DOWN AND RIGHT|┌}}

|{{chset-cell1|223 U+2518 BOX DRAWINGS LIGHT UP AND LEFT|┘}}

{{chset-left1|Ex}}

|{{chset-cell1|224 U+1FB1E BLOCK SEXTANT-6|link=🬞}}

|{{chset-cell1|225 U+1FB1F BLOCK SEXTANT-16|link=🬟}}

|{{chset-cell1|226 U+1FB20 BLOCK SEXTANT-26|link=🬠}}

|{{chset-cell1|227 U+1FB21 BLOCK SEXTANT-126|link=🬡}}

|{{chset-cell1|228 U+1FB22 BLOCK SEXTANT-36|link=🬢}}

|{{chset-cell1|229 U+1FB23 BLOCK SEXTANT-136|link=🬣}}

|{{chset-cell1|230 U+1FB24 BLOCK SEXTANT-236|link=🬤}}

|{{chset-cell1|231 U+1FB25 BLOCK SEXTANT-1236|link=🬥}}

|{{chset-cell1|232 U+1FB26 BLOCK SEXTANT-46|link=🬦}}

|{{chset-cell1|233 U+1FB27 BLOCK SEXTANT-146|link=🬧}}

|{{chset-cell1|234 U+2590 RIGHT HALF BLOCK|link=▐}}

|{{chset-cell1|235 U+1FB28 BLOCK SEXTANT-1246|link=🬨}}

|{{chset-cell1|236 U+1FB29 BLOCK SEXTANT-346|link=🬩}}

|{{chset-cell1|237 U+1FB2A BLOCK SEXTANT-1346|link=🬪}}

|{{chset-cell1|238 U+1FB2B BLOCK SEXTANT-2346|link=🬫}}

|{{chset-cell1|239 U+1FB2C BLOCK SEXTANT-12346|link=🬬}}

{{chset-left1|Fx}}

|{{chset-cell1|240 U+1FB2D BLOCK SEXTANT-56|link=🬭}}

|{{chset-cell1|241 U+1FB2E BLOCK SEXTANT-156|link=🬮}}

|{{chset-cell1|242 U+1FB2F BLOCK SEXTANT-256|link=🬯}}

|{{chset-cell1|243 U+1FB30 BLOCK SEXTANT-1256|link=🬰}}

|{{chset-cell1|244 U+1FB31 BLOCK SEXTANT-356|link=🬱}}

|{{chset-cell1|245 U+1FB32 BLOCK SEXTANT-1356|link=🬲}}

|{{chset-cell1|246 U+1FB33 BLOCK SEXTANT-2356|link=🬳}}

|{{chset-cell1|247 U+1FB34 BLOCK SEXTANT-12356|link=🬴}}

|{{chset-cell1|248 U+1FB35 BLOCK SEXTANT-456|link=🬵}}

|{{chset-cell1|249 U+1FB36 BLOCK SEXTANT-1456|link=🬶}}

|{{chset-cell1|250 U+1FB37 BLOCK SEXTANT-2456|link=🬷}}

|{{chset-cell1|251 U+1FB38 BLOCK SEXTANT-12456|link=🬸}}

|{{chset-cell1|252 U+1FB39 BLOCK SEXTANT-3456|link=🬹}}

|{{chset-cell1|253 U+1FB3A BLOCK SEXTANT-13456|link=🬺}}

|{{chset-cell1|254 U+1FB3B BLOCK SEXTANT-23456|link=🬻}}

|{{chset-cell1|255 U+2588 FULL BLOCK|█}}

Software

Software published for the Aquarius during its commercial life (1983–84):{{Cite web |title=Mattel Aquarius |url=https://www.uvlist.net/platforms/detail/168-Aquarius |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=Universal Videogame List |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Mattel Aquarius Tape Software |url=https://www.vdsteenoven.com/aquarius/cassette.php |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=Mattel Aquarius Home Computer}}

class="wikitable sortable"
style="width:30%;" | Commercial software

! style="width:13%;" | Publisher

! style="width:21%;" | Release date

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Treasure of Tarmin †

|Mattel Electronics

|1983

Aliens

|Add On Electronics

|1983

Aquapack 1 (Snake, Breakout, Moon Shuttle)

|Apocalypse Software

|????

Astrosmash †

|Mattel Electronics, Radofin Electronics

|1983

Battle Zone

|Add On Electronics

|1984

Biorhythms †

|Mattel Electronics

|1983

Bounder

|Add On Electronics

|1984

Breakout

|Add On Electronics

|1984

Burger Time †

|Mattel Electronics, Radofin Electronics

|1983

Chess (Dick Smith Electronics)

|Dick Smith Electronics

|1983

Chess (Mattel)†

|Mattel Electronics

|1983

Chuckman

|Add On Electronics

|1983

D-Fenders

|Add On Electronics

|1983

Deathrace

|Apocalypse Software

|????

Demo Cassette (Stalactites, Macho-Man, Torment, Cute Cubes, Alien Quest, Mad Mould)

|Radofin Electronics

|1983

Diamond Mine

|Add On Electronics

|1984

Disco Fever

|Add On Electronics

|1984

Ed-On

|Add On Electronics

|1983

Extended Microsoft Basic (Mattel)†

|Mattel Electronics

|1983

FileForm †

|Mattel Electronics

|1983

FinForm †

|Mattel Electronics. Radofin Electronics

|1983

First Adventure

|Digital Output

|1984

Games Pack 1 (Stalactites, Macho-Man, Othello, Mutants)

|Add On Electronics

|1983

Games Pack 2 (Bounder, Local Bomber, Breakout, Night Driver)

|Custom Cables International

|1984

Games Pack 3 (Metior, Sheepdog, Mastermind, Depthcharge)

|Custom Cables International

|1984

Games Pack 4 (Painter, Pontoon, Grand Prix, Alien Storm)

|Custom Cables International

|1984

GamesTape (Dodge It, Trojan Dragon, Death Trap, Tablets of Hippocrates)

|Fawkes Computing

|1984

Gamespack 1 (Snake, Masterguess, Symon, Bomber, Hi-Lo)

|Processor Software

|1984

Gamespack 2 (Collector, Blocked!, Rocket Run, Minefield, Air-Defence)

|Processor Software

|1984

Ghost Hunter

|Dick Smith Electronics

|????

Grid Bug

|Add On Electronics

|1983

Hopper

|Microdeal

|1984

Invaders

|Dick Smith Electronics

|1984

Kronos Europea Cassette (Gamble, Gunfight, Mad Mould, Outline)

|Radofin Electronics

|1984

Logo †

|Mattel Electronics

|1983

Maths Armada

|Dick Smith Electronics

|1984

Mazantics

|Add On Electronics

|1983

Melody Chase †

|Mattel Electronics

|1983

Millypede

|Add On Electronics

|1983

Mower Man

|Add On Electronics

|1984

N-Vaders

|Add On Electronics

|1983

Night Stalker †

|Mattel Electronics, Radofin Electronics

|1983

Outpack 1 (Snake, Masterguess, Symon, Bomber, Hi-Lo)

|Digital Output

|1984

Outpack 2 (Collector, Blocked, Rocket Run, Minefield, Air-Defence)

|Digital Output

|1984

Outpack 3 (Gunfight, Gambler, Moonlander, Tracker, Nim)

|Digital Output

|1984

Outpack 4 (Super Slot, Golf, Invasion, Killer Sub, Survival)

|Digital Output

|1984

Outpack 5 (Timetrap, Gro-Worm, Wampus Gold, Bumpers, Space Shoot)

|Digital Output

|1984

Pac Mr

|Add On Electronics

|1983

Pack 1 (Bombardier, Fruit Machine, Hang Man, Alien Descent, Escape)

|Mercury House

|????

Pack 2 (Dungeon Adventure, U-Boat, Golf, Star Catcher, Moonraker)

|Mercury House

|????

Phrogger

|Add On Electronics

|1984

Postman Pot

|Add On Electronics

|1984

Rally Driver

|Micro Mart Software

|1984

Read It

|Dick Smith Electronics

|1984

Scramble

|Micro Mart Software

|1984

Snafu †

|Mattel Electronics, Radofin Electronics

|1983

Space Ram

|Dick Smith Electronics

|1984

Space Speller †

|Mattel Electronics

|1983

Tracker

|Digital Output

|????

Tron: Deadly Discs †

|Mattel Electronics, Radofin Electronics

|1983

Utopia †

|Mattel Electronics, Radofin Electronics

|1983

Zero In †

|Mattel Electronics

|1983

Zorgon's Kingdom

|Romik Software

|1984

:† ROM Cartridge

Homebrew software developed for the Aquarius:

class="wikitable sortable"
style="width:30%;" | Homebrew games

! style="width:13%;" | Publisher/Developer

! style="width:21%;" | Release date

AlphaMix

|Oasis

|

Aquariworm

|Cronosoft / Roy Templeman

|2020{{Cite web |title=Mattel Aquarius Games: Aquariworm |url=https://www.vdsteenoven.com/aquarius/aworm1.php |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=www.vdsteenoven.com}}

Bomb Catcher II

|Cronosoft / Roy Templeman

|2021{{Cite web |title=Mattel Aquarius Games: Bomb Catcher 2 |url=https://www.vdsteenoven.com/aquarius/bc165.php |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=www.vdsteenoven.com}}

Astro Covoy

|Cronosoft / Roy Templeman

|2024

Crossword Computer

|Oasis

|

Doomsday Defender

|Cronosoft / Roy Templeman

|2022{{Cite web |title=Mattel Aquarius Games: Doomsday Defender |url=https://www.vdsteenoven.com/aquarius/ddv50d.php |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=www.vdsteenoven.com}}

Electric Organ

|Oasis

|

Fall of the Eastern Blocks

|Leinen, Jason J.

|1999

Flying

|Oasis

|

Football

|D.A. Spencer

|

Fruit Machine

|D.A. Spencer

|

Gunnery

|Oasis

|

Mastercode

|Oasis

|

Pontoon

|D.A. Spencer

|

Rollerball

|D.A. Spencer

|

Sketch

|Oasis

|

Ski

|D.A. Spencer

|

Solitaire

|Oasis

|

Space Collision

|D.A. Spencer

|

Spacepits

|D.A. Spencer

|

Strikeforce

|D.A. Spencer

|

Symmetry

|Oasis

|

Turmoil 2022

|8-Bit Milli Games

|2022{{cite web |last=Hicks |first=William |date=April 1, 2022 |title=Turmoil 2022 Aquarius |url=https://8bitmilligames.com/store/aquarius/turmoil-2022-aquarius.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004054951/https://8bitmilligames.com/store/aquarius/turmoil-2022-aquarius.html |archive-date=2023-10-04 |access-date=December 2, 2023}}

Warp Factor

|Cronosoft / Roy Templeman

|2023

Grid Trap

|Cronosoft / Roy Templeman

|2024

Paqu Deluxe

|Cronosoft / Roy Templeman

|2024

10 Liner - Invader

|Roy Templeman

|2019

10 Liner - Cave Navigator

|Roy Templeman

|2021

10 Liner - Attack of the ROM Robots

|Roy Templeman

|2022

10 Liner - AstroRun

|Roy Templeman

|2023

10 Liner - Paqu

|Roy Templeman

|2024

10 Liner - BOMBER!

|Roy Templeman

|2025

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{commons category|Mattel Aquarius}}

  • [https://www.youtube.com/mattelaquarius Sample videos of most Mattel Aquarius programs]
  • [https://archive.org/details/mattelaquarius Mattel Aquarius Software Collection] playable for free in the browser at the Internet Archive

{{Spoken Wikipedia|Wikipedia-MattelAquarius_mixdown.ogg|date=2013-04-28}}

{{Mattel}}

Category:Mattel

Category:Z80-based home computers

Category:Home computers

Category:Computer-related introductions in 1983

Category:Character sets