Poly-Play (ZRE)

Arcade Video game published 39 years ago:

Poly-Play (c) 1985 VEB Polytechnik Karl-Marx-Stadt.

This game features 10 different games : Hase und Wolf (a "Pac-Man"-type game), Hirschjagd (similar to "Robotron 2084"), Schmetterlinge, Abfahrtslauf, Schiessbude ("Carnival" clone), Autorennen, Merkspiel, Wasserrohrbruch, Hagelnde Wolken, Der Taucher.

- TECHNICAL -

Main CPU : U880 compatible with Zilog Z80 (@ 2.4576 Mhz)
Sound Chips : Custom (@ 2.4576 Mhz)

Screen orientation : Horizontal
Video resolution : 512 x 256 pixels
Screen refresh : 50.00 Hz
Palette colors : 8

Players : 1
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 1

- TRIVIA -

2 cabinet versions existed, named ECS1 and ECS2. ESC means "Elektronischer Spielcomputer". The difference was a better cabinet for ECS2.

10 programs exist, only eight could be chosen for deployment (in EPROM-Order):
"Hase und Wolf" translates from German as 'Rabbit and Wolf', based on the Russian cartoon series 'Nu, pogodi!', popular in the GDR.
"Hirschjagd" translates from German as 'Deer Hunt'.
"Schmetterlinge" translates from German as 'Butterflies'.
"Abfahrtslauf" translates from German as 'Downhill'.
"Schiessbude" translates from German as 'Shooting Hut'.
"Autorennen" translates from German as 'Car Race'.
"Merkspiel" translates from German as 'Noticing Play'.
"Wasserrohrbruch" translates from German as 'Water Pipe Break'.
"Hagelnde Wolken" translates from German as 'Hailing Clouds'.
"Der Taucher" translates from German as 'The Diver'.

2 additional games were planned :
"Der Gärtner" translates from German as 'The Gardener'.
"Im Gewächshaus" translates from German as 'In the Greenhouse'.

The last manufactured versions, in 1989, have had the possibility of ten games.

The story goes that Poly-Play was the only arcade approved machine to be produced in GDR and they used to go into places like FDGB holiday homes and youth hostels. When the Berlin Wall came down, for some strange reason they recalled the machines to the factory and had them dismantled. A few were salvaged. There were probably about 1000-1500 made (last known serial number 1492 from 1989).