Background/History:
The LJN Video Art was an art painting program, much like Mario Paint or Microsoft Paint. Unlike those programs, it doesn't come as software; rather, the LJN Video Art was its own self contained system. Launched in 1987, it was one of the first art video games ever released. It was not intended as a direct competitor to the NES and other video game systems of the era; it was meant to compete with television itself. The system's controller is a joystick. The joystick is pressed down and moved and acts much like a virtual colored pencil. A color selector at the top of the joystick allows the player to select a color. The system also used cartridges, which came pre-loaded with pictures the player could color in, much like a coloring book.
What Makes It Obscure?
LJN is well known for making many low quality games, and the Video Art is no exception. There is basically nothing good to say about the system. The system lacked features that even basic art programs are expected to provide, such as a screen clear mode or a paint fill tool. It was nothing more than a virtual coloring book with a pack of colored pencils. Worse, the joystick had poor response, making it nearly impossible to properly color in. The system used a metal prong coaxial cable that has to be screwed onto the back of a TV, as opposed to the more modern and convenient RF connectors used by video game systems of the time. The system also output only white noise.
The Angry Video Game Nerd reviewed the system on December 22, 2014. Here is the video.
Warning: strong language.
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