Computer:Aquarius Home Computer System

Following the success of their Intellivision video game console, Mattel Electronics entered the home computer market with the Aquarius in 1983. Production of the system lasted four months, and only an estimated 20,000 units sold. Despite being designed to compete with the Texas Instruments TI-99/4A and Commodore VIC-20, the Aquarius failed mainly due to poor graphics and small amount of memory. Its low $160 price tag was appealing, but buyers found themselves having to purchase several add-ons, such as additional RAM cartridges, a data recorder and printer, in order to improve the system. The Aquarius did run several game programs, but most were Intellivision ports that played poorly due to graphical limitations. Although unsuccessful commercially, the low number of systems produced makes the Aquarius a popular collector's item.