Unisonic Champion 2711

In 1978, Unisonic released the Champion 2711 console. This is the only product known to be based on the Gimini "Mid-Range 8950" reference design by General Instrument. Like the Mattel Intellivision, which is based on the more powerful General Instrument Gimini "Full Range 8900" reference design, the Champion 2711 is built around the 16-bit CP-1610 CPU. However, the Mid-Range chip-set makes use of a simple, combined display and sound chip, the GIC AY-3-8800, which can only generate white upper-case alphanumeric text and coloured playing card symbols on a vertically split, two resolution, green playing field. These idiosyncrasies make it challenging to write compelling programs, other than card games, for the machine. The firmware within the console contains two built-in games, Blackjack and Baccarat, and a further four cartridges, known as PACs, were released for the system. Three of these cartridges contain additional card games, including variations on Poker, Mastermind and Concentration; the fourth PAC is an edutainment title called Arithmetic Primer. The system was produced in very low quantities and was sold in the US, and from the start of 1979 in Japan, where it was branded as the "Casino TV Games". As a consequence of its commercial failure and limited production run, the Champion 2711 is now very rare.