The Channel F is back! With new game, and Android ports of Hockey, Dodge It and Robot War

Fairchild’s Channel F was launched in 1976 as the Video Entertainment System, and was the first console to use interchangeable ROM cartridges. It was developed by Jerry Lawson and his team at Fairchild Semiconductor.

The Channel F was initially popular, with over 250,000 units sold in the first year. However, it struggled to compete with the Atari 2600, which was released in 1977 and featured better graphics and sound.

It was sold under a variety of different brands in different countries such as Grandstand, Nordmende, Luxor, Barco and Dumont. Fairchild left the games industry In 1979 and the Channel F was sold to Zircon International, who continued producing the console until 1983.

Despite the limitations of the system, there has been a bunch of homebrew Channel F games over the last few years including versions of Tetris, Pac-man, Centipede and even Wordle.

But now, there is going to be a new official cartridge for the system, as the rights have been acquired by games company Skalectrotechny, LLC. The new game is called Skalboarga and is a hybrid video game and board game. The new company have also ported classic Channel F games such as Hockey, Dodge It and Robot War to Android.

As well as the games, the new company are also selling various Channel F related merchandise including a PS5 controller skin.

Find out more at the Channel F website