Tuesday, August 04, 2024

"I Am Programmed To Beat You."

With the ominous threat of computerized defeat printed on the box, it's a wonder that anyone ever bothered to play Milton Bradley's Comp IV at all.

Comp IV

The fact that it's a painfully boring game would also seem to be a hefty deterrent, but what Comp IV lacks in action and excitement, it more than makes up for by being Star Trek-ishly cool looking.

Comp IV

Comp IV is one of those classic '70s electronic games that relies mainly on slick packaging, futuristic design, and bright LED lights to sell you on the promise of incredible computerized fun. But the sad truth is that the box is ten times more fun than the game itself.

The challenge is to guess a randomly generated number in as few tries as possible, while Comp IV gives you clues. The game comes packed with a stack of special notepads--which should serve as a warning, because notepads aren't fun--that are designed to help you work out the secret number.

Awesome! (I'm being sarcastic.)

Comp IV

But, okay... before I'm accused of being a jaded twenty-first century gamer, I'll admit that there was a time thirty years ago, when I would have been perfectly content to sit and fiddle with an LED calculator for hours on end. I'd punch in numbers and stare with big wide eyes--like a caveman seeing fire for the first time--at the miracle before me, so it's probably true that I would have also played the heck out of a Comp IV if I'd owned one in 1978.

...or maybe not.

Comp IV

2 comments:

M - said...

OMG I had a COMP.IV! I loved it. I still have the original MERLIN and it still works!

plasticfetish said...

Merlin is a 1000 times more fun. I keep one in my desk... it's very relaxing.