Introduction:
I have the main unit (CIB).
type Pong game
country UK
year 1977
os ”Pong on a chip”
cpu General Instrument AY-3-8512
graphic TV
colors black & white
sound beeper
ports power, paddle (2)
The Prinztronic Micro 5500 is a fascinating piece of gaming history, specifically representing the ”First Generation” of home video game consoles. Released in the mid-to-late 1970s, it was part of the massive wave of ”Pong” clones that hit the European market.
Here is a detailed breakdown of what makes this machine unique:
1. The Technology: ”Pong-on-a-Chip”
Like many consoles of its era, the Micro 5500 was not a computer with a CPU in the modern sense. Instead, it utilized the General Instrument AY-3-8500 chipset.
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Integrated Design: All the logic for the games, paddle movement, and scoring was contained on a single microchip.
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Hardcoded Games: The games weren’t software; they were physically ”baked” into the silicon.
2. Game Library
The console featured the standard suite of games available on the AY-3-8500 chip. These were usually selected via a rotary dial or a slider on the console:
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Tennis: The classic Pong-style game.
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Football/Soccer: Featured two paddles per player (a goalie and a forward).
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Squash: A solo or two-player variant where you hit the ball against a back wall.
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Practice: A single-player mode for honing your skills.
3. Hardware Design & Features
The Micro 5500 is known for its distinct ”70s futuristic” aesthetic, often featuring a white or cream plastic casing with black and silver accents.
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Detachable Controllers: Unlike the very first Pong machines, the Micro 5500 featured two wired controllers that could be removed from their cradles, allowing players to sit further from the TV.
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Analog Paddles: The controllers used potentiometers (knobs) to move the paddles up and down, providing very precise—though often jittery—control.
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Audio: Sound was usually played through a built-in internal speaker inside the console itself, rather than through the television set.
4. Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
| Release Year | Circa 1976-1977 |
| Color Output | Black & White (typically) |
| Power Source | 6 x 1.5V batteries or a 9V DC adapter |
| Display Connection | RF Modulator (connected to the TV antenna port) |
| Manufacturer | Prinztronic (a brand of the British retailer Dixons) |