R > ROBERTS > Paddle IV     

A classic pong from Roberts with four games (hence the name of the system) and detachables paddles. Apparently made in Japan.

The two paddles can be attached to each side of the system, or taken apart. There are only equiped with a unique dial. The general cosmetic design of the Paddle IV looks like the Commodore 64 one. Round edges and beige/creamy color. The games selection is made with a knob...

PROMOTIONAL CATCHERS:
- Featuring 4 games with detachable remotre control
- Automatic on screen scoring
- Simply attached to your black & white or color TV set

Jeff Skowron reports:
I owned this system. The games were pretty standard pong fare. For tennis, each player had a paddle and the object was to keep the ball from going behind the paddle. Hockey was the same, except the area behind the paddle that the ball could go through was restricted (i.e. representing the net. I also believe that in the hockey game, each player controlled two paddle, both on the same side of "center ice", but one more forward than the other and slightly offset from each other. As you might guess, in squash each player controlled a paddle on the same side of the screen and the object was to bounce the ball off the wall on the other side of the screen and get it past your opponent. Squash practice was the single player version with just one paddle. There were difficulty setting switches that made the ball or "puck" move faster, made paddles smaller, and, I think, altered the angles the ball took when it hit the paddles. If I recall correctly, the first toggle switch on the top row in the picture allowed you to choose automatic or manual serve (only applicable for squash practice?). In manual mode, you had to push one of the buttons on teh lower left of the console to serve the ball. On a side note, putting the power cord in your mouth gives a bit of a shock! (I think my cousin dared me to do it)