BBC Bridge Companion

home video game console

The BBC Bridge Companion is an 8-bit video game console made to teach bridge. It was made by BBC Enterprises Ltd and came out in 1985 in the United Kingdom for £199.99.[1]

BBC Bridge Companion
BBC Bridge Companion with a Bridge Builder cartridge inserted
DeveloperBBC Enterprises Ltd, Unicard Ltd
ManufacturerHeber
TypeHome video game console
GenerationThird generation
Release date1985; 39 years ago (1985)
Introductory priceGB£199.99 (equivalent to £610.39 in 2019)
MediaROM cartridge
CPUZilog Z80A @ 3.579 MHz
Memory2kB SRAM, 16kB VRAM, 16kB ROM
Display280×216, 8 colours
GraphicsTexas Instruments TMS9129NL
InputKeypad
Power240V AC

History change

Maths teacher Andrew Kambites wanted to make money from bridge, which he loved. He had programmed computers, so he made it into the BBC Bridge Companion.[2]

List of cartridges change

All programs for the system teach different parts of bridge.

  • Advanced Bidding
  • Advanced Defence
  • Bridge Builder
  • Club Play 1
  • Club Play 2
  • Club Play 3
  • Conventions 1
  • Duplicate 1
  • Master Play 1

References change

  1. Frank, Ian (1998). Search & Planning Under Incomplete Information: A Study Using Bridge Card Play. Springer-Verlag. p. 294. ISBN 978-3-540-76257-7.
  2. Kambites, Andrew. "Andrew Kambites". English Bridge Union. Retrieved 24 September 2021.

Other websites change