Control-Vision
| Company type | Video game console project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | Tom Zito |
| Fate | Cancelled before release in 1989 |
| Headquarters | Pawtucket , United States |
Key people | Tom Zito, Nolan Bushnell, Steve Wozniak |
| Products | Control-Vision console, interactive VHS-based games |
| Parent | Axlon (Nolan Bushnell's company) |
The Control-Vision console, internally referred to as NEMO, represents a video game system that was never commercially released and was developed by Tom Zito. Distinctively, it utilized VHS tapes in place of the conventional ROM cartridge format, a concept that later influenced game content on sophisticated CD-ROM platforms.
History
Development of the system, known by the codename "NEMO," commenced in 1985 under the direction of Nolan Bushnell's company, Axlon. The development team featured Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak, who contributed to building a prototype derived from a modified ColecoVision. This prototype integrated interactive visuals with a continuous video feed. The NEMO system stored computer data on VHS tapes alongside synchronized video and audio tracks.
To progress beyond the prototype stage, funding was sought, resulting in a $7 million investment from toy manufacturer Hasbro, securing rights for video game development. By mid-1986, three demonstration titles were finalized: Scene of the Crime (an interactive detective story), Bottom of the Ninth Inning (a baseball simulation), and an interactive music video for "You Might Think" by The Cars. This groundwork led to the production of the interactive film Night Trap, which was shot in late 1986 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island—Hasbro's base of operations. Subsequently, in 1987, Zito produced Sewer Shark, completing filming within one month on a budget of $3 million.
Although fully developed and scheduled for release in 1989, Hasbro terminated the project just two months before launch, citing concerns that the $299 price point would be uncompetitive compared to the more affordable and established Nintendo Entertainment System. Following this cancellation, Zito retained ownership of the game rights and archived all related materials in Rhode Island. In the late 1980s, he employed Mark Turmell—later known for creating NBA Jam and Smash TV—to produce two additional interactive games: Citizen X and a licensed title based on the Police Academy series.
Legacy
With the early 1990s emergence of CD-ROM technology as a cost-effective storage solution for gaming consoles, full-motion video (FMV) games became accessible to home users. For the 1992 debut of its Sega CD add-on for the Genesis console, Sega sought suitable content and partnered with Zito. Through his company Digital Pictures, he adapted both Sewer Shark and Night Trap for release on Sega CD, followed by versions for other platforms.
An appearance featuring a NEMO prototype demonstration to Hasbro executives is accessible via a cheat code in the Sega CD edition of Night Trap. Lawrence H. Bernstein from Milton Bradley played through Scene of the Crime, which served as a precursor to Night Trap. Additionally, a playable iteration is included in Night Trap: 25th Anniversary Edition.
Games
- Scene of the Crime (1986)
- Bottom of the Ninth Inning (1986)
- You Might Think (1986)
- Night Trap (1986)
- Sewer Shark (1987)
- Citizen X (1988)
- Police Academy (1988)
See also
- Action Max, VHS-based game console
- View-Master Interactive Vision, VHS-based game console