Action Max



"The first real action game system."

This is a very unique machine, the kind of crazy shit that could have happened only in the 1980s. You've heard of those LaserDisc-based consoles like the LaserActive and the Halcyon. Bah, who needs fancy schmancy LaserDiscs? You have a perfectly good VHS player already! It can do those interactive movies, except... well, a lot less interactive. It's no surprise that the Action Max was created by Worlds of Wonder, the toy company that made "Teddy Ruxpin" and "Lazer Tag". Its games, if you can even call them that, came in video tapes, and the only control system was a light gun (or two for multiplayer). The machine could detect if you hit the targets in the video, and that's it. There was no interaction other than counting your points. You couldn't really win or lose the game.

Only five tapes were released for it. A positive side of this system is that it's easy to get all the games, see the "list" below to know why.