The IntertonVC 4000 was quite popular in Germany. Interton produced a number of Pong systems before the VC-4000 was created in 1978. The console was not widely available outside of Germany, but many compatible software systems can be found in many countries (at least in Europe). It is unclear whether Interton actually made the VC-4000 from scratch or whether it bought the rights and design for its production, like many other brands that produced similar systems in the following years. The same thing will happen later with very similar systems like: Emerson Arcadia 2001 & "clones"…
The VC-4000 worked with a Sgnetics 2650A processor (same as the Arcadia 2001) and a Signetics 2636 video controller (the Arcadia 2001 uses a 2637). The two controllers consist of a 12-key keyboard, 2 "fire" keys and an analog controller. In the system control panel, you can find an on/off switch and three buttons: RESET, SELECT and START.
One peculiarity about this video game family (VC-4000 & clones) is that they seem to be the only systems that required the game to be loaded into internal RAM by the cartridge before it could be played (generally via LOAD or equivalent button located on the control panel. On the VC-4000 is the RESET button).
About 40 cartridges were created. The games aren't bad for 1978, but they're not impressive either.
