Retro Get! The Cool Tri-Screen Wonder of Vtech’s Deputy Den

In 1982 Vtech released Deputy Den - a handheld ahead of its time. So far ahead of its time that it had something even Nintendo didn’t.

Three screens.

According to miniarcade:

“”This tri-screen game can be played in 4 different modes - you can traverse all 3 screens in succession, or just play a game within just 1 of the screens.”

From the sound of it, it appears that as the game progresses the player moves from screen to screen, and that sounds pretty awesome to me.

Unlike, say the Mega Man 2 handheld, the images on Deputy Den’s screens are charming and reminiscent of old cartoons.

While the packaging is nothing that really spectacular, I am left wondering what the mysterious fourth game could be. How does one play four games on a machine that only has three screens?

One of the little details I really like about Deputy Den, is the use of stickers around the screens. Its a nice way to fill up some of the white space on either side of the screens, while giving it just the right amount of pzazz.

- Aaron

via
mini arcade
and
handheld museum