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website/content/museum/mattel-electronics-aquarius.md
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yann64andClaude Opus 5.5 b274874139 All machines linked to their forum thread (full comment import) 
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Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
2026-10-13 17:26:43 +02:00

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---
title: Mattel Electronics Aquarius
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- Zilog Z80A
params:
name: Aquarius
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_1_hr_s.jpg
logo: /media/museum/logos/aquarius_logo_2.gif
company: /companies/mattel-electronics
company_name: Mattel Electronics
specs:
- label: NAME
value: Aquarius
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: Mattel Electronics
- label: TYPE
value: Home Computer
- label: ORIGIN
value: U.S.A.
- label: YEAR
value: '1983'
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: Specific Microsoft Basic interpreter
- label: KEYBOARD
value: Rubber type. 49 keys
- label: CPU
value: Zilog Z80A
- label: SPEED
value: 3.5 mHz
- label: RAM
value: 4 KB (up to 32 KB), 1,7 KB free for user
- label: ROM
value: 8 KB
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 40 chars x 25 lines
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: 80 x 72 / 320 x 192 dots
- label: COLORS
value: '16'
- label: SOUND
value: 1 voice (3 voices with the Mini-Expander)
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
value: 34,5 (W) x 15 (D) x 5,5 (H) cm.
- label: I/O PORTS
value: Tape, Printer, Bus
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: External power supply (12v)
- label: PERIPHERALS
value: Thermic printer and plotter (1200 bauds), Tape-recorder (600 bauds), Mini-expander addon, RAM expansions (4 KB, 16 KB and 32 KB), Master expansion module & disk-drives (vaporware), Home Computer System
- label: PRICE
value: £49.95 (Radofin version 1984)
tabs:
- photos
- adverts
- hardware
- emulators
- links
forum_thread: 88
photos:
- title: AQUARIUS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_1_hr.jpg
- title: COMPLETE SET-UP
subtitle: ''
text: 'This is quite a complete Aquarius set-up. Pictured here are : the Aquarius computer, the 16k memory expansion pack, the expander unit, the thermal printer, the data recorder and many software and documentation.'
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_complete_1.jpg
- title: DIVE INTO THE AQUARIUS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** Dedicated connector for Mattel printers.\
**(2)** Dedicated connector for optional Mattel devices.\
**(3)** Z 80 microprocessor running at 3,5 Mhz.\
**(4)** Cassette recorder DIN connector.\
**(5)** This circuit forces game cartridge manufacturers to obtain Mattel agreement.\
**(6)** Video management chipset.\
**(7)** Modulator for T.V. aerial signals.\
**(8)** This ROM chip holds the specific Microsoft Basic interpreter.\
**(9)** These two chips hold the 4 Kb. RAM (1.7 Kb. available for user).\
**(10)** Power plug. Power is supplied by an external transformer.\
**(11)** T.V. video output connector.\
**(12)** Rubber keyboard. The keys layout is not conventional, particularly the space bar position.
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius1_inside_1.jpg
- title: BOX
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box_2.jpg
- title: BOX - BACK
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box-rear_1.jpg
- title: 'BOX - BACK #2'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box_back_2.jpg
- title: 'BOX #2'
subtitle: ''
text: This package included an Aquarius computer, the Mini-Expander extension, and game cartridges.
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box_3.jpg
- title: 'BOX #2 - FRONT'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box2_front_1.jpg
- title: 'BOX #2 - BACK'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_big-box.jpg
- title: 'BOX #2 - BACK'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box2_back_1.jpg
- title: BOX DETAIL
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/mattel_aquarius_box_detail.jpg
adverts:
- title: UK ADVERT, OCT. 1983
subtitle: ''
text: |-
From Personal Computer World magazine.\
Advert says:\
This is an entirely new computer system. It was designed with both eyes fixed firmly on the future. So that whatever shape the future takes, we'll be able to fit it into the system. Just as simply as the peripherals and software already available fit into the system. That way, the system will grow with you. And you'll never get left behind.
Based around the Z80A microprocessor, and utilising Microsoft BASIC, Aquarius has 8K ROM and 4K RAM resident within its console. It is able to provide up to 16 colours and resolution of 320 x 192, and generates its sound directly through the television's speakers.
With twin cartridge ports, the mini-expander allows simultaneous use of additional RAM and software cartrldges. Twin disc game hand controls are included and the unit provides two additional sound channels. The 16K RAM cartridge plugs into either the console or the mini-expander, increasing Aquarius's RAM capacity to 20K.
With the ability to reproduce the entire graphic and character set of Aquarius at 80 characters a second, the printer's 40 column output allows transcription of the complete monitor image.
Using standard audio cassettes, the data recorder provides storage for programs and information, and allows the use of cassette based software. Incorporating a digital tape counter and transmission indicator, it operates sequential searching.
A large number of games, designed to take advantage of Aquarius's sophisticated colour and sound capabilities, are available on cartridges that plug into the console either direct, or through the mini-expander. Cassette based games can be used via the data recorder.
A wide range of preprogrammed cartridges is available, including the LOGO teaching program and practical home data systems like FILEFORM and the spreadsheet calculator package FINFORM.
image: /media/museum/pubs/mattel_aquarius_pub_s1.jpg
- title: UK ADVERT (1984)
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to Tony Mattson for this picture
image: /media/museum/pubs/mattel_aquarius_pub_2.gif
- title: PROMOTIONAL PICTURE
subtitle: ''
text: found on the system box
image: /media/museum/pubs/mattel_aquarius_prm-pic_1.jpg
hardware:
- title: FROM MATTEL ELECTRONICS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_datarecorder_1.jpg
- title: RECORDER AND BOX
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_data-recorder.jpg
- title: BOX
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_datarecorder_box_1.jpg
- title: FROM MATTEL ELECTRONICS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This device supplies 2 cartridges ports (which makes it possible to plug a RAM expansion cartridge and a program cartridge at the same time), two paddles and an enhanced sound chip (two supplementary voices).
Promotional text on the box says:\
\- Accepts memory cartridge to expand memory to 20 KB!\
\- 2 separate ports: allows you to use a memory cartridge at the same time with a game or program cartridge!\
\- Includes 2 hand controllers: 16 position disc and 6 action buttons!\
\- adds two more sound channels for more exciting game play!
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander.jpg
- title: BOX
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander_box_1.jpg
- title: IN BOX
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander_inbox.jpg
- title: BOX
subtitle: Side
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander_box-side.jpg
- title: BOX - SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander_box3.jpg
- title: BOX
subtitle: rear
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_mini-expander_box-rear.jpg
- title: MATTEL ELECTRONICS
subtitle: ''
text: This 300 baud modem had to be connected to the cartridge connector.
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_modem_1.jpg
- title: BOX
subtitle: ''
text: '"opens a whole new world of information and communications! Smart enough to be simple!"'
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_modem_box_1.jpg
- title: 4K & 16K RAM EXPANSIONS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_ram_expansions.jpg
- title: 4K RAM CARTRIDGE
subtitle: box
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_4k-ram_box_2.jpg
- title: 16 KB RAM EXPANSION CARTRIDGE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_16k-ram-expansion_2.jpg
- title: 4K RAM
subtitle: box - side
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_4k-ram_box_side.jpg
- title: 4K RAM
subtitle: box (rear)
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_4k-ram_box_rear.jpg
- title: VALUE PACK
subtitle: ''
text: The Aquarius Value Pack contained a 4 KB RAM expansion cartridge, Utopia and Snafu software..
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_value-pack_box_1.jpg
- title: 16 KB RAM EXPANSION CARTRIDGE
subtitle: Box
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_16k-ram-expansion_box.jpg
- title: FROM MATTEL ELECTRONICS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This is a small thermic printer which can print 80 characters per second onto 40 columns paper.
Only Mattel printers can be connected to the Aquarius.
image: /media/museum/hardware/mattel_aquarius_printer_1.jpg
- title: TOP VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/matell_aquarius_printer_top_1.jpg
emulators:
- title: AqEmu
url: http://www.classicgaming.com/aqemu/aqemu.htm
platform: Windows
text: Aquarius emulator for Windows
- title: Virtual Aquarius
url: http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/
platform: Windows
text: Nice emulator by James the Animal Tamer
links:
- title: Blue Sky Rangers' site
url: http://www.intellivisionlives.com/
text: Ancient INTV programmers unveil all the secrets of the Mattel Electronics products !
- title: Mattel Aquarius homecomputer
url: http://www.vdsteenoven.com/aquarius/
text: History, Tech info, Sotware review & screenshots, Links, etc.
- title: Mattel Aquarius Yahoo Group
url: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mattelaquarius/
text: A place to discover, chat about, and just get general information on the Mattel Aquarius home computer.
related:
- /museum/radofin-electronics-limited-aquarius-2
oc_id: 73
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230530153316/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=73
date: '2023-05-30'
---
When the Keyboard Component project was canceled, Mattel searched in a hurry to produce a small and cheap computer. They contacted Radofin Electronics Far East, based in Hong-Kong, who was manufacturing most of the [Intellivision products](/museum/mattel-electronics-intellivision/). Radofin had just developped a line of three Z80 based computers. Mattel decided to sell the two first under their brand. The Aquarius 1 and 2 were born.
The Mattel Aquarius used a special version of the Microsoft Basic. When used with Basic, only 1.7 KB remained available.
There were no redefinable characters, but 256 predefined chars were available: 128 ASCII (numerals, upper and lower case alphabet, punctuation, symbols) and 128 graphic patterns. That was the only "graphical" features of the Aquarius !
Unfortunately the specifications were so poor for a 1983 computer, that the Aquarius 1 litteraly bombed. Three months after its release, Mattel decided to cancel the project and to sell back the rights and stocks to Radofin.
Radofin continued to sell Aquarius 1 & 2 under its own name, but without success...
Cool addons were developped for the Aquarius, but never made it to the shelves (apparently). There were a Master Expansion Module equipped with disk-drives and expansion slots for future add-ons. It even offered the CP/M compatibility!
Another sympathetic extension was the Home Computer System Command Console which allowed the Aquarius to directly control up to 255 electric devices. But when the computer was connected to this extension, it couldn't be used for anything else!
There were also a Modem planned and Mattel even announced network services for games and programs downloads...
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