Tele-Games Pinball Breakaway Game System (Atari)

In 1977, a new type of ball and paddle system was launched: Video Pinball. This game also existed in the arcade under the same name, hence the home versions sold by Atari (Video Pinball, model C-380) and Sears (Pinball Breakaway, model 99713). There even was a japanese version, the Epoch TV Block.

These systems were designed around a more advanced chip than the PONG-in-a-chip devices, possibly a microcontroller (believed, since the system also contains a small RAM chip which role is unknown, but believed to be for the display and/or score storage). The microcontroller is referred as C011500-1, although the system uses another Atari chip referenced C011512-05.

The games played are based around the pinball and breakout principles. Bumper controllers on the sides or a dial on the front were used to control the games. Depending on the game selected, the ball bounces on two bumpers (pinball games), or on a pad that moves horizontally (pinpaddle games), or just like in breakout. Obviously, each game had its own principles. In reality, the system played three different games.

The first one had four variants and was a pinball game. Some graphics and the type of bounce changed. Depending on the variant, you controled the ball with your flippers (via side buttons) or by moving a paddle with the knob. In the flipper versions, the ball had nice parabolic movement affected by the gravity whereas in the paddle versions, there was no gravity.

The second game was a basketball game. The ball bounced on a pad moved horizontally, and the goal was to let the ball go in a multicolor basket.

The third type of game was breakout. There was another variant called Breakway/Breakthru, the only difference between the two versions being a hole in the wall in place of the green bricks. Top red bricks could only be destroyed if the ball was coming directly from the paddle. This second version was only found on early models (read below).

Like said above, Atari and Sears marketed their own version (both designed by Atari), and Atari even released a latter cheaper model with a slightly different beige case.

The second basketball game (Basketball II/ Rebound II) was only found on the latter version of the Atari Video Pinball (beige model) and on the Epoch TV-Block. Early versions of the Atari Video Pinball and the Sears Pinball Breakaway had the second version of the Breakout game instead, called Breakway or Breakthru.

A Note on Item Conditions when ordering from us!

When shopping any of our websites or in our stores, you will notice that we segment games, systems and accessories into condition categories:

• Brand New* - new or original seal in original packaging and includes original components.
• Complete - Very Good* - item is complete in box (CIB) with all original components. It will include jewel case/box, artwork, instruction manuals and any included items where applicable. All items will show very little wear.
• Complete - Good* - item is complete and will include jewel case/box, artwork and manual. Labels/Manuals/Boxes might show light to minor wear.
• Complete - Acceptable* - item is complete with original case/artwork, manual and game. Item will show heavy wear from use.
• Game Only/Game System Only/Accessory Only* - these items might not be complete. These items will be game or system/accessory only and might not include original boxes or manuals. These items will show wear from use and might also have sticker or marker residue on them.
• Ugly* - they might not be pretty but they work! We sometimes get items that show label damage, dents, deep scratches, cracks, etc. We're happy to offer these at a discount. If you just want to play a game, check the Ugly’s out and save a few bucks to boot!
• Game Manual Only - these listings are for loose game manuals. Many gamers are looking to complete their collections and often missing is the original game manual. These items are in good, complete, clean condition but might show light wear from use and could have the occasional dog ear/ink/sticker to a page.

*Downloadable content, if applicable, may have already been previously redeemed or no longer available. Some games are online only even if in physical form – please confirm before ordering.)

We offer a 30-day warranty on any item purchased from us. Contact us if there is an issue and we will work to troubleshoot, repair or replace the item. We can be reached via the Chat Bubble, via email: Sales@J2Games.com, or call us at the number listed at the top of the website.