Emerson Arcadia 2001 Console: Emerson’s 8-Bit Gaming System from 1982 | Specs & History

Discover the Emerson Arcadia 2001, Emerson's 8-bit second-generation video game console released in 1982.

Learn about its specs, rare game library, and place in gaming history.

Total games cataloged:51

The Arcadia 2001 is a second-generation 8-bit home video game console launched by Emerson Radio in May 1982. Released several months before the ColecoVision, it entered a rapidly evolving gaming market with a retail price of just $99. Despite its early arrival, the system was discontinued within 18 months, with only 35 official games released during its short lifespan.

Unlike its bulkier competitors, the Arcadia 2001 was notably compact and portable. It operated on a standard 12-volt power supply, allowing it to function in vehicles or boats—an unusual feature for home consoles of the era. Its design included two Intellivision-style controllers featuring 12-button keypads, side-mounted fire buttons, and detachable joystick caps. Many titles included BoPET overlays to enhance the controller’s usability.

The console’s hardware included five built-in buttons: Power, Start, Reset, Option, and Select. Cartridges came in at least three different casing styles, with noticeable differences in size and label artwork. Emerson also licensed the system to Bandai for the Japanese market, and more than 30 unofficial clones of the Arcadia 2001 were developed, even though it was ultimately a commercial failure.

Notably, the name "Arcadia" led to legal issues with the unrelated Arcadia Corporation—known for the Supercharger add-on for the Atari 2600—which resulted in a successful trademark lawsuit and a rebrand to Starpath.

Though often overlooked in mainstream gaming history, the Arcadia 2001 remains a niche collector’s item with unique hardware features and an eclectic library that marks a distinct chapter in the early 1980s console wars.