The RCA Studio II is a second-generation home console released by RCA Corporation in January 1977.
Spec Table
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | RCA Corporation |
| Type | Home console |
| Generation | 2nd generation |
| Release Date | 1977 (initial) |
| Launch Price | $149 USD |
| Units Sold | 53,000-64,000 |
| Media | ROM cartridges |
| CPU | RCA 1802 microprocessor at 1.78 MHz |
| Predecessor / Successor | Not documented |
History
RCA brought the Studio II to market in January 1977, built around the RCA 1802 microprocessor with integrated ten-button keypads designed for educational gameplay rather than fast-paced action. The CDP1861 “Pixie” video chip delivered monochrome 64×32 graphics, while five built-in games—Addition, Bowling, Doodle, Freeway, and Patterns—formed the system’s core experience. RCA supplemented these with roughly ten retail cartridges across “TV Arcade” and educational “TV School House” series, including one developed by Joyce Weisbecker, daughter of the system’s designer and among the first commercial games written by a woman.
Timing worked against the Studio II from the start. The Fairchild Channel F had already reached stores in 1976 with color graphics, making RCA’s monochrome display feel dated on arrival, and the Atari 2600 launched only ten months later with its own color cartridge library and stronger third-party backing. Weak sales through the 1977 holiday season sealed the console’s commercial fate, and RCA discontinued it after roughly a year on the market within the emerging second console generation.
A color-capable successor, the Studio III, was designed internally but never officially released in the United States, though unlicensed clones built on similar hardware later circulated in parts of Asia. Total lifetime sales landed between roughly 53,000 and 64,000 units, a modest figure that left the original Studio II as a minor footnote in console history despite its innovative keypad design and early female game developer contribution.
Library Highlights
The Studio II’s library was small and built around simple, keypad-friendly gameplay rather than the fast action found on rival hardware, with its five built-in titles forming the core of most owners’ experience.
- Addition
- Bowling
- Doodle
- Freeway
- Patterns
Variants
RCA did not release a major hardware revision of the Studio II during its short production run in the United States. The system was, however, licensed and re-badged for sale under different names in other markets, including the Mustang 9016, Conic M-1200, Toshiba Visicom COM-100, and Hanimex MPT-02. RCA also developed a color-capable successor, the Studio III, but never brought it to official release, and unlicensed clone hardware based on similar internals was later sold in parts of Asia. See the full RCA manufacturer hub for other systems the company released.
Collector Value
Because so few units were ever sold, complete Studio II consoles are relatively scarce compared to better-known second-generation hardware, and pricing varies widely by condition. Loose, tested consoles turn up occasionally and are the most affordable way into the system, while boxed units with the original manuals and cartridges command a real premium among early-console collectors. Sealed or still-shrinkwrapped examples are rare enough that they rarely surface for sale at all, and regional re-badged versions add another layer of scarcity for collectors chasing variants.
Buying Guide
Before buying a Studio II, confirm the seller can demonstrate it powering on with a cartridge or one of the built-in games, since original power supplies are scarce and universal replacements need the correct voltage and polarity to avoid damaging the console. Check the cartridge slot’s contacts for corrosion, as this hardware is now nearly fifty years old and connector wear is common. Ask whether any included cartridges have been tested, since working carts for this system are harder to find than the console itself.
FAQs
When did the RCA Studio II come out?
The RCA Studio II launched in January 1977.
How many units did the RCA Studio II sell?
The console sold between approximately 53,000 and 64,000 units over its lifetime before RCA discontinued it.
How much did the RCA Studio II cost at launch?
It launched at $149 USD.
What CPU does the RCA Studio II use?
It uses the RCA 1802 microprocessor running at 1.78 MHz.
Why did the RCA Studio II fail commercially?
Its monochrome graphics and built-in keypad controllers looked outdated next to the color displays of the Fairchild Channel F and the Atari 2600, and poor holiday-season sales in 1977 led RCA to discontinue it after roughly one year on the market.
Sources
Facts on this page last verified 2026-07-15.