Item Details:
The holy grail of electronic games. When launched in the early 1980s, the Fidelity Phantom was the most expensive electronic game ever created. The reason why it is so special, is that playing chess on this machine, is like playing with a ghost. The computer's pieces are moved by themselves, as if you were playing with the invisible man.
It is quite beguiling to watch, particularly when the computer moves a piece to the edge of a square, then moves the piece behind through the gap, finishing by nudging the obstructive piece back into the centre of its square. Once you complete your game, you can then play the whole game back in reverse - great for seeing where your strategy collapsed - with the machine moving all the pieces on the board until they finally rest in their start position. It's quite a jaw dropping sight, even when you've played the game many times. When a piece is removed from the board by the computer, it puts it in a space at the side of the board. You never have to help the computer with moving its pieces at all.
There are multiple skill levels, puzzle modes, timer modes and a whole host of professional chess features. As a relative novice player, i've found the computer a challenging opponent even on the easy levels. There is an LCD screen, which clarifies positions moved, tells you the amount of moves the computer has calculated you have left before check mate, and the time taken between moves. There is also sound, some re-assuring sounds so you know when it is your turn (just in case you didn't notice the machine moving its piece on the board!).
This example of this Super Rare machine, is complete and immaculate. Fully boxed, and fully tested. Box is in great shape, 8/10, with MINT poly inners. Original manual is in very good condition, with two other paper inserts. The power supply still has its poly bag, the chess pieces are housed in their own card box with plastic inserts and even spare tops for the queen. All the pieces are immaculate. The game itself defies its age, and looks shiny and new. No marks or damage at all, rubber feet still on the base. Also included is a step down transformer for use with the US power supply in the UK.
While we do send worldwide, please contact us if you intend to buy this item and are outside of the UK, as due to the huge size of the parcel, we will need to clarify airmail shipping to your region.
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Condition:
The photos in this listing are of the actual item/s for sale
Hopefully the large photos above have provided an idea of condition, but we do our best to also describe the item in our descriptions. In most cases we will grade boxes and discs out of ten, but sometimes just use these terms to describe them.
A Guide to our Descriptions of Condition:
Complete:
Includes manual, inner packaging as you'd expect from a complete item. Just because the manual isn't photographed, if listed as complete, it will be included.
Excellent :
The best condition. No easily noticeable or serious faults, clean inlay or box art , no damage or graffiti on labels or sleeve. No holes, noticeable worn edges, sticker marks, water damage. We view excellent as between 8-10/10Very Good:
Very light or normal wear to inlay, sleeve, or dedicated packaging. There may be small issues, hopefully detailed in the description or photos. We view VG as between 6-7/10.Good / Average:
Some wear to inlay, labels or box, but in usable condition. Really 'Good' is average, we'd view this grade as between 4.5-6/10.
Fair / Tatty:
Will have visible damage and issues, hopefully described. We'd view Fair between 3-4/10, and tatty 1-3/10.
Problems:
Any faults are written alongside the condition above, for example if there was a tear in the sleeve, writing on the label, or missing instructions, then these should be written after our condition. Again, make sure you check the photos before purchase.
Number Grading:
In most cases we will award a number out of ten to try and establish the level of condition. Ten would be perfect as new, and One would be incredibly poor.Note:
Our gradings refer to Sleeves, Inlays, Labels and 'Specific' Boxes and Cases. We do not grade the standard plastic Cassette or disc jewel cases, as these are standard and easily replaceable. We send all games in 'good and un-broken' plastic cases unless stated - as can be confirmed in the pictures.
Postage:
We send parcels in dedicated mailers and card boxes. We take packaging very seriously and always try to package delicate items carefully, to protect them from damage in transit.
UK - see item details
Europe and Rest of World Postage costs
We will usually send worldwide. Check the item details for postage overseas for this item.
SORRY - No personal collections - Available through the mail only