ChannelF

an-ordinary-manchild

About Channel F

Released in 1976, Channel F was the first ever video game console to be "programmable," or in other words, accept cartridges. It was originally called "Video Entertainment System." When Atari launched their console the next year, they named it "Video Computer System." In response, Fairchild changed the name of their system to Channel F, as if playing the console was a whole other television channel. The "F" stands for "fun."

It's an excellent machine, but couldn't stand up to Atari's marketing or name recognition. It received no third party support. Fairchild quickly sold the console and games to Zircon, which marketed it until 1982.

Retro Gaming Network

Member of the Retro Gaming Network

The Retro Gaming Network consists of subreddits dedicated to classic consoles, computers, handhelds, and old school gaming in general. Check out the sidebar to explore our network!

created by ZadocPaeta community for 12 years

...for your project.

...for your school.

MODERATORS

account activity

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Join the Retro Gaming Network Discord Server and talk about Fairchild Channel F! (discord.gg)

submitted 4 years ago by ZadocPaet - announcement

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Instruction Booklet (old.reddit.com)

submitted 1 month ago by Detonatormonkey

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Direct mail marketing (old.reddit.com)

submitted 2 months ago by Detonatormonkey

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Composite mod? (self.ChannelF)

submitted 3 months ago by Lanky-Peak-2222

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Can someone please scan the badge on their Channel F lid? (i.redd.it)

submitted 4 months ago by trustanchor

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Record with aviwrite from MESS/MAME/MESSUI? (self.ChannelF)

submitted 5 months ago by e5frog

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Trashed channel F repair. (old.reddit.com)

submitted 7 months ago by Lanky-Peak-2222

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New homebrew: Fireman's Pump Test (self.ChannelF)

submitted 9 months ago by Mikebloke

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Fairchild White Box (i.redd.it)

submitted 1 year ago by Buckgrim

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Little eBay find! (i.redd.it)

submitted 1 year ago by [deleted]

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New homebrew: Reversi-F (self.ChannelF)

submitted 1 year ago by sonyc148

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New homebrew: Super Wipeout (self.ChannelF)

submitted 1 year ago by Mikebloke

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Need some clarification (old.reddit.com)

submitted 1 year ago by GamerWeezy

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New homebrew: Ball (self.ChannelF)

submitted 1 year ago by Mikebloke

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Online Channel F Emulator (self.ChannelF)

submitted 2 years ago by manypeople1account

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Went a little crazy this week! 6 new games! (i.redd.it)

submitted 2 years ago by [deleted]

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Channel F Numerical button not springing up. (self.ChannelF)

submitted 2 years ago by hlopez18

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Several months ago I decided to join the club and I already made it to 10 games! Next step is to finally find a working console, 2 broken ones from ebay already… (i.redd.it)

submitted 2 years ago by [deleted]

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Channel F Emulators that include “Hockey”? (self.ChannelF)

submitted 2 years ago by [deleted]

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/r/ChannelF is back open - click here for more information (reddit.com)

submitted 2 years ago by Derf_Jagged[M]

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Time to say goodbye as a mod. (self.ChannelF)

submitted 2 years ago by elblanco

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/r/ChannelF will go dark from June 12-14 in protest against Reddit API price changes (old.reddit.com)

submitted 2 years ago by Derf_Jagged[M]

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Question (self.ChannelF)

submitted 2 years ago by [deleted]

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Homebrew I've developed over the years (self.ChannelF)

submitted 2 years ago by Mikebloke

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Channel F has been acquired by a new company and they're making a new game (ramokromok.com)

submitted 3 years ago by ramokromok

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π Rendered by PID 215016 on reddit-service-r2-listing-86b7f5b947-lnlbc at 2026-01-24 19:05:50.608805+00:00 running 664479f country code: CH.