Mego 2-XL Robot (partially found series of 8-track edutainment games; 1978-1981): Difference between revisions
(Added proof of the newly-surfaced Italian Mego 2-XL tape "Storia e Geografia". Also added some more images of Mexican Mego 2-XL tapes that were previously known.) |
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Leachim was six feet tall and contained a database full of trivia questions, which could be answered by pressing buttons on its chest. Leachim would then give feedback on the student’s answer via the recorded voice of Dr. Freeman himself. Leachim served in the classroom from 1972 to 1975, by which point Dr. Freeman decided to work on a miniaturized version called “Little Leachim” and pitch it to Mego. This became the 2-XL. | Leachim was six feet tall and contained a database full of trivia questions, which could be answered by pressing buttons on its chest. Leachim would then give feedback on the student’s answer via the recorded voice of Dr. Freeman himself. Leachim served in the classroom from 1972 to 1975, by which point Dr. Freeman decided to work on a miniaturized version called “Little Leachim” and pitch it to Mego. This became the 2-XL. | ||
The 2-XL worked by using standard 8-track tapes to hold the questions and feedback. As with Leachim, Dr. Freeman provided his voice. As with all 8-track tapes, the content was laid out into four different programs across the width of the tape. As the tape played, 2-XL would ask a question, and the player would need to press one of four buttons to respond. This switched between the different programs, which would contain responses to the different possible answers. In this way, the 2-XL “knew” what answer the player gave and could “respond” accordingly.<ref>[https:// | The 2-XL worked by using standard 8-track tapes to hold the questions and feedback. As with Leachim, Dr. Freeman provided his voice. As with all 8-track tapes, the content was laid out into four different programs across the width of the tape. As the tape played, 2-XL would ask a question, and the player would need to press one of four buttons to respond. This switched between the different programs, which would contain responses to the different possible answers. In this way, the 2-XL “knew” what answer the player gave and could “respond” accordingly.<ref>[https://cnet.com/news/retro-tech-megos-2-xl/ Cnet article explaining how the Mego 2-XL worked.] Retrieved 08 Jun '19</ref> | ||
The tapes were produced between 1978 and 1981, with Mego Corporation collapsing in 1983. A completely different version of 2-XL using standard compact cassette tapes was released in 1992 by Tiger. | The tapes were produced between 1978 and 1981, with Mego Corporation collapsing in 1983. A completely different version of 2-XL using standard compact cassette tapes was released in 1992 by Tiger. | ||
==Preservation== | ==Preservation== | ||
The 8-track media used to contain the original Mego 2-XL programs has been obsolete since the early eighties. Like any magnetic media, they are also vulnerable to being wiped with a permanent magnet. The tapes have become collector’s items among 8-track collectors, Mego Corporation collectors, and vintage electronics collectors. Proper preservation requires playing the tapes through an 8-track player and synchronizing the audio between the four programs to line up 2-XL’s questions and feedback. Some tapes have been uploaded in this manner to the Internet Archive. Others have been preserved via the 2-XL simulator, which is a web-browser-based program for playing with a virtual 2-XL.<ref>[https:// | The 8-track media used to contain the original Mego 2-XL programs has been obsolete since the early eighties. Like any magnetic media, they are also vulnerable to being wiped with a permanent magnet. The tapes have become collector’s items among 8-track collectors, Mego Corporation collectors, and vintage electronics collectors. Proper preservation requires playing the tapes through an 8-track player and synchronizing the audio between the four programs to line up 2-XL’s questions and feedback. Some tapes have been uploaded in this manner to the Internet Archive. Others have been preserved via the 2-XL simulator, which is a web-browser-based program for playing with a virtual 2-XL.<ref>[https://donationcoder.com/software/mouser/other-projects/2-xl-simulator The 2-XL simulator created by Mouser of donationcoder.com.] Retrieved 08 Jun '19</ref> While this simulator is currently down due to the death of Flash, another web-browser-based simulator has appeared that is written in JavaScript. It contains over 45 of the English-language Mego 2-XL tapes, as well as all 44 of the U.S Tiger 2-XL tapes. <ref>[https://2xlbot.com/ A web-browser based simulator for the 2-XL robot.] Retrieved 13 Mar '21</ref> | ||
Most of the known releases are from the United States, as 2-XL fan | Most of the known releases are from the United States, as 2-XL fan sites have compiled surviving magazine advertisements and mail-order forms. These show at least 45 confirmed tapes, a single planned tape that has been confirmed unproduced, and a selection of 18 with their release status unknown.<ref>[http://2xlrobot.com/types/mego.html Mego 2-XL tape list from a 2-XL fansite] Retrieved 08 Jun '19</ref> However, there were also at least four Spanish-language tapes released in Mexico by Ensueño Electronica and at least one French-language tape released in Canada by Grand Toys Ltd. | ||
==United States Releases== | ==United States Releases== | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|2-XL turns back the clock to the fabulous fifties and sixties as he tests your knowledge of intriguing trivia. Elvis, the Beatles, the Brooklyn Dodgers and Gunsmoke, to name a few. Recommended for ages 16 to adult. | |2-XL turns back the clock to the fabulous fifties and sixties as he tests your knowledge of intriguing trivia. Elvis, the Beatles, the Brooklyn Dodgers and Gunsmoke, to name a few. Recommended for ages 16 to adult. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Adult Games & Puzzles | |Adult Games & Puzzles | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|A dynamite maze of challenging brainteasers for adults to sharpen and tickle your funny bone. Test your logic and ingenuity --- 2-XL has some real stumpers --- for adults | |A dynamite maze of challenging brainteasers for adults to sharpen and tickle your funny bone. Test your logic and ingenuity --- 2-XL has some real stumpers --- for adults | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Amazing Sports Feats | |Amazing Sports Feats | ||
Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
|1981 | |1981 | ||
|Share with 2-XL a journey into the most incredible sports feats of all times covering everything from hockey to juggling... | |Share with 2-XL a journey into the most incredible sports feats of all times covering everything from hockey to juggling... | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Amazing World of the Small | |Amazing World of the Small | ||
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|1981 | |1981 | ||
|How many creatures are alive right now on your body? What was the shortest war of all time? Will alcohol make a scorpion go mad and sting itself to death? Did you know that a doctor’s “small” mistake killed George Washington... | |How many creatures are alive right now on your body? What was the shortest war of all time? Will alcohol make a scorpion go mad and sting itself to death? Did you know that a doctor’s “small” mistake killed George Washington... | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Animal World | |Animal World | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|Discover the exciting world of the Animal Kingdom: Animals that hear with their tongues, birds that fly faster than jets, and a jungle of animal world records for hours of family enjoyment. | |Discover the exciting world of the Animal Kingdom: Animals that hear with their tongues, birds that fly faster than jets, and a jungle of animal world records for hours of family enjoyment. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Astronomy / 2-XL in space | |Astronomy / 2-XL in space | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|For a first-hand look at the planets, stars, and galaxies, be 2-XL’s ground advisor through the amazing world of outer space. | |For a first-hand look at the planets, stars, and galaxies, be 2-XL’s ground advisor through the amazing world of outer space. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|The Basics of ABCs | |The Basics of ABCs | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|A surprise package full of educational games and puzzles for pre-school kids to open with the help of 2-XL. Reading, writing, and fun with numbers plus questions about our world. Recommended for children 4-8 years. | |A surprise package full of educational games and puzzles for pre-school kids to open with the help of 2-XL. Reading, writing, and fun with numbers plus questions about our world. Recommended for children 4-8 years. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Believe This or Not | |Believe This or Not | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|Outlandish individuals, stranger-than-fiction feats and weird biological wonders. It is a mind-boggler-a-minute when 2-XL researches trivia. | |Outlandish individuals, stranger-than-fiction feats and weird biological wonders. It is a mind-boggler-a-minute when 2-XL researches trivia. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Bet Your Life | |Bet Your Life | ||
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|1981 | |1981 | ||
|The stakes are high as 2-XL challenges you to pit your brain against his in areas that are made up or quite real. It’s up to you to decide. DO sharks prefer men to Women? Do animals cough? Do people begin to shrink at 30?... | |The stakes are high as 2-XL challenges you to pit your brain against his in areas that are made up or quite real. It’s up to you to decide. DO sharks prefer men to Women? Do animals cough? Do people begin to shrink at 30?... | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Challenges of General Science | |Challenges of General Science | ||
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|1981 | |1981 | ||
|This program explores the fascinating world of Earth science, astronomy, chemistry, and simple physics. Magnetism, Volcanos, Eclipses, and Weather are just a few areas 2-XL introduces and explains in his own special way. | |This program explores the fascinating world of Earth science, astronomy, chemistry, and simple physics. Magnetism, Volcanos, Eclipses, and Weather are just a few areas 2-XL introduces and explains in his own special way. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Exercise with 2-XL | |Exercise with 2-XL | ||
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|1979 | |1979 | ||
|2-XL asks questions and gives information about health, diet, and the human body. In addition, he puts you in shape with 40 minutes of exercise to disco music. He even sings a song. A lively, exciting program that can be used each day to accompany you as you keep in shape. | |2-XL asks questions and gives information about health, diet, and the human body. In addition, he puts you in shape with 40 minutes of exercise to disco music. He even sings a song. A lively, exciting program that can be used each day to accompany you as you keep in shape. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Fairy Tale Quiz | |Fairy Tale Quiz | ||
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|1979 | |1979 | ||
|Pre-schoolers and early school children will have a ball hearing 2-XL recite fairy tales, ask questions, and tell jokes. The fun really begins when unexpected guests drop in to ask questions, try riddles and give information. | |Pre-schoolers and early school children will have a ball hearing 2-XL recite fairy tales, ask questions, and tell jokes. The fun really begins when unexpected guests drop in to ask questions, try riddles and give information. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Games & Puzzles Number 1 | |Games & Puzzles Number 1 | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|A tape of funny and challenging games and puzzles for the entire family, complete with a gamebook. Various levels of difficulty. Great for parties on those rainy days. | |A tape of funny and challenging games and puzzles for the entire family, complete with a gamebook. Various levels of difficulty. Great for parties on those rainy days. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|General Information (First Edition) | |General Information (First Edition) | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|N/A. | |N/A. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|General Information II | |General Information II | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|Questions, jokes, riddles; on sports, world’s records, science fiction. Every subject you can think of for the entire family. | |Questions, jokes, riddles; on sports, world’s records, science fiction. Every subject you can think of for the entire family. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|General Information III | |General Information III | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|Funny facts, sad facts, surprising facts. 2-XL pops the questions on everything. This tape is #3 in the general information series. | |Funny facts, sad facts, surprising facts. 2-XL pops the questions on everything. This tape is #3 in the general information series. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|General Information (Second Edition) | |General Information (Second Edition) | ||
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|1981 | |1981 | ||
|This was a re-release of the original General Information tape, which looks identical on the outside. Many questions are re-used, but some new portions, such as an interview with Benjamin Franklin, are added. | |This was a re-release of the original General Information tape, which looks identical on the outside. Many questions are re-used, but some new portions, such as an interview with Benjamin Franklin, are added. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Guinness Book of World Records | |Guinness Book of World Records | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|What was the longest frankfurter ever made? Who was the shortest woman who ever lived? What is the world’s hopscotch record? Hundreds of challenging questions from the “Guinness Book of World Records” for hours of fun. | |What was the longest frankfurter ever made? Who was the shortest woman who ever lived? What is the world’s hopscotch record? Hundreds of challenging questions from the “Guinness Book of World Records” for hours of fun. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Interviews With Great People From History | |Interviews With Great People From History | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|Alexander the Great, Daniel Boone. Let 2-XL introduce you to great personalities of history in the most fascinating “Talk Show” ever. | |Alexander the Great, Daniel Boone. Let 2-XL introduce you to great personalities of history in the most fascinating “Talk Show” ever. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Math and Number Games | |Math and Number Games | ||
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|1979 | |1979 | ||
|An educational revolution! Now 2-XL can help build children’s math I.Q. 2-XL is the professor as he tests your answers against his “computer” brain. Math has never been so much fun. | |An educational revolution! Now 2-XL can help build children’s math I.Q. 2-XL is the professor as he tests your answers against his “computer” brain. Math has never been so much fun. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Mego Demonstration Program | |Mego Demonstration Program | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|This rare tape was not sold to the public. Instead, it was used for floor demonstration units in toy stores. | |This rare tape was not sold to the public. Instead, it was used for floor demonstration units in toy stores. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Metric System / Education | |Metric System / Education | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|2-XL introduces your family to the Metric System. In his own special way, 2-XL “educates” and amuses as he translates the metric system into “English.” A must tape for all members of the family before those speedometers change from miles to kilometres and square yards change to square meters. | |2-XL introduces your family to the Metric System. In his own special way, 2-XL “educates” and amuses as he translates the metric system into “English.” A must tape for all members of the family before those speedometers change from miles to kilometres and square yards change to square meters. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Monsters, Myths, and Legends | |Monsters, Myths, and Legends | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|On the trail of Bigfoot, Dracula, and Frankenstein, 2-XL encounters the scariest monsters of all time. It’s spine-tingling adventures ahead in out Ghostly Gallery of Myths and Legends. | |On the trail of Bigfoot, Dracula, and Frankenstein, 2-XL encounters the scariest monsters of all time. It’s spine-tingling adventures ahead in out Ghostly Gallery of Myths and Legends. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Pre-School Bed Time Stories | |Pre-School Bed Time Stories | ||
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|1981 | |1981 | ||
|A triple length program of stories, music, sounds, and excitement as 2-XL... | |A triple length program of stories, music, sounds, and excitement as 2-XL... | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Pre-School Facts and Fantasies | |Pre-School Facts and Fantasies | ||
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|1979 | |1979 | ||
|It’s storytime and learning time in one when 2-XL spins best’ loved fairytales for kids plus fascinating facts about the world they live in. A Pre-School Educational Masterpiece. Ages 4-8. | |It’s storytime and learning time in one when 2-XL spins best’ loved fairytales for kids plus fascinating facts about the world they live in. A Pre-School Educational Masterpiece. Ages 4-8. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Psychoanalysis | |Psychoanalysis | ||
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|N/A | |N/A | ||
|This tape was featured in lists from 1979, but it has been confirmed to have never been produced. | |This tape was featured in lists from 1979, but it has been confirmed to have never been produced. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Reading, Writing and Arithmetic | |Reading, Writing and Arithmetic | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|A circus of exciting learning games and quizzes. Test your skills with 2-XL... | |A circus of exciting learning games and quizzes. Test your skills with 2-XL... | ||
| <span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | |<span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Robotrivia (two tape set) | |Robotrivia (two tape set) | ||
Line 250: | Line 250: | ||
|1980 | |1980 | ||
|This was a two-tape set that came with a board game that you could play with 2-XL. | |This was a two-tape set that came with a board game that you could play with 2-XL. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Robotstronomy (two tape set) | |Robotstronomy (two tape set) | ||
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|1980 | |1980 | ||
|This was a two-tape set that came with a board game that you could play with 2-XL. | |This was a two-tape set that came with a board game that you could play with 2-XL. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Science Fiction | |Science Fiction | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|For science fiction superhero lovers. Includes jokes, facts on fictional characters, superheroes, and famous science fiction characters. | |For science fiction superhero lovers. Includes jokes, facts on fictional characters, superheroes, and famous science fiction characters. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Science Fiction II (Rev A) | |Science Fiction II (Rev A) | ||
Line 276: | Line 276: | ||
------ | ------ | ||
The Revision A is just a placeholder, as it is unclear which version came out first. There are a few small differences between the two revisions. First, on question #25 on Program 1, revision A asks what the name of the smart necklace-like robots from Buck Rogers is. The choices are A) Doctor Theo or B) Robby the Robot. In revision B, this question is changed to ask about who the leader of the Cylons is. Also, in question #26 on Program 1, revision A asks if Superman was the most expensive movie ever made. In revision B, it asks if Star Wars was the most expensive movie ever made. Most other questions are identical, as the difference between the two revisions are quite minor. | The Revision A is just a placeholder, as it is unclear which version came out first. There are a few small differences between the two revisions. First, on question #25 on Program 1, revision A asks what the name of the smart necklace-like robots from Buck Rogers is. The choices are A) Doctor Theo or B) Robby the Robot. In revision B, this question is changed to ask about who the leader of the Cylons is. Also, in question #26 on Program 1, revision A asks if Superman was the most expensive movie ever made. In revision B, it asks if Star Wars was the most expensive movie ever made. Most other questions are identical, as the difference between the two revisions are quite minor. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Science Fiction II (Rev B) | |Science Fiction II (Rev B) | ||
Line 286: | Line 286: | ||
------ | ------ | ||
The Revision B is just a placeholder, as it is unclear which version came out first. There are a few small differences between the two revisions. First, on question #25 on Program 1, revision A asks what the name of the smart necklace-like robots from Buck Rogers is. The choices are A) Doctor Theo or B) Robby the Robot. In revision B, this question is changed to ask about who the leader of the Cylons is. Also, in question #26 on Program 1, revision A asks if Superman was the most expensive movie ever made. In revision B, it asks if Star Wars was the most expensive movie ever made. Most other questions are identical, as the difference between the two revisions are quite minor. | The Revision B is just a placeholder, as it is unclear which version came out first. There are a few small differences between the two revisions. First, on question #25 on Program 1, revision A asks what the name of the smart necklace-like robots from Buck Rogers is. The choices are A) Doctor Theo or B) Robby the Robot. In revision B, this question is changed to ask about who the leader of the Cylons is. Also, in question #26 on Program 1, revision A asks if Superman was the most expensive movie ever made. In revision B, it asks if Star Wars was the most expensive movie ever made. Most other questions are identical, as the difference between the two revisions are quite minor. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Sports | |Sports | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|For the sports fans in the family, 2-XL sports tape is programmed with exciting questions, jokes, riddles on all sports: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, water sports etc. Test your knowledge against the coach, “Uncle Brainy.” | |For the sports fans in the family, 2-XL sports tape is programmed with exciting questions, jokes, riddles on all sports: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, water sports etc. Test your knowledge against the coach, “Uncle Brainy.” | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Sports II | |Sports II | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|2-XL is your coach for an all-sports tournament of intriguing questions from baseball to football and even the Olympics. | |2-XL is your coach for an all-sports tournament of intriguing questions from baseball to football and even the Olympics. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Storyland | |Storyland | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|Down Riddle Street and Monster Street, follow 2-XL on a magical trip through Storyland. Meet exciting characters like the Riddle Monster --- and a new challenge at every turn! Recommended age 9 and younger | |Down Riddle Street and Monster Street, follow 2-XL on a magical trip through Storyland. Meet exciting characters like the Riddle Monster --- and a new challenge at every turn! Recommended age 9 and younger | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Storyland: 2XL and the Time Machine | |Storyland: 2XL and the Time Machine | ||
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|1978 | |1978 | ||
|2-XL’s fate is in your hands when he rides the time machine. Launch 2-XL into the present, past or future with the press of a button… and become the writer of your own exciting story! | |2-XL’s fate is in your hands when he rides the time machine. Launch 2-XL into the present, past or future with the press of a button… and become the writer of your own exciting story! | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Strange But Is It True | |Strange But Is It True | ||
Line 326: | Line 326: | ||
|1979 | |1979 | ||
|Do hummingbirds really hum? Did William Tell actually exist? Do the north and south poles ever reverse? Is there an animal that makes no sound at all? Let 2-XL introduce you to the exciting world of the strange and fascinating. | |Do hummingbirds really hum? Did William Tell actually exist? Do the north and south poles ever reverse? Is there an animal that makes no sound at all? Let 2-XL introduce you to the exciting world of the strange and fascinating. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Super Heroes and Comic Books Cavalcade | |Super Heroes and Comic Books Cavalcade | ||
Line 335: | Line 335: | ||
|A comic strip parade of favourite… Superman, Hulk, Spider-Man, Batman and Robin! Follow 2-XL to amazing action thrills when the world’s greatest Super Heroes meet. | |A comic strip parade of favourite… Superman, Hulk, Spider-Man, Batman and Robin! Follow 2-XL to amazing action thrills when the world’s greatest Super Heroes meet. | ||
|<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|”Talking Calculator” and Number Game | |”Talking Calculator” and Number Game | ||
Line 342: | Line 342: | ||
|1979 | |1979 | ||
|A program to teach, test, and review the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of numbers. As long as you can add 2 + 2, 2-XL will come up with numbers and also “calculate” the answers. By the press of a button, you decide how difficult this program should be. Math skills have never been so much fun. For children 4 to 9 years old. | |A program to teach, test, and review the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of numbers. As long as you can add 2 + 2, 2-XL will come up with numbers and also “calculate” the answers. By the press of a button, you decide how difficult this program should be. Math skills have never been so much fun. For children 4 to 9 years old. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Tid Bits and Funny Facts | |Tid Bits and Funny Facts | ||
Line 350: | Line 350: | ||
|1979 | |1979 | ||
|The world of trivia and funny facts has never been so interesting. Do all animals sneeze? Did Delilah really cut Samson’s hair? Is the ability to spell a sign of intelligence? Why does India ink come from China? What are the odds of finding a pearl in an oyster? Turn on 2-XL, and he will turn you on to these and many other little known facts. | |The world of trivia and funny facts has never been so interesting. Do all animals sneeze? Did Delilah really cut Samson’s hair? Is the ability to spell a sign of intelligence? Why does India ink come from China? What are the odds of finding a pearl in an oyster? Turn on 2-XL, and he will turn you on to these and many other little known facts. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Traffic & Bicycle Safety | |Traffic & Bicycle Safety | ||
Line 358: | Line 358: | ||
|1978 | |1978 | ||
|This program is a must for parents who want to teach their children the basics of bicycle riding safety, traffic safety, and highway safety... | |This program is a must for parents who want to teach their children the basics of bicycle riding safety, traffic safety, and highway safety... | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Tri-Lex | |Tri-Lex | ||
Line 366: | Line 366: | ||
|1979 | |1979 | ||
|This tape was used with a board game that you could play with 2-XL. Each game appears to last about 5 minutes, with 4 games used to fill the standard 20-minute track length. While all other 8-track tapes have only one metallic splice for switching tracks, this tape has a very strange configuration in which multiple splices are used at the end of each game. This is used because if a game ends early, 2-XL instructs the player to turn their audio down to zero until the next game begins, as any other audio in that game is irrelevant. This prevents the player from hearing the end-of-game music as well. However, the extra splice results in the player switching tracks with an audible mechanical "thunk," which is used to signal the start of a new game. | |This tape was used with a board game that you could play with 2-XL. Each game appears to last about 5 minutes, with 4 games used to fill the standard 20-minute track length. While all other 8-track tapes have only one metallic splice for switching tracks, this tape has a very strange configuration in which multiple splices are used at the end of each game. This is used because if a game ends early, 2-XL instructs the player to turn their audio down to zero until the next game begins, as any other audio in that game is irrelevant. This prevents the player from hearing the end-of-game music as well. However, the extra splice results in the player switching tracks with an audible mechanical "thunk," which is used to signal the start of a new game. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|TV and Movie Challenges | |TV and Movie Challenges | ||
Line 374: | Line 374: | ||
|1978 | |1978 | ||
|2-XL puts you center-stage as you test your knowledge of the Television & Movie Screen. Enjoy nostalgic question-and-answer challenges on everything from movie history to TV’s brightest stars! Ages 11-Adult. | |2-XL puts you center-stage as you test your knowledge of the Television & Movie Screen. Enjoy nostalgic question-and-answer challenges on everything from movie history to TV’s brightest stars! Ages 11-Adult. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|US Presidents and American History | |US Presidents and American History | ||
Line 382: | Line 382: | ||
|1978 | |1978 | ||
|Throughout the corridors of American History, you’ll visit the people and places that make our country great. President Lincoln consents to an interview; now, American History has never been so much fun with 2-XL reliving our heritage. | |Throughout the corridors of American History, you’ll visit the people and places that make our country great. President Lincoln consents to an interview; now, American History has never been so much fun with 2-XL reliving our heritage. | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Who Said It (Rev 1) | |Who Said It (Rev 1) | ||
Line 390: | Line 390: | ||
|1979 | |1979 | ||
|Let 2-XL challenge your knowledge of some of the greatest quotes in history. Some (given in the actual voices of the people who said them) will astound your imagination. “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.” “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” “Take My Wife, Please.” “Winning Isn’t Everything --- It’s the Only Thing.” “Remember the Alamo.” A challenging program for everyone. | |Let 2-XL challenge your knowledge of some of the greatest quotes in history. Some (given in the actual voices of the people who said them) will astound your imagination. “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.” “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” “Take My Wife, Please.” “Winning Isn’t Everything --- It’s the Only Thing.” “Remember the Alamo.” A challenging program for everyone. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Who Said It (Rev 2) | |Who Said It (Rev 2) | ||
Line 400: | Line 400: | ||
Note: The second revision contains a correction to one of the questions. At around 4:15 on the first program, 2-XL lets the player know that the first version of the program had a mistake on this question. He informs the player that this second revision has been corrected. | Note: The second revision contains a correction to one of the questions. At around 4:15 on the first program, 2-XL lets the player know that the first version of the program had a mistake on this question. He informs the player that this second revision has been corrected. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Wonders of the World | |Wonders of the World | ||
Line 408: | Line 408: | ||
|1978 | |1978 | ||
|Grand Canyon and the fish that hitchhikes… are they genuine wonders of the world of more of 2-XL’s jokes? Discover the world’s most amazing creatures, bizarre moments of history and marvels of the world and outer space. | |Grand Canyon and the fish that hitchhikes… are they genuine wonders of the world of more of 2-XL’s jokes? Discover the world’s most amazing creatures, bizarre moments of history and marvels of the world and outer space. | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Word and Sound Games (two tape set) | |Word and Sound Games (two tape set) | ||
| First Tape[https://archive.org/details/mego2xlWordAndSoundGamesTapeNo1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''] Second Tape[https://archive.org/details/mego2xlwordandsoundgamesTapeNo2<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''] | |First Tape[https://archive.org/details/mego2xlWordAndSoundGamesTapeNo1<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''] Second Tape[https://archive.org/details/mego2xlwordandsoundgamesTapeNo2<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''] | ||
|1978 | |1978 | ||
|This was sold as a two-tape set. Tape #1: Sharpen that pencil and your wits as you accept 2-XL’s challenge to solve crossword puzzles, Morse code, magic number and sound games. Tape #2: The fun and games continue in this second tape. You’ve got to be pretty smart to answer the challenge! | |This was sold as a two-tape set. Tape #1: Sharpen that pencil and your wits as you accept 2-XL’s challenge to solve crossword puzzles, Morse code, magic number and sound games. Tape #2: The fun and games continue in this second tape. You’ve got to be pretty smart to answer the challenge! | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| <span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | |<span style="color:green;">'''Found''' | ||
| N/A | |N/A | ||
|} | |} | ||
===U.S. Titles Planned for the Educational Market=== | ===U.S. Titles Planned for the Educational Market=== | ||
Line 509: | Line 509: | ||
|Informacion General | |Informacion General | ||
|General Information | |General Information | ||
|[https:// | |[https://youtu.be/osnacV-4cy8<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|2-XL en el deporte | |2-XL en el deporte | ||
|2-XL in Sports | |2-XL in Sports | ||
|[https:// | |[https://youtu.be/2STGRe6dK5I<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Hechos Graciosos | |Hechos Graciosos | ||
Line 533: | Line 533: | ||
|Incredible pero Cierto | |Incredible pero Cierto | ||
|Incredible but True | |Incredible but True | ||
|[https:// | |[https://youtu.be/_DoMNsq0a6I<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Deportes I | |Deportes I | ||
Line 572: | Line 572: | ||
|} | |} | ||
==French-Canadian Release== | ==French-Canadian Release== | ||
The most obscure release of the 2-XL, of which images of tapes have resurfaced, occurred in Canada. It is unknown whether the English versions of cartridges released in Canada were identical to the U.S. versions. However, it is known that some cartridges were released in French for the French-Canadian market by Grand Toys Ltd. Pictures of the General Information tape, ''Renseignements generaux'' have surfaced on a 2-XL fansite. <ref name="International_Tapes"></ref> This tape strangely lacks any sort of artwork, implying that it may have been for the educational market or even a prototype. A few short audio clips have been uploaded online. Since then, another white French-language tape with full-size, full-colour artwork has surfaced on eBay. It is a copy of "Games & Puzzles 1", which has the label in English, rather than French. Due to this dual | The most obscure release of the 2-XL, of which images of tapes have resurfaced, occurred in Canada. It is unknown whether the English versions of cartridges released in Canada were identical to the U.S. versions. However, it is known that some cartridges were released in French for the French-Canadian market by Grand Toys Ltd. Pictures of the General Information tape, ''Renseignements generaux'' have surfaced on a 2-XL fansite. <ref name="International_Tapes"></ref> This tape strangely lacks any sort of artwork, implying that it may have been for the educational market or even a prototype. A few short audio clips have been uploaded online. Since then, another white French-language tape with full-size, full-colour artwork has surfaced on eBay. It is a copy of "Games & Puzzles 1", which has the label in English, rather than French. Due to this dual language, it is suspected to be Canadian, but this is not completely confirmed. | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="vertical-align:top;horizontal-align:left; | {| class="wikitable" style="vertical-align:top;horizontal-align:left; | ||
Line 585: | Line 585: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[Title is presented in English] | |[Title is presented in English] | ||
| Games & Puzzles 1 | |Games & Puzzles 1 | ||
| [https://archive.org/details/mego2xlgamesandpuzzles1french <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''] | |[https://archive.org/details/mego2xlgamesandpuzzles1french <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''] | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Other Releases== | ==Other Releases== | ||
Line 601: | Line 601: | ||
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Notes | ! style="background-color:lightblue" | Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Weltrekorde | |Weltrekorde | ||
| World Records | |World Records | ||
| <span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | |<span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | ||
| This tape uses the cover art from the U.S. tape "Guinness Book of World Records." However, the "Guinness" part of the title was removed for some reason. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. | |This tape uses the cover art from the U.S. tape "Guinness Book of World Records." However, the "Guinness" part of the title was removed for some reason. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Technik | |Technik | ||
| Technology | |Technology | ||
| <span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | |<span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | ||
| This tape uses cover art similar to the U.S. tape "Science Fiction," but the spaceship on the cover is bizarrely replaced with a car with a Union Jack on the front. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. | |This tape uses cover art similar to the U.S. tape "Science Fiction," but the spaceship on the cover is bizarrely replaced with a car with a Union Jack on the front. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Rätsel, Gags, und Spiele | |Rätsel, Gags, und Spiele | ||
| Puzzles, gags, and games | |Puzzles, gags, and games | ||
| <span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | |<span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | ||
| The tape uses cover art similar to the U.S tape "Games & Puzzles 1". However, words in the cover art have been translated. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. It is also unclear whether this tape had a German activity booklet, as the U.S. release had an English activity booklet. | |The tape uses cover art similar to the U.S tape "Games & Puzzles 1". However, words in the cover art have been translated. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. It is also unclear whether this tape had a German activity booklet, as the U.S. release had an English activity booklet. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Sport | |Sport | ||
| Sports | |Sports | ||
| <span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | |<span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | ||
| This tape uses cover art similar to the U.S. tape "Sports." However, the American football player is replaced with a soccer player. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. | |This tape uses cover art similar to the U.S. tape "Sports." However, the American football player is replaced with a soccer player. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Ferne Länder Exotische Tiere | |Ferne Länder Exotische Tiere | ||
| Distant countries Exotic animals | |Distant countries Exotic animals | ||
| <span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | |<span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | ||
| The tape uses the same cover art as the U.S. tape "General Information III." It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. It is unknown whether any of the other general information tapes were released in Germany. This tape title specifies two areas of focused trivia, and it is possible that other German "General Information" releases also had titles to indicate more focused trivia. | |The tape uses the same cover art as the U.S. tape "General Information III." It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. It is unknown whether any of the other general information tapes were released in Germany. This tape title specifies two areas of focused trivia, and it is possible that other German "General Information" releases also had titles to indicate more focused trivia. | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 634: | Line 634: | ||
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status | ! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Nastro Dimostrativo | |Nastro Dimostrativo | ||
| Demonstration Tape | |Demonstration Tape | ||
| [https://archive.org/details/mego2xlnastrodimostrativo <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''] | |[https://archive.org/details/mego2xlnastrodimostrativo <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Storia e Geografia | |Storia e Geografia | ||
| History and Geography | |History and Geography | ||
| <span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | |<span style="color:red;">'''Lost''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Cultura Generale | |Cultura Generale | ||
| General Culture | |General Culture | ||
| <span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed''' | |<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Sport | |Sport | ||
| Sport | |Sport | ||
| <span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed''' | |<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Guinness dei Primati | |Guinness dei Primati | ||
| Guinness World Record | |Guinness World Record | ||
| <span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed''' | |<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed''' | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 662: | Line 662: | ||
|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
|id1 =OLKAdlVOqQg | |id1 =OLKAdlVOqQg | ||
|description1 = A video of a Mexican 2-XL playing a customized Spanish- | |description1 =A video of a Mexican 2-XL playing a customized Spanish-language cartridge (Courtesy of nayrbgo). | ||
|service2 =youtube | |service2 =youtube | ||
|id2 =GMqy87LKahE | |id2 =GMqy87LKahE | ||
|description2 = Review of the U.S. version of the Mego 2-XL robot (Courtesy of databits). | |description2 =Review of the U.S. version of the Mego 2-XL robot (Courtesy of databits). | ||
|service3 =youtube | |service3 =youtube | ||
|id3 =Acy_iM5YRkM | |id3 =Acy_iM5YRkM | ||
|description3 = Late 1970s/early 1980s | |description3 =Late 1970s/early 1980s commercial for the Mego 2-XL (Courtesy of ActionFigureKing.com). | ||
|service4 =youtube | |service4 =youtube | ||
|id4 =98QlxIN5pf8 | |id4 =98QlxIN5pf8 | ||
|description4 = Unboxing/Review in which an Ensueno (Mexican) 2-XL cartridge package is shown, revealing a list of titles. (Courtesy of Juguetes y Juegos Optimus Retro) | |description4 =Unboxing/Review in which an Ensueno (Mexican) 2-XL cartridge package is shown, revealing a list of titles. (Courtesy of Juguetes y Juegos Optimus Retro) | ||
}} | }} | ||
<gallery mode=packed heights=300px> | <gallery mode=packed heights=300px> | ||
Line 689: | Line 689: | ||
File:German_Mego_2-XL_Alone.jpg|Photo of an unboxed Mego 2-Xl, which was sold in Germany. This is one of the few pieces of evidence that the Mego 2-XL was released in Germany. This shows a close-up of the buttons. | File:German_Mego_2-XL_Alone.jpg|Photo of an unboxed Mego 2-Xl, which was sold in Germany. This is one of the few pieces of evidence that the Mego 2-XL was released in Germany. This shows a close-up of the buttons. | ||
File:German_Mego_2-Xl_with_tape.jpg|Photo of an unboxed Mego 2-Xl which was sold in Germany with the tape "Weltrekorde" (World Records). This is one of the only confirmed tape releases for Germany. | File:German_Mego_2-Xl_with_tape.jpg|Photo of an unboxed Mego 2-Xl which was sold in Germany with the tape "Weltrekorde" (World Records). This is one of the only confirmed tape releases for Germany. | ||
File: More_german_mego_2-XL_tapes.jpg | This photo, taken from eBay, shows a selection of five Mego 2-XL tapes that were released in Germany: "Ferne Länder Exotische Tiere" (Distant countries Exotic animals), "Sports" (Sport), "Welktrekorde" (World Records), "Rätsel, Gags, und Spiele" (Puzzles, gags, and games), and "Technik" (Technology). It also showcases some of the changes to U.S. cover art when it was re-used for the German market. | File: More_german_mego_2-XL_tapes.jpg|This photo, taken from eBay, shows a selection of five Mego 2-XL tapes that were released in Germany: "Ferne Länder Exotische Tiere" (Distant countries Exotic animals), "Sports" (Sport), "Welktrekorde" (World Records), "Rätsel, Gags, und Spiele" (Puzzles, gags, and games), and "Technik" (Technology). It also showcases some of the changes to U.S. cover art when it was re-used for the German market. | ||
File:Nastro_Dimostrativo_Cartridge.jpg| Photo of the cartridge label for "Nastro Dimostrativo" (Demonstration tape). This is the only known release for the Mego 2-XL in Italy. | File:Nastro_Dimostrativo_Cartridge.jpg|Photo of the cartridge label for "Nastro Dimostrativo" (Demonstration tape). This is the only known release for the Mego 2-XL in Italy. | ||
File:Italian_tape_and_robot_closeup_two.jpg| Close-up of the Italian Mego 2-XL robot and the "Nastro Dimostrativo" tape. This shows the Italian-language buttons. | File:Italian_tape_and_robot_closeup_two.jpg|Close-up of the Italian Mego 2-XL robot and the "Nastro Dimostrativo" tape. This shows the Italian-language buttons. | ||
File:Italian_Mego_2xl_tape_edge_two.jpg| the edge of the "Nastro Dimostrativo" tape. This reveals a possible distributor name for the Italian release (Newgioco). | File:Italian_Mego_2xl_tape_edge_two.jpg|the edge of the "Nastro Dimostrativo" tape. This reveals a possible distributor name for the Italian release (Newgioco). | ||
File:Astronomy_2-XL_in_space_Mexico.png| This photo proves that "Astronomica 2-XL en el Espacia" was released in Mexico. This tape was listed as "coming soon" on one of the few Ensueno Toys | File:Astronomy_2-XL_in_space_Mexico.png|This photo proves that "Astronomica 2-XL en el Espacia" was released in Mexico. This tape was listed as "coming soon" on one of the few Ensueno Toys cardbacks. | ||
File:Deportes_1_Mexican_Mego_tape.jpg| The Mexican Mego tape "Deportes I" (Sports I) | File:Deportes_1_Mexican_Mego_tape.jpg|The Mexican Mego tape "Deportes I" (Sports I) | ||
File:Reino_Animal_Mexican_Mego_tape.jpg| The Mexican Mego tape "Reino Animal" (Animal Kingdom) | File:Reino_Animal_Mexican_Mego_tape.jpg|The Mexican Mego tape "Reino Animal" (Animal Kingdom) | ||
File:Headphone_jack_shot.jpg| Shot of a Mego 2-XL with a pair of headphones and a set of normal commercially-released tapes. The Mego 2-XL in this shot may have been one of the ones sent to schools, as those were the only units with integrated headphone jacks. | File:Headphone_jack_shot.jpg|Shot of a Mego 2-XL with a pair of headphones and a set of normal commercially-released tapes. The Mego 2-XL in this shot may have been one of the ones sent to schools, as those were the only units with integrated headphone jacks. | ||
File:Headphone_jack_back.jpg| The back of a Mego 2-XL showing an integrated headphone jack. Assuming that this was not an aftermarket mod, this was definitely one of the Mego 2-XL robots intended to be sold to schools. | File:Headphone_jack_back.jpg|The back of a Mego 2-XL showing an integrated headphone jack. Assuming that this was not an aftermarket mod, this was definitely one of the Mego 2-XL robots intended to be sold to schools. | ||
File:Headphone_jack_serial.jpg| The serial number from a Mego 2-XL with an integrated headphone jack. | File:Headphone_jack_serial.jpg|The serial number from a Mego 2-XL with an integrated headphone jack. | ||
File:Proof_of_Italian_Storia_e_Geografia.png| Image of the Italian Mego 2-XL tapes for "Storia e Geografia" and "Nastro Dimostrativo" | File:Proof_of_Italian_Storia_e_Geografia.png|Image of the Italian Mego 2-XL tapes for "Storia e Geografia" and "Nastro Dimostrativo" | ||
File:Proof_of_Italian_Storia_e_Geografia_2.png| Image of the Italian Mego 2-XL tape for "Storia e Geografia" | File:Proof_of_Italian_Storia_e_Geografia_2.png|Image of the Italian Mego 2-XL tape for "Storia e Geografia" | ||
File:Number_games_and_mathematics_Mexico.png| Image of the Mexican Mego 2-XL tape for "Juegos de Numeros y Matematicas" | File:Number_games_and_mathematics_Mexico.png|Image of the Mexican Mego 2-XL tape for "Juegos de Numeros y Matematicas" | ||
File:Mexican_Mego_Tape_Haul.png| First image of a group of Mexican Mego 2-XL tapes | File:Mexican_Mego_Tape_Haul.png|First image of a group of Mexican Mego 2-XL tapes | ||
File:Mexican_Mego_Tape_Haul_Alternate.png| Second image of the same group of Mexican Mego 2-XL tapes. | File:Mexican_Mego_Tape_Haul_Alternate.png|Second image of the same group of Mexican Mego 2-XL tapes. | ||
File:Mego_2-XL_in_a_store_display.jpg|A Mego 2-XL in its store display unit with the legendary "Mego Demonstration tape", which was only used for store demonstrations. | |||
File:Mego_demonstration_tape.jpg|The legendary "Mego Demonstration Tape", with a chain to prevent it from being stolen for the store display unit. | |||
File:Mego_2-XL_in_a_store_display_lower_detail.jpg|A close-up on the text on the lower part of the Mego 2-XL store display unit. | |||
File:Mego_2-XL_in_a_store_display_upper_detail.jpg|A close-up on the text on the upper part of the Mego 2-XL store display unit. | |||
File:German_Airfix_Mego_2-XL_box_1.jpg|The box for the German Mego 2-XL Robot, released by Airfix. (first image) | |||
File:German_Airfix_Mego_2-XL_box_2.jpg|The box for the German Mego 2-XL Robot, released by Airfix. (second image) | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== |
Latest revision as of 19:12, 21 January 2024
An advertisement showing the Mego 2-XL robot, several tapes, and a few of the board games that were released for it.
Status: Partially Found
The original Mego 2-XL was a children’s educational toy invented by Dr. Michael J. Freeman and released by Mego Corporation in 1978. The 2-XL was based on the educational robot known as Leachim, which Freeman had created for his wife Gail’s Bronx classroom.[1]
Leachim was six feet tall and contained a database full of trivia questions, which could be answered by pressing buttons on its chest. Leachim would then give feedback on the student’s answer via the recorded voice of Dr. Freeman himself. Leachim served in the classroom from 1972 to 1975, by which point Dr. Freeman decided to work on a miniaturized version called “Little Leachim” and pitch it to Mego. This became the 2-XL.
The 2-XL worked by using standard 8-track tapes to hold the questions and feedback. As with Leachim, Dr. Freeman provided his voice. As with all 8-track tapes, the content was laid out into four different programs across the width of the tape. As the tape played, 2-XL would ask a question, and the player would need to press one of four buttons to respond. This switched between the different programs, which would contain responses to the different possible answers. In this way, the 2-XL “knew” what answer the player gave and could “respond” accordingly.[2]
The tapes were produced between 1978 and 1981, with Mego Corporation collapsing in 1983. A completely different version of 2-XL using standard compact cassette tapes was released in 1992 by Tiger.
Preservation
The 8-track media used to contain the original Mego 2-XL programs has been obsolete since the early eighties. Like any magnetic media, they are also vulnerable to being wiped with a permanent magnet. The tapes have become collector’s items among 8-track collectors, Mego Corporation collectors, and vintage electronics collectors. Proper preservation requires playing the tapes through an 8-track player and synchronizing the audio between the four programs to line up 2-XL’s questions and feedback. Some tapes have been uploaded in this manner to the Internet Archive. Others have been preserved via the 2-XL simulator, which is a web-browser-based program for playing with a virtual 2-XL.[3] While this simulator is currently down due to the death of Flash, another web-browser-based simulator has appeared that is written in JavaScript. It contains over 45 of the English-language Mego 2-XL tapes, as well as all 44 of the U.S Tiger 2-XL tapes. [4]
Most of the known releases are from the United States, as 2-XL fan sites have compiled surviving magazine advertisements and mail-order forms. These show at least 45 confirmed tapes, a single planned tape that has been confirmed unproduced, and a selection of 18 with their release status unknown.[5] However, there were also at least four Spanish-language tapes released in Mexico by Ensueño Electronica and at least one French-language tape released in Canada by Grand Toys Ltd.
United States Releases
Regular U.S. Titles
Title | Audio Status | Year of Release | Description (taken from cartridge label) | Instruction/Game Booklet Status | Button relabel card status | Game Board Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
50’s and 60’s Nostalgia | Found | 1978 | 2-XL turns back the clock to the fabulous fifties and sixties as he tests your knowledge of intriguing trivia. Elvis, the Beatles, the Brooklyn Dodgers and Gunsmoke, to name a few. Recommended for ages 16 to adult. | N/A | Found | N/A |
Adult Games & Puzzles | Found | 1978 | A dynamite maze of challenging brainteasers for adults to sharpen and tickle your funny bone. Test your logic and ingenuity --- 2-XL has some real stumpers --- for adults | Found | N/A | N/A |
Amazing Sports Feats | Found | 1981 | Share with 2-XL a journey into the most incredible sports feats of all times covering everything from hockey to juggling... | N/A | Found | N/A |
Amazing World of the Small | Found | 1981 | How many creatures are alive right now on your body? What was the shortest war of all time? Will alcohol make a scorpion go mad and sting itself to death? Did you know that a doctor’s “small” mistake killed George Washington... | N/A | Found | N/A |
Animal World | Found | 1978 | Discover the exciting world of the Animal Kingdom: Animals that hear with their tongues, birds that fly faster than jets, and a jungle of animal world records for hours of family enjoyment. | N/A | Found | N/A |
Astronomy / 2-XL in space | Found | 1978 | For a first-hand look at the planets, stars, and galaxies, be 2-XL’s ground advisor through the amazing world of outer space. | Found | N/A | N/A |
The Basics of ABCs | Found | 1978 | A surprise package full of educational games and puzzles for pre-school kids to open with the help of 2-XL. Reading, writing, and fun with numbers plus questions about our world. Recommended for children 4-8 years. | Found | N/A | N/A |
Believe This or Not | Found | 1978 | Outlandish individuals, stranger-than-fiction feats and weird biological wonders. It is a mind-boggler-a-minute when 2-XL researches trivia. | N/A | Found | N/A |
Bet Your Life | Found | 1981 | The stakes are high as 2-XL challenges you to pit your brain against his in areas that are made up or quite real. It’s up to you to decide. DO sharks prefer men to Women? Do animals cough? Do people begin to shrink at 30?... | N/A | Found | N/A |
Challenges of General Science | Found | 1981 | This program explores the fascinating world of Earth science, astronomy, chemistry, and simple physics. Magnetism, Volcanos, Eclipses, and Weather are just a few areas 2-XL introduces and explains in his own special way. | N/A | Found | N/A |
Exercise with 2-XL | Found | 1979 | 2-XL asks questions and gives information about health, diet, and the human body. In addition, he puts you in shape with 40 minutes of exercise to disco music. He even sings a song. A lively, exciting program that can be used each day to accompany you as you keep in shape. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Fairy Tale Quiz | Found | 1979 | Pre-schoolers and early school children will have a ball hearing 2-XL recite fairy tales, ask questions, and tell jokes. The fun really begins when unexpected guests drop in to ask questions, try riddles and give information. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Games & Puzzles Number 1 | Found | 1978 | A tape of funny and challenging games and puzzles for the entire family, complete with a gamebook. Various levels of difficulty. Great for parties on those rainy days. | Found | N/A | N/A |
General Information (First Edition) | Found | 1978 | N/A. | Found | N/A | N/A |
General Information II | Found | 1978 | Questions, jokes, riddles; on sports, world’s records, science fiction. Every subject you can think of for the entire family. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
General Information III | Found | 1978 | Funny facts, sad facts, surprising facts. 2-XL pops the questions on everything. This tape is #3 in the general information series. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
General Information (Second Edition) | Found | 1981 | This was a re-release of the original General Information tape, which looks identical on the outside. Many questions are re-used, but some new portions, such as an interview with Benjamin Franklin, are added. | Found | N/A | N/A |
Guinness Book of World Records | Found | 1978 | What was the longest frankfurter ever made? Who was the shortest woman who ever lived? What is the world’s hopscotch record? Hundreds of challenging questions from the “Guinness Book of World Records” for hours of fun. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Interviews With Great People From History | Found | 1978 | Alexander the Great, Daniel Boone. Let 2-XL introduce you to great personalities of history in the most fascinating “Talk Show” ever. | N/A | Found | N/A |
Math and Number Games | Found | 1979 | An educational revolution! Now 2-XL can help build children’s math I.Q. 2-XL is the professor as he tests your answers against his “computer” brain. Math has never been so much fun. | Found | Found | N/A |
Mego Demonstration Program | Found | 1978 | This rare tape was not sold to the public. Instead, it was used for floor demonstration units in toy stores. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Metric System / Education | Found | 1978 | 2-XL introduces your family to the Metric System. In his own special way, 2-XL “educates” and amuses as he translates the metric system into “English.” A must tape for all members of the family before those speedometers change from miles to kilometres and square yards change to square meters. | Found | N/A | N/A |
Monsters, Myths, and Legends | Found | 1978 | On the trail of Bigfoot, Dracula, and Frankenstein, 2-XL encounters the scariest monsters of all time. It’s spine-tingling adventures ahead in out Ghostly Gallery of Myths and Legends. | Found | N/A | N/A |
Pre-School Bed Time Stories | Found | 1981 | A triple length program of stories, music, sounds, and excitement as 2-XL... | N/A | Found | N/A |
Pre-School Facts and Fantasies | Found | 1979 | It’s storytime and learning time in one when 2-XL spins best’ loved fairytales for kids plus fascinating facts about the world they live in. A Pre-School Educational Masterpiece. Ages 4-8. | Found | N/A | N/A |
Psychoanalysis | Unproduced | N/A | This tape was featured in lists from 1979, but it has been confirmed to have never been produced. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Reading, Writing and Arithmetic | Found | 1978 | A circus of exciting learning games and quizzes. Test your skills with 2-XL... | Lost | N/A | N/A |
Robotrivia (two tape set) | First Tape Found Second Tape Partially Lost (Missing 15 seconds between 14:26 and 14:41 on program 2) | 1980 | This was a two-tape set that came with a board game that you could play with 2-XL. | N/A | Found | Found |
Robotstronomy (two tape set) | First Tape Found Second Tape Found | 1980 | This was a two-tape set that came with a board game that you could play with 2-XL. | N/A | Found | Found |
Science Fiction | Found | 1978 | For science fiction superhero lovers. Includes jokes, facts on fictional characters, superheroes, and famous science fiction characters. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Science Fiction II (Rev A) | Found | 1979 | A quiz show on science fiction trivia of every sort! Test your expertise with the talking robot.
The Revision A is just a placeholder, as it is unclear which version came out first. There are a few small differences between the two revisions. First, on question #25 on Program 1, revision A asks what the name of the smart necklace-like robots from Buck Rogers is. The choices are A) Doctor Theo or B) Robby the Robot. In revision B, this question is changed to ask about who the leader of the Cylons is. Also, in question #26 on Program 1, revision A asks if Superman was the most expensive movie ever made. In revision B, it asks if Star Wars was the most expensive movie ever made. Most other questions are identical, as the difference between the two revisions are quite minor. |
N/A | Found | N/A |
Science Fiction II (Rev B) | Found | 1979 | A quiz show on science fiction trivia of every sort! Test your expertise with the talking robot.
The Revision B is just a placeholder, as it is unclear which version came out first. There are a few small differences between the two revisions. First, on question #25 on Program 1, revision A asks what the name of the smart necklace-like robots from Buck Rogers is. The choices are A) Doctor Theo or B) Robby the Robot. In revision B, this question is changed to ask about who the leader of the Cylons is. Also, in question #26 on Program 1, revision A asks if Superman was the most expensive movie ever made. In revision B, it asks if Star Wars was the most expensive movie ever made. Most other questions are identical, as the difference between the two revisions are quite minor. |
N/A | Found | N/A |
Sports | Found | 1978 | For the sports fans in the family, 2-XL sports tape is programmed with exciting questions, jokes, riddles on all sports: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, water sports etc. Test your knowledge against the coach, “Uncle Brainy.” | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Sports II | Found | 1978 | 2-XL is your coach for an all-sports tournament of intriguing questions from baseball to football and even the Olympics. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Storyland | Found | 1978 | Down Riddle Street and Monster Street, follow 2-XL on a magical trip through Storyland. Meet exciting characters like the Riddle Monster --- and a new challenge at every turn! Recommended age 9 and younger | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Storyland: 2XL and the Time Machine | Found | 1978 | 2-XL’s fate is in your hands when he rides the time machine. Launch 2-XL into the present, past or future with the press of a button… and become the writer of your own exciting story! | Found | N/A | N/A |
Strange But Is It True | Found | 1979 | Do hummingbirds really hum? Did William Tell actually exist? Do the north and south poles ever reverse? Is there an animal that makes no sound at all? Let 2-XL introduce you to the exciting world of the strange and fascinating. | N/A | Found | N/A |
Super Heroes and Comic Books Cavalcade | Found | 1979 | A comic strip parade of favourite… Superman, Hulk, Spider-Man, Batman and Robin! Follow 2-XL to amazing action thrills when the world’s greatest Super Heroes meet. | Found | N/A | N/A |
”Talking Calculator” and Number Game | Partially Lost (Missing 10 seconds between 5:05 and 5:15 on program 3) | 1979 | A program to teach, test, and review the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of numbers. As long as you can add 2 + 2, 2-XL will come up with numbers and also “calculate” the answers. By the press of a button, you decide how difficult this program should be. Math skills have never been so much fun. For children 4 to 9 years old. | Found | Found | N/A |
Tid Bits and Funny Facts | Found | 1979 | The world of trivia and funny facts has never been so interesting. Do all animals sneeze? Did Delilah really cut Samson’s hair? Is the ability to spell a sign of intelligence? Why does India ink come from China? What are the odds of finding a pearl in an oyster? Turn on 2-XL, and he will turn you on to these and many other little known facts. | N/A | Found | N/A |
Traffic & Bicycle Safety | Found | 1978 | This program is a must for parents who want to teach their children the basics of bicycle riding safety, traffic safety, and highway safety... | N/A | Found | N/A |
Tri-Lex | Found | 1979 | This tape was used with a board game that you could play with 2-XL. Each game appears to last about 5 minutes, with 4 games used to fill the standard 20-minute track length. While all other 8-track tapes have only one metallic splice for switching tracks, this tape has a very strange configuration in which multiple splices are used at the end of each game. This is used because if a game ends early, 2-XL instructs the player to turn their audio down to zero until the next game begins, as any other audio in that game is irrelevant. This prevents the player from hearing the end-of-game music as well. However, the extra splice results in the player switching tracks with an audible mechanical "thunk," which is used to signal the start of a new game. | Found | Found | Found |
TV and Movie Challenges | Found | 1978 | 2-XL puts you center-stage as you test your knowledge of the Television & Movie Screen. Enjoy nostalgic question-and-answer challenges on everything from movie history to TV’s brightest stars! Ages 11-Adult. | Found | N/A | N/A |
US Presidents and American History | Found | 1978 | Throughout the corridors of American History, you’ll visit the people and places that make our country great. President Lincoln consents to an interview; now, American History has never been so much fun with 2-XL reliving our heritage. | Found | N/A | N/A |
Who Said It (Rev 1) | Lost | 1979 | Let 2-XL challenge your knowledge of some of the greatest quotes in history. Some (given in the actual voices of the people who said them) will astound your imagination. “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.” “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” “Take My Wife, Please.” “Winning Isn’t Everything --- It’s the Only Thing.” “Remember the Alamo.” A challenging program for everyone. | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Who Said It (Rev 2) | Found | 1979 | Let 2-XL challenge your knowledge of some of the greatest quotes in history. Some (given in the actual voices of the people who said them) will astound your imagination. “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.” “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” “Take My Wife, Please.” “Winning Isn’t Everything --- It’s the Only Thing.” “Remember the Alamo.” A challenging program for everyone.
Note: The second revision contains a correction to one of the questions. At around 4:15 on the first program, 2-XL lets the player know that the first version of the program had a mistake on this question. He informs the player that this second revision has been corrected. |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Wonders of the World | Found | 1978 | Grand Canyon and the fish that hitchhikes… are they genuine wonders of the world of more of 2-XL’s jokes? Discover the world’s most amazing creatures, bizarre moments of history and marvels of the world and outer space. | N/A | Found | N/A |
Word and Sound Games (two tape set) | First TapeFound Second TapeFound | 1978 | This was sold as a two-tape set. Tape #1: Sharpen that pencil and your wits as you accept 2-XL’s challenge to solve crossword puzzles, Morse code, magic number and sound games. Tape #2: The fun and games continue in this second tape. You’ve got to be pretty smart to answer the challenge! | Found | Found | N/A |
U.S. Titles Planned for the Educational Market
According to an advertisement from 1979, a set of 24 tapes broken up into four assortments were planned to be sold directly to schools. They would use a modified 2-XL with a headphone jack. Pictures of Mego 2-XL robots with integrated headphone jacks have surfaced, though it is difficult to confirm whether these were after-market modifications, or if these robots were some of the original units from the school program. Six of the games were later released as regular cartridges for the general public. It is unclear what happened to the remaining 18 games.[6]
Title | Status |
---|---|
Advanced Metric System | Existence Unconfirmed |
American Folklore and Legends | Existence Unconfirmed |
American Geography | Existence Unconfirmed |
American History I (Explorers) | Existence Unconfirmed |
American History II (1700-1800) | Existence Unconfirmed |
American History III (1800-1900) | Existence Unconfirmed |
American History IV (1900-present) | Existence Unconfirmed |
Math and Number Games (Primary) | Existence Unconfirmed |
Math and Number Gamed (Advanced) | Existence Unconfirmed |
Reading Comprehension I | Existence Unconfirmed |
Reading Comprehension II | Existence Unconfirmed |
Talking Calculator (1-4 Tables) | Existence Unconfirmed |
Talking Calculator (5-9 Tables) | Existence Unconfirmed |
Understanding Fractions | Existence Unconfirmed |
Vocabulary Drill (Primary) | Existence Unconfirmed |
Vocabulary Drill (Intermediate) | Existence Unconfirmed |
Vocabulary Drill (Advanced) | Existence Unconfirmed |
Vocabulary / Storyland Mix | Existence Unconfirmed |
Mexican Releases
The 2-XL was also re-branded by Ensueño Electronica and released in Mexico. Very little information has surfaced about which titles were produced. Images of four tapes were supplied to a 2-XL fan-site in 2008, but the owner has not released the audio [7] Additionally, one more Mexican 2-XL tape showed up in an eBay auction. Later, a YouTube review of the Mexican Mego 2-XL surfaced that showed a card-back for one of the tapes. It contained a list of titles that had been released at the time, as well as a list of upcoming titles. Images of most of these cartridges have surfaced, proving that they were produced. It is not known if any other titles were produced. Legendary Mexican actor and voice actor Jorge Isaac Arvizu Martínez, nicknamed El Tata, provided the voice for the "Informacion Generale" cartridge. It is possible that he also voiced the other cartridges. Thank you to LMW forum user p4ndr1x for this information.
Title | English Translation | Status |
---|---|---|
chistes adivinanzas y esas cosas | Jokes, Riddles and Those Things | Lost |
En la historia | In History | Lost |
En las Olimpiades | In the Olympics | Lost |
Hechos y fantasias pre-escolares | Pre-school Facts & Fantasies | Lost |
Informacion General | General Information | Partially Found |
2-XL en el deporte | 2-XL in Sports | Partially Found |
Hechos Graciosos | Fun Facts | Lost |
En las Idiomas | In Languages | Lost |
El ABC de las cosas | The ABC of Things | Lost |
Reino Animal | Animal Kingdom | Lost |
Incredible pero Cierto | Incredible but True | Partially Found |
Deportes I | Sports I | Lost |
Maravillas de Mundo | Wonders of the World | Lost |
Juegos De Numeros Y Matematicas | Games of Numbers and Mathematics | Lost |
Calculadora Parlante | Talking Calculator | Existence Unconfirmed |
Monstruos Mites y Legendas | Monsters, Myths, and Legends | Existence Unconfirmed |
Ciencia Ficcion | Science Fiction | Existence Unconfirmed |
Deportes II | Sports II | Existence Unconfirmed |
Quien Dijo Que | Who Said That | Existence Unconfirmed |
Astronomia 2-XL En El Espacio | Astronomy 2-XL in Space | Lost |
French-Canadian Release
The most obscure release of the 2-XL, of which images of tapes have resurfaced, occurred in Canada. It is unknown whether the English versions of cartridges released in Canada were identical to the U.S. versions. However, it is known that some cartridges were released in French for the French-Canadian market by Grand Toys Ltd. Pictures of the General Information tape, Renseignements generaux have surfaced on a 2-XL fansite. [7] This tape strangely lacks any sort of artwork, implying that it may have been for the educational market or even a prototype. A few short audio clips have been uploaded online. Since then, another white French-language tape with full-size, full-colour artwork has surfaced on eBay. It is a copy of "Games & Puzzles 1", which has the label in English, rather than French. Due to this dual language, it is suspected to be Canadian, but this is not completely confirmed.
Title | English Translation | Status |
---|---|---|
Renseignements generaux | General Information | Partially Found |
[Title is presented in English] | Games & Puzzles 1 | Found |
Other Releases
According to a 2-XL Robot fan-site, there were also Mego 2-XL games released in France and Germany.[7] The German release was later confirmed, as a robot with the tape "Weltrekorde" (World Record) appeared on an eBay auction. Later on, images of the following four German tapes also appeared on eBay: "Ferne Länder Exotische Tiere" (Distant countries Exotic animals), "Sport" (Sports), "Rätsel, Gags, und Spiele" (Puzzles, gags, and games), and "Technik" (Technology). These tapes are branded by the company "Airfix."
Additionally, images of a Mego 2-XL that was sold in Italy have resurfaced on eBay. On May 7th, 2020, user TropesAreDangerous acquired a Mego 2-XL sold in Italy, which contained the tape "Nastro Dimostrativo" (Demonstration Tape). On May 10th, this tape was digitized and uploaded to the Internet Archive. It is unclear whether it was a true retail release or if it was intended for stores to use in shop displays. The tape claimed to have excerpts from three other tapes: "Cultura Generale" (General Culture), "Sport" (Sport), and "Guinness dei Primati" (Guinness World Record). However, it is unclear if full versions of these tapes were ever produced due to the general obscurity of the Italian release. The distributor appears to have been "Newgioco." On October 22, 2022, a second Italian Mego 2-XL tape, "Storia e Geografia" (History and Geography) appeared on an eBay auction. No images of tape cartridges or lists of tape releases have surfaced for France.
German Releases
Title | English Translation | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Weltrekorde | World Records | Lost | This tape uses the cover art from the U.S. tape "Guinness Book of World Records." However, the "Guinness" part of the title was removed for some reason. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. |
Technik | Technology | Lost | This tape uses cover art similar to the U.S. tape "Science Fiction," but the spaceship on the cover is bizarrely replaced with a car with a Union Jack on the front. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. |
Rätsel, Gags, und Spiele | Puzzles, gags, and games | Lost | The tape uses cover art similar to the U.S tape "Games & Puzzles 1". However, words in the cover art have been translated. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. It is also unclear whether this tape had a German activity booklet, as the U.S. release had an English activity booklet. |
Sport | Sports | Lost | This tape uses cover art similar to the U.S. tape "Sports." However, the American football player is replaced with a soccer player. It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. |
Ferne Länder Exotische Tiere | Distant countries Exotic animals | Lost | The tape uses the same cover art as the U.S. tape "General Information III." It is unclear whether the same content was translated from English to German or if this was new material entirely. It is unknown whether any of the other general information tapes were released in Germany. This tape title specifies two areas of focused trivia, and it is possible that other German "General Information" releases also had titles to indicate more focused trivia. |
Italian Releases
Title | English Translation | Status |
---|---|---|
Nastro Dimostrativo | Demonstration Tape | Found |
Storia e Geografia | History and Geography | Lost |
Cultura Generale | General Culture | Existence Unconfirmed |
Sport | Sport | Existence Unconfirmed |
Guinness dei Primati | Guinness World Record | Existence Unconfirmed |
Various Findings
Between September 2019 and December 2019, the following tapes were uploaded to the Internet Archive by LMW user TropesAreDangerous under the account TheManWithNoPlan: Fairy Tale Quiz, TV and Movie Challenges, Trilex, General Information (Revised Edition), and both of the tapes used for the Robotstronomy board game. Throughout January 2020, the same user uploaded the following nine tapes: Traffic and Bicycle Safety, General Information III, Exercise with 2-XL, 50s and 60s Nostalgia, Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, Animal World, Bet Your Life, Storyland: 2-XL and the Time Machine, and Strange But Is It True.
Gallery
This photo, taken from eBay, shows a selection of five Mego 2-XL tapes that were released in Germany: "Ferne Länder Exotische Tiere" (Distant countries Exotic animals), "Sports" (Sport), "Welktrekorde" (World Records), "Rätsel, Gags, und Spiele" (Puzzles, gags, and games), and "Technik" (Technology). It also showcases some of the changes to U.S. cover art when it was re-used for the German market.
References
- ↑ Mentalfloss article explaining the origin of the Mego 2-XL. Retrieved 08 Jun '19
- ↑ Cnet article explaining how the Mego 2-XL worked. Retrieved 08 Jun '19
- ↑ The 2-XL simulator created by Mouser of donationcoder.com. Retrieved 08 Jun '19
- ↑ A web-browser based simulator for the 2-XL robot. Retrieved 13 Mar '21
- ↑ Mego 2-XL tape list from a 2-XL fansite Retrieved 08 Jun '19
- ↑ Mego advertisement for the titles that were to be sold directly to the educational market. Retrieved 08 Jun '19
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 2-XL fan-site where the images of the four Mexican tapes and the single French-Canadian tape were uploaded. Retrieved 08 Jun '19