The Tyco Video Driver is a unique VHS-driven gaming system produced by Sega Japan in 1989, and released into western markets such as the US and Europe by Tyco in 1990.
At a time when video games were threatening to dominate over all other forms of entertainment, toy makers such as Tyco were going to great lengths to keep their traditional form of hands-on play things relevant, leading to some truly unique methods of play that would rarely if ever be seen again.
One such toy was the Tyco Video Driver. Composed of entirely pre-recorded video segments, gamers would grip the battery-powered steering wheel which was linked up to a model car positioned directly in front of the screen. This model had a built-in sensor which used part of the video footage to check whether you were "driving" within your lane, and deducted points from your score if you drifted out too far.
Game titles
The toy included two scenarios, and another was sold separately. California Chase saw you driving "these totally awesome wheels", a red Porsche 911, from the city, to the hills, beach, and mountains. Road Race which appears to be more of a track race against a few Formula One style race cars
A third title was released in 1990 titled Road Adventure II: Police Persuit. As described by Tyco themselves "You’re the police in hot pursuit of a bank robber. Use all your skill in catching the criminal. You’re in and out of traffic and through back roads until you finally catch your man."
This photo courtesy of this Japanese Sega Video Driver review.
In the words of Tyco Marketing...
All The Thrills of Real Driving
New Video Driver comes complete with car, driving console with score readout and “California Chase’’ and “Road Chase’’ VHS Video Color Cassette…everything you need for your next driving adventure.
Requires: VHS Video Cassette Player, 13″- 20″ TV, and 4 “C” batteries required for operation. (Not included.)
Video Driver puts you behind the wheel of the wildest drive of your life! You drive a real car with a real driving console. Only your skill can keep you on the road that rushes onto the TV screen in front of you.
No mistakes and you get a perfect “100” score on the dashboard readout—go off the road and you lose points.
Works with any VHS VCR and most TV sets. Shift speed control.
Keep score with VHS Video Color Cassette Featuring “California Chase & Road Race.”
- 1990 Tyco Catalog
Limitations
Not surprisingly, the obvious limitations of the system made the experience wear out quickly, and the product was discontinued shortly after release. And while it did'nt last long, I'm just happy to see that such a product existed - the 90s ness of the whole concept, especially the video recordings themselves, is just something so nostalgic should be treasured.
Availability and Collectability
Tyco Video Driver is generally available online through eBay, however the quality and completeness of items varies greatly, so if you can't see something worth buying now, you may just have to wait a little while for some better items to appear.
But is it collectable? Oh yes, absolutely! With the number of reviews on YouTube alone a good measure of how people feel about this product, how it reminds them of their youth, or even just simpler times if they never lived through the ninties, I believe this is definitely a Tyco toy worth collecting, and appears to be a regular exhibit at The Strong National Museum of Play as documented by Google Arts & Culture.
For more information on the Tyco Video Driver, check out this excellent review by RMC on YouTube