Maxivision 15-in-1

Maxi 15
Publisher	American Video Entertainment (USA) HES Interactive (Australia)
Developer	Various
Console	NES
Date	1992
Alternate names/hacks	Maxivision 15, Maxivision, Maxivision 30 Super Games

Maxivision 15-in-1 is an NES multicart developed by American Video Entertainment (AVE) and published by AVE and HES (Australia) in 1992. The multicart features 15 unlicensed games by various game companies including AVE themselves, Color Dreams, Sachen, and Idea-Tek.

Overview

Maxi 15 menu (first version).

Two versions of this multicart were released, with the latter using a different title screen and replacing Sachen's games with two others (Blackjack and Deathrace) because AVE's contract with Sachen did not allow them to include their games on multicarts.

Both versions were released in America and Australia, but the first version is more common in America and the second is more common in Australia.

This cartridge is rather uncommon, although easier to find than Action 52 or Caltron 6-in-1 as more copies were sold.

History

Maxivision 30 Super Games cart and ad.

The Maxivision 15-in-1 was originally supposed to be released as a 30-in-1 cart known as Maxivision 30 Super Games which would of been handled by a company from Las Vegas known as Maxivision International in conjunction with Positive Response Television. The cart would of been developed by NTDEC with a mixture of Color Dreams games and NTDEC games, though only a total of 17 unique games would be on the cart. At one point, Maxivision would send the cartridge to AVE to get them involved with the project.

AVE took control of the project and completely reprogramed the entire multicart to change the menu to completely remove NTDEC's games and repeats to replace them with games they developed in-house and licensed from different companies. Even though the cartridge was no longer being handled by Maxivision, the Maxivision name was still kept. To market the multicart, a 30-minute infomercial set in a faux video game tournament known as the Maxivision Power Video Challenge was made. The infomercial features an unlicensed performance by several WWF fighters, including Hulk Hogan, who served as a commentator for the "competition".

Even though the multicart was meant to feature 30 games, the released version of the cart only featured 15 games due to licensing issues and the fact that it would be cheaper to produce a smaller cartridge with half of the memory.

Games

This list is for the first version. Descriptions are listed below game titles. Oddly, games developed by Sachen and Idea-Tek are credited on the menu as being produced by AVE, while Color Dreams games and certain AVE games aren't credited to a company at all.

1. F-15 City War by Idea-Tek
   "Pilot a fully armed F-15 Strike Eagle and destroy an invading enemy army!"
2. Puzzle by Idea-Tek
   "Tired of shoot-em ups? Test your wits and skill. Unscramble 8 intense picture puzzles."
3. Pyramid by Sachen
   "Turn and twist the falling stones. You must fit them perfectly to win."
4. Tiles of Fate by Computer & Entertainment Inc.
   "Match the enchanted tiles to gain access to the 7 ancient castles."
5. Krazy Kreatures by Franz Lanzinger and Dave O'Riva
   "Operate an intergalactic transport service. You gotta line-em-up to move-em-out!"
6. Double Strike by Sachen
   "Enter the exotic South Pacific and destroy a vicious terrorist organisation"
7. Dudes With Attitude by Michael and Cam Crick
   "Find a Kings ransom in the catacombs of an ancient lost desert island"
8. Venice Beach Volleyball by Idea-Tek
   "It is the most radical summer sport at the coolest hangout in the world."
9. Stakk M by Idea-Tek (licensed by TXC Corp)
   "Stack the falling blocks up and down, side to side, or horizontally. Challenge your reflexes and play with a friend"
10. Deathbots by Odyssey Software Inc.
    "Only you can save the human race from the deadly Deathbots! Seven levels of fast action!"
11. Rad Racket Tennis by Idea-Tek
    "Electronic tennis at its best. Play with your friend as a doubles partner."
12. Chiller by American Game Cartridges Inc.
    "Destroy the Living Dead. The curse has come true. Release the dead before they eat the living. Use light gun or control pad."
13. Solitaire by Odyssey Software Inc.
    "The computerized version of the most popular game of cards. Fun for all ages!"
14. Menace Beach by Color Dreams
    "Your girlfriend has been kidnapped. Grab your trusty skateboard and get ready to ride 'cuz it's up to you to get her back".
15. Shockwave by American Game Cartridges Inc.
    "Explore a-mazing new dimensions and collect power crystals more valuable than gold. Beware! Evil also seeks these crystals."

Version 2

• Deathrace by American Game Cartridges Inc. (replaces Pyramid)
  "Race a fully armed futuristic vehicle across this deadly country."
• Blackjack by Odyssey Software Inc. (replaces Double Strike)
  "Computerized version of classic card game. One or two player gambling fun."

30-in-1 (Prototype)

• Menace Beach by Color Dreams
  "Slot 14 Here is the empty program description."
• Ultimate Soccer (Ultimate League Soccer) by C&E
  "Only one team will win the Ultimate Soccer Challenge. Go For It..!
• Mermaids (Mermaids of Atlantis. Spelled "Mermaids of Atiantis" in-game) by C&E
  "Mindblowing Bubble Trouble."
• Wally Bear (Wally Bear and the NO! Gang) by AVE
  "Radical skateboarding action as you explore the Big City."
• Captain Comic by Color Dreams
  "Explore wonderous worlds filled with beauty and danger!"
• Robodemons by Color Dreams
  "Face the evil Krull and her masses of demon robots."
• Neptune Adventure (King Neptune's Adventures) by Color Dreams
  "Swim the ocean depths and find the mythical orb of peace."
• P Radicus (The P'radikus Conflict) by Color Dreams
  "Discover new planets and alien races."
• PesTerminator by Color Dreams
  "Ronnie the Rat has taken over. It is time for the exterminator."
• Castle of Deceit by Color Dreams
  "Intersection universes on a collision course to destruction. You must save them."
• Moon Ranger by Odyssey Software
  "8 worlds of action! A hero is called for in this outer space shoot-em-up. That hero is you!"
• Challenge Dragon (Challenge of the Dragon)
  "Are you the savior of the spoken ancient."
• Solitaire by Odyssey Software
  "Tired of shoot-em-ups? Try a good old fashioned game of cards. Fun for all ages!"
• Secret Scout by Color Dreams
  "Do scouting things. It will be fun."
• Baby Boomer by Color Dreams
  "Save little Baby Boomer from harm. Use lightgun or control pad."
• Dudes II (simply boots Chiller)
  "Protect mythical explorers. Use lightgun or control pad."

30 Super Games

Notably, some games on the cart such as Balloon Monster seem to be unfinished.

• Magic Block I
• Magic Block II
• Balloon Monster I
• Balloon Monster II
• Magic Carpet I
• Magic Carpet II
• Bookyman I
• Bookyman II
• Hit Marmot
• King Neptune's Adventure I
• Bingo (Pokey)
• Hi-Lo Poker (Pokey)
• Puzzler (Pokey)
• P'Radikus Conflict
• Castle of Deceit I
• Castle of Deceit II
• Baby Boomer I
• Baby Boomer II
• Kentucky Derby (Pokey)
• King Neptune's Adventure II
• Robodemons
• Pesterminator
• Scout Hunt I
• Scout Hunt II
• Moon Ranger I
• Moon Ranger II
• Raid 2020
• Captain Comic
• Challenge of the Dragon I
• Challenge of the Dragon II

Trivia

• All versions of the multicart excluding NTDEC's prototype refer to the collection as volume 1, suggesting there was meant to be more volumes.