The Poly Play console was a gaming console produced in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) during the 1980s. It was one of the few gaming systems available in East Germany and is now considered a rare and sought-after collector's item.
The Poly Play console was designed to provide players with access to a variety of games, including racing, sports, and puzzle games. The console had a distinctive design with bright colors and a sleek appearance that made it stand out from other gaming systems of the time.
The console's games were developed by a team of designers and programmers at the GDR's state-owned VEB Polytechnik. The games were often inspired by Western titles, but with a distinct Eastern European flavor. For example, "Hirschjagd" was a hunting game that featured a deer as the main character, and "Mäusejagd" was a game where players chased mice in a cheese factory.
One unique aspect of the Poly Play console was that it featured multiple games on a single cartridge, a feature that was not common at the time. This allowed players to switch between games without having to purchase separate cartridges.
Despite its popularity in the GDR, the Poly Play console was not widely distributed outside of East Germany, making it a rare find for collectors today. The console has become a symbol of the unique and distinctive gaming culture that developed behind the Iron Curtain, and it is often cited as an example of the ingenuity and creativity of the era.
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the Poly Play console, with enthusiasts and collectors seeking to preserve and restore these rare pieces of gaming history. Retro gaming conventions and events often feature displays of the Poly Play console, where attendees can experience the unique and intriguing games that were produced during this fascinating period in gaming history.