TETRIS running on Sharp PA-8500 Electronic Notebook (1989)

[@marichusalanga4257]

Hi. I just want to know if this is rechargeable or battery operated. I don’t know how to turn this on. I got it from Japan surplus box.

[@mattsephton]

It's battery operated, CR2025 (x2) & CR1616 (x1). Remove screws, slide panel away from hinge, loosen battery protect screws, replace batteries, then put it back together by doing these steps in reverse. Hold the on button for one second as shown in the video. Let me know how you get on! (I have a manual.)

[@marichusalanga4257]

@@mattsephton Thank You so much! This will really help. I have been figuring out where the battery located or the plug input . I really appreciate it. I hope this will work this time. God bless!

[@marichusalanga4257]

@@mattsephton Hi. I bought 2 pcs of 2025 battery and it’s now working! But most of the characters are in Japanese language. Is there any feature of this organizer to translate it in english? Your response will be highly appreciated 👍🏼

[@mattsephton]

@@marichusalanga4257 no, it's Japan only in terms of language support. TJ's particular model was never sold outside of Japan. There are other compatible Sharp devices that were available in English. But I can't help ask don't own any.

[@marichusalanga4257]

@@mattsephtonOkay. Thank you so much. I really appreciate tou for finding time to answer my query. God bless!

[@bland9876]

These controls make the Android/iOS version look good. You have all those buttons on the other side Why couldn't you use them? Also the screens upside down it looks like at least.

[@mattsephton]

@@bland9876 this was the second ever handheld Tetris in 1989. 35 years ago. Japan was in its "bubble era" economic boom, 1986-1991, with so much money they didn't know what to do with it. So much of it was ploughed into research and development of crazy things in the fields of consumer electronics, computers, engine technology, vehicle design, books, software. Each IC card provided it's own software and custom button layout, which is pretty cool and salary men lapped it up, but yeah it's a far cry from what went expect in 2024. I don't think using the buttons on the other side would help. This game plays in rotated portrait orientation but others play in regular landscape. Without this device there would be no Apple Newton (which was co-produced by Sharp), without Newton there would be no iPhone, and without iPhone there would be no Android. Evolution is necessary for technological progress. Thanks for watching!