Released in 1979 by Coleco, Quiz Wiz was an electronic question-and-answer game that challenged players to answer trivia questions from a wide range of categories. Marketed as “The computer answer game that is No. 1 in electronic fun”, the handheld unit ran on a single 9-volt battery or the optional Coleco “Battery Eliminator” AC Adapter and was packaged in a portable vinyl-bound case.
To play, players selected a multiple-choice question from an accompanying quiz book and entered their answer using the keypad on the game unit. Electronic lights and sound indicated whether the answer was correct. A correct response triggered a green light and beeping sound, while an incorrect answer produiced a red light and buzzing sound.
Question cartridges were sold separately, allowing the game’s library to expand over time. Coleco eventually released 30 cartridges covering topics such as sports, music, movies, famous places, mysteries, monsters, celebrities, and soap operas. Each cartridge contained 1,001 questions.
The popularity of the single-player format led to the released of Quiz Wiz Challenger, a multiplayer version that supported scoring for up to four players while retaining the gameplay structure of the original unit.
COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS
Quiz Wiz can readily be found on the secondary market in varying condition. Collectors should look for working examples with clean battery compartments, intact vinyl cases, and functioning lights and sound. Complete sets with quiz books, cartridges, and original packaging are generally more desirable.
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