VTech Socrates
VTech is still a name synonymous with electronic toys, but back in 1998, the company threw its hat into the crowded console ring (again) with the Socrates, an “Educational Video System” named after the philosopher, but starring a fictional robot. It was another 8-bit system like the NES, but with just 12 games ever released for it that promoted learning, it was not long for this world and was discontinued a few years later. But the late ‘80s and early ‘90s were basically the wild west of console design, and the Socrates included a fantastic wireless controller (that docked atop the sytem when not in use) with a full keyboard and a pair of smaller gamepads that popped out for multiplayer action.
