Many do not realize that the Xbox is not Microsofts first console. The first was not unlike the Xbox. It too was basically a stripped down pc with the then hot CD rom, 286 cpu, and a light version of the Windows 3.1 os called Modular Windows. After designing it, Microsoft partnered with Tandy to make it and sell it in their Radioshack stores. Tandy for some stupid reason signed deals where it assumed all the risk. The system came out was called the Tandy VIS. Then Microsoft pulled os support on it. It flopped in a huge way and caused Tandy to get out of the computer manufacturing business. A couple of PC gamer makers almost lost their shirts in the deal too. Sierra made around 10 games and education titles for the unit. The money lost is pretty much why Sierra started tumbling and was sold. The os became Windows CE fyi
For some pictures of the system go here
http://www.geocities.com/~compcloset/TandyVIS.htm

Here is a web page that talks about the VIS before it was released
http://www.tidbits.com/tb-issues/TidBITS-140.html#lnk8

It came out in fall 92 and it was already on clearance by spring 94.
Some of the titles were Kings quest 5 (Sierra) Chuck Yeager's Air Combat (Electronic Arts), Lemmings (Psygnosis), and The Manhole (Activision).

Wow, very interesting. I'll quote Dana Carvey's Johnny Carson: I DID NOT KNOW THAT! $700 retail though, ouch.

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com