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{{short description|Portable self-contained video game console}} | |||
{{Refimprove|date=November 2007}} | |||
{{See also|List of handheld game consoles}} | |||
A '''handheld game console''' is a lightweight, portable device with a built-in screen, games controls and speakers.<ref>''</nowiki>]''. ]. ] (]). 24 April 2007. p. 20.</ref> Handheld game consoles are run on machines of small size allowing people to carry them and play them at any time or place.<ref name=li>Li, Frederick W. B. ''''. ]. Retrieved 19 December 2008. p. 4.</ref> Unlike ]s{{cn}}, the controls, screen and speakers are all part of a single unit. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, several companies—including ] and ]—made lightweight table-top or ] devices. Today, these machines are not considered strictly consoles, since they often would only play a single game.{{cn}} The first true handheld game console with interchangeable ] was the Milton Bradley ] in 1979.{{cn}} ] has dominated the handheld market since the release of the ] in 1989, and is often credited{{Who?}} as popularizing the handheld console concept. | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2016}} | |||
], the ] of all time and second overall]] | |||
A '''handheld game console''', or simply '''handheld console''', is a small, portable self-contained ] with a built-in screen, game controls and speakers.<ref>''</nowiki>]'' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630130213/http://www.mg-bl.com/fileadmin/downloads/deliverables/D4.1_Standards_and_technology_monitoring_report_revised_version_V1.7.pdf |date=June 30, 2013 }}. ]. ] (]). April 24, 2007. p. 20.</ref> Handheld game consoles are smaller than ]s and contain the console, screen, speakers, and controls in one unit, allowing players to carry them and play them at any time or place.<ref name=li>Li, Frederick W. B. ''''. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714083111/http://www.dur.ac.uk/frederick.li/paper/game.v2.pdf |date=July 14, 2010 }}. ]. Retrieved December 19, 2008. p. 4.</ref><ref name="nintendo popular">{{cite book| last = Steinbock| first = Dan|author2=Johnny L. Wilson| title = The Mobile Revolution| publisher = Kogan Page| date =January 28, 2007 | page = 150| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=cUQ1y4iNrGcC&q=popularizing+the+handheld+console+concept+nintendo&pg=PA150| isbn = 978-0-7494-4850-9}}</ref> | |||
In 1976, ] introduced the first ] with the release of '']''.<ref name="gamasutra">{{cite web| last = Loguidice| first = Bill|author2=Matt Barton| title = A History of Gaming Platforms: Mattel Intellivision| website = Gamasutra| date = August 15, 2008| url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18518| access-date = December 27, 2008}}</ref> Later, several companies—including ] and ]—made their own single-game, lightweight table-top or handheld electronic game devices.<ref name="competitors">{{cite book| last = Demaria| first = Rusel|author2=Johnny L. Wilson| title = High Score! The Illustrated History of Video games| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HJNvZLvpCEQC&q=High+Score!+The+Illustrated+History+of+Video+games| publisher = ]| year = 2002| pages = 31–32| isbn = 978-0-07-222428-3}}</ref> The first commercial successful handheld console was ] from 1978, which sold more than 5 million units.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Merlin, the Electronic Wizard - Game Console - Computing History|url=http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/16957/Merlin-the-Electronic-Wizard/|access-date=2020-07-07|website=www.computinghistory.org.uk}}</ref> The first handheld game console with interchangeable ] is the Milton Bradley ] in 1979.<ref name="Microvision ONM">{{cite web|last = East|first = Tom|title = History Of Nintendo: Game Boy|work = ]|date = November 11, 2009|url = http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/13153/features/history-of-nintendo-game-boy/|access-date = December 29, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141110045319/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/13153/features/history-of-nintendo-game-boy/|archive-date = November 10, 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref> | |||
] is credited with popularizing the handheld console concept with the release of the ] in 1989<ref name="nintendo popular"/> and continues to dominate the handheld console market.<ref name="Forbes">{{Cite journal| last = Patsuris| first = Penelope| title = Sony PSP Vs. Nintendo DS| journal = ]| date = June 7, 2004| url = https://www.forbes.com/2004/06/07/cx_pp_0607mondaymatchup.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last = Hutsko|first = Joe|title = 88 Million and Counting; Nintendo Remains King of the Handheld Game Players|work = ]|date =March 25, 2000|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/25/business/88-million-and-counting-nintendo-remains-king-of-the-handheld-game-players.html?pagewanted=all|access-date = January 12, 2009}}</ref> The first ]-enabled handheld console and the first with a ] was the ] released by ] in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-12-06|title=30 Years of Handheld Game Systems|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/183679/evolution_of_portable_gaming.html|access-date=2020-07-07|website=PCWorld}}</ref> The ], released in 2004, introduced touchscreen controls and ] ] to a wider audience, becoming the ] with over {{nowrap|150 million}} units sold worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McFerran |first1=Damien |title=Retrospective: The Awkward Birth of the DS, Nintendo's Most Successful System |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/05/retrospective_the_awkward_birth_of_the_ds_nintendos_most_successful_system |access-date=14 August 2021 |work=] |date=19 May 2017}}</ref> | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
{{for-multi|a list of all handheld video game consoles|List of handheld game consoles}} | |||
=== Timeline === | |||
This table describes handheld games consoles by generation, with over 1 million sales. No handheld achieved this prior to the fourth generation of game consoles. This list does not include ], such as ] and the ]. | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:auto; line-height:13px;" | |||
|- | |||
! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Manufacturer | |||
! colspan="9" scope="col" |Generation | |||
|- | |||
! scope="col" |]<br /><span style="font-size:70%;">(1987–2004)</span> | |||
! scope="col" |]<br /><span style="font-size:70%;">(1993–2006)</span> | |||
! scope="col" |]<br /><span style="font-size:70%;">(1998–2015)</span> | |||
! scope="col" |]<br /><span style="font-size:70%;">(2005–2020)</span> | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" |]<br /><span style="font-size:70%;">(2011–present)</span> | |||
! scope="col" |]<br /><span style="font-size:70%;">(2020–present)</span> | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] (+II) <br /><small>(≈3 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="6" | | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="2" | | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] (+Color, SwanCrystal) <br /><small>(3.5 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="6" | | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] <br /><small>(1.5 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="6" | | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] (+Pocket, Light) <br /><small>(at least 64.4 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] <br /><small>(at most 54.3 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] <br /><small>(81.5 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] <br /><small>(154 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] <br /><small>(76 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] (+Lite|OLED) <br /><small>(122.55 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="1" | | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="2" | | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] (+QD) <br /><small>(3 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="4" | | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] <br /><small>(10.6 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] <br /><small>(≈1 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="5" | | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="1" | | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] <br /><small>(at most 2 million{{efn|2 million units were sold across all SNK handhelds combined, a model by model breakdown is not available}})</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="1" | | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" colspan="2" |] | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="3" | | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="3" | | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" |] (+Go, Street) <br /><small>(81.09 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#F8F8F8" colspan="2" |] <br /><small>(16.21 million)</small> | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="1" | | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| bgcolor="#DCDCDC" colspan="6" | | |||
|] {{small|(≈3 million)}} | |||
|} | |||
=== Origins === | === Origins === | ||
{{Main|Handheld electronic game}} | |||
Prior to the development of handheld game consoles, early handheld electronic devices used technology in similar functions. The ]<ref>''''. HandheldEmpire. Retrieved 19 December 2008.</ref>, ]<ref>McGrath, Michael E. ''Setting the PACE in Product Development: A Guide to Product And Cycle-time Excellence''. ]. 1996. ISBN 9780750697897. p. 114.</ref>, and ] toy had visual displays that employed ] or ] technology, and the ] utilized interchangeable game<ref>"Module Information". Speak & Spell Manual. ]. 1980. p.6.</ref> cartridges known as "expansion modules."<ref>''''. ]. Retrieved 19 December 2008.</ref> | |||
The origins of handheld game consoles are found in handheld and tabletop electronic game devices of the 1970s and early 1980s. These electronic devices are capable of playing only a single game,<ref name="nintendo popular"/> they fit in the palm of the hand or on a tabletop, and they may make use of a variety of video displays such as ], ], or ].<ref name="electronic handheld definition">{{cite book| last = Demaria| first = Rusel|author2=Johnny L. Wilson| title = High Score! The Illustrated History of Video games| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HJNvZLvpCEQC&q=High+Score!+The+Illustrated+History+of+Video+games| publisher = ]| year = 2002| page = 30| isbn = 978-0-07-222428-3}}</ref> In 1978, handheld electronic games were described by '']'' magazine as "nonvideo electronic games" and "non-TV games" as distinct from devices that required use of a television screen.<ref name="nonvideogame">{{Cite journal| last = Jensen| first = Kris| title = New 1978 Electronic Games| journal = ]|date=January 1978| pages = 33–43| url = http://www.handheldmuseum.com/BooksMagazines/Mag-PE_0178/PE0178_2.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110628172513/http://www.handheldmuseum.com/BooksMagazines/Mag-PE_0178/PE0178_2.htm| archive-date=June 28, 2011| access-date = July 17, 2016}}</ref> Handheld electronic games, in turn, find their origins in the synthesis{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} of previous handheld and tabletop ] devices such as ]'s ''Electronic Tic-Tac-Toe'' (1972)<ref name="electronic handheld definition"/> Cragstan's ''Periscope-Firing Range'' (1951),<ref name="handheldmuseum">{{cite web| last = Morgan| first = Rik| title = Cragstan Periscope-Firing Range| publisher = Handheld Museum| date = August 5, 2008| url = http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Misc/CragstanPeriscope.htm| access-date = December 27, 2008}}</ref> and the emerging ]-display-driven calculator market of the early 1970s.<ref name="LED Calculators">{{Cite magazine| title = Optoelectronics Arrives| magazine = ]| volume = 99| issue = 14| date = April 3, 1972| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,903443,00.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101022172145/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,903443,00.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = October 22, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Cohen Interview">{{cite web| last = Morgan| first = Rik| title = Interview with Howard Cohen.| publisher = Handheld Museum| date = August 5, 2008| url = http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Mattel/Trivia.htm| access-date = October 1, 2009}}</ref> This synthesis happened in 1976, when "Mattel began work on a line of calculator-sized sports games that became the world's first handheld electronic games. The project began when Michael Katz, Mattel's new product category marketing director, told the engineers in the electronics group to design a game the size of a calculator, using LED (light-emitting diode) technology."<ref name="ultimate history">{{cite book| last = Kent| first = Steven| title = The Ultimate History of Video Games| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=C2MH05ogU9oC&q=%22The+Ultimate+History+of+Video+Games%22| publisher = Prima Publishing| year = 2001| page = 200| isbn = 978-0-7615-3643-7}}</ref> | |||
::our big success was something that I conceptualized—the first handheld game. I asked the design group to see if they could come up with a game that was electronic that was the same size as a calculator. | |||
The first handheld game console, ''Tic Tac Toe'', was produced in 1972 and it was only capable of playing the game of ] (i.e. it was a ]).<ref name=li/> ]'s first handheld game console would come out in 1978 as a portable remake of it's 1974 '']''.<ref>{{cite conference|first = Martin|last = Pichlmair|coauthors = Kayali, Fares|title = Levels of Sound: On the Principles of Interactivity in Music Video Games|pages = 427|publisher = Situated Play, ]|date = 2007|url = http://publik.tuwien.ac.at/files/pub-inf_4783.pdf|accessdate = 19 December 2008}}</ref> | |||
:::—Michael Katz, former marketing director, Mattel Toys.<ref name="ultimate history"/> | |||
]]] | |||
In 1979 the ], designed by ] and distributed and sold by Milton-Bradley, became the first handheld game console to use interchangeable game cartridges.{{cn}} A small screen and a minuscule selection of games (only thirteen) led to its demise only two years later. Today, working Microvisions are quite rare. The keypad could be easily damaged and the ] technology of the late 1970s was poor, leading to liquid crystal leaking and darkening. In 1983, Palmtex released the Home-Computer Software Super Micro Cartridge System. However, only three games were made for it and it never sold many units. ] also released its ] collection, which contained 60 games, however they were to be sold in separate built-in units. | |||
The result was the 1976 release of ''Auto Race''.<ref name="1up">{{cite web| last = Parish| first = Jeremy| title = PSPredecessors| publisher = 1up| date = March 28, 2005| url = http://www.1up.com/features/pspredecessors| access-date = January 10, 2008| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160721193503/http://www.1up.com/features/pspredecessors| archive-date = July 21, 2016| df = mdy-all}}</ref> Followed by ''Football'' later in 1977,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Mattel/FB.htm|title=Mattel's Football (I) (1977, LED, 9 Volt, Model# 2024)|work=handheldmuseum.com|access-date=July 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retroland.com/mattel-electronics-football/|title=Mattel Electronics Football|work=Retroland|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710014145/http://www.retroland.com/mattel-electronics-football/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the two games were so successful that according to Katz, "these simple electronic handheld games turned into a '$400 million category.'"<ref name="electronic handheld definition"/> Mattel would later win the honor of being recognized by the industry for innovation in handheld game device displays.<ref name="Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards">{{cite web| title = Winners of 59th Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards Announced by National Television Academy at Consumer Electronics Show| work = National Television Academy of Television Arts and Sciences| date = January 8, 2008| url = http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/_pdf/tech_2k7_winners.pdf| access-date = July 16, 2016| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160721193614/http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/_pdf/tech_2k7_winners.pdf| archive-date = July 21, 2016| df = mdy-all}}</ref> Soon, other manufacturers including ], ], ], ], and ]<ref name="competitors"/> began following up with their own tabletop and handheld electronic games. | |||
In 1979 the LCD-based ], designed by Smith Engineering and distributed by Milton-Bradley,<ref name="phoenix">{{cite book| last = Herman| first = Leonard| title = Phoenix: The Rise and Fall Of Video Games| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=JHOAAAAACAAJ&q=%22Phoenix%22+video+games| publisher = Rolenta Press| year = 2001| page = 42| isbn = 0-9643848-5-X}}</ref> became the first handheld game console and the first to use interchangeable game cartridges.<ref name="Microvision ONM"/> The Microvision game ''Cosmic Hunter'' (1981) also introduced the concept of a ] on handheld gaming devices,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://psp.about.com/od/hardwarefirmware/a/psphistorymicrovision.htm|title=Sony's PlayStation Portable and Milton Bradley's Microvision - The PSP and the History of Handheld Video Gaming, Part 2|author=Niko Silvester|work=about.com|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806162245/https://www.lifewire.com/retro-collector-beginnings-4040018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and is operated by using the thumb to manipulate the on-screen character in any of four directions.<ref name="handheldmuseum2">{{cite web| last = Morgan| first = Rik| title = CosmiHunter| publisher = Handheld Museum| date = August 5, 2008| url = http://www.handheldmuseum.com/MB/MVCosmicHunter.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110628172547/http://www.handheldmuseum.com/MB/MVCosmicHunter.htm| archive-date = June 28, 2011| access-date = June 25, 2009}}</ref> | |||
===Early 1990s=== | |||
The early 1990s saw the relaunch of the handheld game console pillar of the video game market after the demise of the Microvision. As backlit LCD game consoles with color graphics consume a lot of power, they were not battery friendly like the non-backlit original Game Boy with monochrome graphics which allowed more battery life. During this timeframe, ] technology was not yet mature thereby rendering the more advanced game consoles of the time such as the ] and ] to not have nearly as much success as the Game Boy. | |||
In 1979, ], traveling on a ], saw a bored businessman playing with an ] ] by pressing the buttons. Yokoi then thought of an idea for a watch that doubled as a miniature game machine for killing time.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crigger |first=Lara |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_87/490-Searching-for-Gunpei-Yokoi |title=The Escapist: Searching for Gunpei Yokoi |publisher=Escapistmagazine.com |date=March 3, 2007 |access-date=July 17, 2016 |archive-date=February 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213213725/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_87/490-Searching-for-Gunpei-Yokoi |url-status=dead }}</ref> Starting in 1980, ] began to release a series of electronic games designed by Yokoi called the ] games.<ref name="game and watch">{{cite news| last = Pollack| first = Andrew| title = Gunpei Yokoi, Chief Designer Of Game Boy, Is Dead at 56| newspaper =The New York Times| date = October 9, 1997| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/09/business/gunpei-yokoi-chief-designer-of-game-boy-is-dead-at-56.html?n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FSubjects%2FD%2FDeaths%20(Obituaries)}}</ref> Taking advantage of the technology used in the credit-card-sized calculators that had appeared on the market, Yokoi designed the series of LCD-based games to include a digital time display in the corner of the screen.<ref name="game over">{{cite book| last = Sheff| first = David| author-link = David Sheff| title = Game Over: Press Start to Continue| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0dK2AAAAIAAJ&q=Game+Over:+Press+Start+to+Continue| publisher = GamePress| year = 1999| page = 28| isbn = 978-0-9669617-0-6}}</ref> For later, more complicated Game & Watch games, Yokoi invented a cross shaped directional pad or "D-pad" for control of on-screen characters.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web| last = Buchanan| first = Levi| title = From Janitor to Superstar Gunpei Yokoi, inventor of the Game Boy, would have been 67 this week.| website = IGN| date = September 8, 2008| url = http://retro.ign.com/articles/908/908569p1.html| access-date = December 28, 2008}}</ref> Yokoi also included his directional pad on the ] controllers, and the cross-shaped thumb controller soon became standard on game console controllers and ubiquitous across the video game industry since.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/13things/7643.html|title=The Game Controller: From the Beginning|publisher=Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World. Brown University|work=13 Things|year=2008|first=Jeffrey|last=Pfau|access-date=July 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Natapov|first1=D.|last2=MacKenzie|first2=I. S.|year=2010|title=The trackball controller: Improving the analog stick|journal=Proceedings of the 2010 Conference on FuturePlay|pages=175–182|location=New York|publisher=ACM|url=http://www.yorku.ca/mack/FuturePlay2010-1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411142350/http://www.yorku.ca/mack/FuturePlay2010-1.pdf|archive-date=April 11, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> When Yokoi began designing Nintendo's first handheld game console, he came up with a device that married the elements of his Game & Watch devices and the Famicom console,<ref name="game over2">{{cite book| last = Sheff| first = David| author-link = David Sheff| title = Game Over: Press Start to Continue| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0dK2AAAAIAAJ&q=Game+Over:+Press+Start+to+Continue| publisher = GamePress| year = 1999| page = 294| isbn = 978-0-9669617-0-6}}</ref> including both items' D-pad controller. The result was the Nintendo Game Boy. | |||
Even though third-party rechargeable batteries were available for the battery-hungry alternatives to the Game Boy, they had to be discharged before being recharged since they were in ] format. ] batteries, which do not require discharging before recharging, were not released until the late 90s, well after the Game Gear, Atari Lynx, and original Game Boy had been discontinued. During the time when technologically superior handhelds had strict technical limitations, batteries had a very low ] rating since batteries with heavy power density were not yet available. | |||
In 1982, the ] was the first ] gaming device. Some of its games, such as the ]-themed game ''Terror House'', features two ]s, one stacked on the other, for an early ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/361591/the-top-ten-retro-gaming-secrets/3|title=The top ten retro gaming secrets|work=PC Pro|access-date=January 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123220944/http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/361591/the-top-ten-retro-gaming-secrets/3|archive-date=January 23, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1983, ]'s ] simulates ] by having two ] panels that were lit by external light through a window on top of the device, making it the first dedicated home video 3D hardware.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/361591/the-top-ten-retro-gaming-secrets|title=The top ten retro gaming secrets|work=PC Pro|access-date=January 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115123926/http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/361591/the-top-ten-retro-gaming-secrets|archive-date=January 15, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
Game systems of today have rechargeable ] batteries with proprietary shapes, such as the ] and ]. Unlike the aforementioned current-generation consoles, the ] uses standard ]. Since the mAh rating of batteries has gone up to a high quantity, some lower end handhelds of today like the GP2X only need a couple of AA batteries for power. | |||
=== |
=== Beginnings === | ||
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the beginnings of the modern-day handheld game console industry, after the demise of the Microvision. As ] LCD game consoles with color graphics consume a lot of power, they were not battery-friendly like the non-backlit original Game Boy whose monochrome graphics allowed longer battery life. By this point, ] technology had not yet matured and so the more advanced game consoles of the time such as the ] and ] did not have nearly as much success as the Game Boy. | |||
{{main|Game Boy}} | |||
]Five years after the failure of Palmtex's Home-Computer Software Super Micro Cartridge System, ] released the Game Boy. The design team headed by the late ] had also been responsible for the ] system, as well as the ] games '']'' and '']''. The Game Boy came under scrutiny by some industry critics, saying that the monochrome screen was too small, and the processing power was inadequate. The design team had felt that low initial cost and battery economy were more important concerns, and when compared to the Microvision, the Game Boy was a huge leap forward. | |||
Even though third-party rechargeable batteries were available for the battery-hungry alternatives to the Game Boy, these batteries employed a ] process and had to be completely discharged before being recharged to ensure maximum efficiency; lead-acid batteries could be used with automobile circuit limiters (cigarette lighter plug devices); but the batteries had mediocre portability. The later ] batteries, which do not share this requirement for maximum efficiency, were not released until the late 1990s, years after the Game Gear, Atari Lynx, and original Game Boy had been discontinued. During the time when technologically superior handhelds had strict technical limitations, batteries had a very low ] rating since batteries with heavy power density were not yet available. | |||
Yokoi recognized that the Game Boy needed a ]—at least one game that would define the console, and persuade customers to buy it. In June 1988, ], then-CEO of Nintendo of America saw a demonstration of the game '']'' at a trade show. Nintendo purchased the rights for the game, and packaged it with the Game Boy system. It was almost an immediate hit. By the end of the year more than a million units were sold, and 25 million were sold by 1992.{{Verify source|date=November 2007}} As of March 31, 2005, the Game Boy and ] combined to sell 118.69 million units worldwide.<ref name="nintendoannualreport2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/corp/report/NintendoAnnualReport2005.pdf |title=05 Annual Report |accessdate=2008-03-22 |date=2006-03-31 |format=] |publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd. |pages=65}}</ref><ref name="GBsales">{{cite web |url=http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/10/game_consoles/source/7.htm |title= Game Boy |accessdate=2008-03-22 |work=A Brief History of Game Console Warfare |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
Modern game systems such as the ] and ] have rechargeable ] batteries with proprietary shapes. Other seventh-generation consoles, such as the ], use standard ]. Because the mAh rating of alkaline batteries has increased since the 1990s, the power needed for handhelds like the GP2X may be supplied by relatively few batteries. | |||
====Atari Lynx==== | |||
{{main|Atari Lynx}} | |||
] In 1987, ] created the Handy; a device that would turn into the Atari Lynx in 1989. It was the first color handheld console ever made, as well as the first with a ]ed screen. It also featured networking support with up to 17 other players, and advanced hardware that allowed the zooming and scaling of sprites. The Lynx could also be turned upside down to accommodate ] players. However, all these features came at a very high price point, which drove consumers to seek cheaper alternatives. The Lynx was also very unwieldy, consumed batteries very quickly, and lacked the third-party support enjoyed by its competitors. Due to its high price, short battery life, production shortages, a dearth of compelling games, and Nintendo's aggressive marketing campaign, and despite a redesign in 1991, the Lynx became a ]. Despite this, companies like Telegames helped to keep the system alive long past its commercial relevance, and when new owner Hasbro released the rights to develop for the public domain, independent developers like Songbird have managed to release new commercial games for the system every year until 2004's ''Winter Games''. | |||
==== |
==== Game Boy ==== | ||
] | |||
{{main|TurboExpress}} | |||
{{Main|Game Boy}} | |||
] | |||
] released the Game Boy on April 21, 1989 (September 1990 for the UK). The design team headed by ] had also been responsible for the ] system, as well as the ] games '']'' and '']''. The Game Boy came under scrutiny by Nintendo president ], saying that the monochrome screen was too small, and the processing power was inadequate. The design team had felt that low initial cost and battery economy were more important concerns, and when compared to the Microvision, the Game Boy was a huge leap forward. | |||
The '''TurboExpress''' was a portable version of the TurboGrafx, released in 1990 for $249.99 (the price was briefly raised to $299.99, soon dropped back to $249.99, and by 1992 it was $199.99). Its Japanese equivalent was the ]. | |||
Yokoi recognized that the Game Boy needed a ]—at least one game that would define the console, and persuade customers to buy it. In June 1988, ], then-CEO of Nintendo of America saw a demonstration of the game '']'' at a trade show. Nintendo purchased the rights for the game, and packaged it with the Game Boy system as a ]. It was almost an immediate hit. By the end of the year more than a million units were sold in the US.<ref name="GBsales1989">{{cite web |url=http://firstarkansasnews.net/2011/01/game-boy-nintendo-dominates-the-portable-market/ |title=Game Boy — Nintendo dominates the portable market |access-date=April 28, 2011 |date=January 22, 2011 |publisher=First Arkansas News |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123202930/http://firstarkansasnews.net/2011/01/game-boy-nintendo-dominates-the-portable-market/ |archive-date=January 23, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> As of March 31, 2005, the Game Boy and ] combined to sell over 118 million units worldwide.<ref name="nintendoannualreport2005">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/corp/report/NintendoAnnualReport2005.pdf |title=05 Annual Report |access-date=March 22, 2008 |date=March 31, 2006 |publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd. |page=65 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051215033905/https://www.nintendo.com/corp/report/NintendoAnnualReport2005.pdf |archive-date=December 15, 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="GBsales">{{cite web|url=http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/10/game_consoles/source/7.htm |title=Game Boy |access-date=March 22, 2008 |work=A Brief History of Game Console Warfare |publisher=] |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509094404/http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/10/game_consoles/source/7.htm |archive-date=May 9, 2007 }}</ref>{{clear}} | |||
It was the most advanced handheld of its time and could play all the ]'s games (which were on a small, credit-card sized media called HuCards). It had a 66 mm (2.6 in.) screen, the same as the original Game Boy, and could display 64 ]s at once, 16 per scanline, in 512 (some say only 482?) colors. It had 64 kilobytes of ]. The Turbo ran its two 6820 ] at 3.58 ] in parallel. | |||
==== Atari Lynx ==== | |||
The optional "TurboVision" TV tuner included RCA audio/video input, allowing users to use TurboExpress as a video monitor. The "TurboLink" allowed two-player play. ''Falcon'', a flight simulator, included a "head-to-head" dogfight mode that could only be accessed via TurboLink. However, very few TG-16 games offered co-op play modes especially designed with the TurboExpress in mind. | |||
{{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center|direction=horizontal|perrow = 2 | |||
| align = left | |||
| total_width = 350 | |||
| footer = Atari Lynx I and II | |||
| image1 = Atari-Lynx-I-Handheld.jpg | width1 = 300 | height1 = 190 | |||
| image2 = Atari-Lynx-II-Handheld-Angled.jpg| width2 = 300 | height2 = 190 | |||
}} | |||
{{Main|Atari Lynx}} | |||
In 1987, ] created the Handy Game; a device that would become the Atari Lynx in 1989. It is the first color handheld console ever made, as well as the first with a ] screen. It also features networking support with up to 17 other players, and advanced hardware that allows the zooming and scaling of sprites. The Lynx can also be turned upside down to accommodate ] players. However, all these features came at a very high price point, which drove consumers to seek cheaper alternatives. The Lynx is also very unwieldy, consumes batteries very quickly, and lacked the third-party support enjoyed by its competitors. Due to its high price, short battery life, production shortages, a dearth of compelling games, and Nintendo's aggressive marketing campaign, and despite a redesign in 1991, the Lynx became a ]. Despite this, companies like Telegames helped to keep the system alive long past its commercial relevance, and when new owner Hasbro released the rights to develop for the public domain, independent developers like Songbird have managed to release new commercial games for the system every year until 2004's ''Winter Games''.{{clear}} | |||
==== |
==== TurboExpress ==== | ||
] | |||
{{main|Sega Game Gear}} | |||
{{Main|TurboExpress}} | |||
] | |||
The TurboExpress is a portable version of the TurboGrafx, released in 1990 for $249.99. Its Japanese equivalent is the ]. | |||
The Sega '''Game Gear''' was the third color handheld console, after the Lynx and the TurboExpress. Released in Japan in 1990 and in North America and Europe in 1991, it was based on the ], which gave Sega the ability to quickly create Game Gear games from its large library of games for the Master System. | |||
It is the most advanced handheld of its time and can play all the ]'s games (which are on a small, credit-card sized media called ]s). It has a 66 mm (2.6 in.) screen, the same as the original Game Boy, but in a much higher resolution, and can display 64 ] at once, 16 per scanline, in 512 colors. Although the hardware can only handle 481 simultaneous colors. It has 8 kilobytes of ]. The Turbo runs the HuC6820 ] at 1.79 or 7.16 ]. | |||
===Late 1990s=== | |||
The Game Boy was nine years old before it got its first significant makeover. In 1998, the Game Boy Color was released. It used the smaller and lighter form-factor of the Game Boy Pocket, but featured a full color screen. It was also backwards-compatible, so that it could play not only games specifically made for the Game Boy Color, but standard Game Boy games as well. It did not have significantly more computing power than the Game Boy, however. | |||
The optional "TurboVision" TV tuner includes RCA audio/video input, allowing users to use TurboExpress as a video monitor. The "TurboLink" allowed two-player play. ''Falcon'', a flight simulator, included a "head-to-head" dogfight mode that can only be accessed via TurboLink. However, very few TG-16 games offered co-op play modes especially designed with the TurboExpress in mind.{{clear}} | |||
By this time, the lack of significant development in Nintendo's product line began allowing more advanced systems such as the ] and the ] to achieve moderate success. | |||
==== |
==== Bitcorp Gamate ==== | ||
] | |||
{{main|Game.com}} | |||
{{Main|Gamate}} | |||
] | |||
The Bitcorp Gamate is one of the first handheld game systems created in response to the Nintendo Game Boy. It was released in Asia in 1990 and distributed worldwide by 1991. | |||
Like the Sega Game Gear, it was horizontal in orientation and like the Game Boy, required 4 AA batteries. Unlike many later Game Boy clones, its internal components were professionally assembled (no "glop-top" chips). Unfortunately the system's fatal flaw is its screen. Even by the standards of the day, its screen is rather difficult to use, suffering from similar ] problems that were common complaints with the first generation Game Boys. Likely because of this fact sales were quite poor, and Bitcorp closed by 1992. However, new games continued to be published for the Asian market, possibly as late as 1994. The total number of games released for the system remains unknown. | |||
The Game.com (pronounced in TV commercials as "game com", not "game dot com", and not capitalized in marketing material) was a handheld game console released by ] in September 1997. It featured many new ideas for handheld consoles and was aimed at an older target audience, sporting PDA-style features and functions such as a touch screen and stylus. However, Tiger hoped it would also challenge Nintendo's Game Boy and gain a following among younger gamers too. Unlike other handheld game consoles, the first game.com consoles included two slots for game cartridges and could be connected to a 14.4 kbit/s modem. Later models had only a single cartridge slot. | |||
Gamate games were designed for stereo sound, but the console is only equipped with a mono speaker. {{clear}} | |||
====Game Boy Color==== | |||
{{main|Game Boy Color}} | |||
]The '''Game Boy Color''' (also referred to as '''GBC''' or '''CGB''') is Nintendo's successor to the Game Boy and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan and in November of the same year in the United States. It features a color screen, and is slightly bigger than the ]. The processor is twice as fast as a Game Boy's and has twice as much memory. It also had an ] communications port for wireless linking which did not appear in later versions of the Game Boy, such as the Game Boy Advance. | |||
==== Game Gear ==== | |||
The Game Boy Color was a response to pressure from game developers for a new system, as they felt that the Game Boy, even in its latest incarnation, the Game Boy Pocket, was insufficient. The resulting product was backward compatible, a first for a handheld console system, and leveraged the large library of games and great installed base of the predecessor system. This became a major feature of the Game Boy line, since it allowed each new launch to begin with a significantly larger library than any of its competitors. As of March 31, 2005, the Game Boy and ] combined to sell 118.69 million units worldwide.<ref name="nintendoannualreport2005"/><ref name="GBsales"/> | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Game Gear}} | |||
The Game Gear is the third color handheld console, after the Lynx and the TurboExpress; produced by Sega. Released in Japan in 1990 and in North America and Europe in 1991, it is based on the ], which gave Sega the ability to quickly create Game Gear games from its large library of games for the Master System. While never reaching the level of success enjoyed by Nintendo, the Game Gear proved to be a fairly durable competitor, lasting longer than any other Game Boy rivals. | |||
The console was capable of displaying up to 56 different colors simultaneously on screen from its palette of 32,768, and could add basic four-color shading to games that had been developed for the original Game Boy. It could also give the sprites and backgrounds separate colors, for a total of more than four colors. | |||
While the Game Gear is most frequently seen in black or navy blue, it was also released in a variety of additional colors: red, light blue, yellow, clear, and violet. All of these variations were released in small quantities and frequently only in the Asian market. | |||
====Neo Geo Pocket Color==== | |||
{{main|Neo Geo Pocket Color}} | |||
] | |||
Following Sega's success with the Game Gear, they began development on a successor during the early 1990s, which was intended to feature a ] interface, many years before the ]. However, such a technology was very expensive at the time, and the handheld itself was estimated to have cost around $289 were it to be released. Sega eventually chose to shelve the idea and instead release the ], a handheld version of the ], as the successor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/974/974695p7.html|title=IGN Presents the History of SEGA|page=7|website=IGN|author=Travis Fahs|date=April 21, 2009|access-date=April 27, 2011}}</ref>{{clear}} | |||
The Neo Geo Pocket Color (or '''NGPC''') was released in 1998 in Japan. It was a 16-bit color handheld game console designed by ], the maker of the ] home console and arcade machine. It came after SNK's original ] monochrome handheld, which debuted in 1998 in Japan (and was released in the U.S. in 1999). | |||
==== Watara Supervision ==== | |||
In 2000 following SNK's purchase by Japanese ] manufacturer Aruze, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was dropped from both the U.S. and European markets, purportedly due to commercial failure.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Watara Supervision}} | |||
The Watara Supervision was released in 1992 in an attempt to compete with the Nintendo Game Boy. The first model was designed very much like a Game Boy, but it is grey in color and has a slightly larger screen. The second model was made with a hinge across the center and can be bent slightly to provide greater comfort for the user. While the system did enjoy a modest degree of success, it never impacted the sales of Nintendo or Sega. The Supervision was redesigned a final time as "The Magnum". Released in limited quantities it was roughly equivalent to the ]. It was available in three colors: yellow, green and grey. Watara designed many of the games themselves, but did receive some third party support, most notably from ]. | |||
A TV adapter was available in both PAL and NTSC formats that could transfer the Supervision's black-and-white palette to 4 colors, similar in some regards to the Super Game Boy from Nintendo.{{clear}} | |||
The system seemed well on its way to being a success in the U.S. It was more successful than any Game Boy competitor since ]'s ], but was hurt by several factors, such as SNK's infamous lack of communication with third-party developers, and anticipation of the Game Boy Advance.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} The decision to ship U.S. games in cardboard boxes in a cost-cutting move rather than hard plastic cases that Japanese and European releases were shipped in may have also hurt U.S. sales.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} | |||
==== |
==== Hartung Game Master ==== | ||
] | <!-- Deleted image removed: ] --> | ||
{{Main|Game Master (console)}} | |||
{{main|Wonderswan Color}} | |||
The Hartung Game Master is an obscure handheld released at an unknown point in the early 1990s. Its graphics fidelity was much lower than most of its contemporaries, displaying just 64x64 pixels. It was available in black, white, and purple, and was frequently rebranded by its distributors, such as Delplay, Videojet and Systema. | |||
The '''WonderSwan Color''' is a handheld game console designed by ]. It was released on December 30, 2000 in Japan, and was a moderate success. | |||
The exact number of games released is not known, but is likely around 20. The system most frequently turns up in Europe and Australia.{{clear}} | |||
The original ] had only a black and white screen. Although the WonderSwan Color was slightly larger and heavier (7 mm and 2 g) compared to the original WonderSwan, the color version featured 64]{{Verify source|date=July 2007}} of ] and a larger color LCD screen. In addition, the WonderSwan Color is compatible with the original WonderSwan library of games. | |||
=== Late 1990s === | |||
Prior to WonderSwan's release, Nintendo had virtually a monopoly in the Japanese video game handheld market. After the release of the WonderSwan Color, Bandai took approximately 8% of the market share in Japan partly due to its low price of 6800 yen (approximately $65 ]). | |||
By this time, the lack of significant development in ]'s product line began allowing more advanced systems such as the ] and the ] to be developed.{{clear}} | |||
==== Sega Nomad ==== | |||
Another reason for the WonderSwan's success in Japan was the fact that Bandai managed to get a deal with ] to port over the original ] '']'' games with improved graphics and controls. However, with the popularity of the Game Boy Advance and the reconciliation between SquareSoft and Nintendo, the WonderSwan Color and its successor, the ] quickly lost its ]. | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Genesis Nomad}} | |||
The Nomad was released in October 1995 in North America only.<ref name="gamepro">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/gamepro/domestic/games/features/125748.shtml |title=The 10 Worst-Selling Handhelds of All Time |access-date=January 17, 2008 |author=Snow, Blake |magazine=] |date=July 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012194600/http://gamepro.com/gamepro/domestic/games/features/125748.shtml|archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name="AllgameNomad">{{cite web |author=Marriott, Scott Alan |title=Sega Genesis Nomad - Overview |url=http://www.allgame.com/platform.php?id=17671 |access-date=October 18, 2013 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114094423/http://www.allgame.com/platform.php?id=17671 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The release was six years into the market span of the Genesis, with an existing library of more than 500 Genesis games. According to former Sega of America research and development head Joe Miller, the Nomad was not intended to be the Game Gear's replacement; he believed that there was little planning from Sega of Japan for the new handheld.<ref name="interview">{{cite web|author=Horowitz, Ken|title=Interview: Joe Miller|url=http://www.sega-16.com/2013/02/interview-joe-miller/|date=February 7, 2013|access-date=November 17, 2013|publisher=Sega-16}}</ref> Sega was supporting five different consoles: ], Genesis, ], ], and the ], as well as the ] and ] add-ons. In Japan, the Mega Drive had never been successful and the Saturn was more successful than Sony's ], so Sega Enterprises CEO ] decided to focus on the Saturn.<ref name="KSL">{{cite book |last=Kent |first=Steven L. |author-link=Steven L. Kent |title=] |year=2001 |publisher=Prima Publishing |location=Roseville, California |isbn=0-7615-3643-4 |pages=508, 531}}</ref> By 1999, the Nomad was being sold at less than a third of its original price.<ref name="RetroNomad">{{cite journal|author='']'' staff|title=Retroinspection: Sega Nomad|journal=]|publisher=Imagine Publishing|issue=69|pages=46–53}}</ref>{{clear}} | |||
=== |
==== Game Boy Pocket ==== | ||
] | |||
====Game Boy Advance==== | |||
{{ |
{{Main|Game Boy#Game Boy Pocket}} | ||
The Game Boy Pocket is a redesigned version of the original Game Boy having the same features. It was released in 1996. Notably, this variation is smaller and lighter. It comes in seven different colors; red, yellow, green, black, clear, silver, blue, and pink. It has space for two ], which provide approximately 10 hours of game play.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Incredible Shrinking Game Boy Pocket |magazine=] |issue=84|publisher=] |date=July 1996 |page=16}}</ref> The screen was changed to a true black-and-white display, rather than the "pea soup" monochromatic display of the original Game Boy.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Boy Relaunched|magazine=]|issue=20 |publisher=] |date=August 1996 |page=26}}</ref> Although, like its predecessor, the Game Boy Pocket has no backlight to allow play in a darkened area, it did notably improve visibility and pixel response-time (mostly eliminating ]).<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Pocket Cool |magazine=]|issue=89 |publisher=]|date=December 1996|page=204}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
In 2001, Nintendo released the Game Boy Advance ('''GBA''' or '''AGB'''), which added two shoulder buttons, a larger screen, and more computing power to the Game Boy Color. | |||
The first model of the Game Boy Pocket did not have an ] to show battery levels, but the feature was added due to public demand. The Game Boy Pocket was not a new software platform and played the same software as the original Game Boy model.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Show Notes|magazine=]|issue=95|publisher=]|date=August 1996|page=16}}</ref>{{clear}} | |||
The design was revised two years later when the ] (GBA SP), a more compact version, was released. The SP featured a "]" design (folding open and closed, like a briefcase), as well as a ] color display and rechargeable battery. Despite the smaller form factor, the screen remained the same size as that of the original. In 2005, the ] was released. This revision sacrificed screen size and backwards compatibility with previous Game Boys for a dramatic reduction in total size and a brighter ] screen. A new SP model with a backlit screen was released in some regions around the same time. | |||
==== Game.com ==== | |||
Along with the ], the GBA also introduced the concept of "connectivity": using a handheld system as a console controller. A handful of games use this feature, most notably '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''. | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Game.com}} | |||
The Game.com (pronounced in TV commercials as "game com", not "game dot com", and not capitalized in marketing material) is a handheld game console released by ] in September 1997. It featured many new ideas for handheld consoles and was aimed at an older target audience, sporting PDA-style features and functions such as a touch screen and stylus. However, Tiger hoped it would also challenge Nintendo's Game Boy and gain a following among younger gamers too. Unlike other handheld game consoles, the first game.com consoles included two slots for game cartridges, which would not happen again until the Tapwave Zodiac, the DS and DS Lite, and could be connected to a 14.4 kbit/s modem. Later models had only a single cartridge slot.{{clear}} | |||
==== Game Boy Color ==== | |||
As of December 31, 2007, the GBA, GBA SP, and the Game Boy Micro combined have sold 80.72 million units worldwide.<ref name="080124e">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080124e.pdf#page=8 |title=Consolidated Financial Highlights |publisher=] |date=2008-01-24 |accessdate=2008-03-22 |format=] | pages=8}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Game Boy Color}} | |||
The Game Boy Color (also referred to as GBC or CGB) is Nintendo's successor to the Game Boy and was released on October 21, 1998, in Japan and in November of the same year in the United States. It features a color screen, and is slightly bigger than the ]. The processor is twice as fast as a Game Boy's and has twice as much memory. It also had an ] communications port for wireless linking which did not appear in later versions of the Game Boy, such as the Game Boy Advance. | |||
The Game Boy Color was a response to pressure from game developers for a new system, as they felt that the Game Boy, even in its latest incarnation, the Game Boy Pocket, was insufficient. The resulting product was backward compatible, a first for a handheld console system, and leveraged the large library of games and great installed base of the predecessor system. This became a major feature of the Game Boy line, since it allowed each new launch to begin with a significantly larger library than any of its competitors. As of March 31, 2005, the Game Boy and ] combined to sell 118.69 million units worldwide.<ref name="nintendoannualreport2005"/><ref name="GBsales"/> | |||
====Game Park 32==== | |||
] | |||
The console is capable of displaying up to 56 different colors simultaneously on screen from its palette of 32,768, and can add basic four-color shading to games that had been developed for the original Game Boy. It can also give the sprites and backgrounds separate colors, for a total of more than four colors.{{clear}} | |||
{{main|GP32}} | |||
The original GP32 was released in 2001 by the South Korean company ] a few months after the launch of the Game | |||
==== Neo Geo Pocket Color ==== | |||
Boy Advance. It featured a 32-bit CPU, 133 MHz processor, MP3 and Divx player, and e-book reader. ] cards were used for storage, and could hold up to 128mb of anything downloaded through a USB cable from a PC. The GP32 was redesigned in 2003. A front-lit screen was added and the new version was called GP32 FLU (Front Light Unit). In summer 2004, another redesign, the GP32 BLU, was made, and added a backlit screen. This version of the handheld was planned for release outside South Korea; in Europe, and it was released for example in Spain (VirginPlay was the distributor). While not a commercial success on a level with mainstream handhelds (only 30,000 units were sold), it ended up being used mainly as a platform for user-made applications and emulators of other systems, being popular with developers and more technically-adept users.<ref name="clockerz">. ''Clockerz''. Accessed on 24-03-2008.</ref> | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Neo Geo Pocket Color}} | |||
The Neo Geo Pocket Color (or NGPC) was released in 1999 in Japan, and later that year in the United States and Europe. It is a 16-bit color handheld game console designed by ], the maker of the ] home console and arcade machine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2001/11/03/a-sign-of-the-times-game-over-for-snk|title=A Sign Of The Times: Game Over For SNK|publisher=IGN UK|date=November 2, 2001}}</ref> It came after SNK's original ] monochrome handheld, which debuted in 1998 in Japan. | |||
In 2000 following SNK's purchase by Japanese ] manufacturer Aruze, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was dropped from both the US and European markets, purportedly due to commercial failure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/neo-geo-pocket-color-the-portable-that-changed-everything|date=October 28, 2014|first=Jeremy|last=Parish|title=Neo Geo Pocket Color: The portable that changed everything.|website=usgamer.net|access-date=February 28, 2017|archive-date=February 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209032237/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/neo-geo-pocket-color-the-portable-that-changed-everything|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
The system seemed well on its way to being a success in the U.S. It was more successful than any Game Boy competitor since ]'s ], but was hurt by several factors, such as SNK's infamous lack of communication with third-party developers, and anticipation of the Game Boy Advance.<ref name="racketboy">{{cite web |url=http://www.racketboy.com/retro/snkneo-geo/neogeo-pocket-color-101-beginners-guide|date= January 4, 2012|title=Neo Geo Pocket Color 101, A beginner's guide|website=racketboy.com}}</ref> The decision to ship U.S. games in cardboard boxes in a cost-cutting move rather than hard plastic cases that Japanese and European releases were shipped in may have also hurt US sales.<ref name="kontek">{{cite web |url=http://archive.kontek.net/sngp.classicgaming.gamespy.com/editorials/end_of_an_era_part2.htm|title=The end of an era: a cruel look at what we missed: Part 2|date=June 2000}}</ref>{{clear}} | |||
==== Wonderswan Color ==== | |||
] | |||
{{Main|WonderSwan}} | |||
The WonderSwan Color is a handheld game console designed by ]. It was released on December 9, 2000, in Japan,<ref name="swanLaunch">{{cite web |url=http://www.promoduck.com/PressRelease/html/press_con10a048.htm |title=Bandai announces release of WonderSwan color |access-date=April 28, 2011 |date=August 30, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320215243/http://www.promoduck.com/PressRelease/html/press_con10a048.htm |archive-date=March 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Although the WonderSwan Color was slightly larger and heavier (7 mm and 2 g) compared to the original WonderSwan, the color version featured 512 ]<ref name="swanSpec">{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/084/084272p1.html |title=WonderSwan Color Revealed |access-date=April 28, 2011 |date=August 30, 2000}}</ref> of ] and a larger color LCD screen. In addition, the WonderSwan Color is compatible with the original WonderSwan library of games. | |||
Prior to WonderSwan's release, Nintendo had virtually a monopoly in the Japanese video game handheld market. After the release of the WonderSwan Color, Bandai took approximately 8% of the market share in Japan partly due to its low price of 6800 yen (approximately ]65).<ref name="swanSpec" /> Another reason for the WonderSwan's success in Japan was the fact that Bandai managed to get a deal with ] to port over the original ] '']'' games with improved graphics and controls.<ref name="swanSpec" /> However, with the popularity of the Game Boy Advance and the reconciliation between Square and Nintendo, the WonderSwan Color and its successor, the ] quickly lost its ].{{clear}} | |||
=== Early 2000s === | |||
The 2000s saw a major leap in innovation, particularly in the second half with the release of the DS and ]. | |||
==== Game Boy Advance ==== | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Game Boy Advance}} | |||
In 2001, Nintendo released the Game Boy Advance (GBA or AGB), which added two shoulder buttons, a larger screen, and more computing power than the Game Boy Color. | |||
The design was revised two years later when the ] (GBA SP), a more compact version, was released. The SP features a "]" design (folding open and closed, like a laptop computer), as well as a ] color display and rechargeable battery. Despite the smaller form factor, the screen remained the same size as that of the original. In 2005, the ] was released. This revision sacrificed screen size and backwards compatibility with previous Game Boys for a dramatic reduction in total size and a brighter ] screen. A new SP model with a backlit screen was released in some regions around the same time. | |||
Along with the ], the GBA also introduced the concept of "connectivity": using a handheld system as a console controller. A handful of games use this feature, most notably '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''. | |||
As of December 31, 2007, the GBA, GBA SP, and the Game Boy Micro combined have sold 80.72 million units worldwide.<ref name="080124e">{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080124e.pdf#page=8 |title=Consolidated Financial Highlights |publisher=] |date=January 24, 2008 |access-date=March 22, 2008 |format=PDF | page=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216091256/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080124e.pdf |archive-date=February 16, 2008 |archive-format=PDF |url-status=live }}</ref>{{clear}} | |||
==== Game Park 32 ==== | |||
] | |||
{{Main|GP32}} | |||
The original GP32 was released in 2001 by the South Korean company ] a few months after the launch of the Game Boy Advance. It featured a 32-bit CPU, 133 MHz processor, MP3 and Divx player, and e-book reader. ] cards were used for storage, and could hold up to 128mb of anything downloaded through a USB cable from a PC. The GP32 was redesigned in 2003. A front-lit screen was added and the new version was called GP32 FLU (Front Light Unit). In summer 2004, another redesign, the GP32 BLU, was made, and added a backlit screen. This version of the handheld was planned for release outside South Korea; in Europe, and it was released for example in Spain (VirginPlay was the distributor). While not a commercial success on a level with mainstream handhelds (only 30,000 units were sold), it ended up being used mainly as a platform for user-made applications and emulators of other systems, being popular with developers and more technically adept users.<ref name="clockerz">. ''Clockerz''. Retrieved March 24, 2008.</ref>{{clear}} | |||
====N-Gage==== | ==== N-Gage ==== | ||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
{{ |
{{Main|N-Gage (device)}} | ||
] released the N-Gage in 2003. It was designed as a combination MP3 player, cellphone, PDA, radio, and gaming device. The system received much criticism alleging defects in its physical design and layout, including its vertically |
] released the N-Gage in 2003. It was designed as a combination MP3 player, cellphone, PDA, radio, and gaming device. The system received much criticism alleging defects in its physical design and layout, including its vertically oriented screen and requirement of removing the battery to change game cartridges. The most well known of these was "]", or the act of placing the phone speaker and receiver on an edge of the device instead of one of the flat sides, causing the user to appear as if they are speaking into a ]. | ||
The N-Gage QD was later released to address the design flaws of the original. However, certain features available in the original N-Gage, including MP3 playback, FM radio reception, and USB connectivity were removed. | The N-Gage QD was later released to address the design flaws of the original. However, certain features available in the original N-Gage, including MP3 playback, FM radio reception, and USB connectivity were removed. | ||
] launched on April 3, 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/community/articles.Detail.general-anewdayforngage.1.html |title= A New Day for N-Gage |publisher=Nokia | |
] launched on April 3, 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/community/articles.Detail.general-anewdayforngage.1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412015450/http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/community/articles.Detail.general-anewdayforngage.1.html |archive-date=April 12, 2009 |title= A New Day for N-Gage |publisher=Nokia |access-date=April 3, 2008}}</ref> in the form of a service for selected ] ]s.{{clear}} | ||
====Tapwave Zodiac==== | ==== Tapwave Zodiac ==== | ||
{{Main|Tapwave Zodiac}} | |||
<!-- Unsourced image removed: ] --> | |||
In 2003, Tapwave released the Zodiac. It was designed to be a ]-handheld game console hybrid. It supported photos, movies, music, ], and documents. The Zodiac used a special version Palm OS 5, 5.2T, that supported the special gaming buttons and graphics chip. Two versions were available, Zodiac 1 and 2, differing in memory and looks. The Zodiac line ended in July 2005 when Tapwave declared bankruptcy.{{clear}} | |||
] | |||
{{main|Tapwave Zodiac}} | |||
In 2004, Tapwave released the Zodiac. It was designed to be a ]-handheld game console hybrid. It supported photos, movies, music, ], and documents. The Zodiac used a special version Palm OS 5, 5.2T, that supported the special gaming buttons and graphics chip. Two versions were available, Zodiac 1 and 2, differing in memory and looks. The Zodiac line ended in July 2005 when Tapwave declared bankruptcy. | |||
=== |
=== Mid 2000s === | ||
{{main|Nintendo DS}} | |||
==== Nintendo DS ==== | |||
] | |||
] slot with an SD/SDHC |
] | ||
{{Main|Nintendo DS}} | |||
The Nintendo DS was released in November 2004. Among its new features were the incorporation of two screens, a ], wireless connectivity, and a microphone port. As with the Game Boy Advance SP, the DS features a clamshell design, with the two screens aligned vertically on either side of the hinge. | The Nintendo DS was released in November 2004. Among its new features were the incorporation of two screens, a ], wireless connectivity, and a microphone port. As with the Game Boy Advance SP, the DS features a clamshell design, with the two screens aligned vertically on either side of the hinge. | ||
The DS's lower screen is touch sensitive, designed to be pressed with a stylus, a user's finger or a special "thumb pad" (a small plastic pad attached to the console's wrist strap, which can be affixed to the thumb to simulate an analog stick). More traditional controls include four face buttons, a ], and "Start" and "Select" buttons. The console also features online capabilities via the ] and ad-hoc wireless networking for multiplayer games with up to sixteen players. It is backwards-compatible with all Game Boy Advance games, but not with games designed for the Game Boy or Game Boy Color. | The DS's lower screen is touch sensitive, designed to be pressed with a stylus, a user's finger or a special "thumb pad" (a small plastic pad attached to the console's wrist strap, which can be affixed to the thumb to simulate an analog stick). More traditional controls include four face buttons, two shoulder buttons, a ], and "Start" and "Select" buttons. The console also features online capabilities via the ] and ad-hoc wireless networking for multiplayer games with up to sixteen players. It is backwards-compatible with all Game Boy Advance games, but like the Game Boy Micro, it is not compatible with games designed for the Game Boy or Game Boy Color. | ||
In January 2006, Nintendo revealed an updated version of the DS: the ] (released on March 2, 2006 in Japan) with an updated, smaller form factor (42% smaller and 21% lighter than the original Nintendo DS), a cleaner design, and brighter, higher-quality displays, with adjustable brightness. It is also able to connect wirelessly with Nintendo's Wii console. | In January 2006, Nintendo revealed an updated version of the DS: the ] (released on March 2, 2006, in Japan) with an updated, smaller form factor (42% smaller and 21% lighter than the original Nintendo DS), a cleaner design, longer battery life, and brighter, higher-quality displays, with adjustable brightness. It is also able to connect wirelessly with Nintendo's Wii console. | ||
On October 2, 2008, Nintendo announced the ], with larger, 3.25-inch screens and two integrated cameras. It has an ] storage slot in place of the ] slot, plus internal flash memory for storing downloaded games. It was released on November 1, 2008, in Japan, April 2, 2009, in Australia, April 3, 2009, in Europe, and April 5, 2009, in North America. On October 29, 2009, Nintendo announced a larger version of the DSi, called the ], which was released on November 21, 2009, in Japan, March 5, 2010, in Europe, March 28, 2010, in North America, and April 15, 2010, in Australia. | |||
As of December 31 2007, the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite combined have sold 64.79 million units worldwide.<ref name="080124e"/> | |||
As of December 31, 2009, the Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, and Nintendo DSi combined have sold 125.13 million units worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2009/090507e.pdf#page=22 |title=Consolidated Financial Highlights |access-date=May 7, 2009 |date=May 7, 2009 |format=PDF |publisher=Nintendo |page=22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629122850/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2009/090507e.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |archive-format=PDF |url-status=live }}</ref>{{clear}} | |||
In October 2008, Nintendo announced the ], with larger, 3.25 inch screens and two integrated cameras. It will have an ] storage slot in place of the ] slot, plus internal flash memory for storing downloaded games. It will be released on November 1, 2008 in Japan, and 2009 in North America and Europe. | |||
==== |
==== Game King ==== | ||
] | |||
{{main|PlayStation Portable}} | |||
{{Main|GameKing}} | |||
] | |||
The GameKing is a handheld game console released by the Chinese company TimeTop in 2004. The first model while original in design owes a large debt to Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. The second model, the GameKing 2, is believed to be inspired by Sony's PSP.<ref>. Gizmodo.com (April 30, 2005). Retrieved on 2013-08-23.</ref> This model also was upgraded with a backlit screen, with a distracting background transparency (which can be removed by opening up the console). A color model, the GameKing 3 apparently exists, but was only made for a brief time and was difficult to purchase outside of Asia. Whether intentionally or not, the GameKing has the most primitive graphics of any handheld released since the Game Boy of 1989. {{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} | |||
]'s PlayStation Portable (PSP) was first revealed at ] 2004, and was released in Japan and North America in late 2004 and early 2005, respectively. The PSP, as well as several other handhelds in the seventh generation, is designed with an emphasis on ], with video and music playback functions in addition to game playing. As of August 20, 2008, 41 million units have been sold worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://au.ps3.ign.com/articles/899/899988p1.html |title=GC 2008: Sony Press Conference Live Blog |author=Ryan Clements, David Clayman |date=2008-08-20 |publisher=] |accessdate=2008-12-05}}</ref> | |||
As many of the games have an "old school" simplicity, the device has developed a small cult following. The Gameking's speaker is quite loud and the cartridges' sophisticated looping soundtracks (sampled from other sources) are seemingly at odds with its primitive graphics. | |||
The PSP features four face buttons with the distinctive PlayStation symbols, a directional pad, two shoulder buttons and several hardware control buttons along the bottom of the console's face. The PSP has a single analog control in the form of an "analog pad": a small plastic circle which can slide along the plane of the console's front panel. The PSP's screen is often considered one of its most obvious hardware advantages, an unusually large 4.3 inch (11 cm) widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) LCD. Unlike previous handheld games, PSP games are stored on ] optical discs rather than a solid-state medium. In terms of hardware connectivity, the PSP supports ] for multiplayer gaming both locally and over the Internet, as well as a standard four-pin USB connector on the top edge of the console. The system is designed to connect to Sony's ] console (There are noted similarities between the two consoles, such as the "]" user interface). | |||
TimeTop made at least one additional device sometimes labeled as "GameKing", but while it seems to possess more advanced graphics, is essentially an emulator that plays a handful of multi-carts (like the GB Station Light II). Outside of Asia (especially China) however the Gameking remains relatively unheard of due to the enduring popularity of Japanese handhelds such as those manufactured by Nintendo and Sony.{{clear}} | |||
Sony has emphasized the PSP's non-gaming functions. The machine can play movies and music from the system's UMD disks, or from a ] memory card (Sony's proprietary flash storage format). Some of the games for the PSP, such as '']'', can use a wireless Internet connection to download new content, and as of firmware version 2.0 the console has an integrated web browser. Later firmware updates have added more non-gaming functionality such as ] support in firmware 2.50; RSS Channel audio which can be streamed or downloaded to the memory stick in 2.60, Video and Photo RSS Channel (Although users cannot stream videos or photo off the internet, they can only download) in 2.80; Full PlayStation 3 connectivity in 3.00 and the ability to use the ''Chotto Shot'' (Quick Shot) camera accessory without the ''Chotto Shot Edit'' ] software. However, the success of the non-gaming functions, particularly the UMD playback, has been limited.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} The 5.01 upgrade allows the user to buy demos, games, music and other media from the PlayStation Store. | |||
==== PlayStation Portable ==== | |||
In 2007, Sony announced an updated version of the PSP at ]: the ]. It was officially released in September 2007. The price for the Core Pack is US$169.99. Firmware update 3.90 added ] functionality to the PSP Slim & Lite allowing users to use their Skype account to make and receive calls using ], anywhere Wi-Fi is accessible. | |||
] | |||
{{Main|PlayStation Portable}} | |||
The PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP)<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/Features|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213151309/http://www.us.playstation.com/psp/about/|archive-date=February 13, 2008| title=PSP - About| publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by ].<ref name="SCEAspecs">{{cite web|url=http://www.us.playstation.com/psp/about/specs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213151309/http://www.us.playstation.com/psp/about/specs|archive-date=February 13, 2008| title=PSP Technical Specifications| publisher="Sony Computer Entertainment| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> Development of the console was first announced during E3 2003,<ref name="IGNE32003">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/402/402220p1.html| title=E3 2003: Sony Goes Handheld!| date=May 13, 2003| website=IGN| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> and it was unveiled on May 11, 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BTcqAAAAIBAJ&pg=2031,1889081&dq=sony+aims+to+take+on+rivals&hl=en| title=Sony aims to take on rivals| first=Stanley A.| last=Miller II| date=May 11, 2004| newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel| access-date=March 12, 2008| archive-date=October 28, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028234432/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BTcqAAAAIBAJ&pg=2031,1889081&dq=sony+aims+to+take+on+rivals&hl=en| url-status=dead}}</ref> The system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.1up.com/news/psp-japanese-launch-impressions| title=PSP Japanese launch impressions| date=December 11, 2004| publisher=1UP| access-date=March 12, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721193505/http://www.1up.com/news/psp-japanese-launch-impressions| archive-date=July 21, 2016| df=mdy-all}}</ref> in ] on March 24, 2005,<ref name="GSUSlaunch">{{cite web| url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6121009/spot-on-the-us-psp-launch| title=The US PSP Launch| date=March 24, 2005| first=Tor| last=Thorsen| website=GameSpot| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> and in the ] on September 1, 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4200000/newsid_4202900/4202934.stm| title=Sony PSP launches across Europe| date=September 1, 2005| publisher=The BBC| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> | |||
The PlayStation Portable is the first handheld video game console to use an optical disc format, ] (UMD), for distribution of its games. UMD Video discs with movies and television shows were also released. The PSP utilized the Sony/] ] format as its primary storage medium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/games/playstation-portable/psp/game-news/e3-2003-psp-press-release/4356/3143/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323190851/http://www.gamedaily.com/games/playstation-portable/psp/game-news/e3-2003-psp-press-release/4356/3143/|archive-date=March 23, 2008| title=E3 2003: PSP Press Release| date=December 31, 2003|publisher=gamedaily.com| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/PSP/Movies/default.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315222243/http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/PSP/Movies/default.html|archive-date=March 15, 2008| title=Support - PSP - Movies| publisher="Sony Computer Entertainment| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> Other distinguishing features of the console include its large viewing screen,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gear.ign.com/articles/599/599454p1.html| title=Sony PSP vs. Nintendo DS| date=March 28, 2005| first=Chris| last=Roper| website=IGN| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> multi-media capabilities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/About/Multimedia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214222111/http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/About/Multimedia|archive-date=February 14, 2008| title=PSP - About - Multimedia| publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> and connectivity with the ], other PSPs, and the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/remoteplay/remoteplay.html| title=User's Guide - Remote Play| publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/PSP/ConnectingToInternet/default.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315144612/http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/PSP/ConnectingToInternet/default.html|archive-date=March 15, 2008| title=Support - PSP - Connecting to the Internet| publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment| access-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref>{{clear}} | |||
In 2008, Sony announced another upgraded version of the PSP, with an integrated microphone, a brighter screen and some minor changes. It is expected to launch near October. | |||
====Gizmondo==== | ==== Gizmondo ==== | ||
] | |||
{{main|Gizmondo}} | |||
{{Main|Gizmondo}} | |||
] | |||
Tiger's Gizmondo came out in the UK during March 2005 and it was released in the U.S. during October 2005. It is designed to play music, movies, and games, have a camera for taking and storing photos, and have GPS functions. It also has Internet capabilities. It has a phone for sending text and multimedia messages. Email was promised at launch, but was never released before Gizmondo, and ultimately ]', downfall in early |
Tiger's Gizmondo came out in the UK during March 2005 and it was released in the U.S. during October 2005. It is designed to play music, movies, and games, have a camera for taking and storing photos, and have GPS functions. It also has Internet capabilities. It has a phone for sending text and multimedia messages. Email was promised at launch, but was never released before Gizmondo, and ultimately ]', downfall in early 2006. Users obtained a second service pack, unreleased, hoping to find such functionality. However, Service Pack B did not activate the e-mail functionality.{{clear}} | ||
==== |
==== GP2X Series ==== | ||
] | |||
{{main|GP2X}} | |||
{{Main|GP2X}} | |||
] | |||
The GP2X is an open-source, Linux-based handheld video game console and media player created by ] of South Korea, designed for homebrew developers as well as commercial developers. It is commonly used to run emulators for game consoles such as Neo-Geo, Genesis, Master System, Game Gear, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Nintendo Entertainment System, TurboGrafx-16, MAME and others. | |||
Released in November 2005, the GP2X is a handheld game console that uses the ] operating system and is designed to support videos, music, photos, and games in an open architecture allowing any user to develop software for the device. Expandability for future upgrades (new media formats, features, operating system, etc) has been made possible by flash upgradable firmware. | |||
A new version called the "F200" was released October 30, 2007, and features a touchscreen, among other changes. Followed by ] (2009) and ] (2010).{{clear}} | |||
The GP2X natively supports codecs and formats such as ], ], ] and ], but because the player is based on the open-source media player named mplayer, it is easily possible to add other codecs unsupported at the launch. It can also emulate games for many systems, including the NES, SMS, ], ], ], GBA and PlayStation (but not full-speed). | |||
=== Late 2000s === | |||
The current number sold is unknown, but 30,000 were sold by October 2006.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6159783.html | title=Q&A: GP2X chief Craig Rothwell - News at GameSpot | publisher=Game Spot | accessdate=2006-10-30}}</ref> | |||
==== Dingoo ==== | |||
A new version called the "F200" was released on November 1, 2007 and featured a touchscreen, among other changes. | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Dingoo}} | |||
The Dingoo A320 is a micro-sized gaming handheld that resembles the Game Boy Micro and is open to game development. It also supports music, radio, emulators (8 bit and 16 bit) and video playing capabilities with its own interface much like the PSP. There is also an onboard radio and recording program. It is currently available in two colors — white and black. Other similar products from the same manufacturer are the Dingoo A330 (also known as Geimi), Dingoo A360, Dingoo A380, and Dingoo A320E.{{clear}} | |||
==== |
==== PSP Go ==== | ||
] | |||
{{main|iPod Touch|iPhone}} | |||
{{Main|PlayStation Portable#PSP Go (N1000)}} | |||
The iPod Touch and iPhone converted to gaming devices with the arrival of the Apple App Store, which has allowed for potential use of the Power VR MBX Lite in the devices originally used for cover flow and display effects, powered by an ARM 1176 processor at 412MHz (533MHz for 2G iPod Touch) and MBX Lite. Many games are in 3D and use the touchscreen and motion sensors. The iPhone is also a multimedia mobile phone. | |||
The PSP Go is a version of the PlayStation Portable handheld game console manufactured by Sony. It was released on October 1, 2009, in American and European territories, and on November 1 in Japan. It was revealed prior to E3 2009 through Sony's Qore VOD service. Although its design is significantly different from other PSPs, it is not intended to replace the PSP 3000, which Sony continued to manufacture, sell, and support. On April 20, 2011, the manufacturer announced that the PSP Go would be discontinued so that they may concentrate on the PlayStation Vita. Sony later said that only the European and Japanese versions were being cut, and that the console would still be available in the US. | |||
Unlike previous PSP models, the PSP Go does not feature a UMD drive, but instead has 16 GB of internal flash memory to store games, video, pictures, and other media. This can be extended by up to 32 GB with the use of a Memory Stick Micro (M2) flash card. Also unlike previous PSP models, the PSP Go's rechargeable battery is not removable or replaceable by the user. The unit is 43% lighter and 56% smaller than the original PSP-1000, and 16% lighter and 35% smaller than the PSP-3000. It has a 3.8" 480 × 272 LCD (compared to the larger 4.3" 480 × 272 pixel LCD on previous PSP models). The screen slides up to reveal the main controls. The overall shape and sliding mechanism are similar to that of Sony's mylo COM-2 internet device. | |||
==== Pandora ==== | |||
==List of notable handheld game consoles== | |||
] | |||
{{main|Comparison of handheld game consoles}} | |||
{{Main|Pandora (console)}} | |||
<!-- Manufacturer ] (YEAR) - Firsts or connections to previous handhelds) --> | |||
The Pandora is a handheld game console/UMPC/PDA hybrid designed to take advantage of existing ] and to be a target for ]. It runs a full distribution of Linux, and in functionality is like a small PC with gaming controls. It is developed by OpenPandora, which is made up of former distributors and community members of the GP32 and GP2X handhelds. | |||
* Milton Bradley ] (1979) | |||
<!-- Game & Watch games are electronic games, not consoles. As well, the Atari Cosmos and Entex Adventurevision are tabletop systems, not handheld systems. --> | |||
* ] - (1984) - Japanese only; not a success{{Fact|date=November 2007}} | |||
* Nintendo ] (1989) - First internationally successful handheld game console{{Fact|date=November 2007}} | |||
* ] (1989) - First backlit/color screen, first hardware capable of accelerated 3d drawing | |||
* ] (1990, Japan; 1991, North America) - Played ] (]) games, first console/handheld intercompatibility | |||
* ] (1991) - Architecturally similar to ], notable accessory firsts include a ] | |||
* ] (1992) - first handheld with TV-OUT support: the ] was only a ] for the preceding ]. | |||
* ] (1992) - no screen, made for ] (first handheld without a screen) | |||
* ] (1993) - 4 level grayscale 2,7" LCD - stereo sound - rare, sold in Europe and Brazil | |||
* ] (1994) - Monochromatic (red only) 3D goggle set, only semi-portable; first ] portable | |||
* ] (1995) - Played normal ] cartridges, albeit at lower resolution | |||
* ] (1996) - Unrelated to ] consoles or arcade systems save for name | |||
* ] (1996) - Slimmer redesign of Game Boy | |||
* Game Boy Pocket Light (1997) - Japanese only backlit version of the Game Boy Pocket | |||
* Tiger ] (1997) - First touch screen, first Internet support (with use of sold-separately ]) | |||
* ] (1998) | |||
* ] (around 1998) | |||
* ] (around 1998, possibly earlier) | |||
* Sony ] (1998) - Japanese only PS1 memory card/portable mini console in one. | |||
* SNK ] (1999) | |||
* Bandai ] (1999) - Developed by ] after leaving Nintendo | |||
* Bandai ] (2000) | |||
* Game Park ] (2001) - first with full homebrew support | |||
* ] (2001) - First ] handheld | |||
* ] (2001) - The smallest cartridge-based system that includes a black-and-white LCD screen, and the smallest integrated gamepad ever created. | |||
* Bandai ] (2002) - Minor redesign of WonderSwan Color | |||
* ] (2003) - Game system and ] ] (first combination of the two); first included ] and ]; used ] (first wireless multiplayer); first use of ] for online play | |||
* ] (2003) - Redesign of GBA: slimmer, clamshell form factor; frontlit screen | |||
* ] (2003) - first handheld developed by a Chinese company. | |||
* ] (2004) - First PDA/game handheld hybrid; ] ] with game-focused form factor and features | |||
* ] ] (2004) - Redesign of N-Gage, removed ] playback and radio | |||
* ] (2004) - First inclusion of dual screens, built-in microphone, and ] for wireless multiplayer; touchscreen | |||
* ] (2004/2005) - First use of optical media; uses ]s for saved data; plays movies and music and views ] pictures. | |||
* ] (2005) - Uses ] network; first inclusion of ] for location-based games, first built-in camera | |||
* ] (2005) - Redesign of GBA; smallest Game Boy form factor to date, first ] in a handheld. | |||
* ] - A low key re-release of the GBA SP with a backlit screen. | |||
* ] (2005) and Game Park Holdings ] (2005) - Successor units to the GP32 handheld, each being developed by the two companies that split off from Game Park. | |||
* ] (2005) by ] | |||
* ] (2006) - Redesign of DS, including smaller size, brighter screen levels, and other subtle changes. | |||
* ] Upgraded VG Pocket Max. | |||
* ] (2007) - Redesign of PlayStation Portable (PSP), including smaller size, lighter weight, video out capability, USB charge, and other changes. | |||
* ] (2008) - Minor redesign of the current PSP Slim & Lite, including brighter screen, built in mic, and a PS button replacing the Home Button | |||
* ] (2008) - Apple's entry into the portable gaming market. Games are downloadable over the air through the iTunes AppStore. | |||
* ] (2008) (second generation) - Phone-less iPhone with the AppStore pre-loaded. | |||
* ] (2008) - Small redesign of the Nintendo DS Lite. Some changes include built in internet, camera, use of SD card, and no more backward compatibility with ] games | |||
OpenPandora began taking pre-orders for one batch of 4000 devices in November 2008 and after manufacturing delays, began shipping to customers on May 21, 2010.<ref name="It finally happened (official blog)">{{cite web|url=http://www.open-pandora.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=177|title=Official Blog: It finally happened!|publisher=OpenPandora|date=May 22, 2010|access-date=May 22, 2010|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301134532/http://www.open-pandora.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=177|archive-date=March 1, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="shipping">. ''Pandora Press''. May 21, 2010.</ref> | |||
==See also== | |||
{{clear}} | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
==== FC-16 Go ==== | |||
* ] | |||
The FC-16 Go is a portable ] hardware clone manufactured by Yobo Gameware in 2009. It features a 3.5-inch display, two wireless controllers, and CRT cables that allow cartridges to be played on a television screen. Unlike other Super NES clone consoles, it has region tabs that only allow NTSC North American cartridges to be played. Later revisions feature stereo sound output, larger shoulder buttons, and a slightly re-arranged button, power, and A/V output layout. | |||
=== 2010s === | |||
==== Nintendo 3DS ==== | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Nintendo 3DS}} | |||
The '''Nintendo 3DS''' is the successor to Nintendo's DS handheld. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic three-dimensional effects without requirement of active shutter or passive polarized glasses, which are required by most current 3D televisions to display the 3D effect. The 3DS was released in Japan on February 26, 2011; in Europe on March 25, 2011; in North America on March 27, 2011, and in Australia on March 31, 2011. The system features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software except those that require the Game Boy Advance slot. It also features an online service called the Nintendo eShop, launched on June 6, 2011, in North America and June 7, 2011, in Europe and Japan, which allows owners to download games, demos, applications and information on upcoming film and game releases. On November 24, 2011, a limited edition ''Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary 3DS'' was released that contained a unique Cosmo Black unit decorated with gold Legend of Zelda related imagery, along with a copy of ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D''. | |||
There are also other models including the ] and the ], the latter with a larger (XL/LL) variant, like the original Nintendo 3DS, as well as the ]. | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
==== Xperia Play ==== | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Xperia Play}} | |||
The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is a handheld game console smartphone produced by ] under the Xperia smartphone brand. The device runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and is the first to be part of the PlayStation Certified program which means that it can play PlayStation Suite games. The device is a horizontally sliding phone with its original form resembling the Xperia X10 while the slider below resembles the slider of the PSP Go. The slider features a D-pad on the left side, a set of standard PlayStation buttons (], ], ] and ]) on the right, a long rectangular touchpad in the middle, start and select buttons on the bottom right corner, a menu button on the bottom left corner, and two shoulder buttons (L and R) on the back of the device. It is powered by a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a Qualcomm Adreno 205 GPU, and features a display measuring 4.0 inches (100 mm) (854 × 480), an 8-megapixel camera, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB internal storage, and a micro-USB connector. It supports microSD cards, versus the Memory Stick variants used in PSP consoles. The device was revealed officially for the first time in a Super Bowl ad on Sunday, February 6, 2011. On February 13, 2011, at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2011, it was announced that the device would be shipping globally in March 2011, with a launch lineup of around 50 software titles. | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
==== PlayStation Vita ==== | |||
] | |||
{{Main|PlayStation Vita}} | |||
The '''PlayStation Vita''' is the successor to Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) Handheld series. It was released in Japan on December 17, 2011, and in Europe, Australia, North, and South America on February 22, 2012. | |||
The handheld includes two analog sticks, a 5-inch (130 mm) OLED/LCD multi-touch capacitive touchscreen, and supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and optional 3G. Internally, the PS Vita features a 4 core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor and a 4 core SGX543MP4+ graphics processing unit, as well as ] software as its main user interface, which succeeds the ]. | |||
The device is fully backwards-compatible with PlayStation Portable games digitally released on the PlayStation Network via the PlayStation Store. However, PSone Classics and PS2 titles were not compatible at the time of the primary public release in Japan. The Vita's dual analog sticks will be supported on selected PSP games. The graphics for PSP releases will be up-scaled, with a smoothing filter to reduce pixelation. | |||
On September 20, 2018, Sony announced at ] 2018 that the Vita would be discontinued in 2019, ending its hardware production.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gematsu.com/2018/09/ps-vita-production-to-end-in-2019-in-japan|title=PS Vita production to end in 2019 in Japan - Gematsu|date=2018-09-20|work=Gematsu|access-date=2019-03-10|language=en-US}}</ref> Production of Vita hardware officially ended on March 1, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2019/03/ps-vita-production-ended-in-japan|title = PS Vita production ended in Japan|date = March 2019}}</ref> | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
==== Razer Switchblade ==== | |||
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] --> | |||
{{Main|Razer Switchblade}} | |||
The '''Razer Switchblade''' was a prototype pocket-sized like a ] designed to run ], featured a multi-touch LCD screen and an adaptive keyboard that changed keys depending on the game the user would play. It also was to feature a full mouse. | |||
It was first unveiled on January 5, 2011, on the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The Switchblade won The Best of CES 2011 People's Voice award. It has since been in development and the release date is still unknown. The device has likely been suspended indefinitely. | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
==== Nvidia Shield ==== | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Shield Portable}} | |||
Project Shield is a handheld system developed by ] announced at CES 2013. It runs on Android 4.2 and uses Nvidia ] SoC. The hardware includes a 5-inches multitouch screen with support for HD graphics (720p). The console allows for the streaming of games running on a compatible desktop PC, or laptop. | |||
Nvidia Shield Portable has received mixed reception from critics. Generally, reviewers praised the performance of the device, but criticized the cost and lack of worthwhile games. ]'s review noted the system's "extremely impressive PC gaming", but also that due to its high price, the device was "a hard sell as a portable game console", especially when compared to similar handhelds on the market.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/nvidia-shield-review/|title=NVIDIA Shield review|last=Gilbert|first=Ben|publisher=]|date=July 31, 2013|access-date=July 31, 2013}}</ref> ]'s Eric Franklin states in his review of the device that "The Nvidia Shield is an extremely well made device, with performance that pretty much obliterates any mobile product before it; but like most new console launches, there is currently a lack of available games worth your time."<ref>{{cite web|last=Franklin |first=Eric |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nvidia-shield/4505-10109_7-35566996.html |title=Nvidia Shield Review |publisher=Reviews.cnet.com |access-date=2013-08-02}}</ref> ]'s comprehensive review of the device provides a detailed account of the device and its features; concluded by saying: "In the here and now, the first-gen Shield Portable is a gloriously niche, luxury product - the most powerful Android system on the market by a clear stretch and possessing a unique link to PC gaming that's seriously impressive in beta form, and can only get better."<ref>{{cite web|last=Leadbetter |first=Richard |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-nvidia-shield-review |title=Nvidia Shield review |date=August 11, 2013 |publisher=Eurogamer.net |access-date=2013-08-12}}</ref> | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
==== Nintendo Switch ==== | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Nintendo Switch}} | |||
The '''Nintendo Switch''' is a hybrid console that can either be used in a handheld form, or inserted into a docking station attached to a television to play on a bigger screen. The Switch features two detachable wireless controllers, called Joy-Con, which can be used individually or attached to a grip to provide a traditional gamepad form. A handheld-only revision named ] was released on September 20, 2019. | |||
The Switch Lite had sold about 1.95 million units worldwide by September 30, 2019, only 10 days after its launch.<ref name="fisc y20q2">{{Cite web | url = https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2019/191031e.pdf | title = Consolidated Financial Highlights - Q2 FY2020 | publisher = ] | date = October 31, 2019 | access-date = October 31, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191031072855/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2019/191031e.pdf | archive-date = October 31, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
=== 2020s === | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
==== Evercade ==== | |||
{{Main|Evercade}} | |||
Evercade is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by UK company Blaze Entertainment. It focuses on retrogaming with ROM cartridges that each contain a number of emulated games. Development began in 2018, and the console was released in May 2020, after a few delays. Upon its launch, the console offered 10 game cartridges with a combined total of 122 games. | |||
Arc System Works, Atari, Data East, Interplay Entertainment, Bandai Namco Entertainment and Piko Interactive have released emulated versions of their games for the Evercade. Pre-existing homebrew games have also been re-released for the console by Mega Cat Studios. The Evercade is capable of playing games originally released for the Atari 2600, the Atari 7800, the Atari Lynx, the NES, the SNES, and the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
==== Analogue Pocket ==== | |||
{{Main|Analogue Pocket}} | |||
The '''Analogue Pocket''' is a ]-based handheld game console designed and manufactured by ],<ref>{{cite web|title=Analogue homepage|url=https://www.analogue.co|publisher=Analogue, Inc}}</ref> It is designed to play games designed for handhelds of the ], ] and ] generation of video game consoles. The console features a design reminiscent of the Game Boy, with additional buttons for the supported platforms. It features a 3.5" 1600x1440 LTPS LCD display, an SD card port, and a link cable port compatible with Game Boy link cables. The Analogue Pocket uses an Altera Cyclone V processor, and is compatible with the original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges out of the box. With cartridge adapters (sold separately) the Analogue Pocket can play Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket, Neo Geo Pocket Color and Atari Lynx game cartridges. The Analogue Pocket includes an additional FPGA, allowing 3rd party FPGA development. The Analogue Pocket was released in December 2021. | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
==== Steam Deck ==== | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Steam Deck}} | |||
The Steam Deck is a handheld computer device, developed by ], which runs ], a tailored ] of ] and includes support for ], a compatibility layer that allows most ] games to be played on the Linux-based operating system. This device and other similar ones generally are not referred to as "consoles" but more commonly as ] style ] due to effectively being ] like contemporary desktop and laptop gaming PCs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Valve Steam Deck Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/valve-steam-deck |access-date=2024-11-05 |website=PCMAG |language=en}}</ref> In terms of hardware, the Deck includes a custom ] based on their ] and ] architectures, with the CPU running a four-core/eight-thread unit and the GPU running on eight ]s with a total estimated performance of 1.6 TFLOPS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.steamdeck.com/en/tech|title=Steam Deck :: Tech Specs|website=Steam Deck}}</ref> Both the CPU and GPU use variable timing frequencies, with the CPU running between 2.4 and 3.5 GHz and the GPU between 1.0 and 1.6 GHz based on current processor needs.<ref name="ign announce">{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/steam-deck-hands-on-impressions-details-valve-handheld-gaming-pc | title = Steam Deck: The First Hands-On With Valve's Handheld Gaming PC | first= Bo | last= Moore | date = July 15, 2021 | accessdate = July 15, 2021 | work = ] }}</ref><ref name="eg specs">{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-07-15-valve-announces-steam-deck-a-gbp349-handheld-pc | title = Valve announces Steam Deck, a £349 handheld PC | first= Tom | last= Phillips | date = July 15, 2021 | accessdate = July 15, 2021 | work = ] }}</ref> Valve stated that the CPU has comparable performance to ] desktop computer processors and the GPU performance to the ].<ref name="techradar more specs">{{cite web | url = https://www.techradar.com/news/valve-claims-the-steam-deck-can-handle-any-game-you-throw-at-it-including-aaas | title = Valve claims the Steam Deck can handle any game you throw at it, including AAAs | first = Jess | last= Weatherbed | date = July 23, 2021 | accessdate = July 23, 2021 | work = ] }}</ref> The Deck includes 16 GB of ] ] in a quad channel configuration.<ref name="eg specs"/><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.techradar.com/news/steam-deck-gets-a-spec-update-and-its-good-news-for-gamers | title = Steam Deck gets a spec update, and it's good news for gamers | first = John | last = Loeffler | date= July 21, 2021 | accessdate = July 22, 2021 | work = ] }}</ref> | |||
Valve revealed the Steam Deck on July 15, 2021, with pre-orders being made option the next day. The Deck was expected to ship in December 2021 to the US, Canada, the EU and the UK but was delayed to February 2022, with other regions to follow in 2022.<ref name="verge announce">{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/15/22578783/valve-steam-deck-gaming-handheld-pc | title = Valve's gaming handheld is called the Steam Deck and it's shipping in December | first= Jay | last = Peters | date = July 15, 2021 | accessdate = July 15, 2021 | work = ] }}</ref> Pre-orders were limited to those with ] accounts opened before June 2021 to prevent resellers from controlling access to the device.<ref name="verge announce"/> Pre-orders reservations on July 16, 2021, through the Steam storefront briefly crashed the servers due to the demand. While initial shipments are still planned by February 2022, Valve has reported to new purchasers that wider availability will be later, with the 64 GB model and 256 GB NVMe model due in Q2 2022, and the 512 GB NVMe model by Q3 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-07-17-steam-deck-expected-order-availability-now-q1-2022-64gb-or-q2-2022-256gb-512gb | title = Steam Deck expected order availability now Q1 2022 (64GB) and Q2 2022 (256GB/512GB) | first = Wesley | last =Yin-Poole | date = July 17, 2021 | accessdate = July 17, 2021 |work = ] }}</ref> Steam Deck was released on February 25, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Larabel|first=Michael|date=2022-02-25|title=For Linux Enthusiasts Especially, The Steam Deck Is An Incredible & Fun Device|url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=steam-deck-steamos-linux|access-date=2022-02-27|website=]|language=en}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
==References== | == References == | ||
{{ |
{{notelist}} | ||
{{Reflist|30em}} | |||
{{Commons category|Handheld game consoles}} | |||
== External links == | |||
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Latest revision as of 19:50, 6 January 2025
Portable self-contained video game console See also: List of handheld game consoles
A handheld game console, or simply handheld console, is a small, portable self-contained video game console with a built-in screen, game controls and speakers. Handheld game consoles are smaller than home video game consoles and contain the console, screen, speakers, and controls in one unit, allowing players to carry them and play them at any time or place.
In 1976, Mattel introduced the first handheld electronic game with the release of Auto Race. Later, several companies—including Coleco and Milton Bradley—made their own single-game, lightweight table-top or handheld electronic game devices. The first commercial successful handheld console was Merlin from 1978, which sold more than 5 million units. The first handheld game console with interchangeable cartridges is the Milton Bradley Microvision in 1979.
Nintendo is credited with popularizing the handheld console concept with the release of the Game Boy in 1989 and continues to dominate the handheld console market. The first internet-enabled handheld console and the first with a touchscreen was the Game.com released by Tiger Electronics in 1997. The Nintendo DS, released in 2004, introduced touchscreen controls and wireless online gaming to a wider audience, becoming the best-selling handheld console with over 150 million units sold worldwide.
History
For a list of all handheld video game consoles, see List of handheld game consoles.Timeline
This table describes handheld games consoles by generation, with over 1 million sales. No handheld achieved this prior to the fourth generation of game consoles. This list does not include dedicated consoles, such as LCD games and the Tamagotchi.
Manufacturer | Generation | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fourth (1987–2004) |
Fifth (1993–2006) |
Sixth (1998–2015) |
Seventh (2005–2020) |
Eighth (2011–present) |
Ninth (2020–present) | ||||
Atari | Atari Lynx (+II) (≈3 million) |
||||||||
Bandai | WonderSwan (+Color, SwanCrystal) (3.5 million) |
||||||||
NEC | TurboExpress (1.5 million) |
||||||||
Nintendo | Game Boy (+Pocket, Light) (at least 64.4 million) |
Game Boy Color (at most 54.3 million) |
Game Boy Advance family (81.5 million) |
Nintendo DS family (154 million) |
Nintendo 3DS family (76 million) |
Switch (+Lite|OLED) (122.55 million) |
|||
Nokia | N-Gage (+QD) (3 million) |
||||||||
Sega | Game Gear (10.6 million) |
Nomad (≈1 million) |
|||||||
SNK | Neo Geo Pocket (at most 2 million) |
Neo Geo Pocket Color | Neo Geo X | ||||||
Sony | PSP (+Go, Street) (81.09 million) |
PS Vita (16.21 million) |
|||||||
Valve | Steam Deck (≈3 million) |
Origins
Main article: Handheld electronic gameThe origins of handheld game consoles are found in handheld and tabletop electronic game devices of the 1970s and early 1980s. These electronic devices are capable of playing only a single game, they fit in the palm of the hand or on a tabletop, and they may make use of a variety of video displays such as LED, VFD, or LCD. In 1978, handheld electronic games were described by Popular Electronics magazine as "nonvideo electronic games" and "non-TV games" as distinct from devices that required use of a television screen. Handheld electronic games, in turn, find their origins in the synthesis of previous handheld and tabletop electro-mechanical devices such as Waco's Electronic Tic-Tac-Toe (1972) Cragstan's Periscope-Firing Range (1951), and the emerging optoelectronic-display-driven calculator market of the early 1970s. This synthesis happened in 1976, when "Mattel began work on a line of calculator-sized sports games that became the world's first handheld electronic games. The project began when Michael Katz, Mattel's new product category marketing director, told the engineers in the electronics group to design a game the size of a calculator, using LED (light-emitting diode) technology."
- our big success was something that I conceptualized—the first handheld game. I asked the design group to see if they could come up with a game that was electronic that was the same size as a calculator.
- —Michael Katz, former marketing director, Mattel Toys.
- our big success was something that I conceptualized—the first handheld game. I asked the design group to see if they could come up with a game that was electronic that was the same size as a calculator.
The result was the 1976 release of Auto Race. Followed by Football later in 1977, the two games were so successful that according to Katz, "these simple electronic handheld games turned into a '$400 million category.'" Mattel would later win the honor of being recognized by the industry for innovation in handheld game device displays. Soon, other manufacturers including Coleco, Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley, Entex, and Bandai began following up with their own tabletop and handheld electronic games.
In 1979 the LCD-based Microvision, designed by Smith Engineering and distributed by Milton-Bradley, became the first handheld game console and the first to use interchangeable game cartridges. The Microvision game Cosmic Hunter (1981) also introduced the concept of a directional pad on handheld gaming devices, and is operated by using the thumb to manipulate the on-screen character in any of four directions.
In 1979, Gunpei Yokoi, traveling on a bullet train, saw a bored businessman playing with an LCD calculator by pressing the buttons. Yokoi then thought of an idea for a watch that doubled as a miniature game machine for killing time. Starting in 1980, Nintendo began to release a series of electronic games designed by Yokoi called the Game & Watch games. Taking advantage of the technology used in the credit-card-sized calculators that had appeared on the market, Yokoi designed the series of LCD-based games to include a digital time display in the corner of the screen. For later, more complicated Game & Watch games, Yokoi invented a cross shaped directional pad or "D-pad" for control of on-screen characters. Yokoi also included his directional pad on the NES controllers, and the cross-shaped thumb controller soon became standard on game console controllers and ubiquitous across the video game industry since. When Yokoi began designing Nintendo's first handheld game console, he came up with a device that married the elements of his Game & Watch devices and the Famicom console, including both items' D-pad controller. The result was the Nintendo Game Boy.
In 1982, the Bandai LCD Solarpower was the first solar-powered gaming device. Some of its games, such as the horror-themed game Terror House, features two LCD panels, one stacked on the other, for an early 3D effect. In 1983, Takara Tomy's Tomytronic 3D simulates 3D by having two LCD panels that were lit by external light through a window on top of the device, making it the first dedicated home video 3D hardware.
Beginnings
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the beginnings of the modern-day handheld game console industry, after the demise of the Microvision. As backlit LCD game consoles with color graphics consume a lot of power, they were not battery-friendly like the non-backlit original Game Boy whose monochrome graphics allowed longer battery life. By this point, rechargeable battery technology had not yet matured and so the more advanced game consoles of the time such as the Sega Game Gear and Atari Lynx did not have nearly as much success as the Game Boy.
Even though third-party rechargeable batteries were available for the battery-hungry alternatives to the Game Boy, these batteries employed a nickel-cadmium process and had to be completely discharged before being recharged to ensure maximum efficiency; lead-acid batteries could be used with automobile circuit limiters (cigarette lighter plug devices); but the batteries had mediocre portability. The later NiMH batteries, which do not share this requirement for maximum efficiency, were not released until the late 1990s, years after the Game Gear, Atari Lynx, and original Game Boy had been discontinued. During the time when technologically superior handhelds had strict technical limitations, batteries had a very low mAh rating since batteries with heavy power density were not yet available.
Modern game systems such as the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable have rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries with proprietary shapes. Other seventh-generation consoles, such as the GP2X, use standard alkaline batteries. Because the mAh rating of alkaline batteries has increased since the 1990s, the power needed for handhelds like the GP2X may be supplied by relatively few batteries.
Game Boy
Main article: Game BoyNintendo released the Game Boy on April 21, 1989 (September 1990 for the UK). The design team headed by Gunpei Yokoi had also been responsible for the Game & Watch system, as well as the Nintendo Entertainment System games Metroid and Kid Icarus. The Game Boy came under scrutiny by Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi, saying that the monochrome screen was too small, and the processing power was inadequate. The design team had felt that low initial cost and battery economy were more important concerns, and when compared to the Microvision, the Game Boy was a huge leap forward.
Yokoi recognized that the Game Boy needed a killer app—at least one game that would define the console, and persuade customers to buy it. In June 1988, Minoru Arakawa, then-CEO of Nintendo of America saw a demonstration of the game Tetris at a trade show. Nintendo purchased the rights for the game, and packaged it with the Game Boy system as a launch title. It was almost an immediate hit. By the end of the year more than a million units were sold in the US. As of March 31, 2005, the Game Boy and Game Boy Color combined to sell over 118 million units worldwide.
Atari Lynx
Atari Lynx I and II Main article: Atari LynxIn 1987, Epyx created the Handy Game; a device that would become the Atari Lynx in 1989. It is the first color handheld console ever made, as well as the first with a backlit screen. It also features networking support with up to 17 other players, and advanced hardware that allows the zooming and scaling of sprites. The Lynx can also be turned upside down to accommodate left-handed players. However, all these features came at a very high price point, which drove consumers to seek cheaper alternatives. The Lynx is also very unwieldy, consumes batteries very quickly, and lacked the third-party support enjoyed by its competitors. Due to its high price, short battery life, production shortages, a dearth of compelling games, and Nintendo's aggressive marketing campaign, and despite a redesign in 1991, the Lynx became a commercial failure. Despite this, companies like Telegames helped to keep the system alive long past its commercial relevance, and when new owner Hasbro released the rights to develop for the public domain, independent developers like Songbird have managed to release new commercial games for the system every year until 2004's Winter Games.
TurboExpress
Main article: TurboExpressThe TurboExpress is a portable version of the TurboGrafx, released in 1990 for $249.99. Its Japanese equivalent is the PC Engine GT.
It is the most advanced handheld of its time and can play all the TurboGrafx-16's games (which are on a small, credit-card sized media called HuCards). It has a 66 mm (2.6 in.) screen, the same as the original Game Boy, but in a much higher resolution, and can display 64 sprites at once, 16 per scanline, in 512 colors. Although the hardware can only handle 481 simultaneous colors. It has 8 kilobytes of RAM. The Turbo runs the HuC6820 CPU at 1.79 or 7.16 MHz.
The optional "TurboVision" TV tuner includes RCA audio/video input, allowing users to use TurboExpress as a video monitor. The "TurboLink" allowed two-player play. Falcon, a flight simulator, included a "head-to-head" dogfight mode that can only be accessed via TurboLink. However, very few TG-16 games offered co-op play modes especially designed with the TurboExpress in mind.
Bitcorp Gamate
Main article: GamateThe Bitcorp Gamate is one of the first handheld game systems created in response to the Nintendo Game Boy. It was released in Asia in 1990 and distributed worldwide by 1991.
Like the Sega Game Gear, it was horizontal in orientation and like the Game Boy, required 4 AA batteries. Unlike many later Game Boy clones, its internal components were professionally assembled (no "glop-top" chips). Unfortunately the system's fatal flaw is its screen. Even by the standards of the day, its screen is rather difficult to use, suffering from similar ghosting problems that were common complaints with the first generation Game Boys. Likely because of this fact sales were quite poor, and Bitcorp closed by 1992. However, new games continued to be published for the Asian market, possibly as late as 1994. The total number of games released for the system remains unknown.
Gamate games were designed for stereo sound, but the console is only equipped with a mono speaker.
Game Gear
Main article: Game GearThe Game Gear is the third color handheld console, after the Lynx and the TurboExpress; produced by Sega. Released in Japan in 1990 and in North America and Europe in 1991, it is based on the Master System, which gave Sega the ability to quickly create Game Gear games from its large library of games for the Master System. While never reaching the level of success enjoyed by Nintendo, the Game Gear proved to be a fairly durable competitor, lasting longer than any other Game Boy rivals.
While the Game Gear is most frequently seen in black or navy blue, it was also released in a variety of additional colors: red, light blue, yellow, clear, and violet. All of these variations were released in small quantities and frequently only in the Asian market.
Following Sega's success with the Game Gear, they began development on a successor during the early 1990s, which was intended to feature a touchscreen interface, many years before the Nintendo DS. However, such a technology was very expensive at the time, and the handheld itself was estimated to have cost around $289 were it to be released. Sega eventually chose to shelve the idea and instead release the Genesis Nomad, a handheld version of the Genesis, as the successor.
Watara Supervision
Main article: Watara SupervisionThe Watara Supervision was released in 1992 in an attempt to compete with the Nintendo Game Boy. The first model was designed very much like a Game Boy, but it is grey in color and has a slightly larger screen. The second model was made with a hinge across the center and can be bent slightly to provide greater comfort for the user. While the system did enjoy a modest degree of success, it never impacted the sales of Nintendo or Sega. The Supervision was redesigned a final time as "The Magnum". Released in limited quantities it was roughly equivalent to the Game Boy Pocket. It was available in three colors: yellow, green and grey. Watara designed many of the games themselves, but did receive some third party support, most notably from Sachen.
A TV adapter was available in both PAL and NTSC formats that could transfer the Supervision's black-and-white palette to 4 colors, similar in some regards to the Super Game Boy from Nintendo.
Hartung Game Master
Main article: Game Master (console)The Hartung Game Master is an obscure handheld released at an unknown point in the early 1990s. Its graphics fidelity was much lower than most of its contemporaries, displaying just 64x64 pixels. It was available in black, white, and purple, and was frequently rebranded by its distributors, such as Delplay, Videojet and Systema.
The exact number of games released is not known, but is likely around 20. The system most frequently turns up in Europe and Australia.
Late 1990s
By this time, the lack of significant development in Nintendo's product line began allowing more advanced systems such as the Neo Geo Pocket Color and the WonderSwan Color to be developed.
Sega Nomad
Main article: Genesis NomadThe Nomad was released in October 1995 in North America only. The release was six years into the market span of the Genesis, with an existing library of more than 500 Genesis games. According to former Sega of America research and development head Joe Miller, the Nomad was not intended to be the Game Gear's replacement; he believed that there was little planning from Sega of Japan for the new handheld. Sega was supporting five different consoles: Saturn, Genesis, Game Gear, Pico, and the Master System, as well as the Sega CD and 32X add-ons. In Japan, the Mega Drive had never been successful and the Saturn was more successful than Sony's PlayStation, so Sega Enterprises CEO Hayao Nakayama decided to focus on the Saturn. By 1999, the Nomad was being sold at less than a third of its original price.
Game Boy Pocket
Main article: Game Boy § Game Boy PocketThe Game Boy Pocket is a redesigned version of the original Game Boy having the same features. It was released in 1996. Notably, this variation is smaller and lighter. It comes in seven different colors; red, yellow, green, black, clear, silver, blue, and pink. It has space for two AAA batteries, which provide approximately 10 hours of game play. The screen was changed to a true black-and-white display, rather than the "pea soup" monochromatic display of the original Game Boy. Although, like its predecessor, the Game Boy Pocket has no backlight to allow play in a darkened area, it did notably improve visibility and pixel response-time (mostly eliminating ghosting).
The first model of the Game Boy Pocket did not have an LED to show battery levels, but the feature was added due to public demand. The Game Boy Pocket was not a new software platform and played the same software as the original Game Boy model.
Game.com
Main article: Game.comThe Game.com (pronounced in TV commercials as "game com", not "game dot com", and not capitalized in marketing material) is a handheld game console released by Tiger Electronics in September 1997. It featured many new ideas for handheld consoles and was aimed at an older target audience, sporting PDA-style features and functions such as a touch screen and stylus. However, Tiger hoped it would also challenge Nintendo's Game Boy and gain a following among younger gamers too. Unlike other handheld game consoles, the first game.com consoles included two slots for game cartridges, which would not happen again until the Tapwave Zodiac, the DS and DS Lite, and could be connected to a 14.4 kbit/s modem. Later models had only a single cartridge slot.
Game Boy Color
Main article: Game Boy ColorThe Game Boy Color (also referred to as GBC or CGB) is Nintendo's successor to the Game Boy and was released on October 21, 1998, in Japan and in November of the same year in the United States. It features a color screen, and is slightly bigger than the Game Boy Pocket. The processor is twice as fast as a Game Boy's and has twice as much memory. It also had an infrared communications port for wireless linking which did not appear in later versions of the Game Boy, such as the Game Boy Advance.
The Game Boy Color was a response to pressure from game developers for a new system, as they felt that the Game Boy, even in its latest incarnation, the Game Boy Pocket, was insufficient. The resulting product was backward compatible, a first for a handheld console system, and leveraged the large library of games and great installed base of the predecessor system. This became a major feature of the Game Boy line, since it allowed each new launch to begin with a significantly larger library than any of its competitors. As of March 31, 2005, the Game Boy and Game Boy Color combined to sell 118.69 million units worldwide.
The console is capable of displaying up to 56 different colors simultaneously on screen from its palette of 32,768, and can add basic four-color shading to games that had been developed for the original Game Boy. It can also give the sprites and backgrounds separate colors, for a total of more than four colors.
Neo Geo Pocket Color
Main article: Neo Geo Pocket ColorThe Neo Geo Pocket Color (or NGPC) was released in 1999 in Japan, and later that year in the United States and Europe. It is a 16-bit color handheld game console designed by SNK, the maker of the Neo Geo home console and arcade machine. It came after SNK's original Neo Geo Pocket monochrome handheld, which debuted in 1998 in Japan.
In 2000 following SNK's purchase by Japanese Pachinko manufacturer Aruze, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was dropped from both the US and European markets, purportedly due to commercial failure.
The system seemed well on its way to being a success in the U.S. It was more successful than any Game Boy competitor since Sega's Game Gear, but was hurt by several factors, such as SNK's infamous lack of communication with third-party developers, and anticipation of the Game Boy Advance. The decision to ship U.S. games in cardboard boxes in a cost-cutting move rather than hard plastic cases that Japanese and European releases were shipped in may have also hurt US sales.
Wonderswan Color
Main article: WonderSwanThe WonderSwan Color is a handheld game console designed by Bandai. It was released on December 9, 2000, in Japan, Although the WonderSwan Color was slightly larger and heavier (7 mm and 2 g) compared to the original WonderSwan, the color version featured 512 KB of RAM and a larger color LCD screen. In addition, the WonderSwan Color is compatible with the original WonderSwan library of games.
Prior to WonderSwan's release, Nintendo had virtually a monopoly in the Japanese video game handheld market. After the release of the WonderSwan Color, Bandai took approximately 8% of the market share in Japan partly due to its low price of 6800 yen (approximately US$65). Another reason for the WonderSwan's success in Japan was the fact that Bandai managed to get a deal with Square to port over the original Famicom Final Fantasy games with improved graphics and controls. However, with the popularity of the Game Boy Advance and the reconciliation between Square and Nintendo, the WonderSwan Color and its successor, the SwanCrystal quickly lost its competitive advantage.
Early 2000s
The 2000s saw a major leap in innovation, particularly in the second half with the release of the DS and PSP.
Game Boy Advance
Main article: Game Boy AdvanceIn 2001, Nintendo released the Game Boy Advance (GBA or AGB), which added two shoulder buttons, a larger screen, and more computing power than the Game Boy Color.
The design was revised two years later when the Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP), a more compact version, was released. The SP features a "clamshell" design (folding open and closed, like a laptop computer), as well as a frontlit color display and rechargeable battery. Despite the smaller form factor, the screen remained the same size as that of the original. In 2005, the Game Boy Micro was released. This revision sacrificed screen size and backwards compatibility with previous Game Boys for a dramatic reduction in total size and a brighter backlit screen. A new SP model with a backlit screen was released in some regions around the same time.
Along with the GameCube, the GBA also introduced the concept of "connectivity": using a handheld system as a console controller. A handful of games use this feature, most notably Animal Crossing, Pac-Man Vs., Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, and Sonic Adventure 2: Battle.
As of December 31, 2007, the GBA, GBA SP, and the Game Boy Micro combined have sold 80.72 million units worldwide.
Game Park 32
Main article: GP32The original GP32 was released in 2001 by the South Korean company Game Park a few months after the launch of the Game Boy Advance. It featured a 32-bit CPU, 133 MHz processor, MP3 and Divx player, and e-book reader. SmartMedia cards were used for storage, and could hold up to 128mb of anything downloaded through a USB cable from a PC. The GP32 was redesigned in 2003. A front-lit screen was added and the new version was called GP32 FLU (Front Light Unit). In summer 2004, another redesign, the GP32 BLU, was made, and added a backlit screen. This version of the handheld was planned for release outside South Korea; in Europe, and it was released for example in Spain (VirginPlay was the distributor). While not a commercial success on a level with mainstream handhelds (only 30,000 units were sold), it ended up being used mainly as a platform for user-made applications and emulators of other systems, being popular with developers and more technically adept users.
N-Gage
Main article: N-Gage (device)Nokia released the N-Gage in 2003. It was designed as a combination MP3 player, cellphone, PDA, radio, and gaming device. The system received much criticism alleging defects in its physical design and layout, including its vertically oriented screen and requirement of removing the battery to change game cartridges. The most well known of these was "sidetalking", or the act of placing the phone speaker and receiver on an edge of the device instead of one of the flat sides, causing the user to appear as if they are speaking into a taco.
The N-Gage QD was later released to address the design flaws of the original. However, certain features available in the original N-Gage, including MP3 playback, FM radio reception, and USB connectivity were removed.
Second generation of N-Gage launched on April 3, 2008 in the form of a service for selected Nokia Smartphones.
Tapwave Zodiac
Main article: Tapwave ZodiacIn 2003, Tapwave released the Zodiac. It was designed to be a PDA-handheld game console hybrid. It supported photos, movies, music, Internet, and documents. The Zodiac used a special version Palm OS 5, 5.2T, that supported the special gaming buttons and graphics chip. Two versions were available, Zodiac 1 and 2, differing in memory and looks. The Zodiac line ended in July 2005 when Tapwave declared bankruptcy.
Mid 2000s
Nintendo DS
Main article: Nintendo DSThe Nintendo DS was released in November 2004. Among its new features were the incorporation of two screens, a touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and a microphone port. As with the Game Boy Advance SP, the DS features a clamshell design, with the two screens aligned vertically on either side of the hinge.
The DS's lower screen is touch sensitive, designed to be pressed with a stylus, a user's finger or a special "thumb pad" (a small plastic pad attached to the console's wrist strap, which can be affixed to the thumb to simulate an analog stick). More traditional controls include four face buttons, two shoulder buttons, a D-pad, and "Start" and "Select" buttons. The console also features online capabilities via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and ad-hoc wireless networking for multiplayer games with up to sixteen players. It is backwards-compatible with all Game Boy Advance games, but like the Game Boy Micro, it is not compatible with games designed for the Game Boy or Game Boy Color.
In January 2006, Nintendo revealed an updated version of the DS: the Nintendo DS Lite (released on March 2, 2006, in Japan) with an updated, smaller form factor (42% smaller and 21% lighter than the original Nintendo DS), a cleaner design, longer battery life, and brighter, higher-quality displays, with adjustable brightness. It is also able to connect wirelessly with Nintendo's Wii console.
On October 2, 2008, Nintendo announced the Nintendo DSi, with larger, 3.25-inch screens and two integrated cameras. It has an SD card storage slot in place of the Game Boy Advance slot, plus internal flash memory for storing downloaded games. It was released on November 1, 2008, in Japan, April 2, 2009, in Australia, April 3, 2009, in Europe, and April 5, 2009, in North America. On October 29, 2009, Nintendo announced a larger version of the DSi, called the DSi XL, which was released on November 21, 2009, in Japan, March 5, 2010, in Europe, March 28, 2010, in North America, and April 15, 2010, in Australia.
As of December 31, 2009, the Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, and Nintendo DSi combined have sold 125.13 million units worldwide.
Game King
Main article: GameKingThe GameKing is a handheld game console released by the Chinese company TimeTop in 2004. The first model while original in design owes a large debt to Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. The second model, the GameKing 2, is believed to be inspired by Sony's PSP. This model also was upgraded with a backlit screen, with a distracting background transparency (which can be removed by opening up the console). A color model, the GameKing 3 apparently exists, but was only made for a brief time and was difficult to purchase outside of Asia. Whether intentionally or not, the GameKing has the most primitive graphics of any handheld released since the Game Boy of 1989.
As many of the games have an "old school" simplicity, the device has developed a small cult following. The Gameking's speaker is quite loud and the cartridges' sophisticated looping soundtracks (sampled from other sources) are seemingly at odds with its primitive graphics.
TimeTop made at least one additional device sometimes labeled as "GameKing", but while it seems to possess more advanced graphics, is essentially an emulator that plays a handful of multi-carts (like the GB Station Light II). Outside of Asia (especially China) however the Gameking remains relatively unheard of due to the enduring popularity of Japanese handhelds such as those manufactured by Nintendo and Sony.
PlayStation Portable
Main article: PlayStation PortableThe PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP) is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. Development of the console was first announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on May 11, 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004. The system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in the PAL region on September 1, 2005.
The PlayStation Portable is the first handheld video game console to use an optical disc format, Universal Media Disc (UMD), for distribution of its games. UMD Video discs with movies and television shows were also released. The PSP utilized the Sony/SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo format as its primary storage medium. Other distinguishing features of the console include its large viewing screen, multi-media capabilities, and connectivity with the PlayStation 3, other PSPs, and the Internet.
Gizmondo
Main article: GizmondoTiger's Gizmondo came out in the UK during March 2005 and it was released in the U.S. during October 2005. It is designed to play music, movies, and games, have a camera for taking and storing photos, and have GPS functions. It also has Internet capabilities. It has a phone for sending text and multimedia messages. Email was promised at launch, but was never released before Gizmondo, and ultimately Tiger Telematics', downfall in early 2006. Users obtained a second service pack, unreleased, hoping to find such functionality. However, Service Pack B did not activate the e-mail functionality.
GP2X Series
Main article: GP2XThe GP2X is an open-source, Linux-based handheld video game console and media player created by GamePark Holdings of South Korea, designed for homebrew developers as well as commercial developers. It is commonly used to run emulators for game consoles such as Neo-Geo, Genesis, Master System, Game Gear, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Nintendo Entertainment System, TurboGrafx-16, MAME and others.
A new version called the "F200" was released October 30, 2007, and features a touchscreen, among other changes. Followed by GP2X Wiz (2009) and GP2X Caanoo (2010).
Late 2000s
Dingoo
Main article: DingooThe Dingoo A320 is a micro-sized gaming handheld that resembles the Game Boy Micro and is open to game development. It also supports music, radio, emulators (8 bit and 16 bit) and video playing capabilities with its own interface much like the PSP. There is also an onboard radio and recording program. It is currently available in two colors — white and black. Other similar products from the same manufacturer are the Dingoo A330 (also known as Geimi), Dingoo A360, Dingoo A380, and Dingoo A320E.
PSP Go
Main article: PlayStation Portable § PSP Go (N1000)The PSP Go is a version of the PlayStation Portable handheld game console manufactured by Sony. It was released on October 1, 2009, in American and European territories, and on November 1 in Japan. It was revealed prior to E3 2009 through Sony's Qore VOD service. Although its design is significantly different from other PSPs, it is not intended to replace the PSP 3000, which Sony continued to manufacture, sell, and support. On April 20, 2011, the manufacturer announced that the PSP Go would be discontinued so that they may concentrate on the PlayStation Vita. Sony later said that only the European and Japanese versions were being cut, and that the console would still be available in the US. Unlike previous PSP models, the PSP Go does not feature a UMD drive, but instead has 16 GB of internal flash memory to store games, video, pictures, and other media. This can be extended by up to 32 GB with the use of a Memory Stick Micro (M2) flash card. Also unlike previous PSP models, the PSP Go's rechargeable battery is not removable or replaceable by the user. The unit is 43% lighter and 56% smaller than the original PSP-1000, and 16% lighter and 35% smaller than the PSP-3000. It has a 3.8" 480 × 272 LCD (compared to the larger 4.3" 480 × 272 pixel LCD on previous PSP models). The screen slides up to reveal the main controls. The overall shape and sliding mechanism are similar to that of Sony's mylo COM-2 internet device.
Pandora
Main article: Pandora (console)The Pandora is a handheld game console/UMPC/PDA hybrid designed to take advantage of existing open source software and to be a target for home-brew development. It runs a full distribution of Linux, and in functionality is like a small PC with gaming controls. It is developed by OpenPandora, which is made up of former distributors and community members of the GP32 and GP2X handhelds.
OpenPandora began taking pre-orders for one batch of 4000 devices in November 2008 and after manufacturing delays, began shipping to customers on May 21, 2010.
FC-16 Go
The FC-16 Go is a portable Super NES hardware clone manufactured by Yobo Gameware in 2009. It features a 3.5-inch display, two wireless controllers, and CRT cables that allow cartridges to be played on a television screen. Unlike other Super NES clone consoles, it has region tabs that only allow NTSC North American cartridges to be played. Later revisions feature stereo sound output, larger shoulder buttons, and a slightly re-arranged button, power, and A/V output layout.
2010s
Nintendo 3DS
Main article: Nintendo 3DSThe Nintendo 3DS is the successor to Nintendo's DS handheld. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic three-dimensional effects without requirement of active shutter or passive polarized glasses, which are required by most current 3D televisions to display the 3D effect. The 3DS was released in Japan on February 26, 2011; in Europe on March 25, 2011; in North America on March 27, 2011, and in Australia on March 31, 2011. The system features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software except those that require the Game Boy Advance slot. It also features an online service called the Nintendo eShop, launched on June 6, 2011, in North America and June 7, 2011, in Europe and Japan, which allows owners to download games, demos, applications and information on upcoming film and game releases. On November 24, 2011, a limited edition Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary 3DS was released that contained a unique Cosmo Black unit decorated with gold Legend of Zelda related imagery, along with a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D.
There are also other models including the Nintendo 2DS and the New Nintendo 3DS, the latter with a larger (XL/LL) variant, like the original Nintendo 3DS, as well as the New Nintendo 2DS XL.
Xperia Play
Main article: Xperia PlayThe Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is a handheld game console smartphone produced by Sony Ericsson under the Xperia smartphone brand. The device runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and is the first to be part of the PlayStation Certified program which means that it can play PlayStation Suite games. The device is a horizontally sliding phone with its original form resembling the Xperia X10 while the slider below resembles the slider of the PSP Go. The slider features a D-pad on the left side, a set of standard PlayStation buttons (, , and ) on the right, a long rectangular touchpad in the middle, start and select buttons on the bottom right corner, a menu button on the bottom left corner, and two shoulder buttons (L and R) on the back of the device. It is powered by a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a Qualcomm Adreno 205 GPU, and features a display measuring 4.0 inches (100 mm) (854 × 480), an 8-megapixel camera, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB internal storage, and a micro-USB connector. It supports microSD cards, versus the Memory Stick variants used in PSP consoles. The device was revealed officially for the first time in a Super Bowl ad on Sunday, February 6, 2011. On February 13, 2011, at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2011, it was announced that the device would be shipping globally in March 2011, with a launch lineup of around 50 software titles.
PlayStation Vita
Main article: PlayStation VitaThe PlayStation Vita is the successor to Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) Handheld series. It was released in Japan on December 17, 2011, and in Europe, Australia, North, and South America on February 22, 2012.
The handheld includes two analog sticks, a 5-inch (130 mm) OLED/LCD multi-touch capacitive touchscreen, and supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and optional 3G. Internally, the PS Vita features a 4 core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore processor and a 4 core SGX543MP4+ graphics processing unit, as well as LiveArea software as its main user interface, which succeeds the XrossMediaBar.
The device is fully backwards-compatible with PlayStation Portable games digitally released on the PlayStation Network via the PlayStation Store. However, PSone Classics and PS2 titles were not compatible at the time of the primary public release in Japan. The Vita's dual analog sticks will be supported on selected PSP games. The graphics for PSP releases will be up-scaled, with a smoothing filter to reduce pixelation.
On September 20, 2018, Sony announced at Tokyo Game Show 2018 that the Vita would be discontinued in 2019, ending its hardware production. Production of Vita hardware officially ended on March 1, 2019.
Razer Switchblade
Main article: Razer SwitchbladeThe Razer Switchblade was a prototype pocket-sized like a Nintendo DSi XL designed to run Windows 7, featured a multi-touch LCD screen and an adaptive keyboard that changed keys depending on the game the user would play. It also was to feature a full mouse.
It was first unveiled on January 5, 2011, on the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The Switchblade won The Best of CES 2011 People's Voice award. It has since been in development and the release date is still unknown. The device has likely been suspended indefinitely.
Nvidia Shield
Main article: Shield PortableProject Shield is a handheld system developed by Nvidia announced at CES 2013. It runs on Android 4.2 and uses Nvidia Tegra 4 SoC. The hardware includes a 5-inches multitouch screen with support for HD graphics (720p). The console allows for the streaming of games running on a compatible desktop PC, or laptop.
Nvidia Shield Portable has received mixed reception from critics. Generally, reviewers praised the performance of the device, but criticized the cost and lack of worthwhile games. Engadget's review noted the system's "extremely impressive PC gaming", but also that due to its high price, the device was "a hard sell as a portable game console", especially when compared to similar handhelds on the market. CNET's Eric Franklin states in his review of the device that "The Nvidia Shield is an extremely well made device, with performance that pretty much obliterates any mobile product before it; but like most new console launches, there is currently a lack of available games worth your time." Eurogamer's comprehensive review of the device provides a detailed account of the device and its features; concluded by saying: "In the here and now, the first-gen Shield Portable is a gloriously niche, luxury product - the most powerful Android system on the market by a clear stretch and possessing a unique link to PC gaming that's seriously impressive in beta form, and can only get better."
Nintendo Switch
Main article: Nintendo SwitchThe Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console that can either be used in a handheld form, or inserted into a docking station attached to a television to play on a bigger screen. The Switch features two detachable wireless controllers, called Joy-Con, which can be used individually or attached to a grip to provide a traditional gamepad form. A handheld-only revision named Nintendo Switch Lite was released on September 20, 2019.
The Switch Lite had sold about 1.95 million units worldwide by September 30, 2019, only 10 days after its launch.
2020s
Evercade
Main article: EvercadeEvercade is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by UK company Blaze Entertainment. It focuses on retrogaming with ROM cartridges that each contain a number of emulated games. Development began in 2018, and the console was released in May 2020, after a few delays. Upon its launch, the console offered 10 game cartridges with a combined total of 122 games.
Arc System Works, Atari, Data East, Interplay Entertainment, Bandai Namco Entertainment and Piko Interactive have released emulated versions of their games for the Evercade. Pre-existing homebrew games have also been re-released for the console by Mega Cat Studios. The Evercade is capable of playing games originally released for the Atari 2600, the Atari 7800, the Atari Lynx, the NES, the SNES, and the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.
Analogue Pocket
Main article: Analogue PocketThe Analogue Pocket is a FPGA-based handheld game console designed and manufactured by Analogue, It is designed to play games designed for handhelds of the fourth, fifth and sixth generation of video game consoles. The console features a design reminiscent of the Game Boy, with additional buttons for the supported platforms. It features a 3.5" 1600x1440 LTPS LCD display, an SD card port, and a link cable port compatible with Game Boy link cables. The Analogue Pocket uses an Altera Cyclone V processor, and is compatible with the original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges out of the box. With cartridge adapters (sold separately) the Analogue Pocket can play Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket, Neo Geo Pocket Color and Atari Lynx game cartridges. The Analogue Pocket includes an additional FPGA, allowing 3rd party FPGA development. The Analogue Pocket was released in December 2021.
Steam Deck
Main article: Steam DeckThe Steam Deck is a handheld computer device, developed by Valve, which runs SteamOS 3.0, a tailored distro of Arch Linux and includes support for Proton, a compatibility layer that allows most Microsoft Windows games to be played on the Linux-based operating system. This device and other similar ones generally are not referred to as "consoles" but more commonly as handheld style gaming computers due to effectively being IBM PC–compatible like contemporary desktop and laptop gaming PCs. In terms of hardware, the Deck includes a custom AMD APU based on their Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, with the CPU running a four-core/eight-thread unit and the GPU running on eight compute units with a total estimated performance of 1.6 TFLOPS. Both the CPU and GPU use variable timing frequencies, with the CPU running between 2.4 and 3.5 GHz and the GPU between 1.0 and 1.6 GHz based on current processor needs. Valve stated that the CPU has comparable performance to Ryzen 3000 desktop computer processors and the GPU performance to the Radeon RX 6000 series. The Deck includes 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM in a quad channel configuration.
Valve revealed the Steam Deck on July 15, 2021, with pre-orders being made option the next day. The Deck was expected to ship in December 2021 to the US, Canada, the EU and the UK but was delayed to February 2022, with other regions to follow in 2022. Pre-orders were limited to those with Steam accounts opened before June 2021 to prevent resellers from controlling access to the device. Pre-orders reservations on July 16, 2021, through the Steam storefront briefly crashed the servers due to the demand. While initial shipments are still planned by February 2022, Valve has reported to new purchasers that wider availability will be later, with the 64 GB model and 256 GB NVMe model due in Q2 2022, and the 512 GB NVMe model by Q3 2022. Steam Deck was released on February 25, 2022.
See also
- List of handheld game consoles
- Video game console emulator
- Handheld electronic game
- Handheld television
- Video games and Linux
- Cloud gaming
- Mobile game
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