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The '''Neo-Geo Pocket Color''' (or '''NGPC''') was released on ], ] in Japan. It was a 16-bit color ] designed by ], the makers of the ] home console and arcade machine. It came after SNK's original ] monochrome handheld, which debuted in 1998 in ] (and was released in the ] on ], ]). The U.S. version of the Neo Geo Pocket Color had an exclusive launch on the website eToys in 1999. eToys also sold the initial launch titles in the preferred plastic snap lock cases. The system debuted in the United States with six launch titles (20 promised by end of year) and retail price of $69.95. Six different unit colors were available: Camouflage Blue, Carbon Black, Crystal White, Platinum Blue, Platinum Silver, and Stone Blue. The '''Neo-Geo Pocket Color''' (or '''NGPC''') was released on ], ] in Japan. It was a 16-bit color ] designed by ], the makers of the ] home console and arcade machine. It came after SNK's original ] monochrome handheld, which debuted in 1998 in ] (and was released in the ] on ], ]). In 2000, following SNK's purchase by Japanese ] manufacturer ], the Neo Geo Pocket Color was dropped from both the United States and European markets, purportedly due to commercial failure.


== U.S. Release ==
⚫ ]In 2000, following SNK's purchase by Japanese ] manufacturer ], the Neo Geo Pocket Color was dropped from both the United States and European markets, purportedly due to commercial failure. Remaining stock was bought back by SNK for repackaging in Asia. Before SNK was bought out, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was being advertised on US television and units were being sold nationally in ], ], ], and other large retail chains. In June 2000 SNK of America (and Europe) tried recalling most of the back-stock of systems and games to be ] and re-sold in Asia where the system would continue to be sold and supported. Some of the back-stock of US NGPC hardware and software started showing up back on the marketplace in the US and Asia in 2003. These units frequently appear bundled with six games stripped of their cases and manuals. Two games often included, ] and ] were never previously released in United States, meaning that they have no US-localized box or manual; however, these titles did receive a European release, incorporating an English translation.
The U.S. version of the Neo Geo Pocket Color had an exclusive launch on the website eToys in 1999. eToys also sold the initial launch titles in the preferred plastic snap lock cases. The system debuted in the United States with six launch titles (20 promised by end of year) and retail price of $69.95. Six different unit colors were available: Camouflage Blue, Carbon Black, Crystal White, Platinum Blue, Platinum Silver, and Stone Blue.


] Before SNK was bought out, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was being advertised on US television and units were being sold nationally in ], ], ], and other large retail chains.
⚫ The system seemed well on its way to being a success in the US. Indeed, it enjoyed a greater success than any ] competitor since ]'s ]. However, it was hurt by several factors, such as the Neo Geo heads' (the Barone family) notorious lack of communication with third-party developers, and anticipation of the ]. The decision to ship American games in cardboard] boxes in a cost cutting move; rather than the much loved hard plastic cases that Japanese and European releases were shipped in, may have also hurt the American sales.


== Post-Aruze buyout ==
⚫ The system has a language setting on the ], and games display text in the language selected (provided the cartridge supports that language). Other settings can be set on the handheld such as time and date, and the system can provide customized horoscopes when one's birth-date is entered.
⚫ Remaining stock was bought back by SNK for repackaging in Asia. In June 2000 SNK of America (and Europe) tried recalling most of the back-stock of systems and games to be ] and re-sold in Asia where the system would continue to be sold and supported. Some of the back-stock of US NGPC hardware and software started showing up back on the marketplace in the US and Asia in 2003. These units frequently appeared bundled with six games stripped of their cases and manuals. Two games often included, ] and ] were never previously released in United States, meaning that they have no US-localized box or manual; however, these titles did receive a European release, incorporating an English translation.


== Legacy ==
⚫ Cables for linking multiple systems were available, as well as a cable to connect the NGPC and the ] for ] themed games. There was a wireless connector released in Japan that allowed several players in proximity to play together, with some cartridge moulding reshaped to hold it. An ] audio player add-on was developed but was not released due to SNK's closure.
⚫ The system enjoyed a greater success than any ] competitor since ]'s ]. However, it was hurt by several factors, such as the Neo Geo heads' (the Barone family) notorious {{fact}} lack of communication with third-party developers, and anticipation of the ]. {{fact}} The decision to ship American games in cardboard] boxes in a cost cutting move; rather than the hard plastic cases that Japanese and European releases were shipped in, may have also hurt the American sales.


== Technical specifications == == Technical specifications ==
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*Interfaces: SIO 1 channel 19200 bit/s, 5-pin serial port *Interfaces: SIO 1 channel 19200 bit/s, 5-pin serial port
*Resolution: 160x152 *Resolution: 160x152
*Colors: 16 palettes per plane, 48 palettes. 146 colors on screen out of 4096.** NEO GEO POCKET color mode, 20 colors out of 4096. *Colors: 16 palettes per plane, 48 palettes. 146 colors on screen out of 4096.
<!-- what exactly is this supposed to mean? The NGPC mode had _less_ colors than the regular mode? Judging by the original formatting, I have to say this is moderately dubious ** '''Neo Geo Pocket Color''' mode: 20 colors out of 4096. -->
*Sprites: 64 sprites per frame, 4 colors per sprite*. *Sprites: 64 sprites per frame, 4 colors per sprite*.
*Scrolling: 2 scrolling planes, 8x8 character tiles, 4 colors each*. *Scrolling: 2 scrolling planes, 8x8 character tiles, 4 colors each*.
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*Cartridges: Maximum 4 MB (32 Mbit) with 4-16 Mbit flash memory. *Cartridges: Maximum 4 MB (32 Mbit) with 4-16 Mbit flash memory.
*Batteries: 40 hours on 2 AA batteries. Lithium CR2032 battery backs up memory and clock. *Batteries: 40 hours on 2 AA batteries. Lithium CR2032 battery backs up memory and clock.

⚫ The system has an on-board language setting, and games display text in the language selected (provided the cartridge supports that language). Other settings can be set on the handheld such as time and date, and the system can provide customized horoscopes when one's birth-date is entered.

⚫ Cables for linking multiple systems were available, as well as a cable to connect the NGPC and the ] for ] themed games. There was a wireless connector released in Japan that allowed several players in proximity to play together, with some cartridge moulding reshaped to hold it. An ] audio player add-on was developed but was not released due to SNK's closure.


==Today== ==Today==

Revision as of 10:44, 24 August 2007

Neo Geo Pocket Color
Neo Geo Pocket Color
ManufacturerSNK
TypeHandheld game console
GenerationSixth generation era
LifespanJapan 1998
North America 1999
Canada 1999
Europe 1999
MediaCartridge
Backward
compatibility		Neo Geo Pocket
PredecessorNeo Geo Pocket

The Neo-Geo Pocket Color (or NGPC) was released on March 16, 1999 in Japan. It was a 16-bit color hand held game console designed by SNK, the makers 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 (and was released in the United States on August 6, 1999). In 2000, following SNK's purchase by Japanese Pachinko manufacturer Aruze, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was dropped from both the United States and European markets, purportedly due to commercial failure.

U.S. Release

The U.S. version of the Neo Geo Pocket Color had an exclusive launch on the website eToys in 1999. eToys also sold the initial launch titles in the preferred plastic snap lock cases. The system debuted in the United States with six launch titles (20 promised by end of year) and retail price of $69.95. Six different unit colors were available: Camouflage Blue, Carbon Black, Crystal White, Platinum Blue, Platinum Silver, and Stone Blue.

The cartridge of the game Faselei!

Before SNK was bought out, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was being advertised on US television and units were being sold nationally in Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Toys "R" Us, and other large retail chains.

Post-Aruze buyout

Remaining stock was bought back by SNK for repackaging in Asia. In June 2000 SNK of America (and Europe) tried recalling most of the back-stock of systems and games to be flashed and re-sold in Asia where the system would continue to be sold and supported. Some of the back-stock of US NGPC hardware and software started showing up back on the marketplace in the US and Asia in 2003. These units frequently appeared bundled with six games stripped of their cases and manuals. Two games often included, Faselei! and Last Blade were never previously released in United States, meaning that they have no US-localized box or manual; however, these titles did receive a European release, incorporating an English translation.

Legacy

The system enjoyed a greater success than any Game Boy competitor since Sega's Game Gear. However, it was hurt by several factors, such as the Neo Geo heads' (the Barone family) notorious lack of communication with third-party developers, and anticipation of the Game Boy Advance. The decision to ship American games in cardboard

The link cable for linking systems together

boxes in a cost cutting move; rather than the hard plastic cases that Japanese and European releases were shipped in, may have also hurt the American sales.

Technical specifications

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