Difference between revisions of "Sega Game Gear"

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:''For the American automobile manufacturer, see [[Mercury (company)]].''
 
{{ConsoleBob
 
{{ConsoleBob
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| logos=[[File:Gamegear_us_logo.svg|125px]]
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| logo=Gamegear us logo.svg
 
| consoleimage=Gamegear.jpg
 
| consoleimage=Gamegear.jpg
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| imgwidth=320px
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| maker=[[Sega Enterprises, Ltd.]]
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| maker=[[Sega]]
 
 
| variants=
 
| variants=
 
| add-ons=
 
| add-ons=
 
| processor=
 
| processor=
 
| releases={{releasesGG
 
| releases={{releasesGG
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| gg_date_jp=1990-10-06
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| gg_date_jp=1990-10-06{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20201108225550/https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/}}
 
| gg_rrp_jp=19,800
 
| gg_rrp_jp=19,800
 +
| gg_code_jp=HGG-3200
  
 
| gg_date_us_1=1991-04-15{{magref|gamepro|22|8}}
 
| gg_date_us_1=1991-04-15{{magref|gamepro|22|8}}
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| gg_type_us_2=Nationwide
 
| gg_type_us_2=Nationwide
  
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| gg_date_uk=1991-06-24{{magref|segapower|28|14}}
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| gg_date_uk=1991-06-29{{fileref|DailyMirror_UK_1991-06-29_08.png}}
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| gg_rrp_uk=99.99{{magref|mm|9|11}}{{magref|raze|11|17}}
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| gg_rrp_uk=99.99{{fileref|DailyMirror_UK_1991-06-29_08.png}}{{magref|mm|9|11}}{{magref|raze|11|17}}
 
| gg_date_fr=1991-06
 
| gg_date_fr=1991-06
 
| gg_date_de=1991
 
| gg_date_de=1991
 
| gg_date_es=1991
 
| gg_date_es=1991
 
| gg_date_it=1991
 
| gg_date_it=1991
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| gg_date_pt=199x
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| gg_date_pt=1991
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| gg_date_cz=1992-10
 
| gg_date_br=1991-07{{magref|ag|3|14}}
 
| gg_date_br=1991-07{{magref|ag|3|14}}
 
| gg_rrp_br=160,000
 
| gg_rrp_br=160,000
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| gg_code_kr=SPC-150
 
| gg_code_kr=SPC-150
 
| gg_rrp_kr=198,000
 
| gg_rrp_kr=198,000
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| gg_date_mx=199x
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| gg_date_mx=1992
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| gg_date_se=199x
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| gg_date_se=1991
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| gg_date_sa=199x{{magref|alaabalc|1|12}}
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| gg_rrp_sa=500{{magref|alaabalc|1|12}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
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<section begin=intro />The '''Game Gear''' ('''jp'''.セガゲームギア , '''il'''.גיימגיר ) is a handheld video game console developed by [[Sega]] and released in late 1990 as a response to [[Nintendo]]'s [[Game Boy]] handheld . It is a full colour console and was Sega's first attempt to compete in the handheld games market (the second being the [[Sega Nomad]] — a handheld [[Mega Drive]]). In South Korea it is known as the '''Handy Gam*Boy''' (핸디겜보이).<section end=intro />
+
<section begin=intro />The '''Game Gear''' (ゲームギア) is a handheld video game console developed by [[Sega]] and released in late 1990 as a response to [[Nintendo]]'s [[Game Boy]] handheld . It is a full colour console and was Sega's first attempt to compete in the handheld games market (the second being the [[Sega Nomad]] — a handheld [[Mega Drive]]). In South Korea it is known as the '''Handy Gam*Boy''' (핸디겜보이) and '''Handy Aladdin Boy''' (핸디알라딘보이).<section end=intro />
 +
 
 +
After development of the [[Sega Saturn]] began, the Game Gear was retroactively given the codename '''Mercury'''{{ref|1=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqdN_L4YaDE}}.
  
 
==Hardware==
 
==Hardware==
−
The Sega Game Gear is a "portable" device which was designed to address problems with Nintendo's Game Boy. It is held lengthwise at the sides (preventing the cramping of hands which plagued Nintendo's system) and has a backlit, colour LCD screen, allowing for clearer and more vibrant visuals than its main rival.
+
The Game Gear is a "portable" device which was designed to address problems with Nintendo's Game Boy. It is held lengthwise at the sides (preventing the cramping of hands which plagued Nintendo's system) and has a backlit, colour LCD screen, allowing for clearer and more vibrant visuals than its main rival.
  
 
Similarly to the [[Mega Drive]], which at the time was Sega's main focus in the home console market, the Game Gear is derived from the earlier [[Sega Master System]]. Unlike the Mega Drive, however, the Game Gear is largely identical to the Master System, the major difference being a VDP capable of displaying palettes consisting of a wider variety of colors, and the playback of stereo sound. Game Gear games traditionally run at a smaller resolution too, although with a screen built similarly to televisions of the era, the Game Gear is fully capable of playing games in higher resolutions.
 
Similarly to the [[Mega Drive]], which at the time was Sega's main focus in the home console market, the Game Gear is derived from the earlier [[Sega Master System]]. Unlike the Mega Drive, however, the Game Gear is largely identical to the Master System, the major difference being a VDP capable of displaying palettes consisting of a wider variety of colors, and the playback of stereo sound. Game Gear games traditionally run at a smaller resolution too, although with a screen built similarly to televisions of the era, the Game Gear is fully capable of playing games in higher resolutions.
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Like the Master System, the Game Gear features a D-Pad and two buttons, {{1}} and {{2}}, but also adds a third, {{Start}}. This is one button short of a Game Boy.
 
Like the Master System, the Game Gear features a D-Pad and two buttons, {{1}} and {{2}}, but also adds a third, {{Start}}. This is one button short of a Game Boy.
  
−
Unfortunately, due to technical limitations of the era, the Game Gear demands six AA batteries to be played on the go, of which the fluorescent backlight on the LCD screen will eat through in three to five hours (though a [[Sega Game Gear Battery Pack|battery pack]] provides longer playtime). Furthermore, the system gives off more heat than the Game Boy, often leading to "sweaty palms" after prolonged use. The system was also considered not to be very "portable" - it's bulky size means it does not fit in many pockets, and the power-draining backlight of the LCD screen (which cannot be turned off) meant Game Gears were unusable after a short period of time. An [[AC adaptor]] can be plugged into the system so that it runs off the mains, but this was not considered practical for consumers of the day.
+
Unfortunately, due to technical limitations of the era, the Game Gear demands six AA batteries to be played on the go, of which the fluorescent backlight on the LCD screen will eat through in three to five hours (though a [[Sega Game Gear Battery Pack|battery pack]] provides longer playtime). Furthermore, the system gives off more heat than the Game Boy, often leading to "sweaty palms" after prolonged use. The system was also considered not to be very "portable" - its bulky size means it does not fit in many pockets, and the power-draining backlight of the LCD screen (which cannot be turned off) meant Game Gears were unusable after a short period of time. An [[AC adaptor]] can be plugged into the system so that it runs off the mains, but this was not considered practical for consumers of the day.
  
 
Game Gears were also manufactured at a time where capacitor problems were rampant across the electronics industry. As a result, screen and audio failures are common, and fixes are not always simple.
 
Game Gears were also manufactured at a time where capacitor problems were rampant across the electronics industry. As a result, screen and audio failures are common, and fixes are not always simple.
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gg_cc.jpg|Japanese model (''[[Coca Cola Kid]]'' edition (Model #3210CR))
 
gg_cc.jpg|Japanese model (''[[Coca Cola Kid]]'' edition (Model #3210CR))
 
gg_ray.jpg|Japanese model (''[[Magic Knight Rayearth]]'' edition (Model #HGG-3210 RAY))
 
gg_ray.jpg|Japanese model (''[[Magic Knight Rayearth]]'' edition (Model #HGG-3210 RAY))
−
GG VF JP 1.jpg|Japanese model (''[[Virtua Fighter Mini]]'' edition)
+
GG VF JP 1.jpg|''Kid's Gear''{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/19970215222051/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/athome/toys/k.html}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/19970216135947/http://www.sega.co.jp/sega_e/athome/toys/k.html}} (キッズギア) Japanese model (''[[Virtua Fighter Mini]]'' edition)
 
GG Smoke.jpg|Japanese model (Smoke)
 
GG Smoke.jpg|Japanese model (Smoke)
 
HandyGamBoy.jpg|Korean model (Handy Gam*Boy)
 
HandyGamBoy.jpg|Korean model (Handy Gam*Boy)
 +
Notavailable.svg|Korean model (Handy Aladdin Boy)
 
GGProto.jpg|Prototype model
 
GGProto.jpg|Prototype model
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
 
*CPU: [[Zilog Z80]] (8-bit)
 
*CPU: [[Zilog Z80]] (8-bit)
−
**Speed: 3.579545 MHz (same as [[NTSC]] colorburst)
+
:*Speed: 3.579545 MHz (same as [[NTSC]] colorburst)
 
*[[Resolution]]: 160 x 144 [[pixel]]s
 
*[[Resolution]]: 160 x 144 [[pixel]]s
 
*Color [[palette]] available: 4096 colors
 
*Color [[palette]] available: 4096 colors
−
**Colors on screen: 32
+
:*Colors on screen: 32
 
*[[Sprite]]s on screen: 64
 
*[[Sprite]]s on screen: 64
−
**Sprite size: 8x8
+
:*Sprite size: 8x8
 
*Screen size: 3.2 Inches
 
*Screen size: 3.2 Inches
 
*Audio: [[SN76489]]
 
*Audio: [[SN76489]]
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==History==
 
==History==
 
{{mainArticle|History of the Sega Game Gear}}
 
{{mainArticle|History of the Sega Game Gear}}
 +
 +
===Localised names===
 +
{{aka
 +
|en_name=Game Gear
 +
|jp_name=ゲームギア
 +
|jp_trans=Game Gear
 +
|kr_name=핸디겜보이
 +
|kr_trans=Handy Gam*Boy
 +
|il_name=גיימגיר
 +
}}
  
 
==Games==
 
==Games==
 
{{mainArticle|Sega Game Gear games}}
 
{{mainArticle|Sega Game Gear games}}
 +
 +
==Production credits==
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
*[[Hiroshi Yagi]]
 +
*[[Hiroyuki Ohtaka]]
 +
| source=Developer mentions{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210205150032/https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20210126043/}}{{ref|https://www.facebook.com/hiroyuki.ohtaka/about_work_and_education}}
 +
| console=GG
 +
}}
  
 
==Magazine articles==
 
==Magazine articles==
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==Promotional material==
 
==Promotional material==
 
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Promotional material}}
 
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Promotional material}}
 +
 +
==Logos by regions==
 +
{|class="prettytable sortable" style="background: #f2f2f2;"
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:100px;" style="text-align: center;" |'''Logo'''
 +
! style="width:100px;" style="text-align: center;" |'''Region'''
 +
|- style="background: silver;"
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>gamegear us logo.svg</gallery>
 +
|International logo
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>GameGear JP logo.png</gallery>
 +
|Used in Japan, Asia and Africa
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>GG US logo 1991.png
 +
GG US logo 1992.png
 +
Notavailable.svg
 +
</gallery>
 +
|Used in North America, Asia<br> and parts of South America
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>Notavailable.svg</gallery>
 +
|Used in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay<br>and Uruguay
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>gamegear eu logo.svg</gallery>
 +
|Used in Western and Eastern Europe,<br> Asia, Africa and Australasia
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>GG logo Arabic.png</gallery>
 +
|Used in Arabian Peninsula
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>Game Gear SE logo.jpg</gallery>
 +
|Used in Scandinavia
 +
|-
 +
|<gallery>Notavailable.svg</gallery>
 +
|Used in South Korea
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
==Artwork==
 
==Artwork==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
gamegear us logo.svg|North American/Japanese logo
 
−
GG US logo 1991.png|North American logo (1991)
 
−
GG US logo 1992.png|North American logo (1992)
 
−
gamegear eu logo.svg|European logo-
 
−
GG logo Arabic.png|Arabic logo
 
 
gamegear outline.svg|Console outline
 
gamegear outline.svg|Console outline
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
 +
* Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): [https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/ Game Gear]
 
* [http://www.consoledatabase.com Console Database] - Sega Game Gear info and FAQs
 
* [http://www.consoledatabase.com Console Database] - Sega Game Gear info and FAQs
 
* [http://www.smspower.org SMS Power] - Technical information and more on the Game Gear and its bigger brother, the Master System
 
* [http://www.smspower.org SMS Power] - Technical information and more on the Game Gear and its bigger brother, the Master System

Latest revision as of 08:04, 16 November 2024

For the American automobile manufacturer, see Mercury (company).
Gamegear us logo.svg
Gamegear.jpg
Sega Game Gear
Manufacturer: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Game Gear
JP 		¥19,80019,800 HGG-3200
Sega Game Gear
US
(NY/LA) 		$149.95149.95[3]
Sega Game Gear
US
(Nationwide) 		$149.95149.95[3]
Sega Game Gear
DE
Sega Game Gear
ES
Sega Game Gear
FR
Sega Game Gear
PT
Sega Game Gear
UK 		£99.9999.99[4][5][6]
Sega Game Gear
SE
Sega Game Gear
IT
Sega Game Gear
CZ
Sega Game Gear
AU
Sega Game Gear
MX
Sega Game Gear
BR 		R$160,000160,000
Sega Game Gear
KR 		₩198,000198,000 SPC-150
Sega Game Gear
SA 		500‎﷼‎500[8]

The Game Gear (ゲームギア) is a handheld video game console developed by Sega and released in late 1990 as a response to Nintendo's Game Boy handheld . It is a full colour console and was Sega's first attempt to compete in the handheld games market (the second being the Sega Nomad — a handheld Mega Drive). In South Korea it is known as the Handy Gam*Boy (핸디겜보이) and Handy Aladdin Boy (핸디알라딘보이).

After development of the Sega Saturn began, the Game Gear was retroactively given the codename Mercury[9].

Hardware

The Game Gear is a "portable" device which was designed to address problems with Nintendo's Game Boy. It is held lengthwise at the sides (preventing the cramping of hands which plagued Nintendo's system) and has a backlit, colour LCD screen, allowing for clearer and more vibrant visuals than its main rival.

Similarly to the Mega Drive, which at the time was Sega's main focus in the home console market, the Game Gear is derived from the earlier Sega Master System. Unlike the Mega Drive, however, the Game Gear is largely identical to the Master System, the major difference being a VDP capable of displaying palettes consisting of a wider variety of colors, and the playback of stereo sound. Game Gear games traditionally run at a smaller resolution too, although with a screen built similarly to televisions of the era, the Game Gear is fully capable of playing games in higher resolutions.

Like the Master System, the Game Gear features a D-Pad and two buttons, 1 and 2, but also adds a third,  START . This is one button short of a Game Boy.

Unfortunately, due to technical limitations of the era, the Game Gear demands six AA batteries to be played on the go, of which the fluorescent backlight on the LCD screen will eat through in three to five hours (though a battery pack provides longer playtime). Furthermore, the system gives off more heat than the Game Boy, often leading to "sweaty palms" after prolonged use. The system was also considered not to be very "portable" - its bulky size means it does not fit in many pockets, and the power-draining backlight of the LCD screen (which cannot be turned off) meant Game Gears were unusable after a short period of time. An AC adaptor can be plugged into the system so that it runs off the mains, but this was not considered practical for consumers of the day.

Game Gears were also manufactured at a time where capacitor problems were rampant across the electronics industry. As a result, screen and audio failures are common, and fixes are not always simple.

Models

Main article: Game Gear consoles.

  • Worldwide model

  • North American model (Sports Edition)

  • North American model (Majesco)

  • Japanese model (light blue)

  • Japanese model (red)

  • Japanese model (yellow)

  • Japanese model (white)

  • Japanese model (Coca Cola Kid edition (Model #3210CR))

  • Japanese model (Magic Knight Rayearth edition (Model #HGG-3210 RAY))

  • Kid's Gear[10][11] (キッズギア) Japanese model (Virtua Fighter Mini edition)

  • Japanese model (Smoke)

  • Korean model (Handy Gam*Boy)

  • Korean model (Handy Aladdin Boy)

  • Prototype model

Technical specifications

See Sega Master System specifications for further specifications

The hardware is largely identical to the Sega Master System, with some of the differences mentioned below.

  • Speed: 3.579545 MHz (same as NTSC colorburst)
  • Colors on screen: 32
  • Sprite size: 8x8

History

Main article: History of the Sega Game Gear.

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Game Gear Game Gear
Japanese ゲームギア Game Gear
Korean 핸디겜보이 Handy Gam*Boy
Hebrew גיימגיר

Games

Main article: Sega Game Gear games.

Production credits

Source:
Developer mentions[12][13]


Magazine articles

Main article: Sega Game Gear/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Sega Game Gear/Promotional material.

Logos by regions

Logo Region
  • Gamegear us logo.svg
 International logo
  • GameGear JP logo.png
 Used in Japan, Asia and Africa
  • GG US logo 1991.png
  • GG US logo 1992.png
  • Notavailable.svg
 Used in North America, Asia
and parts of South America
  • Notavailable.svg
 Used in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
and Uruguay
  • Gamegear eu logo.svg
 Used in Western and Eastern Europe,
Asia, Africa and Australasia
  • GG logo Arabic.png
 Used in Arabian Peninsula
  • Game Gear SE logo.jpg
 Used in Scandinavia
  • Notavailable.svg
 Used in South Korea

Artwork

  • Console outline

External links

  • Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): Game Gear
  • Console Database - Sega Game Gear info and FAQs
  • SMS Power - Technical information and more on the Game Gear and its bigger brother, the Master System

References

  1. ↑ https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/ (Wayback Machine: 2020-11-08 22:55)
  2. ↑ GamePro, "May 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 8
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 GamePro, "May 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 16
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 File:DailyMirror_UK_1991-06-29_08.png
  5. ↑ Mean Machines, "June 1991" (UK; 1991-05-29), page 11
  6. ↑ Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 17
  7. ↑ Ação Games, "Julho 1991" (BR; 1991-07-xx), page 14
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-06-xx), page 12
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqdN_L4YaDE
  10. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/athome/toys/k.html (Wayback Machine: 1997-02-15 22:20)
  11. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/sega_e/athome/toys/k.html (Wayback Machine: 1997-02-16 13:59)
  12. ↑ https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20210126043/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-02-05 15:00)
  13. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/hiroyuki.ohtaka/about_work_and_education
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Topics Sega Game Gear | History | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise
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