Difference between revisions of "Sega Game Gear"

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:''For the American automobile manufacturer, see [[Mercury (company)]].''
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{{ConsoleBob
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| logo=Gamegear us logo.svg
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| consoleimage=Gamegear.jpg
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| maker=[[Sega]]
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| variants=
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| add-ons=
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| processor=
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| releases={{releasesGG
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| gg_date_jp=1990-10-06{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20201108225550/https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/}}
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| gg_rrp_jp=19,800
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| gg_code_jp=HGG-3200
  
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{|cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding: 0.3em; float:right; margin-left:15px; border: 0px; background:#ffffff"
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| gg_date_us_1=1991-04-15{{magref|gamepro|22|8}}
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| http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/81/250px-Sega_Game_Gear.jpg
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| gg_rrp_us_1=149.95{{magref|gamepro|22|16}}
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|}
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| gg_type_us_1=NY/LA
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The '''Sega Game Gear''' was a [[handheld game console]] and was [[Sega]]'s response to [[Nintendo]]'s [[Game Boy]]. Work began on the console in 1989. At that point, the project was codenamed Project Mercury.
+
| gg_date_us_2=1991-04-26
 +
| gg_rrp_us_2=149.95{{magref|gamepro|22|16}}
 +
| gg_type_us_2=Nationwide
  
−
The system was released on October 6, 1990 in [[Japan]]. It was released in North America in 1991, and Europe and Australia in 1992.
+
| gg_date_uk=1991-06-29{{fileref|DailyMirror_UK_1991-06-29_08.png}}
 +
| 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_de=1991
 +
| gg_date_es=1991
 +
| gg_date_it=1991
 +
| gg_date_pt=199x
 +
| gg_date_cz=1992-10
 +
| gg_date_br=1991-07{{magref|ag|3|14}}
 +
| gg_rrp_br=160,000
 +
| gg_date_au=1992
 +
| gg_date_kr=1991-01
 +
| gg_code_kr=SPC-150
 +
| gg_rrp_kr=198,000
 +
| gg_date_mx=199x
 +
| gg_date_se=199x
  
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The Game Gear was basically a pocket [[Sega Master System]], though it seemed to have arguably better graphics due to the larger color palette. The system is held lengthwise at the sides, preventing the cramping of hands that plagued the Game Boy.
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| gg_date_sa=199x{{magref|alaabalc|1|12}}
 +
| gg_rrp_sa=500{{magref|alaabalc|1|12}}
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
<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 />
  
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In addition, it featured an advertising campaign that is memorable for being amusing and sometimes bizarre.  One commercial shows a dog looking back and forth at both portables while the narrator says, "If you were colorblind and had an IQ of less than twelve, then you wouldn't care which portable you had. Of course, you wouldn't care if you drank from the toilet, either."  Another has a gamer hitting himself in the head with a rigid, dead squirrel in order to see color on his Game Boy.
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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}}.
  
−
While technically superior to the Game Boy (color graphics, a backlit screen, and an optional TV tuner accessory), it did not gain a significant market share due to problems that plagued the device and the enormous popularity of the Nintendo portable. For example, the device required six AA batteries, but the backlit screen consumed them in three to five hours.  It was also somewhat bulky. The Game Boy excelled over the Game Gear and other competitors because of this. Mostly, however, the Game Gear suffered from a lack of quality games, as a result of Sega's failure to enlist as many key software developers as Nintendo.
+
==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.
  
−
Because of the similarities between the Master System and the Game Gear, Master System games had been burned on ROMs on Game Gear cartridges. Likewise, a Master System to Game Gear Covertor, the Master Gear, had been released, which allowed Master System games to be played on the Game Gear. The reverse could not be done due to the Game Gear's aforementioned larger color palette.  
+
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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Today, the Game Gear is widely considered to have been a failure, and unlike the Game Boy no newer versions were released. The Game Gear, however, did better than other portable systems that tried to compete with the Game Boy. Support ended in 1997, but [[Majesco]] released a Core version of the Game Gear in 2000 for a reduced price.
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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.
  
−
== See also ==
+
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.
  
−
*[[Sega_Genesis#Sega_Nomad|Sega Nomad]]
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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 Boy]]
 
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*[[Handheld game console]]
 
  
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== Specifications ==
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===Models===
−
*Main Processor:  [[Zilog Z80]] (8-bit)  
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{{mainArticle|Game Gear consoles}}
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*Processor Speed:  3.58 MHz (same as [[NTSC]] dot clock)
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<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px">
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*[[Resolution]]: 160 x 144 [[pixel]]s
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Gamegear.jpg|Worldwide model
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*[[Palette|Colors]] Available: 4,096
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GameGear Blue US.jpg|North American model (Sports Edition)
−
*Colors on screen: 32
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GameGear Majesco.jpg|North American model (Majesco)
−
*Maximum [[Sprite]]s:  64
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GG Blue JP 1.jpg|Japanese model (light blue)
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*Sprite Size:  8x8
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GG Red JP 1.jpg|Japanese model (red)
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*Screen Size:  3.2 Inches
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GG Yellow JP 1.jpg|Japanese model (yellow)
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*Audio:  4-channel tone generator
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GG White JP Front.jpg|Japanese model (white)
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*[[RAM]]:  24 KB
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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 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)
 +
HandyGamBoy.jpg|Korean model (Handy Gam*Boy)
 +
Notavailable.svg|Korean model (Handy Aladdin Boy)
 +
GGProto.jpg|Prototype model
 +
</gallery>
  
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=== Accessories ===
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===Technical specifications===
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*[[Game Gear Rechargeable Battery Pack]]
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:''See [[Sega Master System#Technical specifications|Sega Master System specifications]] for further specifications''
−
*[[Super Wide Gear]]
 
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*[[AC adapter]] (Uses [[Sega Genesis]] adapter)
 
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*[[Master Gear Converter]]
 
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*[[Game Gear Tv Tuner]]
 
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*[[Gear-to-Gear Cable]]
 
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*[[Handy Gear]]
 
  
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== Sonic Games for the Game Gear ==
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The hardware is largely identical to the [[Sega Master System]], with some of the differences mentioned below.
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*[[Sonic Blast]]
 
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*[[Sonic Chaos|Sonic Chaos / Sonic &Tails]]
 
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*[[Sonic Drift]]
 
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*[[Sonic Drift 2]]
 
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*[[Sonic the Hedgehog (Game Gear)]]
 
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*[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Game Gear)]]
 
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*[[Sonic Labyrinth]]
 
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*[[Sonic Spinball]]
 
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*[[Sonic Triple Trouble|Sonic Triple Trouble / Sonic &Tails 2]]
 
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*[[Tails Adventure]]
 
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*[[Tails Sky Patrol]]
 
  
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== Miscellaneous ==
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{{multicol|
−
=== Mega Game Gear ===
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*CPU: [[Zilog Z80]] (8-bit)
−
Something that was supposed to be released but never did was a kinda
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:*Speed: 3.579545 MHz (same as [[NTSC]] colorburst)
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clone of the Super Game Boy, (Mega Game Gear?) was an convertor that
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*[[Resolution]]: 160 x 144 [[pixel]]s
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was supposed to play Game Gear games on the Genesis/32X !! But companies
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*Color [[palette]] available: 4096 colors
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like [[Sega]] or [[Nintendo]] has a tendance to "work" on a great device but never
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:*Colors on screen: 32
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comes out...hate that when it happens.
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*[[Sprite]]s on screen: 64
 +
:*Sprite size: 8x8
 +
*Screen size: 3.2 Inches
 +
*Audio: [[SN76489]]
 +
*[[RAM]]: 24 KB
 +
}}
  
−
=== Wide Gear ===
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==History==
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Another odd piece of hardware is the
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{{mainArticle|History of the Sega Game Gear}}
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Wide Gear, a device that let's you connect
 
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your Game Gear to a TV and plug even a Genesis controller for playing.
 
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This thing is huge but at least it does work. It's too
 
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expensive to buy (more than $1000).   
 
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=== Game Gear PC TV? ===
 
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A board developer's Game Gear with a modification for TV out exists - the entire circuit
 
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board fits easily within one of the battery compartments. It plays games
 
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on a TV set just fine - there's is a border around the action, but every-
 
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thing is clean and viewable. It also have (for some reason) the Game Gear  
 
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developer's hardware - consists of two cards to plug into a PC, an In-
 
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Circuit Emulator, a 5.25" floppy (presumably containing an assembler) and
 
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a LARGE circuit board - with composite video out.
 
  
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In an older issue of EGM, they  showed a Game Gear modified by Sega to have RCA outputs on it to allow playing Game Gear Games on TV. They jammed a couple of extra circuit boards into the battery compartments.  Theoretically, almost anybody should be able to modify their GG to have Composite output, just as long as one knew exactly where on the circuit board to tap to get the correct
+
===Localised names===
−
signal
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{{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
 +
}}
  
−
=== Coca-Cola Game Gear ===
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==Games==
 +
{{mainArticle|Sega Game Gear games}}
  
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Did you know that in Japan they made a "Coca-Cola Limited Edition" Game
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==Production credits==
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Gear? If you are passing in Atlanta(Georgia), just make a stop by the
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{{creditstable|
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Coca-Cola Museum. There is one displayed. It also came with a red cartridge
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*[[Hiroshi Yagi]]
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called: "COCA-COLA KID"! This unit is really beginning to
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*[[Hiroyuki Ohtaka]]
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be a collector item since Video Game Collectors and Coca-Cola Collectors
+
| 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}}
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are trying to get their hands on it!
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| console=GG
 +
}}
  
−
=== MKR Game Gear/Kids Gear ===
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==Magazine articles==
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In Japan, the Game Gear was released in a white color casing and a white
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
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TV tuner. Another variant is Magic Knight Rayearth GG in a red color with
 
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Rayearth logo. Another variant is the one called the "Kids Gear". The Kids
 
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Gear was released in 1996, it's basicaly the GG that was renamed as the KG.
 
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The KG was released with Virtua Fighter Mini.
 
  
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The KG has a little different shape (around start button, maybe...) and
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==Promotional material==
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illustration of Virtua Fighter faces front side. Of course GG can play KG
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Promotional material}}
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games and KG can play GG games.
 
  
−
== External links ==
+
==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
 +
</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==
 +
<gallery>
 +
gamegear outline.svg|Console outline
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==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
 +
 +
==References==
 +
{{multicol|
 +
<references />
 +
|cols=3}}
  
−
[[Category: Hardware]]
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[[Category:Sega Game Gear| ]]
 
{{Sega_Consoles}}
 
{{Sega_Consoles}}
 +
{{GameGear}}

Latest revision as of 15:07, 26 March 2024

For the American automobile manufacturer, see Mercury (company).
Gamegear us logo.svg
Gamegear.jpg
Sega Game Gear
Manufacturer: Sega
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
 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
Sega Home Video Game Systems
83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
SG-1000 SG-1000 II Mega Drive Mega Drive II
SC-3000 Mega-CD Mega-CD II Genesis 3
Sega Mark III 32X Dreamcast
Master System Master System II
AI Computer Game Gear
Saturn
Pico Beena
Sega Game Gear
Topics Sega Game Gear | History | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise
Hardware Japan | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | Asia | South America | Australasia | Africa
Wide Gear
Add-ons Pro Action Replay | Game Genie | X-Terminator | Master Gear Converter (Gear Master | Nuby Converter) | Stereo FM Tuner | TV Tuner
Cases Carry-All | Deluxe Carry-All Case | Gear Bag | Holster Case | Standard Carrying Case | Soft Case | Third Party (Play & Carry Case)
Accessories A/V Cable | Battery Pack | Car Adaptor | Car Antenna | Cleaning Gear | Gear-to-Gear Cable | PowerBack (Third Party) | Screen Magnifier (Wide Gear | Super Wide Gear | Third-Party)

Handy Gear | Master Link Cable

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