Difference between revisions of "Strange and forgotten consoles"

From Emulation General Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Blanked the page)
(Tag: Blanking)
m (Reverted edits by 71.95.119.28 (talk) to last revision by Rtim)
(Tag: Rollback)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{Consoles}}
 +
Beneath the clean and successful exterior of gaming giants like the [[Super Nintendo emulators|Super Nintendo]] and [[PlayStation emulators|PlayStation]] lies the '''Gap of Vidya''': a realm populated by unwanted and forgotten consoles of old, immortal in their plasticity. Here we may receive knowledge of their eternal fate. Not everything on this page can or will be emulated.
  
 +
If it's a video game console from the [[wikipedia:History_of_video_game_consoles_%28third_generation%29|third generation]] and beyond, it's on this page for your viewing pleasure.
 +
 +
See also [[First and Second Generations of video game consoles|Console Boom emulators]] for the 70s and 80s consoles.
 +
 +
==Consoles==
 +
 +
=== Third generation ===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 +
! scope="col"|Name
 +
! scope="col"|[[MAME]] support
 +
! scope="col"|ROMs
 +
! scope="col"|Description
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Action_Max|Action Max]]
 +
|None
 +
|
 +
|VHS tape console released in 1987 by Worlds of Wonder. It relied on a light gun and score counter for all of its 5 games, which could not really be lost. There's an add-on for the multi-[[Arcade LaserDisc emulators|arcade LaserDisc emulator]] [[DAPHNE]] called [https://web.archive.org/web/20150512114240/http://www.singeengine.com/cms/node/6 SINGE.] We're in murky waters here, so run this at your own risk. 
 +
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj498-wkOz4 Cinemassacre Demonstration]
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Amstrad_GX4000|Amstrad GX4000]]
 +
|Good
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/Amstrad_GX4000_TOSEC_2012_04_23 TOSEC]/[https://archive.org/details/gx4000_library ✓]
 +
|A consolized version of the [[Amstrad CPC emulators|Amstrad CPC]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[Atari_8-bit#Atari_XEGS|Atari XEGS]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|
 +
|A repackaging of the [[Atari 8-bit]] computer line marketed as a game console. Notable for having possibly the worst physical design ever. It has preliminary support in MAME, as does the 65XE computer it's based on. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2gF5wWns0E Overview] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IVK3ukQmMA CGR Review]
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:BBC_Bridge_Companion|BBC Bridge Companion]]
 +
|[http://www.progettoemma.net/mess/system.php?machine=bbcbc Good]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:PV-1000|Casio PV-1000]]
 +
|Good
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/CasioPV1000 No-intro]
 +
|A 1983 console pulled from shelves very quickly. Like many others, its titanic failure makes it a rarity nowadays.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Commodore_64_Games_System|Commodore 64 Games System]]
 +
|Good
 +
|
 +
|A hacked up console version of the regular [[Commodore 64 emulators|Commodore 64]], released only in Europe. Failed hilariously due to its outdated tech (1984 hardware in 1990!), the fact that the normal Commodore 64 was already sufficient, and a bad case of the 'no games'.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Dendy_(console)|Dendy]]
 +
|Decent
 +
|
 +
|The [[Nintendo Entertainment System emulators|NES]], but for slavs. (TCRF COMEDY!) Only [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kne6AKyYUuM Kinaman] can properly explain this one (turn on CC). Has decent support in MAME, and its status as an NES clone means its "exclusives" can be played on NES emulators that support broken pirate carts.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Dina_(video_game_console)|Dina]]
 +
|Good
 +
|
 +
|Hybrid clone of both the [[SG-1000 emulators|SG-1000]] and [[ColecoVision emulators|ColecoVision]]. Sold by Telegames as the Telegames Personal Arcade, allegedly with permission from Coleco themselves. The console's build quality leaves a lot to be desired, not to mention that games for the aforementioned platforms can be played on most [[ColecoVision emulators]] anyway.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:My Vision|My Vision]]
 +
|[http://www.progettoemma.net/mess/system.php?machine=myvision Good]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Philips_Videopac_%2B_G7400|Philips Videopac + G7400]]
 +
|[http://www.progettoemma.net/mess/system.php?machine=g7400 Imperfect]
 +
|[https://mega.co.nz/#!MRMCGKSJ!x8Mk78ClxL5y2Js3IdRts0GiY8U9TS46JcuXbTx9S1c No-intro]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|[[RDI Halcyon]]
 +
|None
 +
|
 +
|A terrifying machine based on HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey, featuring voice-recognition and AI learning. Its failure bankrupted RDI. There are currently no known emulators for the Halcyon, as mankind has yet to fully comprehend its awesome power.
 +
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeI5zKeGELA Demonstration]
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Super_Cassette_Vision|Super Cassette Vision]]
 +
|Decent
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/supercassettevision_library ✓]
 +
|1984 successor to the original Cassette Vision. Much easier to emulate as the hardware is similar to some other obscure systems. The graphical quality is somewhere between the ColecoVision and NES. Was actually fairly successful in Japan until the Famicom came along and kicked its ass. Then [http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/11/117006/1757950-ladycassettevision.jpg this] happened. [https://archive.org/details/Epoch_Super_Cassette_Vision_TOSEC_2012_04_23 TOSEC]
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:View-Master_Interactive_Vision|View-Master Interactive Vision]]
 +
|None
 +
|
 +
|1988 edutainment VHS console that used two audio tracks on each tape, the player choosing one of two options on the screen, to create interactivity. Also had short mini-game segments with ColecoVision like graphics. Unlike the other VHS systems, the games were actually decent. No known emulators.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:VTech_Socrates|VTech Socrates]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|Yes [https://archive.org/details/socrates_library ✓]
 +
|Old edutainment console released in 1988. It featured a robot-type character called Socrates and had wireless infrared controllers. The same company would later release the V.Smile and V.Flash systems many years later.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Zemmix|Zemmix Series]]
 +
|Good
 +
|
 +
|Korean system that was simply an MSX/MSX 2, depending on the model, in console form. Mostly just existed as a way to play MSX games. Though there were a few games made specifically for it they were playable on the MSX as well. Any MSX emulator should work for it.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:LJN Video Art|LJN Video Art]]
 +
|None
 +
|
 +
|A notorious "educational" console made by the notorious LJN released in 1985. It was meant as a paint program type system that was never meant to compete with mainstream consoles at the time. It flopped hard. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neURIc_A3js Commercial] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-zEhhTqdvg AVGN Review]
 +
|}
 +
 +
=== Fourth generation ===
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 +
! scope="col"|Name
 +
! scope="col"|[[MAME]] support
 +
! scope="col"|ROMs
 +
! scope="col"|Internet Archive
 +
! scope="col"|Description
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Commodore_CDTV|Commodore CDTV]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/Amiga_CDTV_TOSEC_2009_04_18 TOSEC] // [https://archive.org/details/RedumpCommodoreAmigaCDTV redump]
 +
|
 +
|A console version of the Amiga 500. Can be emulated in [[WinUAE]] like other [[Amiga emulators|Amiga hardware]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Tandy_Video_Information_System|Memorex VIS]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|A beautiful monster sold only at RadioShack in the early 90s. The software may be playable on Windows 3.x emulators, as the console's OS was an altered version of that.
 +
|-
 +
|[[Philips CD-i emulators|Philips CD-i]]
 +
|Imperfect
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Sega_Pico|Sega Pico]]
 +
|Good
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/Sega_Pico_TOSEC_2012_04_13 TOSEC]/[https://archive.org/download/No-Intro-Collection_2015-03-03 No-intro]
 +
|
 +
|Child's edutainment console released in 1993. Was actually fairly successful. Has good support in [[MAME]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[Pioneer LaserActive]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/Pioneer_Laseractive_TOSEC_2012_04_23 TOSEC]
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|[[Super A'Can]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/No-Intro-Collection_2016-01-03 No-intro]
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/superacan_library  ✓]
 +
|An extremely rare Taiwan-only console released in 1995.
 +
|}
 +
 +
=== Fifth generation ===
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 +
! scope="col"|Name
 +
! scope="col"|[[MAME]] support
 +
! scope="col"|ROMs
 +
! scope="col"|Description
 +
|-
 +
|[[3DO emulators|3DO]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/3DO_2017_Reference_Set_Redump_Validated_ROMs Redump 2017]
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|[[Amiga_emulators#Amiga CD32|Amiga CD32]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/Amiga_CD32_TOSEC_2009_04_18 TOSEC] // [https://archive.org/details/RedumpAmigaCD32 redump]
 +
|A console version of the Amiga 1200. Can be emulated in [[WinUAE]] like other [[Amiga emulators|Amiga hardware]].
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Apple_Bandai_Pippin|Apple Bandai Pippin]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|
 +
|Apple's attempt at being relevant to games. It failed.
 +
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ln_CmNtbvQ Vintage review] Currently, there is only preliminary [[MAME]] support, but some of its games may be playable on other Apple emulators.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Casio_Loopy|Casio Loopy]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|[https://archive.org/download/No-Intro-Collection_2016-01-03 No-intro]
 +
|A Japan-only game console designed for girls focused on printing stickers. A '''Magical Shop''' add-on allowed for the printing of any screenshot, not just Loopy games. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaW6EB1poxM Drunken Printing Demonstration] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNWGVtwTkiM Ashens overview]
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:CP_System#Capcom_Power_System_Changer|Capcom Power System Changer]]
 +
|Good
 +
|
 +
|A consolized version of the Capcom CPS arcade board. Compatible with SNES controllers.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:FM_Towns_Marty|FM Towns Marty]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|Trurip
 +
|An early fifth-generation console released by Fujitsu in 1993. It failed due to its astronomical price. Another version called the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQs7zyn4uVQ Car Marty] was also released, designed to be a GPS for automobiles. Preliminary MAME support for both.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Playdia|Playdia]]
 +
|None
 +
|
 +
|A disc-based system released in Japan by Bandai in 1994. Notably, it had a wireless controller and all of its titles were interactive movies like Dragon's Lair. No known emulators.
 +
|}
 +
 +
=== Sixth generation ===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 +
! scope="col"|Name
 +
! scope="col"|[[MAME]] support
 +
! scope="col"|ROMs
 +
! scope="col"|Description
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Nuon_%28DVD_technology%29|Nuon]]
 +
|None
 +
|Trurip
 +
|A hybrid DVD player/game console with enhanced movie-viewing tools, from a bunch of former Atari personnel. Only a few games were made for the system, as the cheaper PS2 slaughtered it. There was a closed-source emulator in production called [http://www.nuon-dome.com/files/Nuance_051.zip Nuance], but its author died and he didn't release the source code.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:V.Smile|V.Smile]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|
 +
|An educational game machine by VTech.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:XaviXPORT|XaviXPORT]]
 +
|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/xavix.cpp Preliminary]
 +
|
 +
|A fitness based system, employing the usage of motion controls in an effort to get players off of the couch - beating Nintendo's [[Wii_emulators|Wii]] by more than 2 years! Each game cart came with a dedicated controller and an own CPU (Not in the system). The XaviXPORT was actually developed by eight of the engineers who worked on the original development of the [[Nintendo_Entertainment_System_emulators|NES]]. An upgraded version with a 16-bit "Super XaviX" CPU compared to the original 8-bit CPU came in 2005. Also of note is the fact that Jackie Chan partnered with SSD Company Limited in order to bring his likeness to the console, which resulted in two licensed games. [https://mamedev.emulab.it/haze David Haywood] is particularly working on reverse-engineering the XaviX technology for MAME.
 +
|}
 +
 +
=== Seventh generation ===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 +
! scope="col"|Name
 +
! scope="col"|[[MAME]] support
 +
! scope="col"|ROMs
 +
! scope="col"|Description
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:HyperScan|Mattel Hyperscan]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|[https://archive.org/details/MattelHyperscan_Redump_2014-12-14 Redump]
 +
|Something you would expect to see under a bargain bin at Wal-mart, the Mattel Hyperscan was a card/disc based system released in 2006 to appeal to some poor child's aunt at Christmas. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv2-M78m_qI CGR Review].
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Vii|Vii]]
 +
|[http://www.progettoemma.net/mess/system.php?machine=vii Preliminary]
 +
|Yes
 +
|A rather poor excuse of a response to the [[Wii emulators|Wii]], made by JungleTac, KenSingTon, and a dozen or so manufacturers churning out shoddy variants of it. Emulators have recently been made for the platform, with several projects aiming to provide support for Sunplus' rather oddball architecture, such as [http://www.maxconsole.com/maxcon_forums/threads/280551-MuchimeX-v0-5-has-been-released! MuchimeX for the original Xbox], and [http://hackmii.com/2010/04/sunplus-the-biggest-chip-company-youve-never-heard-of/ Unununium], the latter being the basis for a [[MESS]] core. The same goes for VTech's [http://www.progettoemma.net/mess/system.php?machine=vsmile V.Smile], the [[wikipedia:Xavix|XaviXPORT]] and most [http://www.progettoemma.net/mess/system.php?machine=batmantv Jakks Pacific] TV games including those [http://www.progettoemma.net/mess/system.php?machine=walle Disney tie-in ones].
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Zeebo|Zeebo]]
 +
|None
 +
|
 +
|An obscure Brazilian console released in 2009. It was based on the BREW platform, and its games were delivered via a 3G mobile network. It was only sold in Brazil, Mexico, and China.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Game Wave|Game Wave]]
 +
|None
 +
|
 +
|A failed attempt to steal sales from the Wii, the Game Wave was an obscure console released in 2007 by ZAPiT Games that only had trivia games. It also had a VeggieTales family party game.
 +
|}
 +
<!--
 +
=== Eighth generation ===
 +
-->
 +
 +
==Handhelds==
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
 +
! scope="col"|Name
 +
! scope="col"|[[MAME]] support
 +
! scope="col"|ROMs
 +
! scope="col"|Description
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Design Master Senshi Mangajukuu|Bandai Denshi Manga Juku]]
 +
|None
 +
|No
 +
|Released in Japan by Bandai in 1995, the Denshi Manga Juku was a touchscreen based console that was the predecessor to the WonderSwan, it was discontinued in 1996 and only four games were released for it (including a Rockman aka Mega Man title of all things)
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Digi Casse|Bandai Digi Casse]]
 +
|None
 +
|No
 +
|Originally released in Japan by Bandai in 1984, Digi Casse another short live console from the early 80s and only had around 4 to 6 games released for it. the console was released in Europe by an unknown company and in Russia as the Elektronika NM 26, both released sometime in the late 80s
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Cybiko|Cybiko/Cybiko Xtreme ]]
 +
|Imperfect
 +
|[https://archive.org/download/TOSEC_V2017-04-23/Cybiko/ TOSEC]
 +
|"The Cybiko is a Russian handheld computer introduced in the U.S. by David Yang's company Cybiko Inc. as a retail test market in New York on April 2000, and rolled out nationwide in May 2000. It is designed for teens, featuring its own two-way radio text messaging system. It had over 430 "official" freeware games and applications."
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Epoch_Game_Pocket_Computer|Epoch Game Pocket Computer]]
 +
|Good
 +
|Yes
 +
|Only 5 games exist for this handheld. All can be found [http://www.theoldcomputer.com/roms/index.php?folder=Epoch/Game-Pocket-Computer/Cartridges here].
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Gameking|GameKing]]
 +
|[http://www.progettoemma.net/mess/system.php?machine=gameking Preliminary]
 +
|Yes
 +
|A rather bastardized attempt at making a Gameboy-esque handheld, manufactured and marketed by TimeTop (aka Guangzhou Daidaixing Tec. Electronics Co. Ltd.) in 2003. Strangely enough, this one's even more primitive than the Supervision, Gamate and Mega Duck consoles before it, as it uses a lower-resolution 64x32 screen, and that's despite companies such as Subor (i.e. that Chinese company who gained notoriety for developing an AMD-based gaming PC/console hybrid) releasing workalike clones of the [[Game Boy/Game Boy Color emulators|Game Boy]], and more recently, GBA clones. MAME support for it is preliminary at best.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Gamate|Gamate]]
 +
|Good
 +
|Yes
 +
|Another attempt to capture part of the Game Boy market, the Gamate was released in the early 90s by Bit Corporation. The magnitude of its failure makes it and its software obscenely rare today, with prices over 500 dollars for the handheld alone on eBay. It's so obscure, that it wasn't until December 2014 when preliminary support for the handheld was added in MAME, and ROM dumps were made.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Gizmondo|Gizmondo]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|Yes (No-intro)
 +
|A disaster of a handheld, the Gizmondo was released in 2005 with a furious marketing campaign. It was ahead of its time in that it (was supposed to have) included built-in advertisements to make the console cheaper.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:GP32|GP32]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|Yes (No-intro)
 +
|Korean handheld. It was the first handheld to use SD cards and had pretty good specs for the time, so everybody ended up just jailbreaking it and using it as an emulator/homebrew platform. The developers later went on to develop the more successful GP2X line, which was designed from the ground up for emulators. An emulator was made for the system in 2002 called "GeePee32" that is known to be able to emulate many commercial games for the system, though some lack sound. However, the project is inactive. It can be found here: [http://users.skynet.be/bk327964/gp32/]
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Game_Master_(console)|Hartung Game Master]]
 +
|Decent
 +
|Yes (No-intro)
 +
|A German Game Boy knockoff. Also distributed in the UK. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay9dZ-RBpQA Demonstration]
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Leapster|Leapster]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|Yes (No-intro)
 +
|The Leapster Learning Game System is an educational handheld game console aimed at 4 to 10-year-olds (preschool to fourth grade), made by LeapFrog Enterprises. Its games teach the alphabet, phonics, basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), and art and animal facts to players. It featured a touchscreen and games from various licenses from Thomas & Friends to Sonic X. Oddly enough it has a homebrew scene that even features some emulators, most especially with its successors, i.e. the Didj, Leapster Explorer, and LeapPad series of tablets which run on the Pollux and NXP3200 platforms along with a customised Linux distribution.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Mega_Duck|MegaDuck/CougarBoy]]
 +
|Good
 +
|Yes
 +
|Chinese knockoff Game Boy that was branded with various bizarre names, despite each version is exactly the same. Used cartridges. ROMs are out there, surprisingly.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Pokemon_Mini|Nintendo Pokémon Mini]]
 +
|Decent
 +
|[https://archive.org/download/TOSEC_V2017-04-23/Nintendo/Pokemon%20Mini/ TOSEC]
 +
|A very downgraded Game Boy. Only Pokemon related games were released, and its catalog of games is also very limited. It's also very rare nowadays. Decent support in MAME, though there are other choices to play these games on other emulators.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:N-Gage_(device)|Nokia N-Gage]]
 +
|None
 +
|Yes
 +
|Nokia's attempt at making a cell phone/handheld system hybrid, before mobile gaming really took off. Although it was the most powerful handheld in its time, it failed due to a high price, a terrible button layout, numerous design flaws, and its underdeveloped cell phone component. Had a redesign called the QD, but it was only slightly better. Most of its games were ports, either from the GBA or from the PS1 and Saturn. While it didn't have any standout titles, it still had a few odd original entries from big franchises such as Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey and SSX: Out of Bounds and was the only system to have an English version of Xanadu Next. There's one emulator called N-GageCool, but it's dead payware that only runs Java games. [[Cellphone_emulators#N-Gage_(Nokia)|Modern open source emulators]] are in the works.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Palmtex Portable Videogame System|Palmtex PVS / Super Micro]]
 +
|None
 +
|No
 +
|Released in 1984, Super Micro was handheld console similar in vein to the Milton Bradley Microvision in design, Bad timing, The lack of advertising and issues with its design and quality (the plastic body is vary fragile) resulted in failure, Palmtex sold less then 37 thousand units and discontinued the console the same year it was released, only three of the eight games announced were released.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Tapwave_Zodiac|Tapwave Zodiac]]
 +
|None
 +
|[http://www.theoldcomputer.com/roms/index.php?folder=Tapwave/Zodiac Some]
 +
|A handheld released in 2003 that used an enhanced Palm OS. Ahead for its time, even receiving awards. However, the PSP and Nintendo DS systems killed it.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Game.com|Tiger Game.com]]
 +
|Preliminary
 +
|No-intro // [https://archive.org/download/TOSEC_V2017-04-23/Tiger/ TOSEC]
 +
|An infamous piece of shit, with quite possibly the worst screen on any handheld ever. Somehow still had a "port" of Resident Evil 2. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfxzVFzvizE CGR review]
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:VideoNow XP|VideoNow XP]]
 +
|None
 +
|No
 +
|An often forgotten attempt by Hasbro and their subsidiary, Tiger Electronics (of Game.com fame) to use the popularity of there VideoNow portable video players to enter the Video Game market.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:VTech 3D Gamate|VTech 3D Gamate]]
 +
|None
 +
|No
 +
|An extremely rare console released in 1983 by VTech, its unknown how many units were sold and was likely discontinued shortly after released.
 +
While six games were announced, only 3 are known to been released released
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:VTech Variety|VTech Variety]]
 +
|None
 +
|No
 +
|Another extremely rare console released from VTech also released in 1983, like the 3D Gamate, its unknown how many units were sold and was also likely discontinued shortly after released.
 +
Only six games are known to been released for it
 +
|-
 +
|[[VTech ProScreen]]
 +
|None
 +
|No
 +
|Once again we have an extremely rare console from VTech, The ProScreen was released in 1984 and only three games are known to of been released.
 +
|-
 +
|[[wikipedia:Watara_Supervision|Watara Supervision]]
 +
|Good
 +
|No-intro // [https://archive.org/download/TOSEC_V2017-04-23/Watara/ TOSEC]
 +
|An attempt at making a real competitor for the Game Boy/Color.
 +
|}
 +
 +
[[Category:Consoles|*]]
 +
[[Category:Third-generation video game consoles|*]]
 +
[[Category:Fourth-generation video game consoles|*]]
 +
[[Category:Fifth-generation video game consoles|*]]
 +
[[Category:Sixth-generation video game consoles|*]]
 +
[[Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles|*]]
 +
[[Category:Eighth-generation video game consoles|*]]

Revision as of 15:30, 17 March 2019

Beneath the clean and successful exterior of gaming giants like the Super Nintendo and PlayStation lies the Gap of Vidya: a realm populated by unwanted and forgotten consoles of old, immortal in their plasticity. Here we may receive knowledge of their eternal fate. Not everything on this page can or will be emulated.

If it's a video game console from the third generation and beyond, it's on this page for your viewing pleasure.

See also Console Boom emulators for the 70s and 80s consoles.

Consoles

Third generation

Name MAME support ROMs Description
Action Max None VHS tape console released in 1987 by Worlds of Wonder. It relied on a light gun and score counter for all of its 5 games, which could not really be lost. There's an add-on for the multi-arcade LaserDisc emulator DAPHNE called SINGE. We're in murky waters here, so run this at your own risk.

Cinemassacre Demonstration

Amstrad GX4000 Good TOSEC/ A consolized version of the Amstrad CPC.
Atari XEGS Preliminary A repackaging of the Atari 8-bit computer line marketed as a game console. Notable for having possibly the worst physical design ever. It has preliminary support in MAME, as does the 65XE computer it's based on. Overview CGR Review
BBC Bridge Companion Good
Casio PV-1000 Good No-intro A 1983 console pulled from shelves very quickly. Like many others, its titanic failure makes it a rarity nowadays.
Commodore 64 Games System Good A hacked up console version of the regular Commodore 64, released only in Europe. Failed hilariously due to its outdated tech (1984 hardware in 1990!), the fact that the normal Commodore 64 was already sufficient, and a bad case of the 'no games'.
Dendy Decent The NES, but for slavs. (TCRF COMEDY!) Only Kinaman can properly explain this one (turn on CC). Has decent support in MAME, and its status as an NES clone means its "exclusives" can be played on NES emulators that support broken pirate carts.
Dina Good Hybrid clone of both the SG-1000 and ColecoVision. Sold by Telegames as the Telegames Personal Arcade, allegedly with permission from Coleco themselves. The console's build quality leaves a lot to be desired, not to mention that games for the aforementioned platforms can be played on most ColecoVision emulators anyway.
My Vision Good
Philips Videopac + G7400 Imperfect No-intro
RDI Halcyon None A terrifying machine based on HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey, featuring voice-recognition and AI learning. Its failure bankrupted RDI. There are currently no known emulators for the Halcyon, as mankind has yet to fully comprehend its awesome power.

Demonstration

Super Cassette Vision Decent 1984 successor to the original Cassette Vision. Much easier to emulate as the hardware is similar to some other obscure systems. The graphical quality is somewhere between the ColecoVision and NES. Was actually fairly successful in Japan until the Famicom came along and kicked its ass. Then this happened. TOSEC
View-Master Interactive Vision None 1988 edutainment VHS console that used two audio tracks on each tape, the player choosing one of two options on the screen, to create interactivity. Also had short mini-game segments with ColecoVision like graphics. Unlike the other VHS systems, the games were actually decent. No known emulators.
VTech Socrates Preliminary Yes Old edutainment console released in 1988. It featured a robot-type character called Socrates and had wireless infrared controllers. The same company would later release the V.Smile and V.Flash systems many years later.
Zemmix Series Good Korean system that was simply an MSX/MSX 2, depending on the model, in console form. Mostly just existed as a way to play MSX games. Though there were a few games made specifically for it they were playable on the MSX as well. Any MSX emulator should work for it.
LJN Video Art None A notorious "educational" console made by the notorious LJN released in 1985. It was meant as a paint program type system that was never meant to compete with mainstream consoles at the time. It flopped hard. Commercial AVGN Review

Fourth generation

Name MAME support ROMs Internet Archive Description
Commodore CDTV Preliminary TOSEC // redump A console version of the Amiga 500. Can be emulated in WinUAE like other Amiga hardware.
Memorex VIS Preliminary A beautiful monster sold only at RadioShack in the early 90s. The software may be playable on Windows 3.x emulators, as the console's OS was an altered version of that.
Philips CD-i Imperfect
Sega Pico Good TOSEC/No-intro Child's edutainment console released in 1993. Was actually fairly successful. Has good support in MAME.
Pioneer LaserActive Preliminary TOSEC
Super A'Can Preliminary No-intro An extremely rare Taiwan-only console released in 1995.

Fifth generation

Name MAME support ROMs Description
3DO Preliminary Redump 2017
Amiga CD32 Preliminary TOSEC // redump A console version of the Amiga 1200. Can be emulated in WinUAE like other Amiga hardware.
Apple Bandai Pippin Preliminary Apple's attempt at being relevant to games. It failed.

Vintage review Currently, there is only preliminary MAME support, but some of its games may be playable on other Apple emulators.

Casio Loopy Preliminary No-intro A Japan-only game console designed for girls focused on printing stickers. A Magical Shop add-on allowed for the printing of any screenshot, not just Loopy games. Drunken Printing Demonstration Ashens overview
Capcom Power System Changer Good A consolized version of the Capcom CPS arcade board. Compatible with SNES controllers.
FM Towns Marty Preliminary Trurip An early fifth-generation console released by Fujitsu in 1993. It failed due to its astronomical price. Another version called the Car Marty was also released, designed to be a GPS for automobiles. Preliminary MAME support for both.
Playdia None A disc-based system released in Japan by Bandai in 1994. Notably, it had a wireless controller and all of its titles were interactive movies like Dragon's Lair. No known emulators.

Sixth generation

Name MAME support ROMs Description
Nuon None Trurip A hybrid DVD player/game console with enhanced movie-viewing tools, from a bunch of former Atari personnel. Only a few games were made for the system, as the cheaper PS2 slaughtered it. There was a closed-source emulator in production called Nuance, but its author died and he didn't release the source code.
V.Smile Preliminary An educational game machine by VTech.
XaviXPORT Preliminary A fitness based system, employing the usage of motion controls in an effort to get players off of the couch - beating Nintendo's Wii by more than 2 years! Each game cart came with a dedicated controller and an own CPU (Not in the system). The XaviXPORT was actually developed by eight of the engineers who worked on the original development of the NES. An upgraded version with a 16-bit "Super XaviX" CPU compared to the original 8-bit CPU came in 2005. Also of note is the fact that Jackie Chan partnered with SSD Company Limited in order to bring his likeness to the console, which resulted in two licensed games. David Haywood is particularly working on reverse-engineering the XaviX technology for MAME.

Seventh generation

Name MAME support ROMs Description
Mattel Hyperscan Preliminary Redump Something you would expect to see under a bargain bin at Wal-mart, the Mattel Hyperscan was a card/disc based system released in 2006 to appeal to some poor child's aunt at Christmas. CGR Review.
Vii Preliminary Yes A rather poor excuse of a response to the Wii, made by JungleTac, KenSingTon, and a dozen or so manufacturers churning out shoddy variants of it. Emulators have recently been made for the platform, with several projects aiming to provide support for Sunplus' rather oddball architecture, such as MuchimeX for the original Xbox, and Unununium, the latter being the basis for a MESS core. The same goes for VTech's V.Smile, the XaviXPORT and most Jakks Pacific TV games including those Disney tie-in ones.
Zeebo None An obscure Brazilian console released in 2009. It was based on the BREW platform, and its games were delivered via a 3G mobile network. It was only sold in Brazil, Mexico, and China.
Game Wave None A failed attempt to steal sales from the Wii, the Game Wave was an obscure console released in 2007 by ZAPiT Games that only had trivia games. It also had a VeggieTales family party game.

Handhelds

Name MAME support ROMs Description
Bandai Denshi Manga Juku None No Released in Japan by Bandai in 1995, the Denshi Manga Juku was a touchscreen based console that was the predecessor to the WonderSwan, it was discontinued in 1996 and only four games were released for it (including a Rockman aka Mega Man title of all things)
Bandai Digi Casse None No Originally released in Japan by Bandai in 1984, Digi Casse another short live console from the early 80s and only had around 4 to 6 games released for it. the console was released in Europe by an unknown company and in Russia as the Elektronika NM 26, both released sometime in the late 80s
Cybiko/Cybiko Xtreme Imperfect TOSEC "The Cybiko is a Russian handheld computer introduced in the U.S. by David Yang's company Cybiko Inc. as a retail test market in New York on April 2000, and rolled out nationwide in May 2000. It is designed for teens, featuring its own two-way radio text messaging system. It had over 430 "official" freeware games and applications."
Epoch Game Pocket Computer Good Yes Only 5 games exist for this handheld. All can be found here.
GameKing Preliminary Yes A rather bastardized attempt at making a Gameboy-esque handheld, manufactured and marketed by TimeTop (aka Guangzhou Daidaixing Tec. Electronics Co. Ltd.) in 2003. Strangely enough, this one's even more primitive than the Supervision, Gamate and Mega Duck consoles before it, as it uses a lower-resolution 64x32 screen, and that's despite companies such as Subor (i.e. that Chinese company who gained notoriety for developing an AMD-based gaming PC/console hybrid) releasing workalike clones of the Game Boy, and more recently, GBA clones. MAME support for it is preliminary at best.
Gamate Good Yes Another attempt to capture part of the Game Boy market, the Gamate was released in the early 90s by Bit Corporation. The magnitude of its failure makes it and its software obscenely rare today, with prices over 500 dollars for the handheld alone on eBay. It's so obscure, that it wasn't until December 2014 when preliminary support for the handheld was added in MAME, and ROM dumps were made.
Gizmondo Preliminary Yes (No-intro) A disaster of a handheld, the Gizmondo was released in 2005 with a furious marketing campaign. It was ahead of its time in that it (was supposed to have) included built-in advertisements to make the console cheaper.
GP32 Preliminary Yes (No-intro) Korean handheld. It was the first handheld to use SD cards and had pretty good specs for the time, so everybody ended up just jailbreaking it and using it as an emulator/homebrew platform. The developers later went on to develop the more successful GP2X line, which was designed from the ground up for emulators. An emulator was made for the system in 2002 called "GeePee32" that is known to be able to emulate many commercial games for the system, though some lack sound. However, the project is inactive. It can be found here: [1]
Hartung Game Master Decent Yes (No-intro) A German Game Boy knockoff. Also distributed in the UK. Demonstration
Leapster Preliminary Yes (No-intro) The Leapster Learning Game System is an educational handheld game console aimed at 4 to 10-year-olds (preschool to fourth grade), made by LeapFrog Enterprises. Its games teach the alphabet, phonics, basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), and art and animal facts to players. It featured a touchscreen and games from various licenses from Thomas & Friends to Sonic X. Oddly enough it has a homebrew scene that even features some emulators, most especially with its successors, i.e. the Didj, Leapster Explorer, and LeapPad series of tablets which run on the Pollux and NXP3200 platforms along with a customised Linux distribution.
MegaDuck/CougarBoy Good Yes Chinese knockoff Game Boy that was branded with various bizarre names, despite each version is exactly the same. Used cartridges. ROMs are out there, surprisingly.
Nintendo Pokémon Mini Decent TOSEC A very downgraded Game Boy. Only Pokemon related games were released, and its catalog of games is also very limited. It's also very rare nowadays. Decent support in MAME, though there are other choices to play these games on other emulators.
Nokia N-Gage None Yes Nokia's attempt at making a cell phone/handheld system hybrid, before mobile gaming really took off. Although it was the most powerful handheld in its time, it failed due to a high price, a terrible button layout, numerous design flaws, and its underdeveloped cell phone component. Had a redesign called the QD, but it was only slightly better. Most of its games were ports, either from the GBA or from the PS1 and Saturn. While it didn't have any standout titles, it still had a few odd original entries from big franchises such as Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey and SSX: Out of Bounds and was the only system to have an English version of Xanadu Next. There's one emulator called N-GageCool, but it's dead payware that only runs Java games. Modern open source emulators are in the works.
Palmtex PVS / Super Micro None No Released in 1984, Super Micro was handheld console similar in vein to the Milton Bradley Microvision in design, Bad timing, The lack of advertising and issues with its design and quality (the plastic body is vary fragile) resulted in failure, Palmtex sold less then 37 thousand units and discontinued the console the same year it was released, only three of the eight games announced were released.
Tapwave Zodiac None Some A handheld released in 2003 that used an enhanced Palm OS. Ahead for its time, even receiving awards. However, the PSP and Nintendo DS systems killed it.
Tiger Game.com Preliminary No-intro // TOSEC An infamous piece of shit, with quite possibly the worst screen on any handheld ever. Somehow still had a "port" of Resident Evil 2. CGR review
VideoNow XP None No An often forgotten attempt by Hasbro and their subsidiary, Tiger Electronics (of Game.com fame) to use the popularity of there VideoNow portable video players to enter the Video Game market.
VTech 3D Gamate None No An extremely rare console released in 1983 by VTech, its unknown how many units were sold and was likely discontinued shortly after released.

While six games were announced, only 3 are known to been released released

VTech Variety None No Another extremely rare console released from VTech also released in 1983, like the 3D Gamate, its unknown how many units were sold and was also likely discontinued shortly after released.

Only six games are known to been released for it

VTech ProScreen None No Once again we have an extremely rare console from VTech, The ProScreen was released in 1984 and only three games are known to of been released.
Watara Supervision Good No-intro // TOSEC An attempt at making a real competitor for the Game Boy/Color.