Zeebo
| File:Zeebo logo.svg | |
| File:Zeebo-Real Console.jpg | |
| A Zeebo console wrapped in plastic and its power connector | |
| Manufacturer | Zeebo Inc. |
|---|---|
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Seventh |
| Release date | BRA: May 25, 2009 MEX: November 14, 2009 |
| Discontinued | BRA: September 30, 2011 MEX: September 30, 2011 |
| Emulated | ~ |
Zeebo is a 3G-enabled entertainment and education system from Zeebo Inc. It enabled users to play video games, and also connect to the Internet, communicate online and run educational applications. It was described by Zeebo Inc. as bringing "the fun and excitement of interactive entertainment and education to those who, until now, have had little or no access to such technology." The Zeebo was conceived as an affordable console with developing countries in mind, such as Brazil and Mexico; as such games and other content were distributed wirelessly over cellular networks in an effort to circumvent piracy which is rampant in said regions. The system also enables wireless Internet access for web browsing, email and social networking. Zeebo Inc. has also discussed the possibility of future product introductions elsewhere in Latin America, India, China and Russia.
The Zeebo was first announced in November 2008 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and went on sale there in limited quantities on June 1, 2009 with a suggested retail price of 499,00 Brazilian reais. In September of the same year, the price was cut to R$399,00, and the price was reduced again in November to R$299,00 (≈170USD). On September 1, 2010, Zeebo announced that it was adding new capabilities and accessories to the Zeebo in Brazil, including Internet connectivity, a keyboard and new more ergonomic gamepad. The new Brazilian system configuration was priced identical to the previous one: R$299 (≈170USD). The company announced that Brazilian owners of previous system configurations can upgrade to the new one for free. It was also launched in Mexico in November 2009. It shipped to national retailers across the country on November 4, 2009, with a suggested price of 2,499 Mexican pesos (approximately $205 US). The Mexican system configuration was similar to that introduced in September 2010 and includes Internet connectivity, a keyboard and ergonomic gamepad. The price was cut down to 2249 pesos (approx. $184 US) in April 2010.
Before its discontinuation, Zeebo had attracted content from companies such as Activision, Capcom, Digital Chocolate, Disney Interactive Studios, Electronic Arts, Fishlabs, Flying Tiger, Gamevil, G-Mode, Glu, id Software, Limbic Software, Namco, Polarbit, Popcap, Twelve Interactive and Vega Mobile.
Here is a list of every officially released game on the system and here is a list of its technical specifications.
The software platform is essentially a custom version of Qualcomm's BREW, so Zeebo games might be playable in BREW emulators.
Emulators
| Name | Platform(s) | Latest version | RetroAchievements | License | Active | Compatibility | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infuse |      
|
A1 Dev | ✗ | Proprietary[lower-alpha 1] | ✓ | 14.29% 9 out of 63 reported titles |
~ (WIP) |
| MAME | 
|
git artifacts[lower-alpha 2] 0.289 libretro core[lower-alpha 3] |
✗ | GPLv2 BSD-3-Clause |
✗ | ✗* | |
| ZeeboEMU |
|
v0.1 | ✗ | Proprietary | ✗ | ✗ | |
| Zeeno |
|
✓ | TBD | ||||
| Zeebx |
|
v0.1.1 | ✗ | GPLv2 | ✓ | 40% |
Hardware features and peripherals
| Name | Zeebx | Infuse |
|---|---|---|
| Arcade Stick | ?|data-sort-value="4" style="background: #D3D3D3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-partially" |? | |
| Boomerang | ✓|data-sort-value="4" style="background: #D3D3D3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-partially" |? | |
| Keyboard | ~|data-sort-value="4" style="background: #D3D3D3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-partially" |? | |
| Memory card | ✓|data-sort-value="4" style="background: #D3D3D3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-partially" |? | |
| Switch between Zeebo, Zeebo 3G and Zeebo Plus hardware | ✗|data-sort-value="4" style="background: #D3D3D3; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-partially" |? |