iQue Player

This article is about the home console. For other iQue products, see iQue. For other uses, see iQue (disambiguation).

iQue Player

Developer	Nintendo
Manufacturer	iQue
Type	Video game console
Generation	sixth generation era
Release date	CN November 17, 2003
Introductory price	¥498
Media	Flash card, cartridge
Power	AC Adapter
CPU	R-4300 64Bit CPU, 93.75 MHz
Memory	4 MB
Graphics	62.5 MHz Reality Co-Processor
Sound	ADPCM 64
Connectivity	USB(Fugue Online)
Online services	iQue Depot, Fugue Online
Best-selling game	Dr. Mario 64(Pre-installed in bundled memorycard)
Successor	Wii(Planned)
Related articles	Nintendo 64
Website	iQue LTD (Chinese)

The iQue Player (/ˌaɪ ˈkju/) is a video game console that was manufactured by iQue, a joint venture between Nintendo and Chinese-American scientist Dr. Wei Yen. The system also goes under the Chinese name of Shén Yóu Ji (神游机), literally "Divine Gaming Machine". Shényóu (神游) also serves a double entendre because the term also means "to make a mental journey". The console itself takes the form of the controller and plugs directly into the television. A box accessory is available that allows multiplayer gaming. At the moment, it is only marketed in mainland China, as the console's unusual game distribution method is an attempt to curb games piracy in that region.

The iQue Player was first announced at the 2003 Tokyo Game Show, and it was released in mainland China on November 17, 2003. A Japanese release was rumored for mid-October 2004, but never materialized. Nintendo currently has no plans to release the iQue Player outside of China.

Games for this console are stored on a 64 MB flash card which is contained within a cartridge that plugs directly into controller/console. Games are purchased at a special "iQue depot" where games may be downloaded onto the cartridge and played later, in a similar manner to the Famicom Disk System, and Nintendo Power. Demo games that come with the iQue include The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, and Star Fox 64. These demos are time-limited versions of the games. Full versions of the three titles are available, as are other first party Nintendo titles such as Dr. Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Wave Race 64, and F-Zero X.

Technical details

The iQue Player is based on the Nintendo 64, but uses system-on-a-chip technology to reduce size. It plays Nintendo 64 games specifically ported to the system.

• Processor: R-4300 64Bit CPU, 93.75 MHz
• Memory: 4 Mb RAMBUS
• Graphics: 100,000 polygons/second, 2.09 million colors
• Sound: ADPCM 64

Main Menu

Once the player has turned on the system, the iQue logo will appear. Then, an advertisement for a game will appear and it will say to press the A button to continue. The main menu lists the games on the memory card and info on the games as well. Once the player has selected a game, a message will appear saying if they want to play this game. A loading screen may appear. If the player presses Z on the highlighted game, a description of the game will appear. Like many other consoles, the player can change the system settings such as TV resolution and username. The system settings will also appear when the player first uses the system.

Online Services

The iQue Player has online services for buying games, cloud storage, game updates, etc. Currently, there are two online services for the iQue Player one is kiosk based, another is broadband based.

iQue Depot

The iQue depot is a network of kiosks that allows users to download games, update games, and more. Each game comes with a game code that can be punched in so the user can download the game. Players can also store their games on the iQue Depot network for free. They're mostly seen at gas stations in China. Users must be a member of the iQue Club and have a special iQue Ticket to download games.

Fugue Online

Fugue online is an online service that allows users to get free access to games at home, update their system and more. To connect to Fugue Online, players must plug the iQue Player to his/her computer via USB. Games are downloaded on the computer, in a similar manner to an MP3 player. Plans have been mentioned to make online multiplayer and communication possible in the near future.

History

Development

China has a strict black market for videogames and only a few games usually make it to the Chinese market. Many Chinese gamers usually pirate game ROMS to play via emulator. Nintendo wanted to curb piracy in China. Nintendo partnered with Wei-Yen, who also helped Nintendo in other projects, so they created a system to get around China's black market. The system was shown at Tokyo Game Show 2003 and was released two months later. Originally, the system would support games on all Nintendo consoles prior to the Gamecube: NES, SNES, and N64 but later in development, it only supports N64 games. Also, Majora's Mask was going to be in the software library but it was later cancelled,(possibly due to some graphic elements that are against China's censorship policy) but the game's promotional picture is still on the back of the box.

Release

The iQue Player was released on November 23, 2003 with 6 launch titles. Nintendo strategy to market games in China was to show how videogames can help improve children's mental and social development. At first, the only way to get games is to buy them via the iQue Depot but in 2009, Nintendo released Fugue Online to download games at home. The latest game released is Custom Robo in 2006. It is unknown if Nintendo is going to release more games. Nintendo hasn't discontinued the system and there is other first-party N64 titles that Nintendo hasn't released yet, so it is still possible that new games are going to be released on the system in the near future.

Successor

After 8 years, a successor to the iQue Player has been speculated. Many speculate that it will be more powerful and can play Gamecube and/or Nintendo 64DD games. Though no successor has been announced, Nintendo has plans to release the Wii in China, but it is unconfirmed if this will happen. Most likely a successor would be based on the Gamecube or Wii.

Games

The iQue Player has 14 games. All these games were released for the Nintendo 64 in Japan and other regions prior to the iQue Player. Only one game was cancelled.

Original title in English/Japanese	Chinese (Simplified)	Pinyin	Released Date	Demo included with system	Game Code	Genre	Game Modes
Wave Race 64	水上摩托	Shuǐ Shàng Mótuō	November, 2003	N	51011	Racing	Single-Player, Multi-Player(2 players)
Star Fox 64	星际火狐	Xīngjì Huǒhú	November, 2003	Y	41011	Shooter	Single-Player, Multi-Player(4 players)
Super Mario 64	神游马力欧	Shén Yóu Mǎlìōu	November, 2003	Y	10011	Platform	Single-Player
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time	塞尔达传说-时光之笛-	Sèěrdá Chuánshuō: Shíguāng zhī Dí	November, 2003	Y	21011	Role-Playing	Single-Player
Mario Kart 64	马力欧卡丁车	Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē	November, 2003	N	52011	Racing	Single-Player, Multi-Player (4 players)
F-Zero X	F-Zero X 未来赛车	F-Zero X Wèilái Sàichē	2004	N	52021	Racing	Single-Player, Multi-Player(4 players)
Yoshi's Story	耀西故事	Yàoxī Gùshì	2004	N	11021	Platform	Single-Player
Paper Mario	纸片马力欧	Zhǐ Piān Mǎlìōu	2004	N	21021	Platform	Single-Player
Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Earth	罪与罚-地球的继承者-	Zuì yǔ Fá: Dìqiú de Jìchéng Zhě	2004	N	41021	On-Rail Shooter	Single-Player, Multi-Player(2 players)
Excitebike 64	越野摩托	Yuèyě Mótuō	2005	N	51021	Racing	Single-Player, Multi-Player(4 players)
Super Smash Bros.	任天堂明星大乱斗	Rèntiāntáng Míngxīng Dà Luàn Dǒu	2005	N	12021	Fighting	Single-Player, Multi-Player(4 players)
Dobutsu no Mori	动物森林	Dòngwù Sēnlín	2006	N	21041	Life Simulation	Single-Player
Dr. Mario 64	马力欧医生	Mǎlìōu Yīshēng	November, 2003	N Full version included with bundled memory card	61011	Puzzle	Single-Player, Multi-Player(4 players)
Custom Robo	组合机器人	Zǔhé Jīqìrén	2006	N	21051	Role-Playing	Single-Player, Multi-Player
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask	塞尔达传说：魔力面具	sāi ěr dá chuán shuō ：mó lì miàn jù	Cancelled	N	N/A	Role-Playing	Single-Player

Difference to the N64 Versions

iQue Player games are different from their N64 counterparts, one being the text and voices have been translated to Chinese. The only exceptions are Mario games where only text has been translated and voices remain in English. Also the iQue games are newer than the N64 counterparts, so many glitches and errors from the original games have been fixed. Some features were also removed due to the system's lack of support for N64 controller accessories like the Rumble Pak. Due to this many games that originally supported the rumble feature no longer support it. Some features were also added. Many games that allow the player to enter his/her name now have the option to use their iQue Player's username, which can be set at the iQue Player's main menu. iQue has plans to support network mutiplayer in games that originally only supported local mutiplayer, which works in a similar manner to an emulator.

See Also

• Video gaming in the People's Republic of China

External links

• iQue PLAYER website (Chinese)