Sega Pico
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| Also known as | Kids Computer Pico |
| Manufacturer | Sega |
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Fourth generation era |
| Release date | |
| Introductory price | 1994 (Sega) USD160[2] 1999 (Majesco) USD49.95[3][4] |
| Discontinued | |
| Units sold | •JP: 3.5 million[5] •NA: 400,000 (as of January, 1996)[1] |
| Media | Storyware (Cartridge) |
| CPU | 16-bit Motorola 68000 |
| Memory | 64KB RAM, 64KB VRAM |
| Successor | Advanced Pico Beena |
The Sega Pico, also known as Kids Computer Pico (キッズコンピューター・ピコ Kizzu Konpyūtā Piko), was an electronic toy by Sega. The aim of creating the Pico was to get more young children (specifically, ages 2–8) to use video game systems.
The Pico was the first Sega-branded console to carry an officially licensed game from their largest competitor, Nintendo.
The Pico was released in 1993 in Japan and 1994 in America and Europe. In Japan, the system was a huge success and games were developed until 2005. In America and Europe, however, the Pico was less successful and games were only developed until 1997. To celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2003 in Japan, Sega re-released some of the Pico games from the 1990s. As of April 2005, 3.4 million Pico consoles and 11.2 million software cartridges had been sold.[5]
The Sega Pico's slogan was: "The computer that thinks it's a toy."
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[edit] Design
The cartridges were called "Storyware," and were book shaped. Each time a player turned the page of the cartridge the screen changed to replicate the image in the book. The games were controlled by a "magic" pen and buttons.[4] The last page of each book features a freehand drawing mode, where the player can also insert stamps of characters shown previously in the game. All software released for the Pico received a rating from either the V.R.C. or the ESRB.
[edit] Technical specifications
The hardware is based upon the Sega Genesis, with some parts removed and/or replaced by others:[6]
- CPU: a 16-bit Motorola 68000, the same as the Mega Drive/Genesis.
- RAM: 64 KB of Main RAM
- Video RAM: 64 KB
- ROM: "Storyware" cartridges of various sizes.
- Video: a YM7101 ASIC, which was replaced with an FQ8007 ASIC in newer units. Both were used in Mega Drive/Genesis consoles as well.
- Sound: a Texas Instruments SN76489 Programmable sound generator and an NEC µPD7759 PCM chip.
- Input: a pen with an action button at its tip, a four button directional pad, and one on-board action button.
[edit] Software
In Japan, 296 games were produced. In America, 20 games were produced while Europe produced about 15 or 18 games, one of which was cancelled.
| Title | Year | Developer | Publisher | Educational Material Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adventures in Letterland With Jack and Jill | 1995 | Thinking Cap | Sega | Alphabet |
| The Berenstain Bears: A School Day | 1995 | Sega | Sega | Alphabet |
| Crayola: Create a World | 1995 | Sega | Art | |
| Disney's Pocahontas Riverbend Adventure | 1995 | RealTime Associates | Sega | Nature |
| Ecco Jr. and the Great Ocean Treasure Hunt! | 1995 | Sega | Math | |
| The Great Counting Caper With the 3 Blind Mice | 1995 | Thinking Cap | Sega | Math |
| Muppets on the Go | 1996 | Sega | Shapes & Matching | |
| Musical Zoo | 1995 | Sega | Music | |
| Pepe's Puzzles | 1995 | Sega | Problem Solving | |
| Richard Scarry's Huckle and Lowly's Busiest Day Ever | 1994 | Sega | Creativity | |
| Sailor Moon SuperS [7] | 1994 (JP) | Bandai | Bandai (JP) | |
| Sailor Moon S [7] | 1994 (JP) | Bandai | Bandai (JP) | |
| Sailor Moon Sailor Stars [7] | 1994 (JP) | Bandai | Bandai (JP) | |
| Scholastic's The Magic School Bus | 1995 (US) | Novotrade | Sega | |
| Sesame Street Alphabet Avenue | 1997 | Sega | Letter | |
| Smart Alex and Smart Alice: Curious Kids | 1995 | Novotrade | Sega | Letters&Math |
| Sonic the Hedgehog's Gameworld | 1994 (JP) / 1996 (NA) | Aspect Co., Ltd. | Sega | Strategy & Problem Solving |
| Tails and the Music Maker | 1994 (NA) / 1996 (JP) | Novotrade | Sega(US)/Imagineer (JP) | Music |
| Disney's The Lion King: Adventures at Pride Rock | 1995 | Sega | Sega | Problem Solving |
| Magic Crayons | 1994 (NA) | Realtime Associates Inc. | Sega | Drawing & Coloring |
| Mickey's Blast Into the Past | 1994 (NA) / 1996 (JP) | Sega | Sega | History |
| Math Antics with Disney's 101 Dalmatians | 1994 (NA) | Sega | Sega | Math |
| A Year at Pooh Corner | 1994 (NA) | Novotrade | Sega | Letters & Math |
| Denji Sentai Megaranger (電磁戦隊メガレンジャー) | 1997 (JP) | Sega | Sega | |
| Minimoni Eigo de Asobu n da pyon! | 1994 (JP) | Sega | Sega | |
| Minimoni Shōgakkō e Iku n da pyon! | 1994 (JP) | Sega | Sega | |
| Minimoni Terebi ni Deru n da pyon! | 1994 (JP) | Sega | Sega | |
| Cutie Honey Flash (キューティーハニー フラッシュ) | 1997 (JP) | Bandai | Bandai | |
| Ojamajo Doremi Dokka~n! (おジャ魔女どれみドッカ～ン!) | 2002 (JP) | Bandai | Bandai | |
| Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation : Hiragana Katakana Kakechatta! (ポケットモンスターアドバンスジェネレーション ・ひらがな カタカナ かけちゃった！) [8] | 2003 (JP) | Sega Toys | Nintendo/TV Tokyo/ShoPro/Sega Toys | Hiragana & Katakana |
| Futari Wa Pretty Cure (ふたりはプリキュア) | 2004 (JP) | Bandai | Bandai | |
| Noddy's Toyland Adventures (Cancelled) | 1997 (UK) | Silicon Dreams | BBC Multimedia |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Sega captures dollar share of videogame market -- again; diverse product strategy yields market growth; Sega charts path for 1996.". Business Wire. The Free Library. January 10, 1996. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sega+captures+dollar+share+of+videogame+market+--+again%3b+diverse...-a018001580. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
- ^ Marilyn A. Gillen (July 9, 1994). "Sega, Nintendo Bring Big Plans To CES". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 106 (28): 73. http://books.google.com/books?id=XggEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA73&dq=sega+pico+$160&hl=en&ei=MzCETqzCK5LUgAeZkt0W&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=sega%20pico%20%24160&f=false. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
- ^ a b "Edison, N.J.-Based Firm Signs Video Game Distribution Deal with Sega.". Home News Tribune. HighBeam Research. August 6, 1999. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55368935.html. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
- ^ a b "Majesco Signs Licensing Deal to Distribute Sega Pico Educational Systems: Systems Will Be Available In All Major Toy Retailers By Holiday Season". Business Wire. Gale, Cengage Learning. August 5, 1999. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_August_5/ai_55353637/?tag=content;col1. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
- ^ a b "Sega Toys Business Strategy". http://www.segatoys.co.jp/english/company_profile/business_strategy/edutainment.html.
- ^ "SEGA PICOの分解と小規模な解析". http://kaele.com/~kashima/pico. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
- ^ a b c Sailor Moon Pico games
- ^ It would be the first official Nintendo licensed title on an official Sega platform ever.
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