WonderSwan

WonderSwan

Manufacturer	Bandai
Type	Handheld game console
Generation	Sixth generation era
Lifespan	1999
Media	Cartridge
CPU	NEC V30 MZ

WonderSwan (ワンダースワン, Wandāsuwan) is a handheld game console released in Japan by Bandai in 1999. It was developed by the late Gunpei Yokoi's company Koto and Bandai. The WonderSwan was made to compete with the Neo Geo Pocket Color and the market leader Nintendo's Game Boy Color (even though the developer for the WonderSwan, Gunpei Yokoi, developed the original Nintendo Game Boy).

The WonderSwan was later replaced by the WonderSwan Color; although, some WonderSwan Color games are compatible with the original WonderSwan, many are designed exclusively for the WonderSwan Color and show a message such as "This cartridge is for WonderSwan Color only" when run on the original WonderSwan.

The WonderSwan was available in ten case colors, playable both vertically and horizontally, and features a fairly large library of games. As it was a console designed essentially for the Japanese market, most of the games are in Japanese, with only a few featuring English text.

While the Game Boy series have issues with fake copies of game cartridges, the WonderSwan is not known to have any fake copies of games. This is probably because the WonderSwan was not as popular as Game Boy series.

Accessories

• Headphone adapter
  • Provides stereo output with volume dial, overriding the built-in mono speaker and volume button of the WonderSwan. Originally sold with WonderSwan-branded earbuds.
• Link cable
  • Connects two WonderSwans together for games that support two players.
• Rechargeable battery
  • A flat, form-fitting rechargeable battery that does not protrude from the WonderSwan body, unlike the standard AA battery case. Requires a special recharger.
• A/C adapter
  • Mains adapter that plugs into a special battery case fitted to the WonderSwan.
• WonderWave
  • Infrared communication adapter, used by some games to exchange data with a Sony PocketStation.
• MobileWonderGate
  • NTT DoCoMo cellular phone interface and game cartridge containing web browsing and email software.
• WonderBorg
  • Sold in two versions, WonderBorg is a robot kit that can be programmed and controlled from a WonderSwan with Robot Works game cartridge, or a Microsoft Windows PC with a serial port infrared adapter and application software.
• WonderWitch
  • A game development kit including a reprogrammable WonderSwan game cartridge, Microsoft Windows application software for compiling C code, and a serial cable to connect a WonderSwan to a PC.
• WonderCoin
  • A coin-shaped disc that can be fitted over a 4-directional button cluster of the WonderSwan to create the feel of a single directional pad.
• Screen protector
  • Transparent sheets of film that can be applied to the face of the WonderSwan to reduce damage from scratching and fingerpints.
• Case
  • Hard plastic carrying case with compartments for holding a WonderSwan, manuals, and six game cartridges, as well as room for other small accessories such as headphone adapter, batteries, etc.
• Screen light
  • A small light powered by the WonderSwan itself that can be positioned over the screen to illuminate the display.

Several of these accessories utilise the expansion port on the side of the WonderSwan, but with no accommodation for sharing that port with other accessories. For example, neither player connected via a link cable during a two-player game may use headphones. Neither headphones nor link cable may be used with the screen light.

Technical specifications

• CPU: 16-bit NEC V30 MZ processor at 3.072 MHz
• Screen: FSTN reflective LCD
  • Resolution: 224 x 144 pixels
  • 2.49 inch diagonal
• Display performance: Max. 512 characters per layer, max. 128 sprites (32 on one horizontal line), two screens (overlay possible), screen windows and sprite windows.
• Graphics: 8-shade monochrome in the dot matrix section and six icons at the static section.
• Audio:
  • 4-channel digital stereo sound.
  • Built-in mono speaker or optional headphones with stereo adapter.
  • Three speaker volume settings selectable via button: loud, medium, mute. (use of headphone adapter disables this button)
• Size: 74.3 mm x 121 mm x 24.3 mm
• Weight: 93 g (without battery) 110 g (with battery)
• Power: 1 AA battery or rechargeable pack, ~30-40 hours playtime
• Connecting Ports: Link Port, Stereo Jack & cartridge port
• Cartridge Capacity: ROM and/or RAM - maximum 128 Mbit (like Beat Mania)
• Features:

Can be played holding the unit vertically or horizontally.

Built-in EEPROM and 1Kbit RAM for backing up game data.

Several levels of energy-saving control.

See also

• List of WonderSwan games
• SwanCrystal

External links

• Official web site Template:Jp icon
• WonderSwan at Curlie