Game Gear clone being made by COLECO

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.jo...ichandheld.jpg

Works as a handheld or has an A/V output. 20 built-in SMS/GG games.

Sonic Drift II
Columns
Fantasy Zone
Assault City
Kung Fu Kid
Fantasy Zone The Maze
The Ninja
Super Columns
Astro Warrior
Bomber Raid
Sonic Triple Trouble
Alex Kidd in High Tech World
Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Altered Beast
Aztec Adventures
Global Defense
Quartet
Penguin Land
Ecco: The Tides of Time
Snail Maze

Pretty good game selection (except it needs Shinobi, Zillion, Kenseiden, Psycho Fox, Master of Darkness, Defenders of Oasis, and Phantasy Star :p). I think I'm gonna buy this just because it has Snail Maze on it. And also to finally realize my 12 year old dream of playing Sonic Triple Trouble on a TV set.

I hope these will be like the Atari Flashback 2, in that enterprising modders can add a cart slot to it. A Game Gear with a screen that doesn't suck, plus a/v output? Should've come out 12 years ago, but I'll take it now.

Anyway, I just found it interesting that COLECO of all companies is making such a thing. After many years of non-existence, COLECO makes its triumphant return... with a new Z80 device. Some things never change, I guess.

Big question - is it legit?

Must be a Game Gear and Master System clone since The Ninja was MS-only as I recall...

Yes and so was the spectacular Snail Maze. In fact I don't think I see any GG-only titles. Well maybe, I dunno.

they have these at target for $44.99

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...sin=B000IO6LEC

here's a review from some guy on Atari-Age...I just copy/paste it, but half of the stuff he says, just makes...some good highlights:

Hardware: The build quality of this device is well above average, definitely better than the VGPocket games, and at least on par with the GP2X. The case is glossy black plastic with a subtle marble/sparkle finish. The whole thing looks nice in person, despite the nasty red COLECO logo. It feels substantial in the hand, but definitely smooth and pocketable. It's larger than the GB Micro, about the size and thickness of a largish cell phone, but very light. It doesn't make any noise when you twist it. There are two speakers on the front of the device, probably dual mono output. The screen is large and bright, with excellent color saturation and contrast. The buttons have a nice springy feel to them. The two buttons above the D-pad on the left are volume + and -, which come in handy since the device doesn't remember your volume setting when you switch it off. The buttons over the A and B action buttons on the right are RESET (to the game select menu) and START. There are no shoulder buttons or volume wheels on the device, just a small slot for a wrist strap. A headphone jack on the bottom of the unit is intelligently placed and doesn't get in the way.

Hackability?: The unit takes 3 AAA batteries and you need a small screwdriver to open the battery compartment. The device is held together by 4 small screws so it looks like it would be easy for Ben Heckendorn and friends to get inside easily. I didn't open mine -- I want to play some games for my fifty bucks, first. There's a jack for an external power adapter (DC 5V), as well as a standard mini-AV jack for audio/video output (included) should you want to play on the big screen. I'm happy with the built-in games for now, but it would be neat to expand this device. It almost feels like there's enough room in the case to do something like that.

Software: I don't know if this is a "SMS-on-a-chip," but it feels like the real thing to me, rather than emulation. Sounds are loud and accurate, and video is displayed in the game's original aspect ratio. Since different video systems are present on the software in this device, some games are upscaled to fill the whole screen, while others are displayed in a window. Text is readable in all modes and motion blur is minimal -- on par with GBA Micro and MUCH better than the original Game Gear. It's nice to have Sonic Triple Trouble on the run in my pocket, and having Snail Maze without a TV-based console. The game selection was done by someone who knows the Sega library, as there are no issues like those you sometimes see with pirate multicarts, such as duplicates, unplayable dogs, or titles that need the lightgun or 3D glasses. These are OLD games, but unlike some of the recent "new" games that were created for plug and play devices, most of these have a measure of professional polish. In other words, I'd rather play great games from the late 80s than crappy games from last week.

Game list: (they're displayed in this order in the software menu)
Sonic Drift 2
Sonic Triple Trouble
Alex Kidd in High Tech World
Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Altered Beast
Assault City
Astro Warrior
Aztec Adventure
Bomber Raid
Columns
Ecco II: The Tides of Time
Fantasy Zone
Fantasy Zone: The Maze
Global Defense
Kung Fu Kid
The Ninja
Penguin Land
Quartet
Snail Maze
Super Columns

Kung-Fu Kid, Penguin Land, and Miracle World on the go? Hell yes! I just wish it wasn't so expensive. :(

I wish science would stick to cloning sheep, rabbits and stem cells. The last thing the world needs is a Game Gear clone.

This looks very interesting, especially with the improved screen. Damn shame I'm completely broke from the holidays or I'd go pick one up now.

It would've been nice to see Alex Kidd in Shinobi World on there too, but the selection is really nice as-is.

It would have been awsome if both GG Shinobis were included...!

This Looks AWESOME! The most alluring aspect is the inclusion of a better screen. The overall slickness makes it cool. Now if only the price was lower...

Blades

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joe Redifer

Yes and so was the spectacular Snail Maze. In fact I don't think I see any GG-only titles. Well maybe, I dunno.

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Sonic Triple Trouble and Drift 2 were both GG-only. I believe Super Columns was as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elusive

Big question - is it legit?

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Since they're selling these at Target, I would assume so.

It'd be cool for $20, not so for $45-50.

Eh, I'll probably cave and buy it. It looks interesting, and if nothing more it'll be a nice piece to my 'interesting but ultimately needless' collection.

It appears(based on another forum's thread) that it wouldn't be hard to add a cart slot.

EDIT!: It wouldn't be hard to someone with EXPERIENCE WITH SURFACE MOUNT CHIPS.
I'm not tackling this...I'd pay $50 for the mod, though.

I had no plans to get this. Not that I didn't think it was neat, but $50...

So, good new everyone:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...C&frombrowse=1

$20. Also, use the code TCBABYET to knock off another $2, apparently it expires 2/14, so use it quick if you want one.

w00t! Thanks for the update, I'm buying one right now.

if it runs through batteries at least half as slow as the original game gear its worth it

I think I might get this.
Granted I probablywon't...

Can you hack it to have a Game Gear Cart Port

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KnightWarrior

Can you hack it to have a Game Gear Cart Port

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I'd bet you could.

Got it the other day. It's great. The screen quality is much better than a Game Gear's. There is absolutely no blur, although Bomber Raid has weird shimmering problems. The thing is really nice and compact, but the screen isn't too small. It's incredibly lightweight, possibly the lightest game device I've held in my hands, including Tiger handhelds. I don't know how good the battery life is because they haven't run out yet (3 AAA's), but obviously it's better than a GG.

The only problem is the game selection. Sonic Triple Trouble is amazing, and also great are Columns, Super Columns, Snail Maze (!), Fantasy Zone, and Miracle World. But it seems like the game selection was just entirely random, and it just so happened to include some nice games. Ecco 2 is fun and all, but why have Ecco 2 without the first? Why pick lame games like The Ninja over greatness like Shinobi? Why bother including a game that was designed for a light gun? Why go the extra length of allowing a game with saving if it's gonna be the worst one?

I think whoever was in charge of deciding the games just didn't know what they were doing. Perhaps Sega would only let them license certain titles, but even then, I doubt Sega was so restrictive that it couldn't have been better. Too bad, because the device itself is pretty nice and well-designed. With a cart slot, it would be impeccable.

I think it would've actually sold decently if it had a more recognizable game selection. Also, I think they should've played up the Game Gear resemblance a bit and included more GG-specific games, because some people in the US haven't even heard of Master System, whereas almost everyone remembers the Game Gear. And a lot more people have heard of Shinobi than Kung Fu Kid.

That's why I haven't bought one yet.
Not until the pinout for that ROM chip is available.

Wow. I totally forgot about this thread until right now. How much did you pay for it?

$20.

Despite the complaints, it's worth 20 bucks. Sonic Triple Trouble, Miracle World, Columns, Super Columns, Fantasy Zone, Ecco 2, Penguin Land, and Snail Maze are all good. I mainly bought it for Sonic Triple Trouble -- it's better than playing it on a Game Gear.

Only $20? Wow, I was honestly expecting the $40-$50 range. I'll probably snap one of these up soon.

It was originally $45, but was reduced.

I saw this at my local Wal-Mart, but decided against getting one for a single reason - I just got my PSP downgraded. As a result, I have all those games and more on a brilliant screen with no slowdown and near-perfect emulation. Brunni is a genius - MMSPlus is the shit!

This looks nifty too, though. =P

Where can you get it on the internet? It's sold out at that place linked previously, and I was too lazy to get one then.

I see it's sold out online for $20. I went to a local Target and the price was $40. Not getting it for that price.

They don't have them at Targets in MN(of all places).
There's a Canadian ebay store that sells them under the name Playpal, but they fuck every 10th customer in the face with a coal-miners glove.

The only reason I'd get one is if I knew how to get it to work with game gear cartridges. Then it would be kick ass.

Someone will get the ROM chip's pinout.