View Full Version : FC Mobile II and Sega Digital Pocket - New Handhelds from Hyperkin.
Sonicwolf
03-24-2009, 01:38 PM
Paperboy - Game loads but control won't respond.
(This F%*King pisses me off, the prototype FCM 2 on my desk works with Paperboy but the final product doesn't).
Obviously something was changed a bit. That sucks.
Tupin
03-24-2009, 04:08 PM
The Pluto has an NTSC/PAL switch? I'm sold, I hate seeing "THIS GAME WAS DESIGNED FOR USE ON EUROPEAN SYSTEMS ONLY" all the time.
Oh, and I'll take losing Paperboy for getting Megaman 3 and possibly others. No offense Paperboy.
Sonicwolf
03-24-2009, 04:33 PM
Oh, and I'll take losing Paperboy for getting Megaman 3 and possibly others. No offense Paperboy.
Agreed. It will be glorious to have this console in hand.
thom_m
03-24-2009, 07:07 PM
The only market I could sell these to are those who have no clue about retro gaming prices.
Try to market them here in Brazil. If Tec Toy can sell those crappy, car slot-less things for 250 (brazilian) clams, the Gaia would be a success. I don't have any real details about the market itself but, if Tec Toy still bothers to make them, it might be worth it. They probably have some exclusivity contract or something, though.
That, and the fact that, simply by spending sometime on Mercado Livre, you can have proof that people here fave NO clue whatsoever about retro gaming prices. Everything is so expensive that I don't think people would prefer to buy an original, if they could get a brand new to play their carts for just a litle more. After all, we were all raised on famiclones anyway.
Sonicwolf
03-24-2009, 07:16 PM
What is it with Brazil and Sega anyways? Its been a long, long love affair.
Sabz5150
03-24-2009, 07:18 PM
MegaMan 3 works.
Sold.
Tupin
03-24-2009, 07:20 PM
What is it with Brazil and Sega anyways? Its been a long, long love affair.
They saw a hole in the marketplace and ran with it. One of the better decisions Sega made, supporting secondary markets like Brazil.
Just checked, apparently Nintendo of Europe covers all of Africa. Nintendo has stuff set up in secondary markets, even in countries like Sierra Leone.
Oh, and new article, with info from the MGC. Someone snuck a camera in...
http://thatgamingsite.com/news/593/hyperkin-announces-the-segapluto/
Try to market them here in Brazil. If Tec Toy can sell those crappy, car slot-less things for 250 (brazilian) clams, the Gaia would be a success. I don't have any real details about the market itself but, if Tec Toy still bothers to make them, it might be worth it. They probably have some exclusivity contract or something, though.
That, and the fact that, simply by spending sometime on Mercado Livre, you can have proof that people here fave NO clue whatsoever about retro gaming prices. Everything is so expensive that I don't think people would prefer to buy an original, if they could get a brand new to play their carts for just a litle more. After all, we were all raised on famiclones anyway.
We wish we could sell to Brazil and Europe.
Those markets are off limits to us, which is too bad. Nothing against the American retro-gamers but the markets over there for Sega is much higher. I walked into a normal PNT yesterday and saw four Model I Genesis models on sale for $20.
Still waiting on the youtube of my presentation, I think I did a good enough job but my HK bosses are all eager to evaluate my performance.
Oh man... I just saw some pictures of myself holding up the Pluto. Dude... where's my Wii Fit?
digitalpress
03-24-2009, 07:38 PM
Hmm. I never did send you my reseller info, did I? I'll have it your way tomorrow. I really need a personal assistant!
turbosage
03-24-2009, 07:40 PM
NES handheld gaming, just get a gp2x.
I dunno these FC clones are all the worst quality, probably not worth the cheap plastic its packaged in......
Tupin
03-24-2009, 07:54 PM
NES handheld gaming, just get a gp2x.
I dunno these FC clones are all the worst quality, probably not worth the cheap plastic its packaged in......
Some of the newer ones are actually of good quality, like the Retro Duo. It's those ones that only have a single, tiny globtopped circuit board in them that stink.
I'd love to see the presentation on Youtube, I'm sure it's interesting.
Diosoth
03-24-2009, 07:58 PM
An MSRP of $40 isn't THAT bad for the console... I'd pay it. Keep in mind it will have games built-in. Just because the systems are $20 or less doesn't mean the vintage cartridges are dirt cheap. Sonic & Knuckles itself is about $15 used at the scummier outlets. If you can get Sega to let you have more popular titles then it shouldn't be a problem.
I'd go ahead and try to market it. The damn Yobos sell between $50 and $60 in the used game retailers that carry Yobo stuff and they actually fly off shelves. One outlet near me won't even take trade-ins on the vintage consoles because the Yobos sell better. Another store I know of sells the FC Mobile so they already buy from you.
I'm going to be in contact with my local used retailer, provide them Hyperkin's
info and see if they'd want to order stuff from you. I don't know where they're buying the Yobo stuff, but I'm guessing it's ALL they offer for sale to them.
Now, I'm guessing from the photos that the button above the d-pad is the mode button for the 6-button incompatible games, since the start button was usually above the action buttons.
Just make sure the controllers included with the console have that button.
Sonicwolf
03-24-2009, 08:06 PM
*is waiting for ebay to get this stuff*
Have not looked forward to consoles like this for a while
Tupin
03-24-2009, 08:12 PM
*is waiting for ebay to get this stuff*
I think some stores in my area might have it already, I might have to call them...
Sonicwolf
03-24-2009, 08:16 PM
You are lucky that stores in your area carry stuff like this. The closest store that carries new retro video game stuff is about 80km from my house. Its very irritating.
Diosoth
03-24-2009, 08:45 PM
You are lucky that stores in your area carry stuff like this. The closest store that carries new retro video game stuff is about 80km from my house. Its very irritating.
Not really. I can order most of that type of stuff off Amazon for far cheaper than their in-store retail. Even with shipping it still costs less.
Tupin
03-24-2009, 08:45 PM
You are lucky that stores in your area carry stuff like this. The closest store that carries new retro video game stuff is about 80km from my house. Its very irritating.
There are like two or three within twenty miles of my house, and all of them carry hardware. One JUST started carrying the original FC Mobile and some original but overpriced systems, another one always has the newest Hyperkin/Yobo products, and the other has authentic systems as well as clones.
Sonicwolf
03-24-2009, 08:49 PM
There are like two or three within twenty miles of my house, and all of them carry hardware. One JUST started carrying the original FC Mobile and some original but overpriced systems, another one always has the newest Hyperkin/Yobo products, and the other has authentic systems as well as clones.
Im feeling a little bit emo now. I live in a far off suburb of the city of Vancouver and we have jack for shopping options for anything. There isnt even an antique or specific interest hobby store here. 159,000 people-- pretty sad.
Tupin
03-24-2009, 08:57 PM
Im feeling a little bit emo now. I live in a far off suburb of the city of Vancouver and we have jack for shopping options for anything. There isnt even an antique or specific interest hobby store here. 159,000 people-- pretty sad.
The biggest cities around here have like 50,000 people, and we have all that within a ten mile radius, along with five Goodwills. All the good classic gaming stores are either local or state-wide chains.
Sonicwolf
03-24-2009, 09:01 PM
The biggest cities around here have like 50,000 people, and we have all that within a ten mile radius, along with five Goodwills. All the good classic gaming stores are either local or state-wide chains.
This is painful. Especially considering I dont have out of city transportation. Funny thing is, the Vancouver region has millions of people living in it and their is only 3 retro game stores... lol.
The guy from 8bitclassics apparently was recording my presentation at MGC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXiu9CnhrpE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K7Xbqf2APY
MachineGex
03-26-2009, 01:47 PM
The Pluto looks so sexy. Nice job!
Akito01
03-26-2009, 03:29 PM
So, the Pluto could really be out as soon as the end of next month? That's both surprising and awesome. In my mind, I wasn't expecting it until at least the end of summer. Seeing it in hand, the Pluto looks like a very nice device. The FC Mobiles, as functional as they are, are certainly clunky looking beasts, but the Pluto is definitely something I wouldn't be shy about showing off in public.
Emuaust
03-26-2009, 04:05 PM
It would nearly be a console seller if you could tie up with the pier solar team and do a mainstream release of there game along with the gaia, it may ship units.
Tupin
03-26-2009, 04:10 PM
It would nearly be a console seller if you could tie up with the pier solar team and do a mainstream release of there game along with the gaia, it may ship units.
That would be pretty awesome, but I'm not sure it would make people want to buy it more, unless they advertise how it's the first mainstream Genesis release in over ten years.
Diosoth
03-26-2009, 04:28 PM
I think the only "flaw" with the FC Mobile is the cartridges themselves, designed large to fit in a big system. Most of them have boards that would fit in smaller housings. You end up with a game that's bigger than the console itself.
Tupin
03-26-2009, 04:48 PM
It's actually the second biggest media ever used in a cartridge based system, next only to the Neo-Geo.
Tupin
03-26-2009, 05:26 PM
Just called local store here, they didn't have any...
Sonicwolf
03-26-2009, 05:36 PM
eBay still doesnt have any... *dies a little*
I haven't even begun preorders for them yet...
I did say March was doubtful, it's looking more like early April.
Since FC Mobile 2 is nearly done, my focus will now move to Pluto and after that is something many of you have been waiting for.
Sonicwolf
03-26-2009, 05:40 PM
On the pluto I think the battery being rechargable should be optional. There is nothing worse for a console than to have only rechargable batteries later on. Try and find a DS original battery in 20 years that actually works...
Tupin
03-26-2009, 05:53 PM
What will be even worse is PS3 controllers. :X
Sonicwolf
03-26-2009, 06:00 PM
What will be even worse is PS3 controllers. :X
I think that eventually, if Sony starts thinking smart, they will release controllers with battery options similar to the 360 controllers.
Tupin
03-28-2009, 04:35 PM
So, since Megaman 3 works, I can assume the FC Mobile II is 100% compatible with all games except for the usual Castlevania III, Paperboy, and Battletoads?
Oh, and any news on playing Famicom games with an adapter?
Tupin
03-28-2009, 05:59 PM
Hey, are these holes in the system speakers?
So, since Megaman 3 works, I can assume the FC Mobile II is 100% compatible with all games except for the usual Castlevania III, Paperboy, and Battletoads?
Oh, and any news on playing Famicom games with an adapter?
That sounds about right.
I don't own a honeybee or famicom games and the local retro shop won't cut me a deal. I ain't paying $20 for a honeybee.
Anybody know a console modder in Southern California? I need to get some work done.
Sonicwolf
03-28-2009, 07:07 PM
I saw the presentation and it looks pretty good. I am waiting with vigilance.
Diosoth
03-28-2009, 08:23 PM
That sounds about right.
I don't own a honeybee or famicom games and the local retro shop won't cut me a deal. I ain't paying $20 for a honeybee.
Anybody know a console modder in Southern California? I need to get some work done.
You could gut old Gyromite cartridges. Those sometimes have them due to Nintendo needing a rush of copies one year. However, not all copies have them, and unless you have a portable scale to weigh the games, the only way to determine is disassembly or hope you can actually tell which is heavier simply by feel.
However, they should work without hassle.
Tupin
03-28-2009, 08:32 PM
Yeah, just saw off the tabs, or flip the converter over.
$20 for a Honeybee isn't that bad. I paid $15 for a non-Honeybee, and it's a lot more convenient than gutting my Hogan's Alley cart every time I want to play a Famicom game.
Oh, and you can tell which games have converters in them if they apply to the following three specifications:
1. It has a flat top.
2. It has five flathead screws.
3. And most importantly, its pins are shifted over to the right rather than straight.
Diosoth
03-28-2009, 08:38 PM
Yeah, just saw off the tabs, or flip the converter over.
$20 for a Honeybee isn't that bad. I paid $15 for a non-Honeybee, and it's a lot more convenient than gutting my Hogan's Alley cart every time I want to play a Famicom game.
Oh, and you can tell which games have converters in them if they apply to the following three specifications:
1. It has a flat top.
2. It has five flathead screws.
3. And most importantly, its pins are shifted over to the right rather than straight.
I wouldn't totally count on the first 2. I've encounetred a LOT of Gyromite carts that met the first 2 requirements but didn't have converters. I think some people swipe out the converter and replace the board inside with some random board afterwards to re-sell them(since I don't know of a single used game outlet that even tests vintage carts when they buy them).
Tupin
03-28-2009, 08:42 PM
Yeah, the best way to tell is whether the pins are straight or off to the right.
Diosoth
03-28-2009, 08:48 PM
http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/23
That should help, I think.
Sonicwolf
03-29-2009, 12:54 AM
I never understood the need for Famicom compatability... Thats probably because I have only seen one Famicom game in my life... lol.
Tupin
03-29-2009, 01:54 PM
I never understood the need for Famicom compatability... Thats probably because I have only seen one Famicom game in my life... lol.
Well, I own several Famicom games that I would love to play on the go, plus, it's called the FC Mobile. LOL
Basically, if it plays NES, it will play Famicom with an adapter. The reason I asked is because some pirated games have problems, and I was wondering whether the Famicom version of Battletoads worked.
Sonicwolf
03-29-2009, 11:06 PM
Well, I own several Famicom games that I would love to play on the go, plus, it's called the FC Mobile. LOL
Basically, if it plays NES, it will play Famicom with an adapter. The reason I asked is because some pirated games have problems, and I was wondering whether the Famicom version of Battletoads worked.
FC has become the pet name for everything Famicom related which unfortunately includes the NES. LOL.
Rare and foreign games are hard to come by in my hell hole of a city.
Sonicwolf
03-31-2009, 08:25 PM
Well we now have Genesis handhelds on the way, NES handhelds on the way. I wonder whats next...
Tupin
03-31-2009, 08:28 PM
New development, stores are taking preorders for the FC Mobile II with a release date of... May 1st?
http://ddrgame.stores.yahoo.net/game-accessory-fc-mobile-ii-black.html
Oh, and give pirates a few years, they'll find a way around copyrighted BIOSes common in systems past SNES.
Sonicwolf
03-31-2009, 08:29 PM
One day before my birthday...
I dont know If I can wait that long. LOL.
Tupin
03-31-2009, 08:47 PM
Yeah, I'm thinking May 1st isn't the real release date, I think it's a placeholder.
Sonicwolf
03-31-2009, 08:55 PM
I discovered I have only one Famicom game, 1988 olympics or something to that effect and I would like to play it for once after 4 years of owning it. Thus I will get an adaptor so I could play it - maybe even on the FC Mobile II. (if it works with the system)
Diosoth
03-31-2009, 09:25 PM
New development, stores are taking preorders for the FC Mobile II with a release date of... May 1st?
http://ddrgame.stores.yahoo.net/game-accessory-fc-mobile-ii-black.html
Oh, and give pirates a few years, they'll find a way around copyrighted BIOSes common in systems past SNES.
I'd seriously doubt the illicit Chinese bootleggers care about copyrights. Some of them already pack in the games, so a BIOS would be of no concern.
Hyperkin is keeping their stuff legal. The Famicom/NES patent is expired meaning Nintendo has no rights to the hardware and anyone can make NES-compatible systems. Their Sega stuff has the full licenses.
I'd expect SNES handhelds within 2 years. The clone consoles already have Super FX support and such.
Tupin
03-31-2009, 09:30 PM
They don't need Sega's permission to replicate the Genesis, the patent ran out this year like it did with the Famicom in 2003 and NES in 2005. They only need permission for the games, which Sega seems to have a pretty steady approach to letting 3rd parties use them. Nintendo would never let them pack games in with clones of their systems, even if it were licensed.
Nintendo really doesn't care about cloned systems since they appeal to such a small market in North America that it doesn't matter. SNES clones are technically illegal until 2011, but no one has been punished over the FC Twin/Retro Duo.
Sonicwolf
03-31-2009, 09:55 PM
I cant wait until the mid 10's when the N64 patent runs out.
Tupin
03-31-2009, 10:19 PM
Mid 10's? Man, I can wait to play some retro Banjo-Kazooie before I hop on my Mattel Hoverboard to go see Jaws 19. LOL
Sonicwolf
03-31-2009, 10:23 PM
Dont worry, the Shark will still look fake. Thinking about that hover-car conversion yet? Or better yet... Preparing for a life of getting tranked every friday?
I can wait to hidrate my first pizza and taste my first Pepsi Perfect.
boogiecat
03-31-2009, 10:23 PM
I cant wait until the mid 10's when the N64 patent runs out.
Yeah i hope that happens in the future,for sure that would be great...
There are lots of Famicom clones out there same goes to the Genesis but not that much on the SNES/Super Famicom here in Asia right now..
Sonicwolf
03-31-2009, 10:29 PM
Yeah i hope that happens in the future,for sure that would be great...
I think it would take a bunch of time to figure out how to emulate the 64 hardware into a smaller version while remaining compatible. It would have to have a switchable built in memory system, a built in non-removeable memory expansion right out of the box too.
Tupin
03-31-2009, 10:34 PM
The N64 was an odd system, which was why it was pretty hard to program for. Not as hard to program for as the Saturn or Jaguar, but it still was built oddly. That would create problems when you try to find chips to emulate N64, a lot of them were made specifically for N64.
Did you know that the EXT port is directly connected to the cartridge port? Just another weird N64 fact.
Sonicwolf
03-31-2009, 10:38 PM
Did you know that the EXT port is directly connected to the cartridge port? Just another weird N64 fact.
That wierd. I didnt know that.
Another oddity is the power supply brick plugging into the system instead of the Power Plug - Cord - Power Brick - Cord - System plug style.
boogiecat
04-01-2009, 05:50 AM
Oh i see,no wonder i don't see N64-cloned consoles out there due to its complex architecture(if that term was right)..
I have a portable Gamecube on my desk, in addition to working portables of SNES and N64. All of these are ready for mass manufacturing.
MachineGex
04-01-2009, 01:03 PM
I have a portable Gamecube on my desk, in addition to working portables of SNES and N64. All of these are ready for mass manufacturing.
Where is your office and when do you leave for lunch? ;)
Sonicwolf
04-01-2009, 01:31 PM
I have a portable Gamecube on my desk, in addition to working portables of SNES and N64. All of these are ready for mass manufacturing.
*dies a little*
Your hurtin me! ME DO WANT.
Diosoth
04-01-2009, 03:10 PM
I have a portable Gamecube on my desk, in addition to working portables of SNES and N64. All of these are ready for mass manufacturing.
Nintendo would surely send hired hitmen if you ever sold that unlicensed Gamecube.
BTW, I passed on Hyperkin's info to my local game retailer. Hopefully they'll like your upcoming systems enough to place orders.
Sonicwolf
04-01-2009, 03:29 PM
Nintendo would surely send hired hitmen if you ever sold that unlicensed Gamecube.
BTW, I passed on Hyperkin's info to my local game retailer. Hopefully they'll like your upcoming systems enough to place orders.
Damn you and your local retailers. Damn you all to hell. But seriously, I dont know where I would tell people to stock these systems without travelling 100km.
thom_m
04-01-2009, 04:12 PM
I have a portable Gamecube on my desk, in addition to working portables of SNES and N64. All of these are ready for mass manufacturing.
LOL
Anyway, let me digress a little and ask you something, Tofu: I read somewhere that some Genesis clones use a board made by our very own Tec Toy. Does any of the genesis systems you're making (is the Gaia still up?) make use of it, or used it in anyway during development?
I ask because, until some point, Tec Toy Mega Drives could run everything, even Virtua Racing. I don't know about the more recent versions (when they still had cart slots), but my Model 2 MD is 100% compatible - at least, with US games.
LOL
Anyway, let me digress a little and ask you something, Tofu: I read somewhere that some Genesis clones use a board made by our very own Tec Toy. Does any of the genesis systems you're making (is the Gaia still up?) make use of it, or used it in anyway during development?
I ask because, until some point, Tec Toy Mega Drives could run everything, even Virtua Racing. I don't know about the more recent versions (when they still had cart slots), but my Model 2 MD is 100% compatible - at least, with US games.
I don't know anything about chipsets or ICs, that's all done overseas.
The Gaia prototype I have can play Virtua racing, the handheld Pluto cannot.
Sonicwolf
04-01-2009, 04:45 PM
Any good information on a SuperNESPortable?
Tupin
04-01-2009, 04:50 PM
I have a portable Gamecube on my desk, in addition to working portables of SNES and N64. All of these are ready for mass manufacturing.
This is why I like Hyperkin, nothing like a good April Fool's joke. 8-)
This is why I like Hyperkin, nothing like a good April Fool's joke. 8-)
Awww man, I wanted to keep this going for at least the full day.LOL
Diosoth
04-01-2009, 07:32 PM
Awww man, I wanted to keep this going for at least the full day.LOL
Actually, I could believe a portable Gamecube is possible, if for 1 reason only- the discs are small. Of course, it'd no doubt retail for $300-$500 due to the parts needed and would still be bigger than a Game Gear by a good margin, not counting a control design. Perhaps same with the N64. The homemade units tend to be QUITE bulky.
Given the number of functioning SNES clones, a portable SNES would be rather easy to produce, no harder than the Genesis so long as it was compatible with most of the special chip games. As even the FC Twin can run Starfox, I doubt it's an issue. But the concern may be the chipset needed... I've heard of NOAC and GOAC but my Retro Duo has a rather hefty board for the SNES side of the unit.
Tupin
04-01-2009, 08:51 PM
Portable Gamecube? Where have I seen that before....
http://www.igniq.com/images/portable_nintendo_gamecube_050505.jpg
It even plays the beta version of Windwaker. Beat that, Hyperkin!
jk. :P
boogiecat
04-01-2009, 09:13 PM
Portable Gamecube? Where have I seen that before....
http://www.igniq.com/images/portable_nintendo_gamecube_050505.jpg
It even plays the beta version of Windwaker. Beat that, Hyperkin!
jk. :P
WOW F@CK!!! Is this true???:onfire: If so well i'll buy that thing no matter how expensive that one!! I WANT ONE!!!:onfire:
Diosoth
04-01-2009, 09:21 PM
WOW F@CK!!! Is this true???:onfire: If so well i'll buy that thing no matter how expensive that one!! I WANT ONE!!!:onfire:
Photoshop job. May be possible eventually but not now.
Your best bet for "portable" Gamecube is to get one of those clip-on screens and battery packs.
Tupin
04-02-2009, 07:56 PM
Have any stores started selling yet?