More Game Wizard info needed

[ventrra]

As I was preparing to rebuid my Game Wizard FAQ, I noticed that it seems to have a small problem: I have no info on the differences between the Bible Stories and Barbie Game Wizards and the rest of the Game Wizard line. Does anyone have any measurements, pictures, observations, etc. that they can offer on this subject?

Also, I don't have a cartridge list for the Ace Ventura version of the system.

[slapdash]

I unfortunately didn't note the Ace Ventura games when I saw the system, so I can't help there.

The main system is oriented like a Gameboy, but the Barbie system is more Game Gear-like orientation-wise (controls to the sides, not below). I can't recall size-wise how the carts were different, but I seem to recall the shape varying a bit... I'd offer to research, but I can't promise, as I'm not sure where mine are right now, and may not have the time to dig.

[ventrra]

Thanks, Russ. And if I didn't mention it before: Thanks for the previous info as well.

[slapdash]

De nada. At least I found the time to do that. It's when I have to dig that I can't get to things. :-(

[christianscott27]

i've got a super stupid mighty morphin power rangers version with 2 carts

[ventrra]

i've got a super stupid mighty morphin power rangers version with 2 carts
I own one of those myself, along with a Star Wars set, and a Fairy Tale set. Those sort are noted in the current version of the FAQ (Much of which, as noted above, comes from Russ). I should be recieving a Grandstand Game Player sometime soon so that I can do some cross compatability testing.


The main system is oriented like a Gameboy, but the Barbie system is more Game Gear-like orientation-wise (controls to the sides, not below). I can't recall size-wise how the carts were different, but I seem to recall the shape varying a bit... I'd offer to research, but I can't promise, as I'm not sure where mine are right now, and may not have the time to dig.
If you do get the time to to that at some point, let me know. So far, you seem to be the only person who's admitted to knowing anything about those systems.

[slapdash]

I should be recieving a Grandstand Game Player sometime soon so that I can do some cross compatability testing.

Let me know if you find more than the basic three games (Invader, Minefield, Football? IIRC) for that thing too, as those are the only ones I've ever seen.


The main system is oriented like a Gameboy, but the Barbie system is more Game Gear-like orientation-wise (controls to the sides, not below). I can't recall size-wise how the carts were different, but I seem to recall the shape varying a bit... I'd offer to research, but I can't promise, as I'm not sure where mine are right now, and may not have the time to dig.
If you do get the time to to that at some point, let me know. So far, you seem to be the only person who's admitted to knowing anything about those systems.[/quote]

I actually managed to dig it out and grab a pic, but so far haven't had the time to upload it to my computer. The cool thing is that there's also a Barbie-sized Game Wizard with the set I got. I think other sets had other things, but maybe they all just had the mini-GW; can't recall now. The carts do look like they wouldn't work in a normal GW, but I can't say for sure since I wasn't able to dig out any of those with the Barbie one...

I'll hopefully be able to post a pic in a few days.

[ventrra]

Let me know if you find more than the basic three games (Invader, Minefield, Football? IIRC) for that thing too, as those are the only ones I've ever seen.

I will, but that's all that I've seen, too, for some strange reason. Maybe it was sold as a curiosity item or test marketing item?


I actually managed to dig it out and grab a pic, but so far haven't had the time to upload it to my computer. The cool thing is that there's also a Barbie-sized Game Wizard with the set I got. I think other sets had other things, but maybe they all just had the mini-GW; can't recall now. The carts do look like they wouldn't work in a normal GW, but I can't say for sure since I wasn't able to dig out any of those with the Barbie one...

I'll hopefully be able to post a pic in a few days.
That's sounds cool! A Barbie sized Game Wizard! :D I might be able to make a (not so) intelligent guess about the cart compatability if it's included in the picture. Eventually, I'm going to have to find a way to get my hands on one & find out what makes it tick anyway.

[ventrra]

I got my Grandstand Game Player today (with Invader, Minefield, and Football {Soccer}). I can now state with certainty that the systems are not compatable although they are made almost entirely of the same parts. x_x It looks like, not only did they add a bit of blockage to the US carts to prevent them from fitting into a Grandstand machine, but the power configureation was changed. I'm going to do some more work on them later to see if I can figure out just how different they are internally.

[slapdash]

That's sounds cool! A Barbie sized Game Wizard! :D I might be able to make a (not so) intelligent guess about the cart compatability if it's included in the picture.

It will be, but I'm pretty sure they won't be compatible... The Barbie carts seem a little wider (to my memory of the regular ones), and possibly slimmer. They're also shaped with a protruding part where the PCB contacts are -- if the system conforms to them, then certainly the regular carts won't work in the Barbie systems.

[ventrra]

It will be, but I'm pretty sure they won't be compatible... The Barbie carts seem a little wider (to my memory of the regular ones), and possibly slimmer. They're also shaped with a protruding part where the PCB contacts are -- if the system conforms to them, then certainly the regular carts won't work in the Barbie systems.
If you have time, would you mind posting a bit of the measurements? It isn't required since I can always go back and make another update of the FAQ.

[ventrra]

By the way....
Has anyone seen this page: http://users2.ev1.net/~rik1138/MGA/GameWizard.htm ????

I've emailed the page owner to ask about it. I haven't seen an MGA Game Wizard looking like that before and it doesn't appear on any lists that I have. Anyone have any ideas?

[slapdash]

I have that same picture in my files! I don't remember where I got it, but I suspect that it was from an auction that neither of us won. It appears, by the game titles, to be a clone of the Grandstand model, not the MGA ones, but that's pure speculation.

BTW, I finally got a pic of my Barbie Game Wizard... Haven't ever tried to post an image here, but will try...

http://users.rcn.com/slapdash/pix/BarbieGameWizard.jpg

[ventrra]

Geez...!! You weren't kidding about it being different! :o :o
Just to be certain, though: You don't mind if I include a shrunk down or edited version of this picture in my FAQ, do you? Properly credited?

[slapdash]

Just to be certain, though: You don't mind if I include a shrunk down or edited version of this picture in my FAQ, do you? Properly credited?

Sure, you can use the pic with a credit. I actually shrunk it down a little to the size it is now... I can mail a bigger pic if you'd like.

[ventrra]

Sure, you can use the pic with a credit. I actually shrunk it down a little to the size it is now... I can mail a bigger pic if you'd like.
Thanks! I've completed and sent in the FAQ, so I suppose that it'll be up as soon as Joe looks it over and posts it.
I actually had to shrink it down for inclusion in the FAQ: It was a bit too big! LOL However, I wouldn't mind having a larger one so I can personally make out the details better on it. Rather fascinating design for a Game Wizard! If you feel like it, send the larger one to my user name + @yahoo.com or @hotmail.com.

BTW: the picture had a lot of info tagged into it about how it was produced. (If you have XP and right click on it and look at "properties", anyway.)