GP32 or Wonderswan, which is more collectable/awesome?

[Andaeeee]

I've found each of them boxed for around the same price and I only have enough money for one of them, and unfortunately due to them ending soon I won't be able to get enough to get both which sucks a bit. Which one would you guys reccomend I go for?

[Blanka789]

I'd go for the Wonderswan. The GP32 is pretty good for emulation from what I've heard, but I don't think it had many official releases. I don't see the GP32 as something that woul be considered collectible, but it may be pretty fun to own.

I've been wanting to get into Wonderswan collecting myself. It has a lot of original games and some variations on its hardware, it really looks like a cool system. It had a special Final Fantasy bundle that's pretty valuable, and I would say it's a fairly collectible system. Plus, it gets bonus points for making an appearance on FLCL LOL

Go for the Wonderswan.

[burn_654]

Well, GP32 was awesome for the homebrew scene (I really wanted one when it came out) but sadly most of the retail games were in Korean. They're pretty hard to find now. Nowadays the PSP and Dingoo homebrew scene is much more interesting and has a lot less limitations.

I don't think there's as much a scene around the Wonderswan, but you'd probably have an easier time getting the retail games for it I would think. A lot are in Japanese but I'd definitely say collectable (the versions of Final Fantasy, some exclusive Rockman titles) could keep you busy with it.

That's just my two cents, I don't personally own either of them yet :P

[Aussie2B]

Yeah, Wonderswan games are much more readily available. It can be very tricky to find GP32 games available for purchase to those outside of Korea, and there's not many to begin with. GP32 was basically all about emulation. Although to get the particularly Western-friendly, popular Wonderswan titles, expect to pay a fair chunk. There's not a huge wealth of standard action games. Much of the library is anime-licensed and fairly text-heavy.

[Edmond Dantes]

I actually found a store recently that had a Wonderswan Color with a boxed copy of Final Fantasy IV. I passed on it. Maybe I shouldn't have?

[Shinobi]

I can see those in almost every bookoff/ hardoff here in Japan for 980 yen, its an quite common version of the wonderswan.
Better look for the latest and best edition the Wonderswan Crystal, which playes all Wonderswan Games in its best version ( Display, Color, Design of the System )

For Gp32 - its only good for Emulation and Romdownloading freaks, if your into those better get the latest version of the GP32 which is called "caanoo" - but same here not much retail gamesoft, just good for playing roms of different Emulators.

[Edmond Dantes]

I've never even heard of the GP32...

[theclaw]

What's trickier to get than games are Wonderswan accessories. There was a worm light, link cable, headphone adapter, etc, you don't see often now.

[Edmond Dantes]

So none of the Wonderswans were backlit?

[Andaeeee]

Thanks guys, bidded on the 'swan. It comes with Buffers Evolution, is that any good?

[retro junkie]

Thanks guys, bidded on the 'swan. It comes with Buffers Evolution, is that any good?

Good game. You will find it easily to figure out and play. It is a B&W game. You have three characters to pick from. It has a sort-of Sonic the Hedgehog platform feel about it, just not as fast.

Some games that I would suggest to look for would be,
Pocket Fighter
Puyo Puyo 2
Digimon Battle Spirit
One Piece Swan Colosseum (worth having the Swan alone for)
Guilty Gear 1 & 2
SD Gundam Operation U.C. (repetitive shooting & fighting with level building for the character)
Klonoa - Moonlight Museum

Just a few suggestions.

[Blanka789]

I've heard a lot of great things about that One Piece game, but still haven't tried it. Is it easily playable without extensive knowledge of Japanese? If so, I may need to find a Wonderswan sooner than I thought.

[retro junkie]

I've heard a lot of great things about that One Piece game, but still haven't tried it. Is it easily playable without extensive knowledge of Japanese? If so, I may need to find a Wonderswan sooner than I thought.

It is a one on one fighting game that is very fun to play. You would easily adapt to it. Best fighter on the system, IMO.
http://www.walagata.com/w/redmoon/swanscreen.gif

This is a pic of my system running the game. It is very hard to get a good picture of a non-backlit screen. First you have to get it in the light just right and then there is the glare you have to deal with. Here's another one, which is better.

http://www.walagata.com/w/redmoon/swscreen.gif

SPECIAL HINT: If you hold down the "Start" button while turning the unit on, you can access a personal data and option page. You can imput your name, birthdate, sex, and bloodtype.