FC Mobile II and Sega Digital Pocket - New Handhelds from Hyperkin.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

That reverse button layout is a joke around here. Our original design had the buttons in place correctly but some genius at the factory thought he was doing us a huge favor by correcting our mistake.

We still have a large stock of original FC Mobiles so I wouldn't expect the problem to be fixed unless you get a FC Mobile v2.0

Don't worry, we'll sell replacement batteries for a gazillion dollars each.

Sweet, glad to know that you're aware that that was an issue.

I'd say that it's pretty danged important to make sure the factory has some clear instructions this time around.

Must be the same guy who worked at the factory making the OneStation portables ... those suffer from that same problem.

So, even WITH the 20 Genesis/MegaDrive games on-board is the Genesis unit going to have a cartridge slot, or is it just going to be a plug/play type unit with a screen?

[tofu]

Both will have cartridge slots.

Also, I believe SEGA has given us the chipset necessary to play the trouble games like Virtua Racer. So it should have 100% compatibility but until I receive a prototype I'm not making any guarantees.

[thom_m]

That reverse button layout is a joke around here. Our original design had the buttons in place correctly but some genius at the factory thought he was doing us a huge favor by correcting our mistake

Ha! Priceless! And so, one of the most intriguing mysteries in the history of famiclones is solved! Well, at least one case...

Poor guy. Does he even know about all the hate he has inspired?

[Tupin]

Both will have cartridge slots.

Also, I believe SEGA has given us the chipset necessary to play the trouble games like Virtua Racer. So it should have 100% compatibility but until I receive a prototype I'm not making any guarantees.

I guess Sega is better with this kind of stuff, are you in similar relations with Nintendo?

Oh, and if I could say something about the retroGEN, the buttons seem to be at a really steep angle. The FC Mobile 2's buttons look fine, though. The system itself looks a little boxier than the original, but as long as it is ergonomic, I'm fine with it.

[tofu]

Nintendo won't even take my calls, they're too busy make revolutionary new items like the Wii Helm:


I'll take another look at the retroGENmobile's buttons.

[Tupin]

Nintendo won't even take my calls, they're too busy make revolutionary new items like the Wii Helm:


I'll take another look at the retroGENmobile's buttons.

True, True.

[tofu]

For the retroGENmobile, you're right, the buttons are at a very steep angle.

I still have not received a working prototype so I can't tell you if it's a problem. At the same time, I don't see how we can fit six buttons horizontally without adding another three quarters of an inch. We could make the buttons smaller, but that's not a very good option.

Maybe we'll reduce the number of buttons to three? What do you guys think of that?

[Jimid2]

Sure, that unit is going to be called the retroGENmobile and will be licensed by SEGA once we finish haggling over the royalties.

In my opinion it's a superior product because it does come with a decent rechargeable battery and the twenty games built in. But we all know Nintendo dominated the gaming industry in those days and the following for SEGA just isn't as strong.

I can't figure out how to post the picture... damn my feeble mind...

Anyways, the twenty games for the retroGENmobile have not yet been determined. We have a large catalog of games to chose from but SEGA doesn't want us hurting the retro market by plugging in the top sellers.

Comments on that handheld are also appreciated.

Well, the Genesis was less popular in Asia, but it ruled Europe and North America for the majority of the 16-bit era, so I would be surprised if you didn't actually realize higher sales of the Genesis machine in these markets, especially if it's licensed by Sega and comes with a collection of built-in games - heck, I'll buy two! I can't really express how much I'm looking forward to this system. And for the record, yes, I do own an FC Mobile - wonderful toy! but I wish the buttons were positioned a little better; I'll probably buy the FC Mobile V.2...

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

For the retroGENmobile, you're right, the buttons are at a very steep angle.

I still have not received a working prototype so I can't tell you if it's a problem. At the same time, I don't see how we can fit six buttons horizontally without adding another three quarters of an inch. We could make the buttons smaller, but that's not a very good option.

Maybe we'll reduce the number of buttons to three? What do you guys think of that?

I'd say six on an angle is better than three on less of an angle.

[ooXxXoo]

Hey Paul,
I'm an electrical engineer and I happen to study very closely the internal designs of many clone systems.... Recently(maybe, since a year or two), I've noticed that the quality of the NOAC's out there is getting cheap, making the gameplay not so desirable...For example: awkward palette colors which results in hot/saturated/distorted backgrounds, the solid greens everyone is mostly used to see during gameplay, become fluorescent greens or even yellow, etc...
I don't own a FC mobile yet, but hopefully it doesn't have this issue..
It would be great if you could let your people know about this problem...So, some of us (tech people) don't bash you all system in the end...
......
......

[tofu]

What you've been seeing is a race to the bottom. It happens with every product once low cost competitors enter the field.

Since patents are almost never enforced during overseas manufacturing. What results is the original developer may not always have an edge and has to compete with unethical copycats who are more than willing to copy and reproduce similar products at lower costs. For retailers and distributors that sort of competition just leads to higher margins and they're more than willing to switch suppliers.

Actually... I'm looking at your website and it really interests me. Is it possible for 8bit systems to have clearer pictures with modifications?

[Sonicwolf]

Maybe we'll reduce the number of buttons to three? What do you guys think of that?

Keep the number of buttons to match the Genesis arcade 6 button pad. That would be best

[Tupin]

Another question, the FC Mobile 2 seems boxier than the original. I'm assuming all the pictures we've seen thusfar are prototypes?

[tofu]

We had to squeeze in the infrared sensor, you can expect the v2 to be boxier. The width from version one to version two will be the same.

Edit: It's a bit off-topic but if you guys have reasonable requests for a new product that'll be marketable to the general retro-gaming public I'd be happy to hear those as well.

[Sonicwolf]

Suggestion: A dedicated Super Nintendo portable. That would take off and sell like crazy. I would buy several. lol

[tofu]

Suggestion: A dedicated Super Nintendo portable. That would take off and sell like crazy. I would buy several. lol

That's in the works.

[Sonicwolf]

That's in the works.

Heres the part where you tell me your not someone impersonating a company worker .. please?.

[Tupin]

I always thought a TurboGrafx16 clone or a system with TurboGrafx16 compatibility would be cool, but I think it would be hard to do without stealing the design of a PC Engine clone.

Oh, and to post pics, just upload it to your computer and click the paperclip to add attachments.

Anyways, very cool products, I'll be getting them for sure. The only problem is deciding which one to get first.

[Sonicwolf]

Imagine the future. Nintendo 64 portable *drools*

[tofu]

Taking a system and cramming into a handheld isn't hard, especially when the system has been aged fifteen years or more.

That being said, I still wouldn't expect a handheld SNES anytime soon. We could probably push it out within a year if we really wanted to but there's so many other business factors to consider before doing so.

btw, nobody here mentioned it... but don't the controllers that come with the v2 bother anyone? They look terrible.

Heres the part where you tell me your not someone impersonating a company worker .. please?.

Send me a PM with your e-mail, I'll send you the latest sample pictures.