Big is beautiful
There are strong rumours emanating from Japan that Sega is poised to re-release its aged 8-Bit hand held, the GameGear. The battery-massacring console was originally released by Sega back in 1991 as a competitor to the GameBoy. It sold well in its first two years on the market, though it was expensive to buy and run. To combat running costs Sega released an A/C adapter, a car adapter and a groovy rechargeable battery pack that clipped to the player’s belt.
With the recent resurgence in portable gaming, it seems quite feasible on the surface, that Sega would make a handheld console. When this surface is scratched however it seems a lot less likely. For a start, Sega has vowed to embark on a “tactical withdrawal” from hardware production. You then have to consider that, though we love the GameGear dearly, the fact is that it is totally obsolete. The 8-Bit Game Boy only survives to this day as a platform due to its hosting of the massive Pokemon series.
What could be possible is that Sega is planning to release a new version of the console. One that is less battery intensive and considerably smaller would probably do quite well. Even now when games like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 are played, they impress with sheer graphical might and speed.
Another possibility could see Sega re-releasing the Nomad, the portable version of the Mega Drive. If it could manage to create a slimmed down version of the brilliant 16-bit handheld, give it a competitive price, and combine it with Sega’s massive support base the company could be on to a winner.
Information about the re-release of the GameGear is scant at the moment but we can tell you this: The machine will be launched in Japan at the end of February and will come bundled with a cartridge with twenty classic GameGear titles.
With the recent resurgence in portable gaming, it seems quite feasible on the surface, that Sega would make a handheld console. When this surface is scratched however it seems a lot less likely. For a start, Sega has vowed to embark on a “tactical withdrawal” from hardware production. You then have to consider that, though we love the GameGear dearly, the fact is that it is totally obsolete. The 8-Bit Game Boy only survives to this day as a platform due to its hosting of the massive Pokemon series.
What could be possible is that Sega is planning to release a new version of the console. One that is less battery intensive and considerably smaller would probably do quite well. Even now when games like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 are played, they impress with sheer graphical might and speed.
Another possibility could see Sega re-releasing the Nomad, the portable version of the Mega Drive. If it could manage to create a slimmed down version of the brilliant 16-bit handheld, give it a competitive price, and combine it with Sega’s massive support base the company could be on to a winner.
Information about the re-release of the GameGear is scant at the moment but we can tell you this: The machine will be launched in Japan at the end of February and will come bundled with a cartridge with twenty classic GameGear titles.
Companies:
SEGA
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