Difference between revisions of "Neo Geo Pocket Color"

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(Created page with "<p style="line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">The '''Neo Geo Pocket Color''' (shortened '''NGPC'''), is a 16-bit colour [http:...")
 
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<p style="line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">The '''Neo Geo Pocket Color''' (shortened '''NGPC'''), is a 16-bit colour [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handheld handheld] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_console video game console] manufactured by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNK_Playmore SNK]. It is a successor to SNK's monochrome [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket Neo Geo Pocket] handheld which debuted in 1998 in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan Japan]. The Neo Geo Pocket Color was released on March 16, 1999 in Japan, August 6, 1999 in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America North America], and some time in 1999 in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe Europe].</p>
 
  
<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">The Neo Geo Pocket Color was SNK's last video game console, and is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backwards_compatible backwards compatible] with the Neo Geo Pocket. In 2000, following SNK's purchase by American [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachinko pachinko]manufacturer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aruze Aruze], the Neo Geo Pocket Color was dropped from both the North American and European markets. It did, however, last until 2001 in Japan, with a total of 2 million units sold.</p>
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{{Infobox_console
{| class="toc" id="toc" style="font-size:12px;border-color:rgb(170,170,170);color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:19.1875px;text-align:start;"
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|Manufacturer = [[SNK]]
|
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|Generation = Sixth generation
==Contents==
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|Release date = March 16, 1999 (JP)
 <span class="toctoggle" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:11px;"> [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color# hide]] </span>*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color#Features 1 Features]
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|Media type = Cartridges
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color#History 2 History]
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|Media Compatibility = Neo Geo Pocket
**[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color#US_Release 2.1 US Release]
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|Predecessor = [[Neo Geo Pocket]]}}The '''Neo Geo Pocket Color''' (shortened '''NGPC'''), is a 16-bit colour handheld video game console manufactured by SNK. It is a successor to SNK's monochrome [[Neo Geo Pocket]] handheld which debuted in 1998 in Japan. The Neo Geo Pocket Color was released on March 16, 1999 in Japan, August 6, 1999 in North America, and some time in 1999 in Europe. In 2000, following SNK's purchase by American pachinkomanufacturer Aruze, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was dropped from both the North American and European markets. It did, however, last until 2001 in Japan, with a total of 2 million units sold.
**[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color#Post-Aruze_buyout 2.2 Post-Aruze buyout]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color#Legacy 3 Legacy]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color#Technical_specifications 4 Technical specifications]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color#See_also 5 See also]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color#References 6 References]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color#External_links 7 External links]
 
|}
 
==Features <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;">[[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color&action=edit&section=1 edit]]</span>==
 
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">The Neo Geo Pocket Color is built very similarly to its predecessor, the Neo Geo Pocket, sporting two face buttons on the right hand side of the system, and an eight-directional digital joystick on the left. It is designed to be held horizontally (as opposed to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy Game Boy]'s vertical setup) and features a full colour screen in the center of the unit.</p>
 
  
<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">Like the Game Boy and subsequent [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy_Advance Game Boy Advance] consoles, the Neo Geo Pocket Color's screen is not back-lit, so games can only be seen in a well lit area. The Neo Geo Pocket Color is unusual in that it requires two sets of batteries - two [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA_batteries AA batteries] for the system itself, and an optional [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CR2032 CR2032] battery to retain backup memory and keep the clock active.</p>
 
  
<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">As well as a clock and calendar system the Neo Geo Pocket Color has several other features such as generated [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope horoscopes] and an alarm system.</p>
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The system enjoyed a greater success than any Game Boy competitor since Sega's Game Gear. However, it was hurt by several factors, such as the Neo Geo heads' (the Barone family) notorious lack of communication with third-party developers, the success of the Game Boy Color and the ''Pokémon''franchise, and anticipation of the Game Boy Advance.
==History <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;">[[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color&action=edit&section=2 edit]]</span>==
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==Technical specifications==
===US Release <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;">[[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color&action=edit&section=3 edit]]</span>===
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The Neo Geo Pocket Color is built very similarly to its predecessor, the Neo Geo Pocket, sporting two face buttons on the right hand side of the system, and an eight-directional digital joystick on the left. It is designed to be held horizontally (as opposed to the Game Boy's vertical setup) and features a full colour screen in the center of the unit.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NeoGeoPocketColorFaseleiCart.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NeoGeoPocketColorFaseleiCart.jpg ]The cartridge of the game ''Faselei!''<p style="line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">The NA version of the Neo Geo Pocket Color had an exclusive launch on the website [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EToys.com eToys] in 1999. eToys also sold the initial launch titles in the preferred plastic snap lock cases. The system debuted in the United States with six launch titles (twenty promised by end of year) and retail price of $69.95. Six different unit colors were available: Camouflage Blue, Carbon Black, Crystal White, Platinum Blue, Platinum Silver, and Stone Blue.</p>
 
  
<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">Before SNK was bought out, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was being advertised on US television and units were being sold nationally in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wal-Mart Wal-Mart], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_Buy Best Buy], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toys_%22R%22_Us Toys "R" Us], and other large retail chains.</p>
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Like the [[Game Boy]] and subsequent [[Game Boy Advance]] consoles, the Neo Geo Pocket Color's screen is not back-lit, so games can only be seen in a well lit area. The Neo Geo Pocket Color is unusual in that it requires two sets of batteries; two AA batteries for the system itself, and an optional CR2032 battery to retain backup memory and keep the clock active. The Neo Geo Pocket Color has several other features such as generated horoscopes, an alarm system as well as a clock and calendar system.
===Post-Aruze buyout <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;">[[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color&action=edit&section=4 edit]]</span>===
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*CPUs:Toshiba TLCS900H] core (16-bit), 6.144 MHz, Z80 at 3.072 MHz for sound.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Neo_Geo_pocket_color_advert.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Neo_Geo_pocket_color_advert.jpg ]Poster advertising the system.<p style="line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">Remaining stock was bought back by SNK for repackaging in Asia. In June 2000, SNK of America (and Europe) tried recalling most of the back-stock of systems and games to be [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_memory flashed]and re-sold in Asia where the system would continue to be sold and supported. Some of the back-stock of NA NGPC hardware and software started showing up back on the marketplace in North America and Asia in 2003. These units frequently appeared bundled with six games stripped of their cases and manuals. Two games often included, ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacnoth Faselei!]'' and ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Blade Last Blade]'' were never previously released in United States, meaning that they have no US-localized box or manual; however, these titles did receive a European release, incorporating an English translation.</p>
 
==Legacy <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;">[[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color&action=edit&section=5 edit]]</span>==
 
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">The system enjoyed a greater success than any [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy Game Boy] competitor since [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega Sega]'s [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Game_Gear Game Gear]. However, it was hurt by several factors, such as the Neo Geo heads' (the Barone family) notorious lack of communication with third-party developers,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-captwilliams_3-0" style="line-height:1em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color#cite_note-captwilliams-3 [3]]</sup> the success of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy_Color Game Boy Color] and the ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon Pokémon]''franchise, and anticipation of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy_Advance Game Boy Advance].<sup class="Template-Fact" style="line-height:1em;white-space:nowrap;">[''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed citation needed]'']</sup></p>
 
==Technical specifications <span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;">[[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neo_Geo_Pocket_Color&action=edit&section=6 edit]]</span>==
 
*CPUs: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toshiba_TLCS Toshiba TLCS900H] core (16-bit), 6.144 MHz, Z80 at 3.072 MHz for sound.
 
 
*RAM: 12 k for 900H, 4k for Z80 (shared with the 900H).
 
*RAM: 12 k for 900H, 4k for Z80 (shared with the 900H).
 
*ROM: 64 k boot ROM.
 
*ROM: 64 k boot ROM.
 
*Interfaces: SIO 1 channel 19200 bit/s, 5-pin serial port.
 
*Interfaces: SIO 1 channel 19200 bit/s, 5-pin serial port.
 
*Resolution: 160x152 (256x256 virtual screen).
 
*Resolution: 160x152 (256x256 virtual screen).
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_memory_access DMA]: 4 channels.
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*DMA: 4 channels.
 
*Colors: 16 palettes per plane, 48 palettes. 146 colors on screen out of 4096 (or 20 colors out of 4096 in monochrome mode).
 
*Colors: 16 palettes per plane, 48 palettes. 146 colors on screen out of 4096 (or 20 colors out of 4096 in monochrome mode).
 
*Sprites: 64 sprites per frame (8x8), 4 colors per sprite.
 
*Sprites: 64 sprites per frame (8x8), 4 colors per sprite.
 
*Scrolling: 2 scrolling planes, 8x8 character tiles (characters matrix shared with the sprites), 4 colors per tile.
 
*Scrolling: 2 scrolling planes, 8x8 character tiles (characters matrix shared with the sprites), 4 colors per tile.
*Sound: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SN76489 SN76489] variant, T6W28 (3 square wave tone generators with limited stereo capability + 1 monaural noise generator + direct access to the two 6 bits [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital-to-analog_converters DAC]).
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*Sound: SN76489 variant, T6W28 (3 square wave tone generators with limited stereo capability + 1 monaural noise generator + direct access to the two 6 bits DAC).
 
*Cartridges: Maximum 4 MB (32 Mbit) with 4 to 16 Mbit flash memory.
 
*Cartridges: Maximum 4 MB (32 Mbit) with 4 to 16 Mbit flash memory.
 
*Batteries: 40 hours on 2 AA batteries. Lithium CR2032 battery backs up memory and clock.
 
*Batteries: 40 hours on 2 AA batteries. Lithium CR2032 battery backs up memory and clock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NeoGeoPocketLinkCable.jpg ][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NeoGeoPocketLinkCable.jpg ]The link cable for linking systems together<p style="line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">The system has an on-board language setting, and games display text in the language selected (provided the cartridge supports that language). Other settings can be set on the handheld such as time and date, and the system can provide customized horoscopes when one's birth-date is entered.</p>
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The system has an on-board language setting, and games display text in the language selected (provided the cartridge supports that language). Other settings can be set on the handheld such as time and date, and the system can provide customized horoscopes when one's birth-date is entered.
  
<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">Cables for linking multiple systems were available, as well as a cable to connect the NGPC and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Dreamcast Sega Dreamcast]. Games that featured this option include ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Fighters_R-2 King of Fighters R-2]'' (links with''[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=King_of_Fighters_%2799_Dream_Match&action=edit&redlink=1 King of Fighters '99 Dream Match]'' and ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Fighters_Evolution King of Fighters Evolution]''), ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNK_vs_Capcom_-_Match_of_the_Millennium SNK vs Capcom - Match of the Millennium]'' (links with ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capcom_vs_SNK Capcom vs SNK]''), ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNK_vs_Capcom_-_Card_Fighters%27_Clash SNK vs Capcom - Card Fighters' Clash]'' (links with''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Fighters_Evolution King of Fighters Evolution]''), ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SNK_vs_Capcom_-_Card_Fighters%27_Clash_Expand_Edition&action=edit&redlink=1 SNK vs Capcom - Card Fighters' Clash Expand Edition]'' (links with ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capcom_vs_SNK Capcom vs SNK]'')(links with [Sonic Pocket Adventure]), and ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_Cool_Jam Cool Cool Jam]'' (links with ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_Cool_Toon Cool Cool Toon]''). There was a wireless connector released in Japan that allowed several players in proximity to play together, with some cartridge moulding reshaped to hold it. An [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3 MP3] audio player add-on was developed but was not released due to SNK's closure.</p>
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Cables for linking multiple systems were available, as well as a cable to connect the NGPC and the [[Sega Dreamcast]]. There was a wireless connector released in Japan that allowed several players in proximity to play together, with some cartridge moulding reshaped to hold it. An MP3 audio player add-on was developed but was not released due to SNK's closure.
 
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<gallery spacing="small" orientation="landscape" captionposition="within" captionalign="center">
<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;"></p>
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CameraZOOM-20130606210250839.jpg|NeoGeo Pocket Color board back
 
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CameraZOOM-20130606210151027.jpg|NeoGeo Pocket Color board front
<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;text-align:start;">[[File:CameraZOOM-20130606210151027.jpg|thumb|NeoGeo Pocket Color board front]][[File:CameraZOOM-20130606210250839.jpg|thumb|NeoGeo Pocket Color board back]]</p>
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</gallery>

Revision as of 05:06, 7 June 2013

Neo Geo Pocket Color
Manufacturer SNK
Generation Sixth generation
Release date March 16, 1999 (JP)
Media type Cartridges
Predecessor Neo Geo Pocket

The Neo Geo Pocket Color (shortened NGPC), is a 16-bit colour handheld video game console manufactured by SNK. It is a successor to SNK's monochrome Neo Geo Pocket handheld which debuted in 1998 in Japan. The Neo Geo Pocket Color was released on March 16, 1999 in Japan, August 6, 1999 in North America, and some time in 1999 in Europe. In 2000, following SNK's purchase by American pachinkomanufacturer Aruze, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was dropped from both the North American and European markets. It did, however, last until 2001 in Japan, with a total of 2 million units sold.


The system enjoyed a greater success than any Game Boy competitor since Sega's Game Gear. However, it was hurt by several factors, such as the Neo Geo heads' (the Barone family) notorious lack of communication with third-party developers, the success of the Game Boy Color and the Pokémonfranchise, and anticipation of the Game Boy Advance.

Technical specifications

The Neo Geo Pocket Color is built very similarly to its predecessor, the Neo Geo Pocket, sporting two face buttons on the right hand side of the system, and an eight-directional digital joystick on the left. It is designed to be held horizontally (as opposed to the Game Boy's vertical setup) and features a full colour screen in the center of the unit.

Like the Game Boy and subsequent Game Boy Advance consoles, the Neo Geo Pocket Color's screen is not back-lit, so games can only be seen in a well lit area. The Neo Geo Pocket Color is unusual in that it requires two sets of batteries; two AA batteries for the system itself, and an optional CR2032 battery to retain backup memory and keep the clock active. The Neo Geo Pocket Color has several other features such as generated horoscopes, an alarm system as well as a clock and calendar system.

  • CPUs:Toshiba TLCS900H] core (16-bit), 6.144 MHz, Z80 at 3.072 MHz for sound.
  • RAM: 12 k for 900H, 4k for Z80 (shared with the 900H).
  • ROM: 64 k boot ROM.
  • Interfaces: SIO 1 channel 19200 bit/s, 5-pin serial port.
  • Resolution: 160x152 (256x256 virtual screen).
  • DMA: 4 channels.
  • Colors: 16 palettes per plane, 48 palettes. 146 colors on screen out of 4096 (or 20 colors out of 4096 in monochrome mode).
  • Sprites: 64 sprites per frame (8x8), 4 colors per sprite.
  • Scrolling: 2 scrolling planes, 8x8 character tiles (characters matrix shared with the sprites), 4 colors per tile.
  • Sound: SN76489 variant, T6W28 (3 square wave tone generators with limited stereo capability + 1 monaural noise generator + direct access to the two 6 bits DAC).
  • Cartridges: Maximum 4 MB (32 Mbit) with 4 to 16 Mbit flash memory.
  • Batteries: 40 hours on 2 AA batteries. Lithium CR2032 battery backs up memory and clock.

The system has an on-board language setting, and games display text in the language selected (provided the cartridge supports that language). Other settings can be set on the handheld such as time and date, and the system can provide customized horoscopes when one's birth-date is entered.

Cables for linking multiple systems were available, as well as a cable to connect the NGPC and the Sega Dreamcast. There was a wireless connector released in Japan that allowed several players in proximity to play together, with some cartridge moulding reshaped to hold it. An MP3 audio player add-on was developed but was not released due to SNK's closure.