In great shape, for a Game Gear.
6 AA batteries and a unit that won't fit in your pocket unless you wear very, very large pants. This was the portable gaming arena in 1991, and the Game Gear was on the bleeding edge of technology.
This is essentially a miniaturized Master System with a lower output resolution and a much larger color palette. The two pieces of hardware are so similar, in fact, that Sega also released a cartridge adapter that would allow you to play your Master System library on the go. Of course, the lower resolution meant anything with small sprites (like bullets) wouldn't display properly, so you'd often take damage and have no idea why.
Sega's advertising campaign centered around one concept - color is better than monochrome. They mocked Nintendo with every revision of the Game Boy, essentially calling it a system for colorblind idiots, as seen above. Regardless of their aggressive and scathing advertising techniques, the Game Gear was successful, but was never able to dethrone Nintendo's Game Boy. This was likely due in part to the lack of third-party titles, though some heavy hitters like Mortal Kombat did make it out.
Ooh, free game!
On to my new Game Gear. This was a birthday present from my awesome wife. It included no AC adapter, but uses Sega's 2103, the same adapter used in the Genesis Model 2 and 32X. The system is in great shape, considering the quality I've seen in some of these. Relatively unscratched screen, both battery covers still attached, and it even came with a copy of Aladdin stuck in it.
Note the angle from which this picture was taken.
There is one issue, however, and it's one that plagues these systems. At the time these systems were manufactured, there was an industry-wide capacitor crap-out. Every capacitor in every release of this system is lousy, and if your screen is still 100% perfect, you're either a liar or extremely lucky. It'll screw up tomorrow.
When I first turned it on, I noticed brightness and contrast issues that couldn't be resolved with the contrast wheel. The color bleed is atrocious and sprites are sometimes indiscernible from their backgrounds.
I turned it on today, and a capacitor has apparently now blown - the screen can now only be seen when tilting the system far forward, as pictured above. It's a hard system to photograph, but you can see the issues to an extent.
I'll be cleaning and restoring this system, along with new capacitors all around. Stay tuned.
Did you restore it? How difficult is to change the capacitors? :)
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't, yet. I have a cheap, crappy soldering iron at the moment and should probably upgrade to something with changeable tips... I'm assuming the tip in mine is probably a bit big.
ReplyDeleteI'm debating recording and posting the repair, but then everyone will see my lack of soldering iron skill.
Thanks for the reminder, though, this is one of those projects I need to get back to.
As one of the most open economies in the world, Hong Kong is the ideal location for business set-up and company formation. Hong Kong is specifically geared to enable free enterprise to flourish with a minimum of bureaucracy and restriction. Hong Kong combines a simple low-rate tax regime with free market principles. There are no restrictions on inbound or outbound investment and there are no nationality restrictions on ownership. Foreigners can invest in almost any business and own up to 100% of the equity Starting an online business in Hong Kong.
ReplyDeletehow to repair shoe soles at homeWhen the sole detaches from a shoe, it drastically shortens the lifespan and renders the pair of shoes immediately unwearable. Securely re-attaching the soles will help you get the full value out of a pair of shoes.
ReplyDeleteDidn't get your recent WAPDA electric bill or lost it? Don't worry about it and you can obtain the same duplicate copy from your mepco bill online without visiting the WAPDA office. You can easly verify the bill amount by simply entering the 14 digit code and then click on "Get Your mepco bill" or Get the mepco Duplicate bill" link. Pay your bill by printing a duplicate of the bill at any bank.
ReplyDelete