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Sega Game Gear
 

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Japan's hottest selling color portable video game, Sega's new Game Gear, is now available in the US.  Game Gear boasts a bigger screen than Gameboy and the more expensive Turbo Express.  It has the sharpest picture of any portable screen in its price range.  And an optional TV tuner that turns Game Gear into a portable color TV set.  Game Gear titles feature arcade blockbusters like Shinobi, Super Monaco GP and G-LOC

Game Gear Goes Everywhere So You Can Play In the Car, On the Bus, or Waiting in Line.  Play the Hottest Video Games From A Huge Selection of Arcade, Sports and Action Titles.  Full Color, Hi Resolution 3.2 Inch (Diagonal) Backlit LCD Screen Gives Great Detail, Even In the Dark!  32 Blazing Colors For Arcade Quality Graphics and Animation.


 

  • Incredible color!  Displays 32 intense colors on-screen, out of a total palette of 4096
  • Back Lit 3.2" diagonal screen is easy to see, day or night
  • Sharp 160 x 146 pixel detail
  • Stereo sound: plug in headphones and let'er rip
  • Sleek design makes it easy to hold for hours of great play!
  • Measures 8.25" by 4.5" by 1.5"
  • Has 16 kilobytes of video RAM for incredible power
  • Runs on six AA batteries, with other optional power sources
  • Games include adventure, sports, and arcade hits.  Over 150 games
  • Lots of exciting accessories to make the most of your Game Gear

 

Sega Game Gear: Sega's Portable Gaming Console

Released in 1990, the Sega Game Gear was Sega's first portable handheld console, designed to compete with the popular Nintendo Game Boy. Featuring a color screen (a significant leap over the Game Boy's monochrome display), the Game Gear was marketed as a powerful, portable gaming experience that could bring home-console quality gaming on the go.

Powered by a Zilog Z80 processor and capable of delivering 16-bit graphics, the Game Gear's display stood out for its bright, colorful visuals and smooth animation, which made it appealing to gamers who wanted a more vibrant and dynamic experience. The system used cartridges for game media and was compatible with a wide range of games, including popular titles such as "Sonic the Hedgehog", "Shinobi", and "Mortal Kombat".

While the Game Gear offered impressive graphics and sound for its time, it suffered from a few notable drawbacks, including its short battery life (a result of its color screen and power-hungry hardware) and relatively high price. Despite these limitations, the Game Gear built a loyal following and remains a nostalgic favorite for retro gaming enthusiasts. The system ultimately couldn't match the commercial success of the Game Boy, but it remains an important part of Sega's legacy as a pioneering force in portable gaming.


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Sega Game Gear Review: A Colorful, Powerful Handheld Console with Limitations

Released in 1990, the Sega Game Gear was a bold attempt by Sega to carve out a niche in the portable gaming market, taking on Nintendo's Game Boy with its own 16-bit handheld console. It featured a color screen (a huge advantage over the Game Boy's monochrome display), solid graphics, and a strong library of games, making it one of the most ambitious portable systems of its time. However, despite its powerful hardware, the Game Gear was hampered by several key limitations that ultimately kept it from achieving the same level of success as its main competitor.

Design & Hardware

The Sega Game Gear was larger and heavier than the Game Boy, which made it feel more like a mini-console than a traditional handheld. The system's backlit color screen was a standout feature at the time, delivering vibrant visuals that truly made the games come to life. The 16-bit graphics were impressive, especially for a portable system, providing smoother animations and more detailed environments compared to the Game Boy's limited capabilities.

However, the Game Gear's larger size made it less pocket-friendly than the competition, and its bulky design could be a bit uncomfortable to hold for extended periods. The D-pad and buttons were responsive, but the layout wasn't quite as ergonomic as other handheld systems, leading to potential discomfort during longer play sessions.

Game Library & Performance

The Sega Game Gear boasted a strong library of games, many of which were ports of popular console titles. Iconic titles like "Sonic the Hedgehog", "Shinobi", and "Mortal Kombat" were available, and they looked and played great thanks to the system's 16-bit graphics. The Sonic games, in particular, benefited from the console's ability to display fast, smooth gameplay, making it a standout for fans of the blue blur.

While the Game Gear had a solid lineup, it couldn't quite match the sheer quantity of games available on the Game Boy. The Game Gear was also at a disadvantage in the third-party support department, with fewer developers committing to the system. Despite that, the system had several gems like "Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya" and "The Lion King" that were exclusive to the platform and provided a lot of value for fans of Sega's franchises.

Performance-wise, the Game Gear delivered solid graphics and sound, but its battery life was a major issue. With only about 3-5 hours of playtime on six AA batteries, the system required frequent battery changes, making it less practical for long trips or extended gaming sessions. The power-hungry backlit screen was a key culprit here, which limited the appeal of the device for on-the-go gaming.

Limitations & Drawbacks

  • Battery Life: The biggest drawback of the Game Gear was undoubtedly its short battery life. The console's color screen, while impressive, drained the batteries quickly, and the system's 6-AA battery requirement meant you'd have to carry extra batteries if you wanted to play for extended periods. This was a major drawback compared to the Game Boy, which offered far longer playtime on just 4 AA batteries.

  • Bulkier Design: While the Game Gear's larger screen and powerful hardware were great features, its size made it more cumbersome than its smaller competitors. The Game Boy, for example, was easier to fit into your pocket and take on the go.

  • Limited Third-Party Support: While the Game Gear had some great games, it lacked the robust third-party support that Nintendo's Game Boy enjoyed. This meant fewer game options overall, and a reliance on Sega's own franchises and some limited third-party releases.

  • Price: The Game Gear was priced higher than the Game Boy, which made it less accessible for many players, especially when considering its relatively short battery life and lack of portability compared to its competitors.

Final Verdict

The Sega Game Gear was an ambitious portable console that offered great graphics, a strong lineup of games, and an innovative color screen that set it apart from the Game Boy. However, its bulkier design, short battery life, and limited third-party support ultimately hindered its success in the market. While it wasn't able to dethrone the Game Boy, the Game Gear still has a special place in the hearts of Sega fans and remains a nostalgic favorite for those who enjoyed its games during the 90s.

If you're a fan of retro handheld consoles or want to experience some of Sega's portable classics, the Game Gear is still worth checking out. It may not have been a commercial success, but it was a technologically impressive and fun system that laid the groundwork for future portable gaming devices.

Score: 7/10

? A powerful handheld console with impressive graphics and a fun game library, but its bulky design and poor battery life kept it from becoming a dominant force in the portable gaming market. Still a nostalgic gem for Sega fans.

Would you like to learn more about Game Gear's exclusive games or how it compared to the Game Boy?