Esoteric Devices Wiki

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====== Bandai WonderSwan (+Color) ======

One of the few portable consoles of this generation to make any meaningful impact in the market, the Bandai WonderSwan and it's Color upgrade experienced significant success in Japan, which is the only country it released in during 1999 and 2000. Running off a NEC V30 MZ, 64 KB RAM, and a 224x144 screen (color or monochrome depending on the variant), much of the WonderSwan's Japanese capability stemmed from it's games, and the deals Bandai managed to garner with some 3rd party publishers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WonderSwan

https://wonderswan.fandom.com/wiki/WonderSwan

===== Operating Systems (NEC V30 MZ) =====

=== Console emulation (potential) ===

Whether these emulators support operating systems for these consoles is unknown; it must be looked into further. Consoles without meaningful OSes are not included.

[[https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Emulators_on_WonderSwan|Emulation wiki summary]]

Nintendo Entertainment System – [[https://www.zophar.net/consoles/ws/nes/fcemu.html|FCEmu]]

Nintendo Game Boy (Color) – [[https://www.zophar.net/consoles/ws/gb/gb-emulator.html|GB EMULATOR]]



===== Internet =====

=== MobileWonderGate ===

>connect your WonderSwan to compatible mobile phone and then have access to Internet

Similar to the PS1 i-Mode accessory. This allows basic web browsing, e-mail, and game integration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bppJ1ohIb8

https://wonderswan.fandom.com/wiki/WonderGate

https://www.986-studio.com/2012/08/27/wondergate-new-wonderswan-stuff/

http://daifukkat.su/blog/archives/2014/06/02/mobilewondergate_resurrection/

http://daifukkat.su/blog/archives/2014/06/04/mobilewondergate_resurrection_part_2/

===== Version & Revision Guide =====

For general information, see the [[eop:essays:game_console_revisions_overview|Game Console Revisions Overview]].

==== Versions ====

//There are three versions of this console, arranged chronologically.//

=== WonderSwan (1999-2000) ===

The first WonderSwan system, and the only one to not have color capabilities. Didn't last on the market for long, due to the rapid rise of color-capable handhelds around this time. Easily identified by it's mostly monochromatic color schemes for the system, alongside the side-mounted power switch. Capable of supporting a variety of addons, including the ahead of it's time MobileWonderGate web browsing and e-mail addon.

=== WonderSwan Color (2000-2002) ===

//LOWEST PRICE//

Introduced color to the WonderSwan line. Easily identified by it's vibrantly colored case, the presence of a contrast wheel, and by the forward-facing power button. Retains full backwards compatibility with the original WonderSwan titles, as for all original WonderSwan addons. It is important to note that this does not go in reverse for most games, akin to the Game Boy Color - most WonderSwan Color titles will not play on an original WonderSwan. Alongside the obvious color screen addition, the Color also improved the v30 CPU within the system a little bit, also similar to the Game Boy Color. 

=== SwanCrystal (2002-2003) ===

//RECOMMENDED OVERALL//

An improved version of the WonderSwan Color that gives it a much more vibrant active matrix TFT LCD, compared to the passive matrix LCD of the original Color. This is the primary and essentially only change between the WonderSwan Color and the SwanCrystal, although the SwanCrystal does have 4 volume presets over the 3 offered by the Color. Easily identified by the non-translucent vibrantly colored case housing (except for Clear Blue SwanCrystals), the lack of a contrast wheel, a rounder and "pill-esque" yellow power button, and the "SwanCrystal" text on the bezel.

//BEST RELIABILITY couldn't be assigned.//

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WonderSwan

https://wonderswan.fandom.com/wiki/SwanCrystal

http://videogamekraken.com/wonderswan_console_variations

https://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/art-handhelds.htm#page=d2000s

https://www.racketboy.com/retro/bandai-wonderswan-101-a-beginners-guide