Game Gear:Game Gear Model Differences: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "===Game Gear Versions=== The Game Gear was released by Sega in a few different configurations and later re-released by Majesco. The different Sega revisions have no difference whatsoever in output quality, however the Majesco version is a slight improvement. ===Sega vs Majesco=== With permission from Sega, the company Majesco re-issued the Game Gear in the year 2000. This version of the Game Gear isn't compatible with the TV Tuner or Master Gear Converter (although it...")
 
 
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===Game Gear Versions===
[[Category:Game_Gear]]
The Game Gear was released by Sega in a few different configurations and later re-released by Majesco.  The different Sega revisions have no difference whatsoever in output quality, however the Majesco version is a slight improvement.
'''Page content & researching taken from [https://io55.net/wiki/eop/video_game_consoles-portable/4th_generation/sega_game_gear io55.net's Game Gear page] with permission, in collaboration.'''


===Sega vs Majesco===
There are two Game Gear models, and a variety of revisions within these models.
With permission from Sega, the company Majesco re-issued the Game Gear in the year 2000. This version of the Game Gear isn't compatible with the TV Tuner or Master Gear Converter (although it's compatible with another SMS-to-GG converter called the Nuby Converter.) This version has a slightly improved screen and is less prone to failures (most likely as a result of using better capacitors). Both screens are extremely poor quality compared to modern LCD's however the screens used in the Majesco versions are definitely a bit better, with more accurate color representation.
 
== Models ==
''Models are arranged chronologically.''
 
=== Sega Game Gear (1991-1997) ===
The original version of the Game Gear, and the only one to be released by Sega. Easily identified by the 3 ovals above “Game Gear” being in color. Features the usual color screen, poor battery life, leaky and unreliable capacitors, and so on. Compatible with all accessories, unsurprisingly.
 
=== Majesco Game Gear (2000-200?) ===
Majesco's “reissuing” of the Game Gear, when Sega had already stopped supporting the console. Easily identified by the 3 ovals above “Game Gear” being in white. Very similar to the original Game Gear, although it has a vaguely better screen (still poor) and slightly better reliability in capacitors (still poor). Essentially, if one doesn't want to mod their Game Gear at all, the Majesco Game Gear is a bit better. However, it is generally recommended to simply mod one's Game Gear if looking for visual and reliability improvements, as the changes the Majesco makes are almost nil compared to the ones mods can bring. It is also important to note that the Majesco is not compatible with certain interesting accessories such as the TV Tuner or Master Gear converter. However, it is still compatible with a different Master System converter, the "Nuby Converter". Pictures showing the logo difference between Majesco and Sega are below (thanks to RetroRGB for these).


It's very easy to tell which Game Gear's are the Majesco model, as the logo above "Game Gear" is all white, instead of red, greed and blue.  Other notable changes are the stickers in back and the darker color of the plastic.<br>
[[File:GGSegaVsMajesco.jpg]]<br>
[[File:GGSegaVsMajesco.jpg]]<br>
[[File:GGSegaVsMajesco2.jpg|x199px]]
[[File:GGSegaVsMajesco2.jpg|x199px]]


== Revisions ==
While some revisions do exist for the Game Gears, the impacts of each revision are limited to modding. However, there is an unknown motherboard revision or set of revisions which introduces the “TMSS” screen ("Produced by SEGA" screen) to the Game Gear. Despite the fact that the motherboard revision with this is unknown, it is actually possible to identify a TMSS system by the shape of it's screen glass! The screen glass changes do not impact the visual acuity of the screens, so a different method of identification should be used. Simply look at your Game Gear from the side and see if your screen's glass is curved or flat. If it's flat - you have a non-TMSS Game Gear. Images demonstrating this are below (thanks to RetroRGB for these).


===Curved screen cover versus flat screen cover===
[[File:GGTMSS.jpg|x200px]]<br>
Some Game Gear systems came with a front screen cover that was flat instead of rounded.  This design does not effect the way the screens look and is purely an aesthetic difference. Game Gear systems with the flat screen cover don't have TMSS, which is the annoying "produced by" screen that appears for a few seconds before launching the game.  As soon as you power on these models, it immediately loads the game.  This screen is only displayed for a few seconds.<br>
[[File:GGTMSS.jpg]]<br>
[[File:GGCurvedVsFlat01.jpg|x200px]]<br>
[[File:GGCurvedVsFlat01.jpg|x200px]]<br>
[[File:GGCurvedVsFlat03.jpg|x200px]]
[[File:GGCurvedVsFlat03.jpg|x200px]]
== References ==
https://segaretro.org/Sega_Game_Gear
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Gear
https://www.retrorgb.com/gamegearversions.html
https://console5.com/techwiki/index.php?title=Game_Gear

Latest revision as of 17:48, 24 November 2022

Page content & researching taken from io55.net's Game Gear page with permission, in collaboration.

There are two Game Gear models, and a variety of revisions within these models.

Models

Models are arranged chronologically.

Sega Game Gear (1991-1997)

The original version of the Game Gear, and the only one to be released by Sega. Easily identified by the 3 ovals above “Game Gear” being in color. Features the usual color screen, poor battery life, leaky and unreliable capacitors, and so on. Compatible with all accessories, unsurprisingly.

Majesco Game Gear (2000-200?)

Majesco's “reissuing” of the Game Gear, when Sega had already stopped supporting the console. Easily identified by the 3 ovals above “Game Gear” being in white. Very similar to the original Game Gear, although it has a vaguely better screen (still poor) and slightly better reliability in capacitors (still poor). Essentially, if one doesn't want to mod their Game Gear at all, the Majesco Game Gear is a bit better. However, it is generally recommended to simply mod one's Game Gear if looking for visual and reliability improvements, as the changes the Majesco makes are almost nil compared to the ones mods can bring. It is also important to note that the Majesco is not compatible with certain interesting accessories such as the TV Tuner or Master Gear converter. However, it is still compatible with a different Master System converter, the "Nuby Converter". Pictures showing the logo difference between Majesco and Sega are below (thanks to RetroRGB for these).

GGSegaVsMajesco.jpg
GGSegaVsMajesco2.jpg

Revisions

While some revisions do exist for the Game Gears, the impacts of each revision are limited to modding. However, there is an unknown motherboard revision or set of revisions which introduces the “TMSS” screen ("Produced by SEGA" screen) to the Game Gear. Despite the fact that the motherboard revision with this is unknown, it is actually possible to identify a TMSS system by the shape of it's screen glass! The screen glass changes do not impact the visual acuity of the screens, so a different method of identification should be used. Simply look at your Game Gear from the side and see if your screen's glass is curved or flat. If it's flat - you have a non-TMSS Game Gear. Images demonstrating this are below (thanks to RetroRGB for these).

GGTMSS.jpg
GGCurvedVsFlat01.jpg
GGCurvedVsFlat03.jpg

References

https://segaretro.org/Sega_Game_Gear

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

https://www.retrorgb.com/gamegearversions.html

https://console5.com/techwiki/index.php?title=Game_Gear

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