WonderSwan:WonderSwan Model Differences: Difference between revisions

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'''Page content & researching collaboratively taken from [https://io55.net/wiki/eop/video_game_consoles-portable/5th_generation/bandai_wonderswan_with_color io55.net's WonderSwan page] with permission.'''
'''Page content & researching collaboratively taken from [https://io55.net/wiki/eop/video_game_consoles-portable/5th_generation/bandai_wonderswan_with_color io55.net's WonderSwan page] with permission.'''


There are three released models of the WonderSwan.
There are three WonderSwan models.


== Models ==
== Models ==
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=== WonderSwan (1999-2000) ===
=== 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.
The first WonderSwan system, and the only one to have a monochrome screen. It was released on March 4, 1999, and did not last long in the marketplace due to the rapid rise of color-capable handhelds around this time. Easily identified by its mostly monochromatic color schemes for the system, and a side-mounted power switch. It is capable of supporting a variety of add-ons, including the MobileWonderGate communications adapter, which would allow WonderSwan owners to browse the web and access email.


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


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, again - similar to the Game Boy Color.
Released on December 9, 2000, the '''WonderSwan Color''' finally brought color to the WonderSwan line. It is easily identified by its vibrantly colored case, the addition of a contrast wheel, and a forward-facing power button. The WSC retains full backwards compatibility with all original WonderSwan titles and add-ons. 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 quadrupled the amount of RAM, going from 16 KB to 64 KB.


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


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.
Released on July 12, 2002, the '''SwanCrystal''' is an improved version of the WonderSwan Color with a more vibrant active matrix TFT LCD, compared to the passive matrix LCD of the original Color. This is the only major change between the WonderSwan Color and the SwanCrystal, although the SwanCrystal does have four volume levels over the three offered by the Color. The SwanCrystal is easily identified by its opaque and vibrantly colored shell (except for Clear Blue SwanCrystals), the lack of a contrast wheel, a round yellow power button, and the “SwanCrystal” text on the bezel.
 
By this time however, the Game Boy Advance had largely dominated the handheld market in Japan and the SwanCrystal sold poorly as a result. It was discontinued in 2003 after Bandai announced in February that year that they were pulling out of the handheld video game market.


== References ==
== References ==
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https://www.racketboy.com/retro/bandai-wonderswan-101-a-beginners-guide
https://www.racketboy.com/retro/bandai-wonderswan-101-a-beginners-guide
https://www.gamekult.com/actualite/bandai-arrete-la-wonderswan-23647.html

Latest revision as of 17:48, 24 November 2022

Page content & researching collaboratively taken from io55.net's WonderSwan page with permission.

There are three WonderSwan models.

Models

Models are arranged chronologically.

WonderSwan (1999-2000)

The first WonderSwan system, and the only one to have a monochrome screen. It was released on March 4, 1999, and did not last long in the marketplace due to the rapid rise of color-capable handhelds around this time. Easily identified by its mostly monochromatic color schemes for the system, and a side-mounted power switch. It is capable of supporting a variety of add-ons, including the MobileWonderGate communications adapter, which would allow WonderSwan owners to browse the web and access email.

WonderSwan Color (2000-2002)

Released on December 9, 2000, the WonderSwan Color finally brought color to the WonderSwan line. It is easily identified by its vibrantly colored case, the addition of a contrast wheel, and a forward-facing power button. The WSC retains full backwards compatibility with all original WonderSwan titles and add-ons. 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 quadrupled the amount of RAM, going from 16 KB to 64 KB.

SwanCrystal (2002-2003)

Released on July 12, 2002, the SwanCrystal is an improved version of the WonderSwan Color with a more vibrant active matrix TFT LCD, compared to the passive matrix LCD of the original Color. This is the only major change between the WonderSwan Color and the SwanCrystal, although the SwanCrystal does have four volume levels over the three offered by the Color. The SwanCrystal is easily identified by its opaque and vibrantly colored shell (except for Clear Blue SwanCrystals), the lack of a contrast wheel, a round yellow power button, and the “SwanCrystal” text on the bezel.

By this time however, the Game Boy Advance had largely dominated the handheld market in Japan and the SwanCrystal sold poorly as a result. It was discontinued in 2003 after Bandai announced in February that year that they were pulling out of the handheld video game market.

References

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

https://www.gamekult.com/actualite/bandai-arrete-la-wonderswan-23647.html