Apparently SEGA has plans for the new "remastered" console. On a teaser site you can see an image of a hand with a small Game Gear console. The official name is Game Gear Micro. The announcement of him will take place today, Wednesday 3 June at 18:00 españole.
SEGA Game Gear Micro: release, price, models
From the post published on Twitter by Dean Koopman it is possible to read the official Japanese release date, scheduled for October 6, 2020. More or less the same period is expected for the West. The price will be 4.980 Yen, around 40-45 Euros.
The console will be available in four different colors, each of these recalls that of the original designs sold during the release period. For example, the blue model was available as a design of the Sega Sports System. The red and yellow colors were released exclusively in Japan.
SEGA Game Gear: what is it?
Game Gear was a console from SEGA produced in the 90s, to be exact from 1990 and 1997. Its hardware it was monstrous when compared to that of the rival Nintendo Game Boy. In fact, it was a derivative of the SEGA Master System home console. In short, a portable console capable of running color titles with excellent graphics quality for the time.
Obviously the size, weight and life of the batteries were affected (and it was quite expensive as a thing since there were batteries at the time).
A television always with you!
It does not end here! The Game Gear was equipped with a particular add-on, the TV-Tuner: a special antenna capable of transforming the console into a 3-inch TV. Then there was the Master Gear Converter, an accessory capable of reproducing the titles of the Sega Master System.
In Italy the console was distributed by Giochi Preziosi. Long-time players (very long, indeed) will remember with pleasure the TV commercials with the legendary Gerry Calà. Lust!
SEGA Game Gear: the reasons for the failure
The console sold 11 million units and although it seems an "acceptable" goal it is quite low compared to expectations, especially if we consider the long life cycle of the console.
The main problem was the price, which was too high compared to the Game Boy competitor: a Nintendo handheld console was about $ 110 in the United States, while Game Gear cost $ 150.
Added to this was that of the batteries: for the SEGA console not only does it take six, but they only last six hours. For the Game Boy, on the other hand, two were enough and lasted about six times longer.
Another reason is related to the size of the console: too bulky and heavy, a Game Boy much more comfortable and ergonomic. The components: although the hardware is superior to the competitor, component longevity was often lower. This meant having consoles that could quickly have defects such as glass or damaged condenser.
Finally, the stock was poor: although there were interesting first party projects, many derived from the Sega Master System version, support for third-party titles was very weak. In short, in the end we found ourselves with an expensive console, expensive in terms of resources and with few titles. A pity, this story is reminiscent of the recent PlayStation Vita (among other things it also appeared in The Last of Us Part 2.
We just have to wait the presentation this afternoon for more information on the games available with the console and confirmation of the details published with the Tweet.
