Sega GameGearIn June 1991
Sega released the Game Gear System, its first portable console. The
Nintendo Game Boy had been a runaway success when it was released in
1989. Sega strove to make its portable system the more impressive of
the two.
The Sega Game Gear console features a color LCD screen unlike the
monochrome Game Boy. It contains the same 8-bit Z-80A processor that
powered the Sega Master System. The Game Gear screen is 3.2 square
inches compared to the 2 square inch Game Boy display. Sega's system
is capable of exhibiting up to 32 colors at one time.
The original retail price of Game Gear was $149. Cartridges ranged
from $24.99 to $29.99 each. They were molded black plastic with a
rounded front for convenient removal. The original Game Gear pack-in
title was Columns. It was similar to the Tetris cartridge that
Nintendo had included when it launched the Game Boy. There were six
software titles available at the time of the Game Gear's release.
The Sega Game Gear display is backlit allowing it to be played in
dim lighting conditions. While this feature is not included on the
Game Boy it does provide a disadvantage -- the Game Gear requires 6
AA batteries that only last up to six hours. The Nintendo Game Boy
only requires 4 AA batteries and is capable of providing up to 35
hours of play.
In order to save players a fortune in battery costs, Sega released
both an optional rechargeable battery pack that clipped to a
player's belt and the Powerback, a rechargeable unit that fastens on
to the back of the Game Gear console and allowed up to 8 hours of
play.
Several peripherals were manufactured for the Game Gear system. The
"Gear to Gear" cable linked two systems together to allow two
players at once. The "Car Gear adapter" plugged into car cigarette
lighters. "Super Wide Gear" was an accessory that magnified the Game
Gear screen. The TV Tuner Unit converted the Game Gear Screen into a
portable television set.
In Japan, Sega introduced Kids Gear. It was a repackaging of the
Game Gear system in a different color case. Software advertised for
Kids Gear focused more on children's game titles. Kids Gear was
never released in the United States.
Though the Game Gear system featurs the same processor as the Sega
Master System, cartridges for the two consoles were not compatible.
Sega redesigned Master System games for better play on the smaller
Game Gear screen. Eventually, a peripheral called the Master System
Converter was released enabling Sega Master System cartridges to be
played on Game Gear.
The Game Gear sold well for Sega but it did not become a phenomenon
like Game Boy. In 1991 Sega sold over 500,000 units. In 1992 Sega
sold 900,000 Game Gear consoles.
Nearly 200 games have been produced for the Sega Game Gear system.
Third party developers for Game Gear include: Playmates Interactive
(Earthworm Jim), T*HQ (Super Return of the Jedi), Viacom (Phantom
2040), Acclaim Entertainment (NBA Jam) and Williams (Mortal Kombat
3)
The best games for Game Gear include: Quest for the Shaven Yak
Starring Ren & Stimpy, Dr. Robotniks Mean Bean Machine, NBA Jam,
Crystal Warriors and Arena: Maze of Death.
— Dave Beuscher
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