VG Pocket is a series of
handheld dedicated game consoles built by JungleTac and sold by Performance Designed Products LLC. The VG Pocket model was the first console of its type to have a 2"
backlit color
LCD screen.
Description
The consoles have built-in games, the number of which varies with each model and many are
clones and
hacks of old
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is an 8-bit home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan on 15 July 1983 as the and was later released as the redesigned NES in several test markets in the ...
and
arcade game
An arcade game or coin-op game is a coin-operated entertainment machine typically installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are presented as primarily game of skill, games of skill and in ...
s. The devices also have a
TV-out port with
composite video and audio streaming through a non-standard stereo mini headset jack.
In 2008, the Caplet and Tablet models were also finalists in the
International Design Excellence Awards; they were designed by Stuart Karten Design, a
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
-based industrial design firm.
Versions
There are five VG Pocket models available:
* VG Pocket Mini: 30 built-in games and a 1.5" screen.
* VG Pocket 50: 50 built-in games and a 2" screen.
* VG Pocket Max: 75 built-in games and a 2.5" screen.
* VG Pocket Caplet: 50 games, including licensed versions of ''
Space Invaders
is a 1978 shoot 'em up video game developed and published by Taito for Arcade video game, arcades. It was released in Japan in April 1978, with the game being released by Midway Manufacturing overseas. ''Space Invaders'' was the first fixed s ...
'', ''
Bust-a-Move'', and ''
BurgerTime''.
* VG Pocket Tablet: 25 games, including a licensed version of ''
Frogger''.
VG Pocket Max
The VG Pocket Max is a handheld dedicated console distributed by Performance Designed Products. The system contains 75 games, which are mostly modified NES games. It has a 2.5" backlit color LCD screen, four buttons (plus a reset and a power button), a directional pad, volume control, a single speaker, a headphone jack, and a
TV-out port.
In the UK a handheld was made called the Gamespower 50. The Gamespower 50 contained almost all the games (with names changed, such as ''Bird Droppings'' retitled as ''Birdies Nest'') and looked exactly the same, except with different color. A
plug and play version was made by Dream Gear, being essentially the same as the Gamespower 50. The plug n' play looks like a
Dreamcast
The is the final home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was released in Japan on November 27, 1998, in North America on September 9, 1999 and in Europe on October 14, 1999. It was the first sixth-generation video game console, prec ...
controller, but internally there is not much of a resemblance. This version is more focused on racing games, and only has 30 to 40 games in it. Unlike the VG Pocket Max, both the Gamespower 50 and the plug n' play version lack a selection menu.
Games
;Action
* ''Balloon Catcher''
* ''Get It Right''
* ''Jump''
* ''Leap''
* ''Night Monster''
* ''Penguin Island''
* ''Quick Match''
* ''Road Works''
* ''Sea Voyage''
* ''Smash Ball''
* ''Worm Catcher''
;Racing
* ''Autobahn''
* ''Bandit Racer''
* ''Bridge Driver''
* ''Freeway''
* ''Motor Rally''
* ''Off-Roader''
* ''Race and Ram''
* ''Road Ace''
* ''Road Race''
* ''Road Rally''
* ''Street Bike Racing''
* ''Trucker''
* ''World Racing''
;Shooting
* ''Air War''
* ''Earth's Starfighter''
* ''Mutant Hunt''
* ''Quick Shot''
* ''Sky Fighter''
* ''Starcraft Attack''
;Sports
* ''Boat Racer''
* ''Bulls-Eye''
* ''Free Throws''
* ''Knockem Down''
* ''Rackets''
* ''Surfs UP''
* ''Target Shop''
;Wits
* ''Bird Craze''
* ''Bird Droppings''
* ''Bounce''
* ''Cutterfly Catch''
* ''Cats and Dogs''
* ''Chuck Holes''
* ''Dragon's Tail''
* ''Drop and Stock''
* ''Egg Catcher''
* ''Fire Fight''
* ''Flying Fish''
* ''Fungi''
* ''Fun Moves''
* ''Globs''
* ''Go Ball''
* ''Go Bang''
* ''Grow and Mow''
* ''Jewel Master'' (''Magic Jewelry''
hack)
* ''Marble Max''
* ''Matching Dimonds''
* ''Paddle Ball''
* ''Paint Master'' (''
Brush Roller'' hack)
* ''Patch'n Go''
* ''Pipelines''
* ''Pool Pro''
* ''Pop the Lop''
* ''Puzzle Box''
* ''Ricochet''
* ''Risk It''
* ''River Racing''
* ''Sea Destroyer''
* ''Sea World''
* ''Sky Mission''
* ''Smart Monkey''
* ''Spin Ball''
* ''Table Ball''
* ''Tile Tizzel''
* ''Wake the Baby''
VG Pocket Caplet
The VG Pocket Caplet is a
dedicated console
A dedicated console is a video game console that is limited to one or more built-in video game or games, and is not equipped for additional games that are Digital distribution in video games, distributed via ROM cartridges, Compact disc, discs, d ...
created by Performance Designed Products. Its graphics are considered an improvement over those of the earlier models of the VG Pocket, with a very bright 2.5" backlit 320×240 TFT display (the package claims its resolution is 960×240, counting the RGB triads to make 3× the number of pixels). It is a 16-bit system that appears to utilize some form of arcade emulation, since the majority of its games are either direct ports or clones of arcade games. The unit has the capability of being displayed on any TV set with the purchase of a separate "starter kit" that includes a storage carrying case and special AV cables unique to the system. There are no save features for high scores or game progress. Caplet comes in four colors: blue, silver, red, orange; and is powered by 3 AAA batteries.
Early versions of the Caplet contain 35 games, with the current version having 50. Both units have the same outward appearance. The packaging of the unit is the only way to identify how many games are on the system without turning on the unit. The unit initially retailed for $40.
Games
* ''
Space Invaders
is a 1978 shoot 'em up video game developed and published by Taito for Arcade video game, arcades. It was released in Japan in April 1978, with the game being released by Midway Manufacturing overseas. ''Space Invaders'' was the first fixed s ...
'' (licensed
Taito
is a Japanese company that specializes in video games, Toy, toys, arcade cabinets, and game centers, based in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The company was founded by Michael Kogan in 1953 as the importing vodka, Vending machine, vending machines, and Juk ...
port)
* ''
Bust-A-Move'' (licensed Taito port)
* ''
BurgerTime'' (licensed
Data East
, also abbreviated as DECO, was a Japanese video game, pinball and electronic engineering company. The company was in operation from 1976 to 2003, and released 150 video game titles. At one time, the company had annual sales of 20 billion yen in ...
port)
* ''
Sudoku Quiz'' (something of a misnomer, as there is no quiz included)
* ''Boxboy'' (''
Sokoban'' clone)
* ''Adventures of Waldog'' (
platform game
A platformer (also called a platform game, and sometimes a jump 'n' run game) is a subgenre of action game in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are characterized by levels wi ...
)
* ''Deep Storm'' (taken from Psikyo's ''Space Bomber''; 3D shooter like ''
Star Fox'')
* ''Bubble Wubble'' (''
Tetris'' clone)
* ''Final Escape'' (''
Pengo'' clone)
* ''Wolfy's Quest''
* ''Legendary Hero'' (''
Don Doko Don'' clone)
* ''Craig the Caterpillar'' (''Susume!! Mile Smile'' clone)
* ''Crystal Cavern'' (''
Magical Drop'' clone)
* ''Final Round Tennis!''
* ''Magic Jelly'' (nothing like ''
Bomberman
is a video game Media franchise, franchise created by Shinichi Nakamoto and Shigeki Fujiwara, originally developed by Hudson Soft and currently owned by Konami. The Bomberman (1983 video game), original game, also known as ''Bakudan Otoko'' (� ...
'', the player's goal is to use bombs to change the color of every block on the screen, without leaping to death.)
* ''Blazebusters'' (''
Arkanoid''/
''Breakout'' clone)
* ''Rotating Puzzle'' (animated slide puzzle game)
* ''Underwater Pinball'' (''
Arkanoid''/
''Breakout'' clone)
* ''Bubble Blaster'' (''
Zuma'' clone)
* ''Greedy Grabber''
* ''Puzzle Chance''
* ''Victory Road'' (''
Frogger'' clone)
* ''Jet Racing'' (''
Pole Position
In a motorsports race, the pole position is usually the best and "statistically the most advantageous" starting position on the track. The pole position is usually earned by the driver with the best qualifying times in the trials before the ra ...
'' clone)
* ''Yummy and Tasty'' (''Gussun Oyoyo'' clone)
* ''Code Name: Plumber'' (
platform game
A platformer (also called a platform game, and sometimes a jump 'n' run game) is a subgenre of action game in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are characterized by levels wi ...
)
* ''Hanoi Tower''
* ''Leapfrog''
* ''Win or Lose''
* ''Pop Goes the Ball!'' (''
Pang'' clone)
* ''Kart Racer X'' (overhead racer)
* ''Battle Blocks II'' (another ''Arkanoid''/''Breakout'' clone)
* ''Switch and Mix'' (''
Lights out'' clone)
* ''Survival Challenge''
* ''Go Back Home!''
* ''Motojet Mania (overhead racer)
* ''Tiger Rescue'' (vertically
scrolling shooter similar to ''
Aero Fighters'')
* ''Billiards Master''
* ''Mr. Onion
* ''Wacky Racing'' (''Pole Position'' clone)
* ''Tennis Caddie''
* ''Blaze of Glory'' (horizontally
scrolling shooter)
* ''Underwater Memory''
* ''Crane Maniac''
* ''Go Bang''
* ''Jewel Master 2''
* ''Smashing Ladybugs''
* ''Submarine''
* ''Slot Machine'' (casino game)
* ''Video Poker'' (casino game)
* ''Black Jack'' (casino game)
VG Pocket Tablet
The VG Pocket Tablet is a portable handheld video gaming system created by PDP in 2006. The console is self-contained, as there is no cartridge slot, but rather it is pre-loaded with 25 games. It initially sold for $29.99. It has a round tablet-shaped design in four colors: orange, green, red, and white; a very bright 2” backlit 640×240 TFT display; and is powered by 3 AAA batteries. The unit has a port that allows connectivity to television via standard analog RCA port. The cable was available with the purchase of a separate “starter kit” that includes a storage carrying case and AV hookup cables, but is not an uncommon cable, also used for portable DVD players.
Games included are remakes or clones of classic arcade and 8-bit console games. Many reviewers have commented on the surprising quality of the console's screen.
Games
* ''
Frogger'' (licensed
Konami
, commonly known as Konami, , is a Japanese multinational entertainment company and video game developer and video game publisher, publisher headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, Chūō, Tokyo. The company also produces and distributes trading card ...
classic)
* ''Stellar Attack''
* ''Motocross Racer''
* ''Billiards''
* ''Sudoku Quiz''
* ''Mutant Hunt''
* ''Funny Fungi''
* ''Leaper the Frog''
* ''Lord of the Jewels''
* ''Off-Roader''
* ''Risk It!''
* ''Battle Blocks''
* ''Construction Jack''
* ''Memory Matching''
* ''Track Star''
* ''River Quest''
* ''Star Alley''
* ''Pinball Labyrinth''
* ''Vitamania''
* ''Mr. Onion''
* ''Delivery Express''
* ''Birds of Prey''
* ''Whack the Critter''
* ''Stuntman Daredevil''
* ''Delta Fighter''
See also
*
First generation of video game consoles
*
Handheld electronic game
*
List of dedicated consoles
*
List of first generation home video game consoles
*
List of retro style video game consoles
*
Nintendo Entertainment System hardware clone
*
Video game console
A video game console is an electronic device that Input/output, outputs a video signal or image to display a video game that can typically be played with a game controller. These may be home video game console, home consoles, which are generally ...
**
Home video game console
**
Handheld game console
A handheld game console, or simply handheld console, is a small, portable self-contained video game console with a built-in screen, game controls and speakers. Handheld game consoles are smaller than home video game consoles and contain the con ...
**
Microconsole
References
{{Dedicated consoles
Dedicated consoles
Handheld game consoles