Dendy

For other uses, see Dendy (disambiguation).
Dendy
The Dendy Junior with a cartridge and detachable controllers
DeveloperSteepler
ManufacturerTXC Corporation
Subor
"Tensor" factory, Dubna
Product familyFamicom hardware clone
TypeHome video game console
Release date
Discontinued1998
Units sold1.5[3] to 6[4] million
MediaROM cartridge
CPURicoh 2A03

Dendy (Russian: Де́нди) is a series of home video game consoles that were unofficial hardware clones of Nintendo's third-generation Famicom system. Produced from late 1992, Dendy consoles were manufactured in Taiwan using Chinese components on behalf of the Russian company Steepler. These consoles were primarily sold in Russia. Over time, production expanded to include assembly at the Chinese Subor factory and the Russian Tensor factory in Dubna, Moscow Oblast. The Dendy consoles were based on Japanese hardware designs and cartridge formats, which differed slightly from their American counterparts.

The Dendy product line was divided into two categories: the main Classic series and the budget-oriented Junior series. These categories differed in design, quality, and price. The Classic models were replicas of the Micro Genius consoles produced by Taiwan's TXC Corporation and were manufactured in the same factory. The Junior models, developed specifically for Steepler, employed a cost-effective design based on a system-on-a-chip architecture. Steepler also planned to release a Pro version featuring one wired and one wireless gamepad. However, this model was only produced in a single, limited batch.

Because the Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System were never officially sold in post-Soviet states, the Dendy achieved great popularity in the region. Its marketing strategy included television shows and video game publications. The brand name "Dendy" became genericized in Russia, referring not only to other Famicom hardware clones, colloquially called Famiclones, but also to various gaming consoles. Production of the original Dendy ceased in 1998 following Steepler's bankruptcy. By then, sales estimates ranged from 1.5 to 6 million units. The Dendy is regarded as the catalyst for the video game and console market in Russia.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference k33856 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kostin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference escapist was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference secretmag was invoked but never defined (see the help page).