 | |
   Top: WonderSwan Middle: WonderSwan Color Bottom: SwanCrystal | |
| Manufacturer | Bandai |
|---|---|
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Sixth |
| Release date | WonderSwan:
|
| Lifespan | 1999–2003 |
| Introductory price | ¥4,800 (WonderSwan) ¥6,800 (WonderSwan Color) ¥7,800 (SwanCrystal) |
| Discontinued | 2003 |
| Units sold | 3.5 million (combined) 1.55 million (WonderSwan) 1.1 million (WonderSwan Color) |
| Media | ROM cartridge |
| CPU | NEC V30 MZ |
| Memory | 512 kbit (64 KB) RAM |
| Display | FSTN (WonderSwan, WonderSwan Color) TFT LCD (SwanCrystal) 224 × 144 |
| Sound | 4 PCM channels |
| Power | 1 × AA battery 40 hours (WonderSwan) 20 hours (WonderSwan Color) 15 hours (SwanCrystal) |
| Predecessor | Design Master Senshi Mangajukuu |
| Related | Tamagotchi Digimon virtual pet |
The WonderSwan[a] is a handheld game console released in Japan by Bandai. It was developed by Gunpei Yokoi's company Koto Laboratory and Bandai, and was the last piece of hardware Yokoi developed before his death in 1997. Released in 1999 in the sixth generation of video game consoles, the WonderSwan and its two later models, the WonderSwan Color and SwanCrystal were officially supported until being discontinued by Bandai in 2003. During its lifespan, no variation of the WonderSwan was released outside of Japan.
Powered by a 16-bit processor, the WonderSwan took advantage of a low price point and long battery life in comparison to its competition, Nintendo's Game Boy Color and SNK's Neo Geo Pocket Color. Later improvements took advantage of quality upgrades to the handheld's screen and added color. The WonderSwan is playable both vertically and horizontally, and features a unique library of games, including numerous first-party titles based on licensed anime properties, as well as significant third-party support from developers such as Squaresoft, Namco, Capcom and Banpresto.
Overall, the WonderSwan in all its variations combined to sell an estimated 3.5 million units and managed to obtain as much as 8% of the Japanese handheld video game console market before being marginalized by Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. Retrospective feedback praises the potential of the WonderSwan despite its low sales and briefly holding its own against Nintendo in the marketplace.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).