Neo Geo Pocket Color vs WonderSwan

The Neo Geo Pocket Color and WonderSwan were two handheld gaming consoles released in the late 1990s. Both offered unique gaming experiences and a variety of exclusive titles for players to enjoy.

General information

Neo Geo Pocket Color
WonderSwan
Introduction :
The Neo Geo Pocket Color was released in 1999 by SNK Corporation as a handheld gaming console. Although it was not as popular as other handhelds of its time, it gained a cult following for its impressive library of games and high-quality graphics. The console was primarily marketed in Japan and North America. Today, the Neo Geo Pocket Color is considered a classic and collectible item among retro gaming enthusiasts.
Introduction :
The WonderSwan was a handheld game console released by Bandai in 1999 in Japan. It featured a monochrome screen and a unique vertical design, making it stand out among other handheld consoles of its time. While it was not as popular as other handhelds like the Game Boy, the WonderSwan has gained a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts and collectors, making it a sought-after classic in the gaming community.
Advantages :
  • Portable and compact design, perfect for gaming on-the-go
  • Bright and vibrant color screen for an immersive gaming experience
  • Impressive library of games, including popular titles and exclusives
  • Long battery life for extended gaming sessions
  • Durable build quality for longevity and reliability
Advantages :
  • Portable design makes it easy to game on the go
  • Unique vertical orientation for a different gaming experience
  • Long battery life for extended play sessions
  • Wide variety of games available, including popular franchises
  • Affordable price point compared to other handheld consoles
Disadvantages :
  • Limited game library compared to newer consoles.
  • Lack of online connectivity for multiplayer gaming.
  • Small screen size may strain eyes during long gaming sessions.
  • Short battery life compared to modern handheld consoles.
  • Limited availability of accessories and replacement parts.
Disadvantages :
  • Limited game library
  • Lack of third-party support
  • Small screen size
  • Short battery life
  • Limited accessories available
Year launched : 1999
The Neo Geo Pocket Color was launched in 1999, offering gamers a portable gaming experience with a color screen and a strong lineup of games, competing with other handheld consoles of the time.
Year launched : 1999
The WonderSwan was launched in 1999, offering a portable gaming experience with a monochrome screen. Despite facing tough competition, it gained popularity in Japan and had a variety of game titles.
Manufacturer : SNK Corporation
SNK Corporation, a Japanese video game hardware and software company, manufactured the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Known for their arcade games, SNK brought their expertise to this handheld console, offering a unique gaming experience.
Manufacturer : Bandai
Bandai, a Japanese toy and video game company, manufactured the WonderSwan handheld gaming console. Known for its unique design and library of games, the WonderSwan was a popular choice among gamers.
🔴 Popularity : Low.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color had limited sales compared to other consoles of its time, with a niche market of dedicated fans. Its popularity was overshadowed by competitors like the Game Boy Color.
🔴 Popularity : Low.
The WonderSwan had limited popularity compared to other consoles, with lower sales numbers and a smaller market share. It is considered a niche console among collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts.
Form factor : Handheld console.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color is a portable console designed for gaming on the go, featuring a compact form factor that can easily be carried and played anywhere.
Form factor : Handheld console.
The WonderSwan is a portable handheld console designed for gaming on the go. Its compact form factor allows for easy transport and gameplay anywhere, making it ideal for travel or commutes.


Market and availability

Neo Geo Pocket Color
WonderSwan
Console markets :
The Neo Geo Pocket Color was primarily available in Japan and North America. It had limited availability in Europe and other regions, making it more popular in the Japanese and North American markets.
Console markets :
🟢 Collectible : Yes.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color is now considered retro and collectible, with a dedicated fan base driving up demand. Its unique library of games and nostalgic appeal make it a sought-after item for collectors.
🟢 Collectible : Yes.
The WonderSwan is considered retro and collectible due to its limited release and unique library of games. Its popularity among collectors and nostalgic gamers has driven up its value in recent years.
🟡 Console availability : Average.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color is moderately available on the secondhand market. While not as common as mainstream consoles, it can still be found through online marketplaces and retro gaming stores.
🟡 Console availability : Average.
The WonderSwan can be found on the secondhand market fairly easily, but availability may vary depending on the region. It is considered a collectible item for retro gaming enthusiasts.
🟡 Console cost : Average.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color is considered to have an average relative cost due to its availability on the second-hand market. Prices can vary depending on the condition and included games.
🟡 Console cost : Average.
The WonderSwan can vary in price depending on its condition and availability. It is considered an average cost console compared to other options on the market, with prices influenced by its rarity.
🟡 Game availability : Average.
Games for the Neo Geo Pocket Color can be found through online marketplaces and retro gaming stores. Some titles may be harder to come by due to the console's limited popularity, but a decent selection is still available.
🟡 Game availability : Average.
Games for the WonderSwan can be found through online marketplaces and retro gaming stores. Some titles may be harder to come by due to the console's limited release outside of Japan.
🟡 Game costs : Average.
Games for the Neo Geo Pocket Color are relatively affordable on the second-hand market, making them an average cost option for collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts.
🟡 Game costs : Average.
The relative cost of games for the WonderSwan is average. While some games may be more affordable due to lower demand, others may be harder to find and therefore more expensive on the second-hand market.


Technology

Neo Geo Pocket Color
WonderSwan
Architecture : 16-bit.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color uses a 16-bit architecture, providing a good balance of performance and graphics capabilities for its time. This allowed for a wide variety of colorful and engaging games.
Architecture : 16-bit.
The WonderSwan uses a 16-bit architecture, providing decent graphics and gameplay capabilities for its time. While not as powerful as later consoles, it still offered a good gaming experience.
CPU : Toshiba TLCS900H core
The Neo Geo Pocket Color uses a Toshiba TLCS900H core for its CPU, providing efficient processing power for its games and applications.
CPU : NEC V30MZ
The WonderSwan uses the NEC V30MZ CPU, which is a 16-bit processor known for its efficiency and performance in handling games on this handheld console.
Memory : 16 Kb
The Neo Geo Pocket Color has 16 Kb of memory, which was sufficient for storing game data and save files for the handheld console's library of games.
Memory : 256 Kb
The WonderSwan has 256 Kb of memory, allowing for storage of game data and system operations. While small by today's standards, it was sufficient for the games of its time.
Video output : Composite
The Neo Geo Pocket Color has a composite video output connection, which may require an adapter to connect to modern TVs that typically use HDMI or other digital connections.
Video output : Composite
The WonderSwan has composite video output connections, which can be used to connect to older TVs or modern TVs with the appropriate adapters.
🟢 Graphics Processing : Yes.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color does have a dedicated GPU, which contributes to its impressive graphics performance for a handheld console of its time, allowing for smooth gameplay and vibrant visuals.
⚪ Graphics Processing : Unknown.
The specific details about a dedicated GPU in the WonderSwan are not readily available. Further research may be needed to determine the presence and capabilities of a dedicated GPU in this console.
🔴 Internet connected : No.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color is not internet connected. It does not have any notable features such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi for online connectivity.
⚪ Internet connected : Unknown.
The WonderSwan's internet connectivity is unknown. It does not have any notable details such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi capabilities mentioned in its specifications.
Game media format : Cartridge.
The primary game format for the Neo Geo Pocket Color is cartridge-based, with games being inserted into the console for gameplay. This format was common for handheld consoles of that era.
Game media format : Cartridge.
The WonderSwan primarily uses game cartridges as its game format. These cartridges are inserted into the console to play games, making it a convenient and portable gaming device.


Gaming

Neo Geo Pocket Color
WonderSwan
Controllers : 2 controllers / 2 players
The Neo Geo Pocket Color supports 2 controllers for 2 players, allowing for multiplayer gaming experiences. Players can enjoy competitive or cooperative gameplay on this handheld console.
Controllers : 1 controller / 1 player
The WonderSwan typically supports one controller for single-player gameplay. It does not have built-in multiplayer capabilities, requiring additional consoles and copies of the game for multiplayer experiences.
🔴 Online multiplayer : No.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color does not have online multiplayer capabilities as it was released before online gaming became mainstream. Multiplayer functionality is limited to local play with link cables.
⚪ Online multiplayer : Unknown.
The WonderSwan's online multiplayer capabilities are not well-documented, and it is unclear if it supported online play. Further research may be needed to determine its multiplayer functionality.
🟡 Number of titles : Average.
Game titles for the Neo Geo Pocket Color were released in a decent quantity, but due to the console's limited popularity, finding some titles may be a bit challenging in the secondhand market.
🟡 Number of titles : Average.
Game titles for the WonderSwan were released in a decent manner, with a variety of popular titles available. However, due to the console's limited popularity, finding certain titles may be more challenging.
🟢 Featured games : Yes.
The Neo Geo Pocket Color has several exclusive and iconic games such as SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, Metal Slug: 1st Mission, and Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure.
🟢 Featured games : Yes.
The WonderSwan has notable exclusive games such as 'Final Fantasy' titles, 'Gunpey', and 'Rhyme Rider Kerorican'. These games are iconic within the WonderSwan community.


Ultimately, the choice between the Neo Geo Pocket Color and WonderSwan comes down to personal preference. If you’re a fan of classic arcade games and want a more robust gaming experience, the Neo Geo Pocket Color may be the better option. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more affordable and compact handheld with a diverse library of games, the WonderSwan could be the perfect choice for you.