Gunpei Yokoi's Withered Technology: Virtual Boy, Game & Watch, Wonderswan, etc. Let's laterally think!

[Kazin]

My Wonderswan flash cart came in the mail today, so I've finally spent some significant time with the Wonderswan!

First things first - the flash cart works very well, and loads roms extremely quickly once they're flashed to the cart. I found out (well, was reminded) the hard way, though, that there's only ONE slot for saves - meaning, if you, say, play Final Fantasy II for 45 minutes, save, then boot up Judgment Silversword, your new JS save will overwrite the Final Fantasy II one (guess who this happened to lol). So that sucks! You can back up saves on your PC, though, of course, you'll need to connect the cart to the PC every time, so it's one game at a time, probably, for the most part. Which is fine, since I'm here for big RPGs anyway.

But anyway, the Wonderswan itself is really neat!

If you hold start and turn the system on, you can change the settings to display your name (or whatever) like in the picture above. It also will save what you want the default volume to be on power on, which is handy because the max volume is way, way too loud, and it gets annoying turning it down every time you boot the system. I like the personalization, it's nice.

The buttons feel better that I thought they would - since they're built into the rubber pads that actually contact the board, I thought they'd be squishy and mushy, but they feel pretty good, considering. Judgment Silversword played just fine, despite being a bullet hell shooter (it's actually a really cool game, I can see why it's so valuable).

Despite running on one AA battery and having a super bright, backlit IPS screen, the battery life seems like it's pretty good - I played for over an hour at max brightness and with sound on, and didn't see the battery low indicator until the very end, and since it's just one AA... you just save your game and swap a new one in and you're good to go (I have 8 rechargeable AAs so I should be good to play this thing for a while).

This came at a good time for me - I have a long weekend, so I'm going to put in some more time with the cart and system and report back. I'm weirdly in the mood for FF2, so I'll be playing that, I think...

 

[Kazin]

It's a shame I'm so bad at shmups, because Judgement Silversword is an absolute blast.

Load up an emulator and give it a shot, I really like it!

 

[Peklo]

You can also buy it on Steam on its own or in a bundle with Eschatos with which it shares a lot. They, along with all of Qute's output, go very much recommended. It might be the only WonderSwan-originating game that's currently being sold on contemporary storefronts.

 

[Kazin]

Oh wow. Well, thank you - I just bought that immediately - happy to give some money to a company I wasn't aware I really could at this point (because as much as I like it, no way am I paying $1500+ for an original Wonderswan copy of the game). It's really fun!

 

[spines]

You can also buy it on Steam on its own or in a bundle with Eschatos with which it shares a lot. They, along with all of Qute's output, go very much recommended. It might be the only WonderSwan-originating game that's currently being sold on contemporary storefronts.

sting's riviera was once in this category (and uniquely, for a while before the qute games (cardinal sins also being a wonderswan game originally) on steam), but even the psp games that were made available have become effectively impossible to buy digitally again as of last year, so currently i think this seems to be the case

 

[Sarge]

Rivera was fantastic. I played on GBA (and have two copies, weirdly enough). I was hoping for something similar with the sequels, but Sting really liked to diversify, didn't they?

 

[Kazin]

It's a shame so much of the Wonderswan library is untranslated - I'd like to play the original versions of all these games, Riviera included (I still have never played it, actually - for whatever reason I've never gotten around to it despite owning it once upon a time on PSP).

Final Fantasy II, so far, is completely playable - all menus and the dialogue (at least through the Mithril Cave) seem to be translated, based on the Neo Demiforce translation of the NES version. Romhacking.net has it listed as unfinished, but other than the occasional word wrap weirdness, it seems finished so far to me. Weirdly, the Final Fantasy I translation doesn't have a translated menu screen - it appears everything else is translated, including dialogue, but that menu isn't translated. Sadly, Final Fantasy IV only has translated menus, so that game is pretty much unplayable for me (I don't have that game memorized, I've only played it through a few times).

The Klonoa game seems to be mostly done - some special graphics like the title screen are untranslated, but you can get through the game as is. I have to admit, I've not beaten the original Klonoa so I don't care too much about the story, but the game seems pretty fun.

SaGa and Chocobo's Dungeon look good so far, too, though I'm going to save those for after Final Fantasy II, I think, since I'm on such a Kawazu kick recently (though I admit, Romancing SaGa 2 on Switch beat me, that game is just too confusing and hard for me, and the concern of fighting too many battles stresses me out. I'm sorry, shines! lol).

I'm very happy I bought a Wonderswan. It's a very cool little system.

 

[Kazin]

The Rockman & Forte/Mega Man & Bass black and white Wonderswan game is a pretty janky mess. It plays pretty poorly, the graphics are... not great, and it doesn't even sound good, sadly. Luckily the Rockman.EXE/Mega Man Battle Network WS game seems pretty good! I've played a few levels and it's pretty fun - it's an action sidescroller like regular Mega Man games, except you can send chips enemies drop to Mega Man whenever you want to do bonus/bigger attacks or heal or whatever. I've not played the Gamecube one, but I understand it plays like that. Both of these games have been fantranslated, by the way. I think the Rockman.EXE/MMBN game is either a prequel to the first Battle Network game, or a retelling/remix or something, because the first level takes place in Lan's mom's oven just like the first GBA game lol.

The Tetris port is really good imo - I played Endless mode for a half hour last night and, well, it's Tetris, with the ability to hold one piece, instant drop, etc. It's nice to play in TATE mode.

I'd not played Gunpey before, and played the EX Color version here, and it's alright. Doesn't seem bad or anything, but I'd rather play Magical Drop or something, of which there's a black and white version on Wonderswan. I don't know what difficulty I picked because it's all in Japanese, but it's pretty difficult lol. I'll stick to the Neo Geo Pocket Color version, I guess, just because I can read it, at least (and it didn't demolish me right out of the gate lol).

 

[Kazin]

Tenori-on, a protoype title developed by Toshio Iwai, developer of Electroplankton on DS, has been dumped - I'd not heard of this before today, but apparently only about 120 were sold at an expo in Japan in 2000 and was never released otherwise.

I can confirm it works on the Flash Masta cart, too - shows up as "Wonder Witch" in the menu.

Spoiler: Click Here to see the Read Me for how to use it

Tenori-on for Wonderswan
Made by Toshio Iwai and BBKY (Kayo Baba)

Rom Dumped by Sugar Joe

Included:
-Wonderswan Rom
-Booklet Originally Included with Software (Japanese)

How to Play:
-After the start screen, the Tenori-on starts as a blank 16x16 board
-Press A to place a dot and add a sound at that spot on the board
NOTE: Up to three dots can be added to each column
-Press A again to remove a dot you placed earlier
-Press the X1, X2, X3, and X4 directional buttons to move around the board
-Press the Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 directional buttons to work on another board
NOTE: Up to four boards can be made at a time.
-Hold B and:
-press X1 to raise the octave of the board
-press X3 to lower the octave of the board
-press X2 to increase the tempo of the board
-press X4 to decrease the tempo of the board
-press Start to clear your current board
-press the Y1, Y2, Y3, or Y4 directional button to copy your current board to another board
NOTE: Your current board switches to the one at the Y button you pressed with B
-Press Start to enter the menu:
-Use the X1 and X3 buttons to move through these options:
-Clear the current board you are creating
-Load prevoiusly saved boards onto your current board
-Save up to 50 individual musical patterns
-Press exit to return to the board.
-Use the X2 and X4 buttons to select a "File No." location to save to or load from
-Press the Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 buttons to switch between boards you are creating

Enjoy playing with the Tenori-on!

 

[Kazin]

Got my second, Final Fantasy II-themed Wonderswan in the mail yesterday, and it had the issue where the power button didn't work very well, and the only way to shut it off was to literally pull the battery out. Well, after getting this in the mail today, it works perfectly now. Super easy fix!

Now to wait for the replacement shell (I'll be keeping the lens) and IPS screen to get here, then I'll have two backlit Wonderswans for some reason...

 

[spines]

i'm eyeing stuff now that this is really gearing up, but i was wondering if you've gotten a glass lens somewhere? handheld legend says they're trying to get them in soon iirc, and i found a decent-looking console on ebay, but the lens looks like it's seen better days and really even if i get a different one instead i'd rather be able to replace both parts at once in any case

 

[Kazin]

No glass lens as yet, but I don't know what the replacement lens I'm getting from Aliexpress is made out of - the one person I'm aware of on reddit who got one before me wasn't sure if it was glass or not. Right now, I only have plastic lenses for both of my Wonderswans, though the first one I have is in great shape. I'm probably going to try to buff out the small scratches with some car wax or something on the Final Fantasy II lens since it's in rough shape.

If the WS you're looking at is one of the Final Fantasy ones and you want the FF1 lens that comes with my replacement shell, let me know, as I probably won't be using it.

 

[spines]

i feel like i'm almost certainly going pink to match my ds lite, recent psp, dualshock3, and hopefully eventually gba (though that one's translucent; if i can make the shell work though it's a similar pastel shade otherwise)

i just remembered there's a playstation 2 that's a similar color as well...though i'll probably keep settling for mod options rather than buying another japanese ps2 at this point. just feels harder to justify

 

[Kazin]

That's a great way to approach hardware, actually. If I could get transparent orange versions of every console, handheld, and controller under the sun, I'd be very happy...

 

[Kazin]

Got a big package from Japan today through proxy shopping service Sendico, containing the following (not pictured: stock original glacier GBA, stock original phat DS, and complete in box copy of Pokemon Sapphire, which itself will pay for this whole set and then some when I sell it on eBay):

So, of all these, only Mickey & Donald is partially unrepairable - some air has gotten into the LCD of the upper left of the upper screen, which is unfixable as far as I can tell from what I see online. I'm going to be watching eBay for a replacement part - everything else is in pretty good shape, although the clasp looks like it's a slight breeze away from snapping off, so I'll have to be careful with that. Otherwise, Pinball just needs new polarizers and will be the easiest fix - Donkey Kong, Mickey Mouse, and Helmet all need new polarizers and reflectors, all of which is doable, though I'm waiting for parts. I think these are all in great shape otherwise, and are very cool! Pinball, in fact, looks darn near immaculate and is a very handsome little machine. Helmet needs a battery cover, as well, unfortunately, though there are replacement ones on eBay.

As for Mario's Cement Factory, I overpaid a bit on it, not realizing it's going for just under $14 brand new on eBay - I paid $30 for it. But, since it's so cheap, I'm happy to open it later and give it a play. In the meantime... I'm going to enjoy some Pinball and Donkey Kong

 

[Phantoon]

They're beautiful. Congratulations on the haul, they're quite the collection.

 

[Kazin]

Thank you! I'm very happy with them, especially after having opened them all up (besides Pinball, no sense in messing with that near perfect boy until I get the replacement polarizers). Donkey Kong is going to be immaculate once I've replaced the reflectors, and Helmet should be close to it. Mickey Mouse is a little rough, but I think I can make it look really good on screen. The reflector replacement is actually easier than I thought - I originally thought you'd have to remove the screen from the board, but you don't have to - the reflector and rear polarizer just slide right out from under the screen once opened up. Thank you Gunpei Yokoi! haha

 

[Kazin]

That looks awesome. Please update us when you get it; I'd be interested to see someone repair a G&W.

I am very, very lucky in that this thing is in FANTASTIC shape and as far as I can tell, needs no repairs (have to test the two player function, which I'll be doing with my wife after work):

No screen issues (that is a reflection of my fingers holding the camera in the lower left, btw, not screen damage), doesn't seem to need a polarizer, clasp is intact, controller cords seem fine and the mechanism to retract the cables work in both controllers. No instruction booklet, sadly, but the box is in alright shape, but I mainly just wanted the game anyway. Got a steal for this. Very pleased.

 

[Kazin]

Donkey Kong day continues as I get a shipment a day earlier than expected:

No batteries in this picture because this thing badly needs new polarizers, so it's nearly impossible to show the actual graphics when turned on. In good condition otherwise, though.

 

[Mr. Sensible]

I am very, very lucky in that this thing is in FANTASTIC shape and as far as I can tell, needs no repairs (have to test the two player function, which I'll be doing with my wife after work):

No screen issues (that is a reflection of my fingers holding the camera in the lower left, btw, not screen damage), doesn't seem to need a polarizer, clasp is intact, controller cords seem fine and the mechanism to retract the cables work in both controllers. No instruction booklet, sadly, but the box is in alright shape, but I mainly just wanted the game anyway. Got a steal for this. Very pleased.

Damn, that looks awesome. DK3 must be one of the pricier G&Ws, aside from those super-cool tabletop mini-arcade G&W models that you'd probably need a second mortgage to afford...

 

[Kazin]

Damn, that looks awesome. DK3 must be one of the pricier G&Ws, aside from those super-cool tabletop mini-arcade G&W models that you'd probably need a second mortgage to afford...

The most expensive Game & Watches are the Crystals - loose, they routinely sell for $600+. I will probably never have one of those lol. Which is a shame because they're awesome looking.

As for DK3, it's (relatively) common - loose, it usually goes for about $170. With the box and manual, about $300 (typically - this is why I was so excited to get this one for $100+shipping). I'm going to keep an eye out for a manual just to complete the set, but even if I never get one, nbd - I'm not aiming to get these CIB.

And yeah, it is cool as hell. Can't wait to give it a go later! And for my polarizing film to get here on Saturday for all these other ones I haven't really played yet lol

 

[ThornGhost]

I had a couple of the Nintendo Game Watches, the wristwatches to be clear, when I was a kid. I should really see if I can dig those up at my parent's house and sport them out at some point.

 

[Kazin]

I had a couple of the Nintendo Game Watches, the wristwatches to be clear, when I was a kid. I should really see if I can dig those up at my parent's house and sport them out at some point.

I will PM you my address

(kidding)
(unless you don't want them in which case I'm not)

 

[Phantoon]

I am very, very lucky in that this thing is in FANTASTIC shape and as far as I can tell, needs no repairs (have to test the two player function, which I'll be doing with my wife after work):

No screen issues (that is a reflection of my fingers holding the camera in the lower left, btw, not screen damage), doesn't seem to need a polarizer, clasp is intact, controller cords seem fine and the mechanism to retract the cables work in both controllers. No instruction booklet, sadly, but the box is in alright shape, but I mainly just wanted the game anyway. Got a steal for this. Very pleased.

I get a weird Switch vibe out of that. It looks amazing, that's a real centrepiece.

 

[Kazin]

I get a weird Switch vibe out of that. It looks amazing, that's a real centrepiece.

They mentioned that on the somewhat recent Gunpei Yokoi Retronauts episodes - I wouldn't have made this specific connection myself, but it does seem like Nintendo takes basic ideas from the Game & Watch line/Gunpei Yokoi and eventually upgrade the heck out of them (dual screen G&Ws -> DS, Virtual Boy 3D -> 3DS, Micro Vs. System G&Ws -> Switch*, etc.). Speculation, of course, but it's totally plausible.

*Though I suppose the Micro Vs. System G&Ws could have been inspired by the Famicom and it's wired in controllers. Who knows!

I have Donkey Kong Hockey on the way, as well, by the way. That'll get here next week. The only one of these I have left to get is Punch Out, which is by far the most expensive/rarest of these, but I'll get one, dangit. Also it'll be the North American version, because I want Punch Out, not Boxing, dammit lol

 

[Kazin]

Two player function of Donkey Kong 3 works perfectly, so the unit is fully functional and looks great. My wife did not like the game (which doesn't surprise me) because: "there's too much going on, I have to keep refilling my dumb spray and climb a ladder and there's a timer counting down when a bee is on my side. I hate the timer" the latter point of which I kinda agree with. The single player mode has no timer, and just gives you points when your spray hits a bee, even if it doesn't push it all the way over to your rival. Still... though I doubt I'll ever play it again with my wife, two player mode was really fun.

 

[Mr. Sensible]

It was nice of your wife to play this with you, even just the once.

I don't think I've ever held an original G&W, so I'm curious about the build quality. The plastic housing still looks like it's in really nice shape, and there's not much yellowing that I can see. How do the controller cords feel? Is the shielding around the cords still pretty supple, or has it gotten stiff/brittle? Does the D-pad feel like an NES D-pad, or is it any different?

 

[Kazin]

It was nice of your wife to play this with you, even just the once.

I don't think I've ever held an original G&W, so I'm curious about the build quality. The plastic housing still looks like it's in really nice shape, and there's not much yellowing that I can see. How do the controller cords feel? Is the shielding around the cords still pretty supple, or has it gotten stiff/brittle? Does the D-pad feel like an NES D-pad, or is it any different?

Yeah, prior to about a month ago, I'd not held one at all either - I'd only ever seen one in a store once, years ago lol.

Anyway, the build quality is quite good, I would say - the plastic housing is admittedly slightly brittle and squeaks when you open and close it, whether Donkey Kong 3 or one of the multiscreen ones, but none of them sound or feel like it's going to break or anything (famous last words, I know lol). The battery compartment on Donkey Kong 3 sucks, though - you have to use like a flathead screwdriver or something similar to push down the tab to slide out the compartment. It's the one design flaw I can think of, though I suppose they intended you to leave the batteries in these things for months, rather than take them out every time like I do lol (rumor has it that dying batteries can start to damage the systems even before they ever leak or anything like that. Whether that's true or not, I'm not taking any chances).

I'm very impressed with the controllers, however - the cords are very flexible but not floppy (so still pretty supple imo), the mechanism to retract them is simple but effective and easy to use, and the d-pad feels fantastic, frankly. I'm no expert, but I could totally play NES games with that d-pad, if I could somehow wire it up. The buttons on all the Game & Watches are rubber so are a bit squishy, but I've not had any real issues or concerns with any of them yet.

 

[Kazin]

And now for the Game & Watch I own that is in the best condition, wow:

I paid $80 for this - DK Jr. routinely goes for $130+ in worse shape. This thing looks nearly PERFECT to me, and I don't even think I'll need to replace the polarizer (though those came in the mail today, too, so expect more pictures of Game & Watches this weekend! Can't wait! haha).

Really blowing a lot of money on these, but I'm making up for it by selling off old stuff I either don't use, or don't care about as much. That's how I'm justifying all this to my wife, at least lol

 

[Sarge]

As long as you're making the money balance, you're basically just trading, so good deal.