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GP2X Wiz
A GP2X Wiz with the main menu open
ManufacturerGamePark Holdings
TypeHandheld game console
GenerationSeventh generation era
Release dateMay 13, 2009
Introductory price$179.99
MediaSD card
Operating systemLinux based
System on a chipMagicEyes Pollux VR3520F
CPUARM926EJ @ 533 MHz
Memory64MB (DDR SDRAM)
Storage1GB NAND Flash
Removable storageSDHC card
SoundCirrus Logic 43L22
PredecessorGP2X
SuccessorCaanoo[1]

The GP2X Wiz is a handheld game console and portable media player developed by South Korean company GamePark Holdings running a Linux kernel-based embedded operating system. It was released on May 12, 2009, and was the first console from both Game Park and Game Park Holdings to be also released outside South Korea. It is the successor to the GP2X.

Overview

An image of the Wiz system was first leaked on the web in late July 2008.[2] Rumors had been circulating that GamePark Holdings was in the process of making a new handheld, since they had abruptly discontinued production of its first handheld, the GP2X, in late June/early July. Prior to the official announcement, this handheld was sometimes referred to as the GP3X.[3]

On August 26, 2008, GamePark Holdings announced that it was planning to release a new handheld, named the Wiz.[4][5] Along with the announcement, a brochure detailing a great amount of launch information was released, complete with the system's specs.[6] The brochure stated that new games would be released every month for the system; This is a deviation from the GP2X, which did not have many commercial games. However, the Wiz still appears to be primarily advertised as an open-source system, meant for homebrew development of games and emulators.

On September 2, 2008, it was reported that the GP2X Wiz's button layout was to be revised, and the second D-Pad on the right-hand side of the system was to be removed. In order to make these design changes, the release of the system was to be pushed back to November 2008.[7]

Around the last week of April 2009, GamePark shipped test units of the GP2X Wiz.[8] These are thought to be the final hardware revision before the actual product launch.

Retailers for the GP2X Wiz stated that they planned to begin shipping the GP2X Wiz as soon as October 8, 2008. As of May 2009, retailers are listing the price of the Wiz at US$179.99.[9] The GP2X Wiz started shipping as of May 13, 2009.[10]

An online application store was set to launch in August of 2009.[11]

Official accessories for the GP2X Wiz include the Accessory Kit (which comes with an SD card case, a wrist strap, and a spare stylus), a screen protector, and a Genuine Leather Case.[12]

The successor of GP2X Wiz is GP2X Caanoo.

Myungtendo

In February 2009, South Korean president Lee Myung-bak had stated that "Korea needs to develop a video game console like a Nintendo DS".[13] This statement was parodied with the "Myungtendo MB", an obvious rip-off of the Nintendo DS.[14] While completely unrelated to the Myungtendo incident, the GP2X Wiz is often nicknamed as the "Myungtendo", due to its release shortly after the statement.[15]

Hardware

The GP2X Wiz has a slim profile compared to the earlier GP2X.

Specifications

Based on the specs released by GamePark Holdings, the Wiz appears to have a considerably more slim and compact form factor than that of the GP2X. The Wiz also has a fairly large amount of built in flash memory, which GamePark has stated will be used to hold games that will be included with the system. OLED screens have much better contrast ratios than LCD screens, particularly because, unlike LCDs, they can display true black.

Multimedia support

Video

Audio

Photos

Flash Player

The system was initially supposed to ship with Flash Player 7.[5] The Wiz also has Flash Player 8 with ActionScript 2.0 support, allowing it to play flash games from the Internet.[19]

Games

The Wiz had only four commercial retail games, these are:[20]

  • Deicide 3: Distorted Existence
  • Propis
  • Redemption: Liar
  • Rhythmos

The Wiz can run many emulators, freeware games, flash games, and applications. The GP2X Wiz comes pre-installed with a number of games on the NAND.

IQ Jump
This is a collection of 5 brain training style games.
  • Look for the same pictures
  • Look for the missing number
  • Addition and Subtraction
  • Look for the coin in the saving pocket
  • Crisis Ladder
  • Animatch by Ruckage
  • Square Tower Defence by Alex[21]
  • Wiztern by Chemaris
  • Myriad by Clare Jonsson
  • Tail Tale by Rerofumi
  • Boomshine2x by Peter Roberts[22]
  • Space Varments by Ruckage
Originally a game called Snake on Dope was shipped with the unit, and may have been removed due to copyright issues relating to the music.
Upcoming Games in 2011
  • SORR (Streets of Rage Remake) A fan made tribute to all SOR Games developed by BomberGames took 8 years to make and was released in June 2011 as freeware. (SEGA Blocked its release *See Below*) [23]
Sega are in current negotiations with BomberGames. For the time being SEGA has blocked the game's release, BomberGames are looking for a speedy resolution[needs update]


See also

References

  1. ^ "GamePark's GP2X Caanoo handheld hits this August, picks up where the Wiz left off (video)". engadget.com. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Post by Zodttd on his website with leaked Wiz image". Zodttd.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  3. ^ "GamePark's GP3X leaked in spy shots, called the 'Wiz'". Engadget. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Post about GP2X Wiz announcement on". Gp32x.com. 2008-08-26. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Houghton, Stuart (August 27, 2008). "The Wiz - Gamepark's Successor To The GP2x". Kotaku. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  6. ^ GP2X Wiz Brochure Archived 2008-12-18 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Post by EvilDragon on gp32.com forums". Gp32x.com. 2008-09-02. Archived from the original on 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  8. ^ "April 2009, GPH ships GP2X Wiz test units". Play-asia-rulez.blogspot.com. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  9. ^ GP2X Store product page Archived 2009-05-01 at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ^ Play-Asia Product Page.
  11. ^ "Gamepark's GP2X Wiz Handheld to Get Open Source Gaming App Store". Gizmodo.
  12. ^ http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-14-71-d1-49-en.html Play-Asia has listed the prices as $18.90 USD for the accessory kit, $8.90 USD for the Leather Case, and $4.90 for the screen protector.
  13. ^ "이대통령 "우리도 닌텐도 같은 히트제품 만들어야"" [President Lee "We should make a hit product like Nintendo"]. ETNews (in Korean). 5 February 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  14. ^ "MB "닌텐도 만들라" 지시에 네티즌 '명텐도 MB' 초광속 출시… 온라인 '폭소'" [MB "Make a Nintendo" instructions prompt netizens to launch 'Myungtendo MB' at lightning speed... online 'laughing']. Kukinews (in Korean). 5 February 2009. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  15. ^ "[콘솔 타임머신] '명텐도'라 불린 게임기, 게임파크 홀딩스 'GP2X Wiz'" [[Console Time Machine] Game Machine Called 'Myungtendo', Game Park Holdings 'GP2X Wiz']. Daily Sports (in Korean). 27 September 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  16. ^ Sheffield, Brandon (June 2009). "GP2X Wiz". Game Developer. 16 (6). Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  17. ^ Magic Eyes product page for the Pollux.
  18. ^ "Arm9-based SOC targets low-end PMPs". Archived from the original on 2009-05-15.
  19. ^ GamePark Holdings (2009-03-17). "News post at Game Park Holdings site regarding Flash support". Gp2xwiz.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  20. ^ "Hardcore Gaming 101: A History of Korean Gaming". www.hardcoregaming101.net. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
  21. ^ Sqdef. Alxm.org. Retrieved on 2013-10-06.
  22. ^ "Boomshine2x". shortestpath.dev. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  23. ^ News for Nov. 11th, 2009 Archived 2013-09-21 at the Wayback Machine, Bombergames.net, retrieved at 2013-09-21

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Video game consoles (seventh generation)
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