Tendo City

Quote:The iQue Player (or in Chinese "Gods Playing Machine") is a new Nintendo console that has been released in Shanghai this week. The controller-style console plugs directly into the TV and comes with a 64 Mega Bytes Flash Memory Card to store the games. Games are not available in the traditional way, but can be downloaded via Download Stations to the Flash Memory Card in Nintendo-affiliated retail, compact disc and bookstores throughout China. There are also plans to sell games online.

After receiving the units we decided to open one up and take a closer look. At the end of this article you will also find a few links to videos, provided by our chinese friends in form of 500 Mega Bytes (!) XVID format files. We don't mind you playing around with your brand new broadband ADSL lines, but we have recompressed two of them into much smaller Windows Media now ;-)

The packaging and presentation

The iQue is packaged similar to the GameCube console and contains the following items.

# iQue (with 64MByte Memory Card inside)

# A pack including the warranty card and a money card which can be used to purchase game downloads

# A 10-page instruction manual

# Power Adapter

# AV/power cord

The console is packed with styrofoam packing to avoid damage during transit and is of high-quality. The instruction manual that comes with the unit is very easy to read and is filled with easy to follow instructions to use the console.

The money card included in the console is to be used for future game updates and allows you to download new games from authorised resellers to the included memory card.

A prototype of the KIOSK terminal.

The controller design

First looking at the controller, it appears very similar to the original Dreamcast controller, only thinner and looking somewhat like a UFO. Our first impression was "wow, this is huge", however we found when holding it, the controller was very comfortable in our hands and all buttons could be used at ease.

The controller has the power and start buttons in the centre of the controller. On the left side is the analogue controller and on the right side, the A + B buttons and a digital "C-stick" similar to the Gamecube's C-stick but with only 4 directions.

Below are shots of the controller and its comparison to a standard GameCube controller, a GP32 and a GBA SP.

The iQue Memory Cartridge

The memory cartridge that came with the iQue looks at first very similar to a GameCube memory card and contains a 64Byte of flash memory.

After opening the cart, we found it contains a 64MByte 48pin TSOP from Samsung.

Inside the iQue

Next was to open the iQue itself and take a look inside. After taking the 8 standard screws off the back of the controller, we popped the top off and could see the board.

At first there was not much to see with a metal plating covering most of the main board. Of course this was only a small obstacle and a few seconds later the plate was removed.

Inside we could finally see the main processor, a CPU made by NEC and the video memory chip made by Samsung.

As usual, the quality of both the components and the packaging of the iQue is of great quality and contains the Nintendo High Quality Seal.

In the next few days we will have a review of the games and use of the console including new screens and videos for you to enjoy.

Here are some pics:









Tha actually looks pretty cool.

Lik-Sang

"God's Playing Machine"? That is SO hilariously egotistical a name! I LOVE IT!

It'sa me! Mario! The fat italian plumber of MAGIC LAND WITH RAINBOWS!

Really, there hasn't been such a succesfully famous and children friendly fat man since Santa!

Kind of strange to now release a system that plays N64 and SNES games, but whatever... but because of what it plays I'm not so sure that it'll come out anywhere else. I doubt it...