Sega Game Gear 101: A Beginner’s Guide
The RetroGaming 101 series is aimed at gamers who are just starting out in the classic gaming scene or are curious about an older console or handheld that they don’t know much about yet. Those of you that are especially knowledgeable about the featured machine, I encourage you to add any information that you think would be beneficial into the comments section. If you are new to the featured console, and still have questions, you can also use the comments section and I will do my best to help you out.
Even though I own a Game Gear and a few games, racketboy.com contributer, Scooter jumped at the opportunity to share his knowledge about Sega’s attempt at mobile gaming. Enjoy!
Historical Impact
- The Sega Game Gear was Sega’s response to the runaway success of Nintendo’s Game Boy. While technically superior in many ways, the Game Gear failed to make a significant impact in the hand held system market.
- The Game Gear was basically a compact repackaging of the 8-bit Sega Master System technology.
- First available in Japan in 1990, North America and Europe in 1991 and elsewhere in 1992, the system did have a decent lifespan not being discontinued by Sega until 1997.
- In 2000 the system was reissued by Majesco though still prominently labeled as a Sega product. The Majesco units featured slightly improved screen but did not support some of the earlier produced peripherals such as the TV Tuner.
- In typical Sega style, the system had a large array of peripherals such as the Super Wide Gear (screen magnifier), a TV tuner, Gear to Gear cable (a link cable allowing two player action with two linked Game Gear units) and Master Gear (an adapter that allowed Master System cartridges to be played on the Game Gear).
- Many successful Genesis game franchises spawned additional Game Gear versions of those game series. Many such games were entirely unique games instead of being simplified ports of the Genesis version of the game.
- More Sega Game Gear information on Wikipedia
Strengths
- The system contains a 3.2 inch wide full color screen with 160 x 146 resolution. This was quite technologically impressive in its day and does provide a good play screen, though the resolution may disappoint some players who are only familiar with modern, high resolution screens.
- The Game Gear is ergonomically well designed fitting into the hands well and is not terribly heavy. Weight is significantly reduced further when used with an AC or car adapter or wired battery pack and no AA batteries installed in the unit itself.
- A wide variety of games in all contemporary genres were available. With the Master Gear converter, the library of roughly 250 Game Gear games could be expanded by an additional 219 Master System games, though there is a good amount of overlap in the systems’ game libraries as a number of games were ported either from Game Gear to the Master System or vice versa.
- The system it relatively inexpensive to collect and new or near new games and systems are still available regularly.
- With the use of headphones or mini speakers the system can support full stereo sound if stereo support was provided within the design of the game being played.
- Peripheral Madness! If you enjoy collecting peripherals for your vintage system, the Game Gear can offer a wide array of fun and interesting peripherals.
- The power, sound and video boards are all modular so even with only a basic technical ability, often times multiple failed units can be pieced together into at least a single fully working unit.
- Game controls are kept quite simple with two action buttons and a D-pad. Most games are a pick up and play opportunity. The Start button typically functions as a pause button though on a few innovative games it can be used as an additional action button.
- Game, system and peripheral packaging is colorful and most often quite artful.
- The system is not region specific (the same holds true for Master System games) so games from any region can be played on systems from any region. The only region specific items are the TV Tuners.
- The system uses cartridge based software and as such the software is quite durable and portable.
Weaknesses
The system consumes batteries at an alarming rate. The system holds 6 AA batteries which will last for roughly two hours.- Rechargeable batteries and/or AC or car adapters are almost a must for continued hand held gaming enjoyment.
- The sound system was designed with inexpensive capacitors which over time can fail leaving the system with a very weak or nonexistent ability to provide sound.
- The sound boards can typically be repaired by replacing these capacitors but this process can be costly and may be beyond the technical capacity of many collectors. When shopping for a used unit, be sure to inquire about the sound output!
- The screen has a somewhat low refresh rate and will provide a temporarily lower contrast picture with fast moving games, such as the Sonic games, in which the game screen scrolls rapidly. The later Majesco units address this somewhat with a brighter, more active screen.
- The game screen is not intensely bright and can provide low contrast when used in brightly lit environments. Using the system in lower light areas and/or making use of the Sega Super Wide Gear, which not only magnifies the screen it also blocks out outside light, is recommended. Of course restricting use to low light areas can detract from the entire concept of a portable, use anywhere system and attaching the Super Wide Gear seriously detracts from the sleek design of the base unit making it bulky and cumbersome and definitely less easily portable.
- Peripheral Madness! With so many peripherals available for the system, obtaining a full collection of systems, games and peripherals can be quite a daunting task. Many of the peripherals help address, and exemplify, the system’s weaknesses. Most peripherals detract from the system’s portability and the sleek compact design of the base unit.
- Not all games were designed with the Game Gear’s screen resolution firmly in mind and as such can be difficult to see what is going on during game play.
- System, game and peripheral packaging can be difficult to find in display quality, this is especially true of game packaging. For some games which were released in small quantities, it can even be difficult to find game manuals to accompany the games.
- The target audience of the Game Gear was typically younger gamers and as such many systems, games and peripherals have led a rough life. The collector concerned with blemish free items complete with all their original packaging will have to work harder and spend more to find more pristine examples.
Game Library
Racing: As with the Genesis and the arcade, Sega was strong in the area of racing games and this of course carried over to the Game Gear. Some of the better games include: Super Monaco Gran Prix I & II, Micro Machines, Road Rash, Super Off Road, and Sonic Drift 1 & 2- Sports: Another area of strength for Sega in the ‘90s was sports games and the Game Gear again benefited from this. Some of the best sports titles available were: Leaderboard Golf, Joe Montana Football, NFL ‘95, The Majors Pro Baseball, PGA Tour Golf, and Fred Couples Golf
- RPG: The Game Gear lineup lacks a strong library of RPGs but a few did reach the market. The best of the bunch was Defenders of Oasis.
- Platformers: If any single genre exemplifies Game Gear/Genesis era console gaming it is 2D platformers and the Game Gear had plenty of them. There are too many to list here, but some of the best include the Sonic series (including Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble, the first Sonic GG exclusive), Tom & Jerry The Movie, Bart vs. The Space Mutants, Krusty’s Funhouse, and the Ecco Series. (We’ll try to have a more thorough list of games later)
- Beatemups: There is Streets of Rage on the Game Gear. Need I say more?
- Shooters: A good number of quality shooters were available for Sega’s little hand held. The better ones include: Aerial Assault, G-Loc, Desert Strike, Super Space Invaders, Super Battletank, Choplifter III, Fantasy Zone, and Halley Wars
- Puzzle: Puzzle games were by far not the largest genre available on the Game Gear, a number of quality puzzlers were available: Columns, Super Columns, Dr Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, and Marble Madness.
Imports
- As mentioned above, all games can be played on all systems, including Master System games with the use of the Master Gear converter.
- The TV Tuners are region specific with each being geared toward the broadcast signals typical in the area to which they belong. The North American and UK tuners look quite similar but function differently.
Emulation
- In addition to the standard platforms like the PC, Mac, and Linux, emulators are available for many other platforms such as the Sega Dreamcast, Windows Mobile, iPod, Playstation Portable, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and Palm OS.
- Due to the similarities between the Game Gear and the Sega Master System hardware, Game Gear emulators usually play Master System games as well and vice versa.
Affordability
- A working base system can often be acquired for as little as $10-$15, though more pristine boxed versions will typically run upwards of $50 or more.
- A good selection of games can be obtained for a few dollars apiece. Some games can still be found brand new still in the factory shrink wrap.
- Many games received wide releases and as such are readily available through typical sources such as eBay and used game stores.
- While a few great games are hard to locate and expensive to obtain typically due to low issue rates, a wide variety of quality games across all genres are easy to obtain from worldwide sources.
- Limited edition colored units can command significantly higher prices. The US received a blue unit marketed as a sports edition packaged with sports games and a carrying case. Japan received a yellow unit and a Coca-Cola related unit in red. Other rare colors may have been available in small quantities.
- You can also buy one of these newer handhelds with built-in Game Gear games rather inexpensively.
Peripheral Madness
A long list of useful and interesting peripherals can be found for the Game Gear. Most often it is best to limit collecting focus on Sega brand items.
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TV Tuner: allows reception of broadcast TV signals on the Game Gear unit turning it into a small TV. A coaxial cable to mini pin adapter can also allow the Game Gear to receive cable TV signals and can allow the unit be used as a camera monitor/playback screen. The tuner can be expensive and hard to find in complete, boxed condition.- Rechargeable batteries: two versions of rechargeable battery packs were available. One is a sausage shaped heavy unit which has a belt clip allowing it to remain portable with the unit. The other, called the Power Back, attached to the back of the unit integrating well with the overall design of the unit itself though it adds significant weight and a little bulk to the system. Given their age, both units often will contain worn out NiCad batteries but these batteries can be replaced relatively easily. Both battery packs are charged by the same AC or car adapter that is used to power the Game Gear itself. (Another alternative is to simply use modern high quality rechargeable AA batteries.)
- Gear to Gear link cable: this cable links two Game Gear units for full two player competition. This requires two Game Gears and two copies of the game to be played. Many games offer Gear to Gear compatibility.
- Super Wide Gear: this is a screen magnifier and helps make the screen more visible also by blocking out most external ambient light. Other brands of screen magnifiers can be readily found, but few work as well or fit as well onto the unit as the Sega brand item.
- Carrying case: The Sega brand case provides secure compact storage for the base unit and the more useful peripherals. Relatively easy to locate and often not expensive.
- Master Gear converter: this adapter allows Master System games to be played on the Game Gear. This adapter only works with Sega Master System cartridges, not the SMS game cards. Note: only about 6 or 7 SMS games were ever issued on the game card.
- AC adapter and car adapter: A must have to compensate for the high battery usage rate of the system. These same adapters are used to charge the Sega brand battery packs so only one adapter is needed for charging and directly powering the unit. Additionally, the battery packs can be charged while using an adapter to power the unit during use.
- Cheat devices: Game Gear versions of cheat devices such as the Game Genie were available.
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Dude good review… i was one of the lucky owners… my dad got me one for christmas second hand from his co-worker and it came with the charger back thingy, so i thought and still think it was way better than other handhelds (except for DS). I played streets of rage till my brain was toast. I also enforced Cable Mayhem on Smash TV without ever buying batteries. Too bad nobody got the charger cause if they did i think game gear would have beaten Gameboy in the handheld race and probably would have kept SEGA on the map.
$93+bucks i spent on a Game Gear Core system that produced a non-existent gaming fun.
I got a Play Pal 20-1 Master/Game Gear Hand Held a Few weeks back and its great. The only Prob is after beating all 20 games if left me wanting more so I went of the hunt for a Sega Game Gear. Yesterday at a Local Game Store I Picked up a Sega Game Gear, Megaman, Sonic, and A BaseBall Game w/ a AC Cord for 20.00 even. What A great deal because I see the megaman game alone sell for 50.00 on eBay When you can find it. I also Picked up Power Rangers For 3.00 and a Mag Screen in box For 4.95(Sucks Selling on Ebay Now) So In all I spent less the 30.00 bucks to start off my Game Gear Collect. It Came with Bats. And So Far Its they have lasted going on 5 hours So I dont understand the 2 hour life above. Do any of your guys have any Sug. on Great Games To Pick up First?
Well, we kinda covered the best ones in the article, but if you’d like to discuss it more, I recommend checking into the forum. Thanks!
Nice article. I still have one of those blue game gears. I wonder what it’d go for on ebay. Also I still have Shinobi and Fatal Fury Special which I remember being pretty good. Sadly I also have Judge Dredd. Also I have that back plate battery. The game gear is already pushing it’s luck size-wise but with the pack it’s ridiculous to hold unless you have large hands.
I bought a used Game Gear system at a flea market for $10 in excellent working condition. The only drawback is there are no battery covers on the back. Anyone know of any good games I should find for the system? I have 5 games already.
Other than the ones already listed? I tried looking for an existing thread on the subject in the forum, but came up empty-handed. You might want to post your question there — I’m sure you’ll get plenty of good suggestions!
I’m a bit confused about power supplies. I’ve read that the Game Gear uses the same AC power supply as the Genesis Model 2 but when I look at my Model 2 console, it shows it its plug is 10V and my Game Gear console shows it needs 9V. Help!
well the genesis model 2, is 10v, and the GG 9v, but its not the volts you have to worry about its the Ampage / miliampage, that would cause damage to the unit, 1volt wont make diddly squat to the unit
take this analagy for example, its not mains voltage that kills, its the ampage, as anything over 20ma can kill you, could be 1million volts and 0.01ma and you wouldnt feel much
Nen
Put my own quick guide together:
“# Racing: Only Road Rash, Micro Machines and sonic Drift 2 are worth bothering with. Not a strong genre for a system with the master system specs so avoid anything else.
# RPG: Not much to add unless you import, but for Rpg/strategy hybrids add Crystal Warriors and the three(!) shining force titles. An action rpg import called sylvan tale is quite playable and the rom has been fan translated.
# Platformers: Sonic 1 & Triple Trouble, Ristar, Deep Duck Trouble, Jurassic Park, shinobi 1-2, Land of Illusion, Kishin Douji Zenki, Wonder Boy, Wonder Boy III: Dragon’s Trap. The rest of them are inferior ports of sms games or just poor license titles.
# Shooters: None of these are good: Aerial Assault, Super Battletank, Halley Wars, Fantasy Zone.
These are: Choplifter III, GG Alete, Power strike II (not a port), Gunstar Heroes, star Wars: super Return of the Jedi.
# Puzzle: I’ll add Popils, Factory Panic, Woody Pop, sikin Jyo and Puyo Puyo series to the already good list.
# Fighting: Both Power Rangers (yeah seriously), Fatal Fury.
@Ben
Study much electrical engineering there?
Amps only matter if the model 2 power adapter is supplying less than the original GG adapter. More current isn’t going to hurt anything. The GG will only use as much current as it needs to run, the power adapter has to just be able to supply it.
Voltage certainly does matter, but you are probably right that 1 volt will not kill the unit.
Great article to commemorate the good’ol Game Gear! I used to spent so much time with it when I was younger until it’s display went all green. Dad took it to a shop, and they said it couldn’t be repaired, and dad just foolishly left it there!! Now I know what the cause is and repair is surprising super easy! Only tricky part is to solder those tight spots and keeping it nice and tidy. I’ve just acquired the rare JP exclusive White-GG (10,000 only ever sold to the market) and it’s also suffering from leaking capasitor issues, which I hope to fix in the coming weeks when my guinea pig black GG arrives from Japan.. So exciting to finally own a Game Gear again!!!
I feel incredibly sad just thinking about all those batteries I consumed, and for oh so little.
my screen goes dark and comes back on the games still playing anyone know how to fix it?
@Alex
This link will help you:
http://members.optusnet.com.au/eviltim/ggrgb/ggrepair.html
I hope you know how to use a solder iron…
My GG had no audio, I replaced today the two original 0.47µ 6.5v capacitors with two 0.47µ 25v ( yes, 25 its ok the same ) capacitors and my audio come back again!
I paid 20 euro cents each capacitor 🙂
For your video problem is more difficult bacause there are more than 10 capacitors to replace and they are in the motherboard…
I still have a problem on my gg, If I connect it to a 9v AC adapter my screen is dark ( an it is not a screen problem, it works with batteries ), do I need more power or I have some problem on my power supply?
i used to have 2 game gears and 3 games and one was the blue 1 i lost a game and gave away the blua and a game now i want it back.so doas enyone know 5 good games u cane recomende and were to get them cheap. in a los angles store and those the store have a website if so can u give my the link
Hi I am using some pictures from this page on my Game Gear Site. Are they yours? Do you mind? Actually Im oly using one at the moment on my Games List Page.
Also, do you have a links page? We could link?
gamegear.isgreat.org
Yeah, Scooter took them of his collection for this piece.
I don’t mind though.
If you could link back, that’d be great 🙂
Best of luck!
i’ve always wanted a game boy, but my parents bought me a game gear for my birthday. what the f***. i had noone to trade games with.
true, its screen was excellent for its time. first thing i got was the AC adapter. 2-2.5 hours with high quality duracell… it’s true! the real bad thing about the game gear, however, were the d-pad and the buttons. they were of horrible quality. after less than a year i had to have it replaced becaues the d-pad was broken and everything would move to the left in game. the game boy on the other hand was completely indestructible.
ps: yup i loved defenders of oasis and haley wars. and oh boy, fantasy zone was hard.
Use these tools to play sega comfortably……
2 hour battery life? This is the Game Gear, not the Turbo Express! The Game Gear should get at least 5 hours on good alkaline AAs, a little less on the el-cheapo ones. The refresh rate issue is also blown way out of proportion. I’ve played XBOX games through the A/V jack on my TV Tuner and the Game Gear screen handles even those games quite well.
Overall this is a good article but when researching info for it, be weary that a lot of Game Gear “facts” are written by Game Boy fans who had to justify that system’s unusual success against handhelds with superior hardware. The Game Gear is a great system to own along side the Game Boy, or any of the other handhelds. Some very vocal gamers these days seem to think you can only choose one.
how much would you pay for a working sega game gear alone?
Hi
I love the game gear but the battrey life sucks so I picked up the emulator for my psp and still enjoy playing the gg without buying batterys and a better screen
Hi, can anybody tell me, if I am using a universal power adapter for my sega game gear, what voltage do I set, and the polarity? Many thanks
If you are reading this and never owned or played a Game Gear you are a phag
;]