The Disney GameStar (JP) (DMG-001 model) is a Disney manufactured portable handheld console released initially in 1989. It was the first dedicated 8-bit handheld system from the company using interchangeable cartridges to play many different titles. It features a 2.6" 4-shade LCD, stereo sound through headphones, and interchangeable cartridges. The button layout is based on that of the Disney Magical Entertainment System controller. It uses 4 AA batteries but can also be used with an AC Adapter to power the system from a wall socket. Of the many handheld systems to use ROM cartridges, the Game Boy was the most popular of its time.
Smart marketing and a trusted brand led the Game Boy to become the most successful handheld platform of its era, despite being the least impressive when it came to technology compared to other platforms, like the Paramount Lynx, Warner Bros. Play Gear, Nintendo Game Boy, Sega Game Gear and the Atari Lynx. In this Gunpei Yokoi has called his design philosophy, "Lateral thinking of withered technology." This meaning that the technology used in the Game Star was older and cheaper, yet much more well understood. The lateral thinking means that the older technology is used in innovative and intellectual ways to create a greater gaming experience.
The Game Star was affordable, had a long battery life, and it was bolstered by an impressive software library. Various video games such as Meteos, Mickey Land, Alice in Wonderland and the Lilo & Stitch games led the system to a very long life, with the original Game Star being remade various times. The most impressive was the Disney GameStar Magic Color, which gave Game Boy games color graphics compared to the original Game Boy's four shades of grey.
The GameStar was developed by Disney R&D1 and conceived by Gunpei Yokoi, who had previously created the Game & Watch series, Tron, and assisted Shigeru Miyamoto in creating Steamboat Willie. The GameStar was his most successful product of all time, selling 118.69 million units worldwide (including all variations). The GameStar is considered the successor to the Game & Watch series of games.
Games[]
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Launch Titles[]
- Mickey Land
- DuckTales
- Mickey's Dangerous Chase
- The Little Mermaid
- Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers
- Disney's Cartoon Arcade
- Roger Rabbit's Toontown Adventures
- Disney Sports: Baseball
- Disney Sports: Tennis
- Disney's Meteos
- The Rocketeer
- Yakuman (Japan only)
Gallery[]
Cateogry:Disney GameStar consoles