Koryo Game Player (Korean: 고려 게임 플레이어) is a seventh generation home video game console released only in North Korea. Due to the lack of gaming interests in North Korea, a Chinese manufacturer made the console for the DPRK. Unlike most 7th generation video game consoles, the Koryo Game Player does not compete Sony's PlayStation 3, Microsoft's XBOX 360 and Nintendo's Wii.
Background[]
In North Korea, due to the fact that they're placed under the United States Sanctioned/Embargoed countries list, no game consoles nor video games were imported in North Korea. In 2011, a Shenzhen-based video game console manufacturer announced that they'll produce a video game console for North Korea. The price for the Koryo Game Player has been announced, selling at ₩275,243, making it the most expensive device to be sold in North Korea. However, cheaper ones can be found in the black market.
Unlike most 7th generation video game consoles, the Koryo Game Player only plays Nintendo NES, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, GameBoy (and GameBoy Color), Sega Game Gear games, PlayStation 1, and GameBoy Advance games, due to the fact that there are no game developers in North Korea.
All of the games that are released on this console are imports of games that were originally released on respective platforms.
Hardware[]
- Processor: 32-bit MIPS-based processor (suitable for emulating Nintendo NES, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, GameBoy (and GameBoy Color), Sega Game Gear games, PlayStation 1, and GameBoy Advance games)
- System memory: 256MB
- Internal storage: 16GB eMMC
- Graphics: 32-bit based, supports 3D acceleration
Reception[]
According to the Kotaku, the Koryo Game Player doesn't have any original games, but technically the first game console to be released exclusively in North Korea.
The game console gave harshly, negative and criticised reviews due to lack of licensing and original games.