Wikipedia

iQue Player

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iQue Player
DeveloperNintendo
ManufactureriQue
TypeVideo game console
Generationfifth generation technology
Release date
  • CH: November 17, 2003
Introductory price¥498
MediaFlash card, cartridge
CPUR-4300 64Bit CPU, 93.75 MHz
Memory4 MB
Graphics62.5 MHz Reality Co-Processor
SoundADPCM 64
ConnectivityUSB (Fugue Online)
PowerAC Adapter
Online servicesiQue Depot, Fugue Online[1]
Best-selling gameDr. Mario 64 (Pre-installed in bundled memorycard)
RelatedNintendo 64
WebsiteiQue Template:Zh icon

The iQue Player /ˌaɪ ˈkjuː/ is a video game console that was manufactured by iQue, a joint venture between Nintendo and Chinese-American scientist Dr. Wei Yen. The system also goes under the Chinese name of Shén Yóu Ji (神游机), literally "Divine Gaming Machine". Shényóu (神游) also serves a double entendre because the term also means "to make a mental journey". The console itself takes the form of the controller and plugs directly into the television. A box accessory is available that allows multiplayer gaming.[2] At the moment, it is only marketed in mainland China, as the console's unusual game distribution method is an attempt to curb games piracy in that region.

Games for this console are stored on a 64 MB flash card which is contained within a cartridge that plugs directly into the controller/console. Games are purchased at a special "iQue depot" where games may be downloaded onto the cartridge and played later, in a similar manner to the Famicom Disk System. Demo games that come with the iQue include The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, and Star Fox 64. These demos are time-limited versions of the games. Full versions of the three titles are available, as are other first party Nintendo titles such as Dr. Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Wave Race 64, and F-Zero X.

Technical details

The iQue Player is based on the Nintendo 64, but uses system-on-a-chip technology to reduce size. It plays Nintendo 64 games specifically ported to the system.

  • Processor: R-4300 64Bit CPU, 93.75 MHz
  • Memory: 4 MB RAMBUS
  • Graphics: 100,000 polygons/second, 2.09 million colors
  • Sound: ADPCM 64

Once the player has turned on the system, the iQue logo will appear. Then, an advertisement for a game will appear and it will say to press the A button to continue. The main menu lists the games on the memory card and info on the games as well. Once the player has selected a game, a message will appear asking if they want to play this game. A loading screen may appear. If the player presses Z on the highlighted game, a description of the game will appear. Like many other consoles, the player can change the system settings such as TV resolution and username. The system settings will also appear when the player first uses the system.

Online Services

The iQue Player has online services for buying games, cloud storage, game updates, etc. Currently, there are two online services for the iQue Player; one is kiosk based, another is broadband based.

iQue Depot

The iQue depot is a network of kiosks that allows users to download games, update games, and more. Each game comes with a game code that can be used so the user can download the game. Players can also store their games on the iQue Depot network for free. They're mostly seen at gas stations in China. Users must be a member of the iQue Club and have a special iQue Ticket to download games.

Fugue Online

Fugue online is an online service that allows users to get free access to games at home, update their system and more. To connect to Fugue Online, players must plug the iQue Player to his/her computer via USB. Games are downloaded on the computer, in a similar manner to an MP3 player. Plans have been mentioned to make online multiplayer and communication possible in the near future.[1]

Accessories

Memory Card

The iQue Player memory card is bundled with the system. It is required to start the system and to load the games. Both the games and the game save states are saved on the memory card.

Swim Box

The iQue Player Swim Box is required to play local multiplayer. The iQue Player is used as the Player 1 controller. The Swim Box isn't compatible with other iQue Player Systems, so other players have to use a Swim Controller.

Swim Controller

The Swim Controller is used for multiplayer. The Swim Controller can't load games alone. Games have to be loaded on the iQue system.

History

Development

China has an overwhelming black market for video games and usually only a few games officially make it to the Chinese market. Many Chinese gamers tend to purchase pirated cartridge or disc copies or download ROMs and ISOs to play via emulator. Nintendo wanted to curb the software piracy in China, and also by-pass the then-ban that the Chinese government implemented on home game consoles since 2000. Nintendo partnered with Wei Yen, who also helped Nintendo in other projects, and together they created a game system to get around China's black market, as well as loophole through the government's ban. Originally, the system would support games released on Nintendo consoles prior to the GameCube, which include the NES, Super NES and Nintendo 64, but later in the system's development, it was resulted to only include Nintendo 64 games. Additionally, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask was going to be included in the software library but it was later cancelled (possibly due to some graphic elements that are against China's censorship policy or due to difficulties in porting a videogame that required the Expansion Pak); however, the game's promotional picture is still on the back of the box.[3]

Release

The iQue Player was released on 17 November 2003 with a few launch titles. Nintendo strategy to market games in China was to show how videogames can help improve children's mental and social development. At first, the only way to get games was to buy them via the iQue Depot, but in 2009, Nintendo released Fugue Online to download games at home. The latest game released was released in 2006.

Successor

As of 2014, no successor to the iQue Player has been launched. Nintendo had previously announced plans to release the Wii in China, but it was later confirmed by Satoru Iwata in 2007 that the Wii would only be available in Hong Kong, and marketed under the Nintendo brand. In light of the Chinese government officially announcing the ban lift on gaming consoles in January 2014, in an interview with Reuters, Iwata revealed that Nintendo are currently assessing the Chinese market, with plans to develop an entirely different console for various emerging markets, which could be potentially affordable for many middle-class Chinese people. Iwata further commented that despite the ban lift, many other hurdles in the market remain, and Microsoft's approach in releasing their Xbox One console in China just "wouldn't work", marking Nintendo's decision against releasing the contemporary Wii U console in the country.[4]

Games

The iQue Player's library has 14 games. All these games were released for the Nintendo 64 in Japan and other regions prior to the iQue Player. One game was cancelled.

Original title in English/Japanese Chinese (Simplified) Pinyin Released Date Demo included with system Game Code Genre Game Modes
Wave Race 64 水上摩托 Shuǐ Shàng Mótuō 17 November 2003  Y 51011[5] Racing Single-Player, Multi-Player (2 players)
Star Fox 64 星际火狐 Xīngjì Huǒhú 17 November 2003  Y 41011[6] Shooter Single-Player, Multi-Player (4 players)
Dr. Mario 64 马力欧医生 Mǎlìōu Yīshēng 17 November 2003  N Full version included with bundled memory card 61011[7] Puzzle Single-Player, Multi-Player (4 players)
Super Mario 64 神游马力欧 Shén Yóu Mǎlìōu 17 November 2003  Y 10011[8] Platform Single-Player
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 塞尔达传说：时光之笛 / 塞尔达传说-时光之笛- Sèěrdá Chuánshuō: Shíguāng zhī Dí 17 November 2003  Y 21011[9] Action-adventure Single-Player
Mario Kart 64 马力欧卡丁车 Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē 25 December 2003  N 52011[10] Racing Single-Player, Multi-Player (4 players)
F-Zero X F-Zero X 未来赛车 F-Zero X Wèilái Sàichē 25 February 2004  N 52021[11] Racing Single-Player, Multi-Player (4 players)
Yoshi's Story 耀西故事 Yàoxī Gùshì 25 March 2004  N 11021[12] Platform Single-Player
Paper Mario 纸片马力欧 Zhǐ Piān Mǎlìōu 8 June 2004  N 21021[13] Role-Playing Single-Player
Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Earth 罪与罚-地球的继承者- Zuì yǔ Fá: Dìqiú de Jìchéng Zhě 25 September 2004  N 41021[14] On-Rail Shooter Single-Player, Multi-Player (2 players)
Excitebike 64 越野摩托 Yuèyě Mótuō 2005  N 51021[15] Racing Single-Player, Multi-Player (4 players)
Super Smash Bros. 任天堂明星大乱斗 Rèntiāntáng Míngxīng Dà Luàn Dǒu 15 November 2005  N 12021[16] Fighting Single-Player, Multi-Player (4 players)
Custom Robo 组合机器人 Zǔhé Jīqìrén 1 May 2006  N 21051[17] Role-Playing Single-Player, Multi-Player
Dōbutsu no Mori 动物森林 Dòngwù Sēnlín 1 June 2006  N 21041[18] Life Simulation Single-Player

Difference to the N64 Versions

iQue Player games differ slightly from their N64 counterparts, with the text and voices having been translated to Chinese. The only exceptions are the Mario games and the previously Japan-only title Sin and Punishment, where the text has been translated while the voices remain in English. Also, the iQue games are newer than the N64 counterparts, so many glitches and errors from the original games have been fixed. Some features were also removed due to the system's lack of support for N64 controller accessories like the Rumble Pak. Due to this, many games that originally supported the rumble feature no longer support it. Some features were also added. Many games that allow the player to enter his/her name now have the option to use their iQue Player's username, which can be set at the iQue Player's main menu.

Nintendo had plans to support network multiplayer in games that originally only supported local multiplayer, which would work in a similar manner to that of an emulator.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.ique.com/M_athome.htm iQue Ltd].[dead link]
  2. ^ iQue Ltd
  3. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGT7lRptA3c
  4. ^ Knight, Sophie; Murai, Reiji (2014-05-08). "Nintendo to introduce console for emerging markets as early as 2015/16". Reuters. Retrieved 2014-11-27.
  5. ^ iQue Ltd
  6. ^ iQue Ltd
  7. ^ iQue Ltd
  8. ^ iQue Ltd
  9. ^ iQue Ltd
  10. ^ iQue Ltd
  11. ^ iQue Ltd
  12. ^ iQue Ltd
  13. ^ iQue Ltd
  14. ^ iQue Ltd
  15. ^ iQue Ltd
  16. ^ iQue Ltd
  17. ^ iQue Ltd
  18. ^ iQue Ltd
 
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