GBA EMULATION

Nintendo iQue getting closer and worldwide: new pictures, confirmed release titles and screenshots

Wed Nov 12 2003 20:47:52 Hong Kong Time - GameCube

Nintendo's iQue release is getting closer. The iQue is Nintendo's new console they have announced at the Tokyo Game Show 2003. Lik Sang covered the announcement here. Initially planned to be released by mid-october, the controller-style console plugs directly into the TV and comes with a 64 Mega Bytes Flash Memory Card to store the games.

UPDATE: Release confirmed, preorders shipping during the next few days. Lik Sang ships two sets. (1) iQue Player with the full version of Doctor Mario and Mario 64 and trial versions of Star Fox, Zelda 64 and Wave Race for US$ 99.90, and (2) the IQue Player with the full version of all the games for US$ 129.90

iQue Player with 64M Flash Card with full Doc Mario and Mario 64 and 3 Trial Versions - US$ 99.90
iQue Player with 64M Flash Card with ALL games as full version - US$ 129.90

Nintendo 64 Nano-Technology inside

It is now confirmed that the iQue player is a Nintendo 64 console that makes use of similar Nano-Technolgy that is used in Sony's PSX: the technology used will allow the unit to have a single chip solution containing CPU, Graphic Engine, GPU etc. Positive side-effects are a doubled operating speed, reduced electronic noises and very low power consumption. Regarding Nintendo/iQue spokespersons in China, the iQue will be the first gaming device on the market that makes use of that technology, followed by Sony's PSX which is due to release in December. This statement at least gives us hope that the unit might still be released before Christmas ;-)

Mario goes to, ehrm, Shanghai...

A new official release date has not been made public yet, but it's now also confirmed that the unit will release in the Shanghai market first, not in GoangZhou (near Hong Kong) as initially announced. There is no reason to worry, though, pre-orders through Lik-Sang.com are not affected. One of the first Nintendo retail partners where the unit can be purchased is a famous French retail and supermarket chain operating in China.

What's in the box, including games

The unit released first contains a 64MBytes Flash Card, the AV cable, a power supply (220V), the power cord and 5 games pre-recorded on the card. Included are 5 games, while only Doctor Mario is a full version. Zelda 64: Ocarina of Time (10 hours), Mario 64 (7 hours), Wave Race (1 hour) and Star Fox (1 hour) are time limited demo versions. It's a "very new" distribution system, indeed.

No other titles have been officially confirmed to us as of yet, but the N64 has got lots of great titles. Full versions of games cost 48 Yuan, that's approx US$ 6. In-game text and manuals are in simplified Chinese language, in-game voices are in mandarin.

The box also contains a serial number and password that allow you to download new titles to your system at Nintendo partners throughout Shanghai, and possible also through the Internet. The card maintains a download log, so users can regain the previous game titles again free of charge if they want to play them again.

Updateable Operating System

Another important detail revealed by sources in China is that the OS of the iQue can be updated. We presume that this happens through a download when you "refill" your flash cartridge. The system is said to work similar like the one that Microsoft plans to build into the Xbox2 console, and is simply called UOS.

Possible release outside of China

Nintendo spent quite a bit of time and money to come up with the iQue and rumors say that the iQue has been designed by Scott Summit, who also designed for Apple and the Zodiac Handheld device. The iQue is a NTSC output device (while China is official PAL). This all really smells like the iQue is eventually getting released outside of China too. Chinese media already picked up the rumors and for them it's a given fact that they are just the first country to play with Nintendo's new toy.

Another detail has also been brought to our attention. The iQue seems to be more expensive then initially planned, selling for Yuan 598 instead of Yuan 498. All customers placing pre-orders will get contacted again as soon as we have more details on the release and available titles.

We are still accepting pre-orders for the following two sets, prices remain unchanged. The units will ship next week.

iQue Player with 64M Flash Card with full Doc Mario and Mario 64 and 3 Trial Versions - US$ 99.90
iQue Player with 64M Flash Card with ALL games as full version - US$ 129.90