Thanks to Retro Treasures reader Roberto, we can all now happily bid on the rare, Brazilian version of the Caltron 6-in-1 cartridge, disguising itself as this Multi-Acao 6 in 1. This particular NES game war released in 1992, shockingly sports six games (Cosmos Cop, Magic Carpet, Balloon Monster, Adam and Eve, Porter, Bookyman) and still remains in its sealed box. Seller ships worldwide. Oh, and in case you haven't clicked on the previous link just yet, let me tell you this is really expensive.
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I always find the weird Brazilian console clones etc interesting - they're like an entirely separate market from the rest of the world where they just do their own thing altogether.
ReplyDeleteThere's a fairly new Brazilian console that came out a couple of years ago, which delivers games over a 3G network. I'd love to know more about it, but it never seems to get picked up on that much in the rest of the world.
I think I heard about said console, but nothing concrete comes to mind. Mind you, the Master System variants and games that appeared in Brazil (mainly by Tectoy) are quite intriguing and definitely unique.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. there's a whole world of weird Sega consoles that are unique to Brazil.
ReplyDeleteDid a bit of Googling. The Brazilian console is called the Zeebo, and is manufactured in Brazil by Tectoy for Zeebo inc and Qualcomm. Apparently they hope to release it in India, China and Russia. You can visit their official site at www.zeeboinc.com or read about the machine at http://www.zath.co.uk/affordable-video-games-console-launches-in-brazil/
Meanwhile, for more info on the Brazilian video games market, you could check out http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_16/101-Console-Clones
While a visit to Tectoy's website at http://www.tectoy.com.br/index.php reveals a cool new Master system clone with 200 built in games, and a Mega Drive 4 with a guitar hero clone. Guitar Hero? On the Mega Drive? Cooooool.
You are once again impressive and highly enlightening dear Bob. Zeebo on the other hand does look like a pretty great idea, which truth be said would be quite successful in most parts of the world. I really like the fact it carries an all-in-one 8-bit micro mentality with it. Very eco-friendly too.
ReplyDeleteThen again what's really tasty are them other Tectoy goodies you discovered. The Master System evolution especially, though I must admit the Guitar Hero MD is indeed cool as Sonic back in the 90s. Wonder if I can get these to ship outside Brazil.
Cheers Gnome. Much appreciated. And your readers find it interesting, all well and good.
ReplyDeleteI do find the almost entirely different video-game ecosystem of South America quite fascinating, as it's so different from the main territories of Japan, the US and Europe. Similarly, there's a massive base of Sinclair Spectrum-based clones in the former Soviet countries, which are still massively active and popular.
Sony are trying to push the PS2 as a platform in many of the same countries as Zeebo is aiming at, and have done a few games aimed at the Indian market, including Hanuman: Boy Warrior, which was developed entirely in India. But piracy for disc based machines is rife in places like Brazil and Russia, so in many ways, a console like Zeebo makes more sense. And if it allows people in poorer parts of the world to gain access to the wealth of information on the internet (as well as great games), all well and good.
And yes, it would be amazing to play on some of those Tectoy consoles. It's weird when you think that Brazil is the only part of the world where Sega hardware is still being manufactured and outselling the competition! Wonder if they'll port Sonic 4 back to the Mega Drive?
Actually, Bob, I've been thinking, why don't you start a blog? Your comments alone make excellent reads.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I must admit, I too believe that the whole of mankind should have access to games and information, though truth be said food, shelter, education and medical attention are far more important and still far from being available. Anyway, I should really start looking into the gaming market of the majority world.
As for Sonic 4, I think that Tectoy could actually manage a most decent of ports. Three cheers for the Sega stronghold of Brazil!
Thanks Gnome. Not sure I'd have the time to write a blog - I'm a self-employed cameraman, so I'm usually up to my eyeballs filming or editing. Although I am contributing to the podcast over at BrakeforFrogger.com later this month. But thanks again.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you're right, basic food & shelter is far more vital to the people of the developing world than internet access and video games. The massive slums in India and Brazil are a constant reminder that while we have it fairly easy, millions don't. But then again, the events in Egypt over the last couple of weeks just go to show what change an online connected people can effect.
Meanwhile, you can read about the wacky world of Eastern European Speccy clones at
www.nvg.org/sinclair/computers/clones/russian.htm
www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/clones/e_european.htm
and
http://tarjan.uw.hu/zxclones_en.htm
and read about some of their home-grown games (with some fairly astonishing screenshots) at
http://tarjan.uw.hu/zx_gamez_after_93_en.htm
Three Cheers for Brazil!
Now, that's a truly and deeply interesting job. Could be rather exciting too; especially if it would require taking trips to Egypt. Mind you, there's a lovely book you might enjoy called "Planet of Slums" by Mike Davis.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks -once again- for the excellent links.
Hip hip!