Is it a console? Is it an MP3 player?
by Jennie Lees 
{ Mar 13th 2006 at 6:30PM }
The PocketPlay handheld from Lavod can't
quite make up its mind. Making its debut across Europe in April, the device lets users play digital audio files along
with a selection of Sega classic games. Although not much solid information about the PocketPlay series is available
(such as, crucially, its price), we can't help but wonder how it will be received.If you're bored with the Solitaire and Breakout clones that came with your iPod, then perhaps the retro games on the PocketPlay will soothe your gaming withdrawal symptoms while you wait for a bus. However, if you're the sort to get itchy when away from a console for too long, you've probably already got a DS or PSP; if you're really into your retro games, you've probably got something else that will play them already. Combining the buzzwords "portable", "retro" and "MP3" might work, especially if the price point is attractive, but we're not convinced just yet.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
refinedsugar @ Mar 13th 2006 6:54PM
After dismal failures like the gizmondo and the N-Gage, I don't know how one is supposed to be optimistic about entries into the handheld market unless they come from one of the big dogs.
bkirst90 @ Mar 13th 2006 7:25PM
Is it just me, or does that look like they took the gameboy micro design and tweaked it a little?
mjp @ Mar 13th 2006 8:32PM
If those stupid retro things that plug into the TV sell, something like this will work- but only if they can keep the price $10 or $20 below the GBA...
kristen bailey @ Mar 13th 2006 8:38PM
i need buds!!!!!
B1gC72 @ Mar 13th 2006 8:57PM
yea if the price is competitive then someone will buy it. there is always sumbody looking 4 a non-iPod MP3 player.
but my question is, how can this thing play retro Sega games with only 2 face buttons? i coulda swore the retro Sega consoles all had at least 3 and most 6 (and i assume were talkin Genesis retro here. maybe i missed something...).
Spencer @ Mar 13th 2006 9:49PM
Most likely the device plays Sega Master System games. The Master System, Sega's answer to the NES, had only two buttons on the controller.
kilo 113 @ Mar 13th 2006 10:21PM
not sega's answer, but sega's first system(markIII, mastersystem).
anyway, the best handheld to play sega games is the gp2x since it has absolutely perfect genesis(perfect resolution, too) and mastersystem thanks to emulators like DrMD.
Pat @ Mar 14th 2006 12:12AM
How can it be a Breakout "clone" if Jobs invented it?