GP32 Gets European Setback, Future Rocky?

Thanks to Gamesindustry.biz for their report that the Mitsui-backed European release of the cult GP32 handheld has been cancelled. The article explains that the GP32 "had already achieved a significant niche following thanks to its ability to emulate older systems and play back video as well as running original games", but a news report at Lik-Sang has Mitsui's spokesman referring to "[original Korean creator] Gamepark's unstable financial situation and to 'insecurity of the intellectual property rights' as the reasons for the cancellation." As Lik-Sang point out, "This step might affect international availability of the units, as the GP32 just lost its big hope", but it's hoped that support will continue and another distributor for Europe or even the U.S. might be found.

Comments

Mitsui, not Matsui

[Dancin_Santa]

Matsui

Mitsui

Re:Mitsui, not Matsui

[Anonymous Coward]

Also not to be confused with French-Canadian pop star Mitsou.

Know what?

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm with them 99%.

You can get them in Europe already

[Dot.Com.CEO]

You can order from here. I'm not affiliated with the store in any way, I'm a very, very happy customer.

Re:You can get them in Europe already

[johndoejersey]

thank you so much for this!

Zodiac

[aliens]

The Tapwave Zodiac which is just shipping now in the states blows the GP32 out of the water as it'll do everything the GP32 does and a ton more all for about the same price.

(Yes the non FLU GP32 is cheaper, but you get the FLU unit, some recharable batteries, a SMC, etc and you're not looking at much of a difference at all)

Re:Zodiac

[RevAaron]

aliens is right about this one. Considering what you get with the Tapwave as far as resources go, skipping over the GP32 is a no brainer. I could see preferring a GBA, but the GP32 really has no place in the market as far as I can see.

Re:Zodiac

[CableModemSniper]

I don't get it, as far as I can tell a Zodiac will be $300 while a FLU GP32 is like $210 from Lik-Sang (this is before shipping).

Re:Zodiac

[aliens]

Lik-sang just dropped the price. But let's flesh it out anyway.

$210 + $22shipping + $40 SMC card + $30decent rechargable batteries/charger + $15 case = $317

$300 + $8 shipping = $308

In my mind though even if it was only $240 vs $310 it'd be far better to save an extra $70 to get the Zodiac. THe GP32's software can't hold a candle to the tweaked PalmOS on Zodiac and the hardware is still heads and shoulders above GP32.

I was about to get a GP32 when I learned about Zodiac. In the end I got a GBA:SP. But would love a Zodiac next year when they drop in price.

Re:Zodiac

[CableModemSniper]

Valid points. Thanks.

Re:Zodiac

[zonker]

gee... once again a company with an interesting idea fails to develop a real business plan and is now forced to face reality...

Re:Zodiac

[JabberWokky]

How many emulators have been released for the Zodiac? I mean, the whole point behind the GP32 is actually the fact that you can stuff a whole bunch of SNES or GameBoy roms on a CF card and play them.

--
Evan

Re:Zodiac

[Anonymous Coward]

it uses palmOS, so i would assume any emulators for palm would work on it. and after reading some zodiac message boards there appears to be some work being done on developing emulators for it (snes, genesis and neo-geo seemed to be the most talked about). also sega appears to be working on deloping it's own genesis emulator to be attached to roms and then sold on a per game basis.

it may take a little while for everything to be flushed out, but it doesn't look like a lack of emulators on the zodiac is going to be an issue.

Get it from Spain

[Walkiry]

According to Meristation, Virgin PLAY, who was going to distribute the GP32 in Spain due to Mitsui ignoring the country, says they're still going to carry it.

Link is in Spanish, so babelfish the link if you can't understand it ;)