Game Wave Family Entertainment System
2009 | |
Discontinued | 2009 |
---|---|
Units sold | Ca. 70,000 (as of 2008[update])[1] |
Media | DVD-ROM |
CPU | Mediamatics 8611 |
Memory | 16 megabytes (SRAM) |
Storage | 2 megabytes NOR flash storage, serial EEPROM |
Online services | None |
Predecessor | None |
Language | Lua |
The Game Wave Family Entertainment System, commonly abbreviated as Game Wave, is a hybrid DVD player and home video game console manufactured by ZAPiT Games. It is part of the seventh generation of video game consoles.[2]
History
In October 2004 the first Game Wave prototype system was made.[3][4]
It was first released in
Because of the use of family friendly games and a partnership with
The system was discontinued in 2009.[7] A followup console had been planned for 2009.[3][4]
Hardware
The Game Wave was packaged with both RCA and S-Video cables, along with 4 IR-based wireless controllers (modeled after typical DVD remote controllers) and a case that holds up to 6 controllers. The case and console are designed to sit side-by-side on a shelf to form a complete wave shape.[6]
The primary processor of the system is the Mediamatics 8611, which is coupled with 16 megabytes of SRAM and 2 megabytes of NOR flash memory storage.[3] An Altera MAX II CPLD is also used.[4] An Atmel serial EEPROM is used for save data.[3] The system uses a dedicated 2 channel audio DAC in order to avoid royalties for the one integrated in the Mediamatics processor.[3]
Game software for the Game Wave Family Entertainment System is typically scripted in Lua.[3]
The system can operate as a typical DVD player.[8]
Controllers
The Game Wave controller has 4-directional navigational buttons used for menu navigation and DVD playback control. The controller has 4 alphabetical buttons along the top labeled "A", "B", "C", and "D" designed primarily for selecting responses in
The Game Wave controllers came in 6 colors: blue, yellow, green, red, purple, and orange. Blue, yellow, green, and red come packaged with the console, whereas the purple and orange controllers could be purchased separately for an MSRP of $30.
Games
Due to the shape of the controller and marketing concerns for a "Family Entertainment System," no heavily action-based game genres are present within the Game Wave's 13 game library. Rather, the software library consists mainly of
Title | Released | Genre | Inspired by |
---|---|---|---|
4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Bible Edition | 2006[12] | Trivia | Trivial Pursuit |
4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Vol. 1 | 2006[12] | Trivia | Trivial Pursuit |
4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Vol. 2 | 2006[12] | Trivia | Trivial Pursuit |
Click! | 2007[12] | Word | Wheel of Fortune
|
Gemz | 2007[12] | Puzzle | Bejeweled |
Letter Zap! | 2006[12] | Word | Boggle |
Lock 5 | 2006[12] | Strategy | Yahtzee |
Rewind | 2007[12] | Trivia | N/A |
Rewind 2005 | 2006[12] | Trivia | N/A |
Rewind 2006 | 2006[12] | Trivia | N/A |
Sudoku | October 2007[12] | Puzzle | Sudoku |
VeggieTales: Veg-Out! Family Tournament | December 10, 2007[12] | Minigame collection | Mario Party |
Zap 21 | 2006[12] | Card | Blackjack |
Quiz Konnect | 2010[13] | Trivia | Trivial Pursuit |
References
- ^ "VP Final - MP4". 2008-12-20. Archived from the original on 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
- ^ "Video Game Console Media". Museum of Obsolete Media. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Nass, Richard (1 March 2007). "Tear Down: Game console goes way beyond the average DVD player". Embedded.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d Nass, Richard (12 March 2007). "EETimes - Under the Hood: Console is more than just a DVD player". EETimes. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ "Surf the Game Wave to Fun" (Press release). ZAPiT Games. October 2005. Archived from the original on 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2007-11-05.
- ^ a b c "Home Page". Video Game Console Library. Archived from the original on 2016-08-08. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
- ^ a b Pearson, Jordan (December 22, 2017). "Christians Loved Canada's Failed Video Game Console". www.vice.com. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Gudmundsen (May 19, 2006). "Game Wave DVD system lets families play together - USATODAY.com". usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ "Image of Game Wave Controller". Archived from the original on 2016-10-06.
- ^ "Game Wave (Platform)". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
- ^ "The Lost 14th Game Wave Game".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Game Wave Games - Giant Bomb". Giant Bomb. Archived from the original on 2018-04-04. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- ^ "Welcome To Game Wave Media Entertainment India Pvt. Ltd". Game Wave Media Entertainment India Pvt. Ltd. Archived from the original on 2011-05-03. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
External links
- Official website (Archived)
- Game Wave - Video Game Review at Common Sense Media