Bandai Wonderswan 101: A Beginner’s Guide

The RetroGaming 101 series is aimed at gamers who are just starting out in the classic gaming scene or are curious about an older console that they don’t know much about yet. Those of you that are especially knowledgeable about the featured console, I encourage you to add any information that you think would be beneficial into the comments section. If you are new to the featured console, and still have questions, you can also use the comments section and I will do my best to help you out.

Since I’m not entirely familiar with the Wonderswan, racketboy.com contributer fastbilly1 has taken the liberty of sharing his knowledge here. He did an awesome job writing just about every word in here. I just rearranged a few things and added some comments. Enjoy!

Background Information

The original WonderSwan was released in Japan by Bandai in 1999.

It was developed by the late Gunpei Yokoi’s company Koto and Bandai. G(unpei Yokoi was the mastermind behind the early Game & Watch games, the original Gameboy, Kid Icarus, Metroid, and the infamous Virtual Boy. The Virtual Boy failure caused him to resign from Nintendo in ignominy, but Gunpei Yokoi remained a man with an impressive video game pedigree).

After a year of success, the little handheld met the same fate as all that preceded it when Nintendo released the Gameboy Advance.

A strong Japanese backing, and several redesigns, allowed the Wonderswan to hang on for several more years and have many amazing ports, but ultimately it was laid to rest in early 2003.

The Wonderswan never actually made to a retail scene outside of Japan

Historical Impact

Innovative Design: Designed by fabled Gunpei Yokoi and featuring both horizontal and vertical game controls, the Wonderswan truly was ahead of its time. (See “Control Schemes” below for more info)

Designed by fabled Gunpei Yokoi and featuring both horizontal and vertical game controls, the Wonderswan truly was ahead of its time. (See “Control Schemes” below for more info) Bandai’s Deal With Squaresoft: Versions of Final Fantasy 1 & 2 redone in a more modern graphical style really sent wind into Bandai’s sails. Though even with a big name publisher and several stellar titles, Nintendo released the Gameboy Advance shortly after and simply sunk the ship that was the Wonderswan.

Versions of Final Fantasy 1 & 2 redone in a more modern graphical style really sent wind into Bandai’s sails. Though even with a big name publisher and several stellar titles, Nintendo released the Gameboy Advance shortly after and simply sunk the ship that was the Wonderswan. MobileWonderGate: This web browsing and email add-on featuring NTT DoCoMo cellular phone interface was way ahead of it’s time and set the stage for the PSP and DS browsers.

This web browsing and email add-on featuring NTT DoCoMo cellular phone interface was way ahead of it’s time and set the stage for the PSP and DS browsers. WonderBorg: A robot kit, similar to Nintendo’s R.O.B. Sold in two versions, WonderBorg can be programmed and controlled from a WonderSwan with Robot Works game cartridge, or a Microsoft Windows PC with a serial port infrared adapter and application software.

A robot kit, similar to Nintendo’s R.O.B. Sold in two versions, WonderBorg can be programmed and controlled from a WonderSwan with Robot Works game cartridge, or a Microsoft Windows PC with a serial port infrared adapter and application software. WonderWitch: A game development kit including a reprogrammable WonderSwan game cartridge, MS Windows-based C Programing compiler, and a serial cable to connect a WonderSwan to a PC.

Handheld Variations

Wonderswan: Released in 1999, and boasting an 8-shade monochrome screen and a 16bit v30 processor it was leaps and bounds above its Gameboy counterpart in almost everything it could do (except it was still monochrome and the Gameboy Color had been released the year before). Even with more power, and a system design that catered to all types of fans, Wonderswan sold somewhat poorly until the second version.

Released in 1999, and boasting an 8-shade monochrome screen and a 16bit v30 processor it was leaps and bounds above its Gameboy counterpart in almost everything it could do (except it was still monochrome and the Gameboy Color had been released the year before). Even with more power, and a system design that catered to all types of fans, Wonderswan sold somewhat poorly until the second version. Wonderswan Color: Sporting a slightly beefier v30 processor and color, the Wonderswan Color had one major ace over the Gameboy: Squaresoft. The aforementioned Final Fantasy remakes gave the Wonderswan Color are temporary boost in the handheld market.

Sporting a slightly beefier v30 processor and color, the Wonderswan Color had one major ace over the Gameboy: Squaresoft. The aforementioned Final Fantasy remakes gave the Wonderswan Color are temporary boost in the handheld market. Wonderswan Crystal: There was one more version, the Swan Crystal, released in 2002. It is essentially the same as the WonderSwan Color, except that the SwanCrystal uses a TFT LCD, superior in response time to the FSTN reflective LCD technology used previously. This gives the screen a much crisper look during gameplay, due to sharper contrast and significantly reduced ghosting. As a result, the SwanCrystal does not possess the contrast adjustment dial found on the other models. Other notable differences are the four selectable volume settings (compared to three on previous models), and a face-mounted power button (compared to a side-mounted switch on previous models). Unfortunately, the Crystal never did catch on even with its beautiful screen and amazing 15 hours off of one AA battery life.

There was one more version, the Swan Crystal, released in 2002. It is essentially the same as the WonderSwan Color, except that the SwanCrystal uses a TFT LCD, superior in response time to the FSTN reflective LCD technology used previously. This gives the screen a much crisper look during gameplay, due to sharper contrast and significantly reduced ghosting. As a result, the SwanCrystal does not possess the contrast adjustment dial found on the other models. Other notable differences are the four selectable volume settings (compared to three on previous models), and a face-mounted power button (compared to a side-mounted switch on previous models). Unfortunately, the Crystal never did catch on even with its beautiful screen and amazing 15 hours off of one AA battery life. Compatibility: Although some WonderSwan Color games are compatible with the original WonderSwan, many are designed exclusively for the WonderSwan Color and show a message such as “This cartridge is for WonderSwan Color only” when run on the original WonderSwan. This is similar to the Gameboy/Gameboy Color compatibility.

Screen & Color Capabilities

The screen is high quality, though as the console lacks any form of internal lighting it does need to be played in well-lit conditions.

The Wonderswan Color & Crystal can put out 241 colors at once out of a possible 4096 colors

This compares to the Neo-Geo Pocket Color’s 146 colors on screen out of 4096 and the Gameboy Color’s 56 simultaneously on screen out of 32,768

Control Schemes

The Wonderswan features eight buttons on the left hand side in a double diamond style and two buttons on the right hand side.

In vertical mode you have dual four button diamond setups which, when used in conjunction with the Wondercoin, make a fantastic dual joystick layout for arcade games. Or simply a nice D-pad and four buttons for most any shmup.

In horizontal mode you still have the dual D-pads, but you rarely use more than one and the two buttons on the side, which is how the Final Fantasy games are played. If I remember correctly, the game catalog is a fair mix of the system orientation.

Accessories

Headphone adapter: Provides stereo output with volume dial, overriding the built-in mono speaker and volume button of the WonderSwan. Originally sold with WonderSwan-branded earbuds.

Provides stereo output with volume dial, overriding the built-in mono speaker and volume button of the WonderSwan. Originally sold with WonderSwan-branded earbuds. Link cable: Connects two WonderSwans together for games that support two players.

Connects two WonderSwans together for games that support two players. WonderWave: Infrared communication adapter, used by some games to exchange data with a Sony PocketStation.

Infrared communication adapter, used by some games to exchange data with a Sony PocketStation. WonderCoin: A coin-shaped disc that can be fitted over a 4-directional button cluster of the WonderSwan to create the feel of a single directional pad.

Strengths

Big-Name Backing: Namco, Squaresoft, and Bandai all lent their support

Namco, Squaresoft, and Bandai all lent their support Flexible Control Schemes: Two ways to play, vertical and horizontal

Two ways to play, vertical and horizontal Homebrew-Friendly: Wonderwitch was an official homebrew kit

Wonderwitch was an official homebrew kit Amazing Battery Life: 10+ hours on a single AA battery

10+ hours on a single AA battery Inexpensive Aftermarket Price: Can pick up a handheld on eBay for about $20 and popular games for less than $10 each.

Weaknesses

Initially Expensive: Games were often $30-40 and the system was only slightly more expensive.

Games were often $30-40 and the system was only slightly more expensive. Few Long-Term Exclusives : Most of the big Wonderswan games were ported to other systems

: Most of the big Wonderswan games were ported to other systems Relatively Hard to Find: Even eBay has a limited selection

Recommended Games

Importing Reminder: A bit of forewarning, the vast majority of games on the system do not have English text options. So unless you have a firm grasp of Kanji, I wish you good luck. However, even with that in mind, many of the best games do not require that much knowledge of the language, some simple menu commands should suffice.

A bit of forewarning, the vast majority of games on the system do not have English text options. So unless you have a firm grasp of Kanji, I wish you good luck. However, even with that in mind, many of the best games do not require that much knowledge of the language, some simple menu commands should suffice. Judgement Silversword: Best looking and playing shump (one of the best games overall as well) on the system. As you can see from this video, this game proved that the Wonderswan had the potential to be the best shump handheld with its vertical controls.

Best looking and playing shump (one of the best games overall as well) on the system. As you can see from this video, this game proved that the Wonderswan had the potential to be the best shump handheld with its vertical controls. Crazy Climber: One of the best dual stick arcade games finally got a faithful handheld port. The entire object of the game is to climb a building, using the controls to operate the sides of the characters body. Sounds stupid in concept, but it is a good bit addictive once you get the hang of the controls.

One of the best dual stick arcade games finally got a faithful handheld port. The entire object of the game is to climb a building, using the controls to operate the sides of the characters body. Sounds stupid in concept, but it is a good bit addictive once you get the hang of the controls. Guilty Gear Petit 2: One of the best portable fighters created. Sure it only has two attack buttons, but the team that created this did everything the way a portable fighting game should be done. The visuals and audio are amazing, controls are tight, and the gameplay is simply fun.

One of the best portable fighters created. Sure it only has two attack buttons, but the team that created this did everything the way a portable fighting game should be done. The visuals and audio are amazing, controls are tight, and the gameplay is simply fun. Klonoa: Moonlight Museum: Set after the first game, Moonlight Museum set the standard for the later 2D Klonoa games. It may seem like you standard fair action platformer, but it has a lot of heart in there in uncommon in newer games.

Set after the first game, Moonlight Museum set the standard for the later 2D Klonoa games. It may seem like you standard fair action platformer, but it has a lot of heart in there in uncommon in newer games. Gunpey: Named after the fabled handheld king Gunpei Yokoi, this little puzzler is like Klax, Tetris, and Polarium all had some sort of offspring. The object of the game is to create solid lines across the five space field. This is accomplished by aligning the fragments you get in, well a line.

Named after the fabled handheld king Gunpei Yokoi, this little puzzler is like Klax, Tetris, and Polarium all had some sort of offspring. The object of the game is to create solid lines across the five space field. This is accomplished by aligning the fragments you get in, well a line. Front Mission, Final Fantasy 1, and all the other Squaresoft Ports: it is simply stunning the amount of power they cranked out of this machine to make games this pretty. They are really the reason the majority of American collectors have sought after it, namely the FFIV special edition console.

Emulation

Emulation Status: There are several emulators available and most games with high compatibility.

There are several emulators available and most games with high compatibility. Best PC Emulators: OSwan and WSCamp are the highest recommended emulators at this time. WSCamp is an all around a fantastic emulator, is considered the best by many. However, I personally use OSwan. There are two version of OSwan: The original and the continuation by PmHacks. Both are fantastic and have a high compatibility rate. The continuation, of course, has better compatibility and better emulation. I prefer the original version, but have a more recent PmHacks version installed in case the game I want to play is not compatible, ie Judgment Silversword.

OSwan and WSCamp are the highest recommended emulators at this time. WSCamp is an all around a fantastic emulator, is considered the best by many. However, I personally use OSwan. There are two version of OSwan: The original and the continuation by PmHacks. Both are fantastic and have a high compatibility rate. The continuation, of course, has better compatibility and better emulation. I prefer the original version, but have a more recent PmHacks version installed in case the game I want to play is not compatible, ie Judgment Silversword. Emulation on DOS: Cygne – An early emulator and even with the enhancements over the years, it has been surpassed by the others. However if you still are running your emulators in DOS look no further.

Cygne – An early emulator and even with the enhancements over the years, it has been surpassed by the others. However if you still are running your emulators in DOS look no further. Wonderwitch Emulator: Miraclemage – Has an English patch, unless you really want a challenge and try and code in Japanese. Worthwhile for the download just to see how well made the emulator and Wonderwitch are.

Affordability