Time Top GameKing I (GM-218)

Summary

The GameKing I is a handheld console from Hong Kong. Although built in 2003, the machine is based on the 65C02, the successor to the 1975 MOS classic 6502. The 8-bit CPU is also installed in the Atari Lynx and Watara Supervision, but clocked to 6 MHz in GameKing I. Visually, the GameKing I is very similar to the Nintendo Game Boy Advance, but strangely, the two shoulder keys of the GameKing I have no function. It is similar with regard to acoustics: Although speakers are indicated on the left side, sound actually only penetrates from the right speaker.

The resolution is modest with 48 x 32 pixels and four grayscales. The handheld doesn’t have a screen light. Brian Provincian writes with bitter-evil ironic undertone, the GameKing I effect like a “black and white Atari 2600 handheld with a lower refresh rate”.

A headphones can not be connected to the device by default, but this is possible via the EXT port by means of some conversion work.

Three games are fixed in GameKing I: Drifter, 2003 and Miner. It can also be fed with cartridges, more than 30 of which have appeared. Many are quite inspirationless copies of well-known games such as Lode Runner, Mega Man or Choplifter.