 | |
| Manufacturer | ZAPiT Games |
|---|---|
| Type | DVD player |
| Generation | Seventh |
| Released | October 2005 |
| Lifespan | 2005–2009 |
| 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 |
TheGame Wave Family Entertainment System, commonly abbreviated asGame Wave, is a hybridDVD player andhome video game console manufactured byZAPiT Games. It is part of theseventh generation of video game consoles.[2]
In October 2004 the first Game Wave prototype system was made.[3][4]
It was first released inCanada in October2005.[5] It was released in theUnited States at anMSRP of $99. It was packaged with thepack-in game4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Vol. 1 (later changed toVeggieTales: Veg-Out! Family Tournament).[6]
Because of the use of family friendly games and a partnership withVeggieTales, the system found some success withChristian households.[7]
The system was discontinued in 2009.[7] A followup console had been planned for 2009.[3][4]
The Game Wave was packaged with bothRCA andS-Video cables, along with 4IR-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] AnAltera MAX IICPLD is also used.[4] AnAtmel serialEEPROM 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 inLua.[3]
The system can operate as a typical DVD player.[8]
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 intrivia games. Anumeric keypad lines the bottom of the controller with Menu and Setup buttons.[9]
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.[10] Each controller color has a different IRbeat frequency, allowing the console to differentiate the different controllers formultiplayer gameplay for up to 6 players (if the game in question supports it).[6][4]
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 oftrivia andpuzzle games. In addition, many Game Wave games are heavily inspired by other video games and TV shows. A 14th game, Quiz Konnect was developed for theIndia market.[citation needed]
| Title | Released | Genre | Inspired by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Bible Edition | 2006[11] | Trivia | Trivial Pursuit |
| 4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Vol. 1 | 2006[11] | Trivia | Trivial Pursuit |
| 4 Degrees: The Arc of Trivia, Vol. 2 | 2006[11] | Trivia | Trivial Pursuit |
| Click! | 2007[11] | Word | Wheel of Fortune |
| Gemz | 2007[11] | Puzzle | Bejeweled |
| Letter Zap! | 2006[11] | Word | Boggle |
| Lock 5 | 2006[11] | Strategy | Yahtzee |
| Rewind | 2007[11] | Trivia | N/A |
| Rewind 2005 | 2006[11] | Trivia | N/A |
| Rewind 2006 | 2006[11] | Trivia | N/A |
| Sudoku | October 2007[11] | Puzzle | Sudoku |
| VeggieTales: Veg-Out! Family Tournament | December 10, 2007[11] | Minigame collection | Mario Party |
| Zap 21 | 2006[11] | Card | Blackjack |
| Quiz Konnect | 2010[12] | Trivia | Trivial Pursuit |
