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| Also known as | Kids Computer Pico |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sega Toys |
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Fourth generation era |
| Release date | |
| Introductory price | JP¥13,440 US$139 CN¥690 US$49.95 (Majesco) |
| Discontinued | |
| Units sold | |
| Media | "Storyware" (Cartridge) |
| CPU | Motorola 68000 @ 7.6 MHz |
| Memory | 64 KB RAM, 64 KB VRAM |
| Display | |
| Sound | Texas Instruments SN76489,NEC μPD7759 |
| Successor | Advanced Pico Beena |
TheSega Pico, also known asKids Computer Pico,[a] is an educationalvideo game console bySega Toys. The Pico was released in June 1993 in Japan and November 1994 in North America and Europe, later reaching China in 2002.
Marketed as "edutainment", the main focus of the Pico waseducational video games for children between 3 and 7 years old. Releases for the Pico were focused on education for children and included titles supported by licensed franchised animated characters, including Sega's ownSonic the Hedgehog series.
Though the Pico was sold continuously in Japan through the release of the Beena, in North America and Europe the Pico was less successful and was discontinued in early 1998, later being re-released byMajesco Entertainment. Overall, Sega claims sales of 3.4 million Pico consoles and 11.2 million game cartridges, and over 350,000 Beena consoles and 800,000 cartridges. It was succeeded by theAdvanced Pico Beena, released in Japan in 2005. TheePICO, the successor to the Pico and Beena, was also released in Japan in 2024.
Powered by the same hardware used in theSega Genesis,[1] the physical shape of the Pico was designed to appear similar to a laptop. Included in the Pico is a stylus called the "Magic Pen", and a pad to draw on. Controlling the games for the system is accomplished either by using the Magic Pen like amouse, or by pressing the directional buttons on the console. The Pico does not include a screen, and instead must be connected to a monitor through the composite video output.[2] Touching the pen to the pad allows drawing, or moving/animating a character on the screen.[3]
Cartridges for the system were referred to as "Storyware", and took the form ofpicture books with a cartridge slot on the bottom. The Pico changes the television display and the set of tasks for the player to accomplish each time a page is turned.[2] Sound, including voices and music, also accompanied every page. Games for the Pico focused on education, including subjects such as music, counting, spelling, reading, matching, and coloring. Titles included licensed animated characters from various franchises, such asDisney's The Lion King: Adventures at Pride Rock andA Year at Pooh Corner. Sega also released titles including their mascot,Sonic the Hedgehog, includingSonic Gameworld[3] andTails and the Music Maker.[4]
According to former Sega console hardware research and development head Hideki Sato, the development of the Sega Pico was possible due to the company's past work on theMy Card cartridges developed for theSG-1000, as well as on drawing tablets. The sensor technology used in the pad came from that developed for the 1987 arcade gameWorld Derby, while its CPU and graphics chip came from the Genesis.[5] The Pico does not include the Genesis'sZilog Z80 8-bit coprocessor nor itsYamaha YM2612FM synthesizer chip, but retains theTexas Instruments SN76489programmable sound generator integrated onto the console's graphics chip along with the addition of anNEC μPD7759ADPCM chip,[6] which came from Sega'sarcade system boards such as theSystem 16B andSystem C2.
At a price of¥16,000,[7] the Pico was released in Japan in June 1993.[8] In North America, Sega unveiled the Pico at the 1994American International Toy Fair, showcasing its drawing and display abilities[9] ahead of its release in November.[10] The console was advertised at a price of approximatelyUS$160,[11] but was eventually released at a price ofUS$139. "Storyware" cartridges sold forUS$39.99 to 49.99. The Pico's slogan was "The computer that thinks it's a toy."[3] The Sega Pico won a few awards, including the "National Parenting Seal of Approval", a "Platinum Seal Award", and a gold medal from the "National Association of Parenting Publications Awards".[12]
After a lack of success, Sega discontinued the Pico in North America in early 1998. Later, in August 1999, a remake of the Pico made byMajesco Entertainment was released in North America at a price ofUS$49.99, with Storyware titles selling atUS$19.99.[13][14] The Pico would later be released in China in 2002, priced atCN¥690.[15]
In early 1995,Sega of America reported that it had sold 400,000 units in North America.[16] In 2000, Sega claimed that the Pico had sold2.5 million units.[17] As of April 2005, Sega claims that3.4 million Pico consoles and11.2 million software cartridges had been sold worldwide.[18] The Pico was recognized in 1995 by being listed on Dr. Toy's 100 Best Products, as well as being listed inChild as one of the best computer games available. According to Joseph Szadkowski ofThe Washington Times, "Pico has enough power to be a serious learning aid that teaches counting, spelling, matching, problem-solving, memory, logic, hand/eye coordination and important, basic computer skills."[19] Former Sega of America vice president of product development Joe Miller claims that he named his dog after the system because of his passion for the console.[1] By contrast,Steven L. Kent claims that Sega of Japan CEOHayao Nakayama watched the Pico "utterly fail" in North America.[20]
In December 1993,Yamaha released theCopera in Japan at a price of¥35,000. The Copera is an enhanced variant of the Pico designed for musical education, with additional Yamaha FM sound hardware, stereo audio output, a microphone input, and twoMIDI ports. It is compatible with all Pico software, as well as dedicated software making use of the enhanced hardware known as 'Mixt Books', which are not compatible with regular Pico hardware.[21][22]
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| Manufacturer | Sega Toys |
|---|---|
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Sixth generation era |
| Lifespan |
|
| Media | "Storyware" (Cartridge) |
| CPU | ARM7TDMI @ 81 MHz |
| Predecessor | Sega Pico |
TheAdvanced Pico Beena, also known simply asBeena orBeenaLite, is an educational console system targeted at young children sold bySega Toys, released in 2005 inJapan. It is the successor to the Pico, and marketed around the "learn while playing" concept. According to Sega Toys, the focus of the Advanced Pico Beena is on learning in a new social environment, and is listed as their upper-end product. Topics listed as being educational focuses for the Beena include intellectual, moral, physical, dietary, and safety education.[18] The name of the console was chosen to sound like the first syllables of "Be Natural".[23]
Compared to the Pico, Beena adds several functions. Beena can be played without a television, and supportsmultiplayer via a separately sold additional Magic Pen. The console also supports data saving. Playtime can be limited by settings in the system. Some games for the Beena offer adaptive difficulty, becoming more difficult to play based on the skill level of the player.[24] The Beena Lite, a more affordable version of the console, was released on July 17, 2008. As of 2010, Sega estimated that 4.1 million Beena consoles had been sold, along with 20 million game cartridges.[25]
TheePICO is an educational console system targeted at young children sold bySega Fave, released on October 10, 2024 in Japan.[26] It is the successor to the Advanced Pico Beena.
Like the Pico and Beena, it uses special picture book software for it to function. The device is similar to that of theCoCoPad, however the ePICO is not compatible with Pico, Beena, or CoCoPad/LeapPad software. Another feature is that it can be played with a special mat instead of solely playing with a stylus (also called Magic Pen). In addition, a function is planned to be developed for the "ePICO Enthusiasm Report," a personal page for parents that will report on what their child is interested in, using the "multiple intelligences theory" developed atHarvard University.[27]
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