Customer Reviews

Sega Game Gear Portable Video Game System

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a system that was ahead of its time. Nitendo's success of the late 80's was something all game companies scrabled to get in on. Sega failed with the Mastersystem, but gained ground with the genisis. Nintendo came out with the Gameboy, black and white, but portable, and nintendo expanded their power. Sega fought back with this, The game gear, a color portable system. Far superior to the game boy, which acutally took about another 5 years to even get a color version out, Game gear delivered quality graphic. Unfortunately, it was a little more expensive, and the marketing was less than the jaugernaut of nitendo. Many of the game companies made deals for their best games with nintendo, but this system did ok, and does have a good number of games available for it. I liked this system, and many games are avaiable now used online and at game stores. A good system, even by todays standard. The only system that preceeded this one with color, The atari Lynx...A very overlooked system. Anyway, now resonably price for a fun system..

All of these other reviews are comparing game gear to gameboy, which isnt how a review should be. The game gear is essentially a portable master system. Although the size of the game gear is not very portable, it doesnt require a tv or other equipment. The battery life is bad, So what plug it into the wall. The games are great, sonic sonic 2, sonic triple trouble, sonic chaos, mortal kombat, mortal kombat 2, pac man, ms. pac man, streets of rage etc. plus youre playing on a full screen with tons of color, you can even play in the dark. While playing your hands are comfortable because of the width of the system. Don't forget the amazing sounds! buy this system, at these prices you should be asking yourself why you don't already have one.

NOTE: the 4 star rating is taking into account the time the Sega Game Gear was released.

A lot of people will complain that the Game Gear has many issues and I agree.
Things I liked:
a) nice to hold
b) looks great
c) layout of buttons
d) Sonic games were more awesome to play on this system than any other.
e) great sound
f) the blue version (World Series Baseball) is jaw droppingly beautiful.

Things I didn't like
a) the back light wasn't very powerful after you've played it a bit.
b) broke easily when dropped.
c) a lot of people claimed the Game Gear wasn't very portable.


Just a note:
if you are planning on buying one of these used.
a) make sure it has both battery covers.
b) consider paying a bit more if the sound works. most don't have working sound, but sound usually works through headphone jack with headphones.
c) the backlight may not be very powerful anymore.

Two games I recommend on this system: Ms. Pacman and Vampire: Master of Darkness

HAVE FUN Retro Gamers!

i love sega and everything they have done with themselves including the genesis ive had two of those things and i played the hell outta them when i was a kid....the game gear is awesome dont get me wrong but the batteries die so quickly my god i put mine in yesterday and they died today wth? but i love it and its all good

The Sega Game Gear is an awesome hand held with a lot of games. A backlit color screen (something gameboy didn't have at the time) And some pretty neat accessories. However there are only 2 that I have, and hence I am going to recommend.

The 1st one is the Gear Master, It allows you to play ALL Sega Master System games,Witch Expands the GG's library to a respectable amount!

The 2nd one is the T.V. tuner, It's possibly the coolest thing made for the GG, Unfortunately, The T.V. Tuner will be for sentimental value only as T.V. is going digital only soon :'(

There are a few things stopping it from getting a overall 5 Star and here they are:

1.The thing takes 6 (yes 6) AA batteries, this can make for a hefty system, the worst part is that it eats them in 4-6 hours!

2.Weak capacitors, this is noticed by little, or weak sound form the speaker, they are easy to replace but still..

3. 2 Different models, one works with the t.v. tuner, one doesn't

Even tho, those are my reasons why the GG isn't a 5 star, it still get a 5 star for F U N. If you don't have one you should definitely pick one up!

its good, but if you like to save your video games this system isnt for you.
it has a good handfull of video of games, and loads of accessories. their wasnt many rpg games for it, but their were tone of casual games like bonkers, and bust a move. since it takes 6 aaa batteries getting a charger is a good idea.
theirs also a sega master system adapter allowing you to play sega master system games, the game gear can also play imported games.

the sega game gear is a fun system to play but there are some flaws

Pros
- good game library
- the graphics are good for the time on a handheld
- controls are pretty good
cons
- can be hard to see sometimes
- takes 6 batteries ( but can use ac adapter )

but despite these flaws i personally like this system and i think it really stands up to the game boy in someways

I've had a game gear since the 90's and it just recently broke. I bought this one and was amazingly suprized by the widened varieties of games still available from Amazon, Ebay, ect... It is the most fun with a portable gaming system that I've had in years. I actually like this better than my PSP Go. The only bad thing is that it eats batteries like there's no tomorrow. 3-5 hours of battery life. I think I'll stick with this over any other modern gaming system any day.

The Sega Game Gear ,which launched in 1990, was DEFINITELY not a portable. The thing was friggin' huge, almost twice the size of the Nintendo Gameboy. The only other problem with it is the battery life; 2-3 hours on 6 AA batteries. The software library was huge, with games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Mortal Kombat, Shinobi, and many more. It also had an LCD color screen that does fade a bit over 20 years of Gameplay.

Both handhelds have good qualities; the Gameboy had a longer battery life, used less batteries, had a massive selection of titles, and was smaller and easier to carry. But one of the big problems, it was in black and white and didn't have a backlit screen. This proved difficult to play while on long car rides in the back seat at night.
The Game Gear had great titles, a backlit screen, color display and great sound. But, the sound only lasted so long. The capacitors were weak, and after a few years of play would burn up. The screen although color, would generate horozontal lines around the same time the sound would cut out. Another problem too, is that the screen would start to fade, even though it had a lighting adjustment on the side.
Needless to say, both handhelds were great, reasonably priced and had more than enough games to keep one occupied. If I had a choice between the two, I would go with a Game Gear. With a little tender love and care, the system will last a lifetime. Even if you have to open it up and replace the faulty parts, which is quite easy with the right tools.
If you get the chance to pick one of these up for a reasonable price, grab it. You won't regret it.