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History of video games/Platforms/Zeebo

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History

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Zeebo logotype

Development

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Zeebo was developed by the company TecToy,[1] a company which had been involved in distributing the Sega Genesis in Brazil.

Prototypes consisted of a mobile phone motherboard with some extra support hardware.[2]

Launch

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Zeebo was set to be launched in Brazil in 2009, with the console costing $249 USD with four included games and a free game download, and games costing at most $15 USD.[3] By September 2009 the Zeebo was available only in Rio De Janeiro, and cost 499 BRL, though it saw a price drop to BRL 399 that month.[4] Later in 2009 Zeebo was released in Mexico.[5]

Discontinuation

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Zeebo was discontinued in 2011.[6]

Technology

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The Zeebo Boomerang Controller.

The Zeebo uses a Qualcomm chipset[7] with a 32 bit CPU based on the ARM11 architecture clocked at 528MHz.[8]

The Zeebo is also equipped with a QDSP-5 and a Adreno 130 GPU capable of rendering 4 million triangles a second.[8]

The Zeebo has 160 megabytes of RAM, and 128 megabytes of VRAM.[8]

The Zeebo runs BREW software (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) and can be connected to the internet over a 3G wireless connection.[3][9] The Zeebo became one of the earliest home game consoles to feature a wireless mobile internet connection as a standard feature.

User avatars called Zeeboids could be created, similar to Mii avatars on the Wii.[9]

Notable games

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The Zeeboo had a library of 55 games, none of which could be obtained after official servers shut down in September 30th, 2011.[9] As a result it is possible that some Zeebo titles are lost media.

The Zeebo had ports of Resident Evil 4, FIFA, and Tekken titles.[10][5]

Zeebo Extreme

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Read more about Zeebo Extreme on Wikipedia.

Un Juego de Huevos

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Zeebo exclusive title.

Read more about Un Juego de Huevos on Wikipedia.

External Resources

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References

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  1. "Tectoy's Zeebo gaming console to run on 3G network in Brazil" (in en). Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2008-11-12-tectoys-zeebo-gaming-console-to-run-on-3g-network-in-brazil.html. Retrieved 25 October 2020. 
  2. Jordan, Jon. "Why the G1 Google phone might end up the most popular game console ever" (in en). www.pocketgamer.com. https://www.pocketgamer.com/features/why-the-g1-google-phone-might-end-up-the-most-popular-game-console-ever/. 
  3. a b Reisinger, Don. "The Zeebo game console: Why it matters". CNET. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  4. Remo, Chris. "Zeebo Console Reduces Price, Expands Game Selection" (in en). www.gamasutra.com. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/25440/Zeebo_Console_Reduces_Price_Expands_Game_Selection.php. Retrieved 25 October 2020. 
  5. a b Orland, Kyle. "Zeebo Raises $17M For Internationally-Focused Game Console" (in en). www.gamasutra.com. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/126792/Zeebo_Raises_17M_For_InternationallyFocused_Game_Console.php. Retrieved 25 October 2020. 
  6. July 2013, Jeff Dunn 15. "Chasing Phantoms - The history of failed consoles" (in en). gamesradar. https://www.gamesradar.com/chasing-phantoms-history-failed-consoles/6/. Retrieved 25 October 2020. 
  7. "Qualcomm MSM chipset Game Console by Zeebo Inc. Launches". ForbesOnTech. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  8. a b c "Home Page". Video Game Console Library. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  9. a b c "Brazil Of Games: The World's First Digital Only Console, And Why It Failed" (in english). Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/--547728.phtml#post. Retrieved 25 October 2020. 
  10. Sheffield, Brandon. "Mike Yuen on Zeebo's Launch, Potential for Indies" (in en). www.gamasutra.com. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27305/Mike_Yuen_on_Zeebos_Launch_Potential_for_Indies.php. Retrieved 25 October 2020.