The Game.com FAQ
Version 2.00
By Jason Dvorak ("Dangerboy")
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==(F A Q)===---===---(Disclaimer)===---===--- ===---===---===---===---===---=
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E-mail: jason_dvorak@hotmail.com
*Note: Please make sure your e-mail title is "Game.com FAQ" or it will be
ignored*
PLEASE READ: "Game.com FAQ" is Copyright
2001 Jason Dvorak. The FAQ is presented for the personal home use of the
GameFaqs.com readers. This publication may be distributed for free, and may
not be sold. In other words, it's FREE and NO ONE PROFITS FROM IT. Anyone
wishing to use this guide in a publication, on another web-site, or
otherwise, are required to have permission from the author before using. In
other words, just ask me first. :)
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==(T O C)===---===---(Table of Contents)===---===---===---===---===---===---=
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TOC. Table of Contents
V E R. Version History
1. FAQ Explanation
2. General Description
3. System Specifications
4. System Inclusions
a. Pamphlets
b. Built in Functions
c. Games
d. Stylus Pen
e. Launch Games
5. Alternate versions of the Game.com
6. Published Game Library
7. Vaporware Game Library
8. Accessories
9. Closing
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===(V E R)===---===---(Version History)===---===---===---===---===---===---==
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------>Version 2.00 (June 25th, 2001)
- Submitted to Gamefaqs.com
------>Version 1.00
- Finally discovered information that was lacking in the important
departents. Fleshed out other areas as well.
------>Version 0.50
- Initial FAQ set-up.
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===( 1 )===---===---(FAQ Explanation)====---===---===---===---===---===---
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This FAQ is for the Tiger Electronics portable gaming system "Game.Com" It
contains brief technical data and various information on the games and the
unit itself. Since its demise in early 2000, Tiger seems to have all but
buried it and its existence. The Game.com web page no longer exists, the high
scores page for the Web Link, and so forth. This document will hopefully
serve as the reference material needed to keep the system‘s owners (and
possible future owners) in the know.
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===( 2 )===---===---(General Description)===---===---===---===---===---===-
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The Game.com is one of those systems that never really got the chance to
shine. Released in 1997, it was Tiger Electronics' answer to the then
dominating Game Boy. Targeted at a more mature audience with its popular
licenses like Duke Nukem and Resident Evil 2, it also featured a touch pad
screen, built-in PDA-like functions, and the power to go-online, which was
sold as a kit separately. Its launch month featured gams like Sega's Indy
500, Duke Nukem 3D, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Batman & Robin, Lost World:
Jurassic Park, and more. In the months that followed, other big name titles
like Sega's Fighters Megamix, Sonic Jam, and Williams' Arcade Classics were
released on the system, but did little to help boost sales of the system. In
1999 the last few games were released, again carrying an impressive list of
names, which included Frogger, Centipede, and Scrabble. Despite the Christmas
list of licenses, the system continued to falter. After going through 2
renovations and squeezing out 2 more titles, the Game.com faded silently into
the bargain bin in the sky.
Despite being on the market for almost 2 years, the system only managed 20
titles. There were many still in development, some probably close to or ready
to be released, but Tiger dumped all production and wrote the system off. 2
years later, it has become a minor collector's item, due to the easily
accessible small library and low costs.
So what exactly killed the Game.com? Obviously the first answer would usually
be "The Game boy." To a degree, yes, but the blame falls a little bit more on
the marketing strategies of the system. Very few people knew about it, and
the few advertisements that did make it were rather oddball and confusing.
The CD-Rom that came with the Tiger Web-Link features three of them. One
includes two angels who want to play Wheel of Fortune, another that features
a rather disturbed midget yelling at the possible owners, and the final that
was more music video that anything else. Not exactly the best way to hype a
system.
It also didn’t help that Tiger never really distributed it that well. I can
only vaguely remember seeing it at Toys R’ Us and KayBee Toys. As it stands,
the only place to find anything for the Game.com nowadays is EBAY and, if
you’re lucky, the bottom of a bargain bin at KayBee Toys.
Here’s to being active.
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===( 3 )===---===---(System Specifications)===---===---===---===---===---==
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Original System’s Size: 7.5”L x 4.25”W x .75"D
Processor Chip: Sharp 8-Bit CPU
Screen Specs: -3.9 square inches
-13 x 10 grid based touch screen.
-200 x 160 resolution
Color System: Black and White, with 4 gray levels.
Sound/Music: Mono, single speaker, located in the upper left corner.
Power Source: - 4 AA Batteries
- AC Adapter
Ports: - Serial Comm Port for the Compete.com cable
- In Jack for headphones
- DC9V in (AC Adapter)
- 2 Cartridge Slots (1 on the Pocket)
Buttons: -Power (On/Off)
-4 Action (A, B, C, D)
-3 Function (Menu, Sound, Pause)
-1 Eight-way Directional Pad
-Volume
-Contrast
-Reset (On system’s backside, must use small object to press)
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===( 4 )===---===---(System Inclusions)===---===---===---===---===---===-==
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*All Information is based on the “Lights Out” package, with the original
Game.com.
_______S)The System
The Game.com features a D-Pad, the Power Switch, 4 Action Buttons, Touch-
Screen Pen, 3 Menu Buttons, and the Touch Pad Screen. It had battery slots
for both power (4 AA) and Memory (Lithium). The Memory battery is in the same
vein as the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast VMU Batteries. The Pen could be stored
on the unit’s front end, inside a specially cut surface. Volume and Contrast
Buttons were located on the system’s upper-left side, while the two cartridge
slots were on the right. There was an additional port that allowed a link-up
cable (known as a compete.com cable), but I have yet to see one. Like the
Wonderswan, the system’s Volume control was actually in two parts. At the
dial’s lowest setting, the sound and music could still be heard, just
faintly. You would have to access the “Sound” button to completely mute it.
The Menu button allowed you to return the game’s title screen, or if pushed
twice, the Game.com’s main menu.
_______a)Pamphlets
1. Game.com Instruction Manual
Contained all the required documentation on proper care of the system,
and information/directions on all of the built in functions.
2. Consumer Information Post Card
Used as a questionnaire and to register the product.
3. Price Change Notice
A small sheet that informed the purchaser that the prices for Wheel of
Fortune 1 + 2 listed in the Game Catalog were incorrect.
4. Game Catalog
An advertising promotion that featured what should have been the
Available titles for the game. Also featured several accessories that
could be purchased. Featured in the booklet:
-The System
-Game.com Internet
-Batman & Robin
-Sonic Jam*
-Duke Nukem 3D
-Lost World: Jurassic Park
-Williams Arcade Classics
-Jeopardy
-Name that Tune**
-Wheel of Fortune
-Wheel of Fortune 2
-Indy 500
-Mortal Kombat Trilogy
-NBA Hangtime***
-Madden Football 98****
-Fighters Megamix
-Tiger Casino
-Henry
-Quiz Whiz: Cyber Trivia
-Earphones
-Carrying Case
-Modem^
-AC Adapter
-Head-2-Head Cables
Notes:
*- The Picture of the game is a screenshot of “Sonic 3D Blast”, not Jam.
Either there was a 3D Blast in possible production, or someone faked a
screenshot with the wrong game.
**-“Name that Tune” was never released.
***-“NBA Hangtime” was never released.
****-“Madden Football 98” was never released.
^- Not sure if the modem ever made it out.
_______b. Built in Functions
-Cartridge Selection
Here you would access the game(s) that were in the system’s cart slots.
Visual representations of the cartridges would be shown, and you touched
the one you wanted to play.
-Phone book
Adding to the "PDA" side of the system's functions, the phone book
allowed the user to store over a dozen names and address. There were
fields for the Name, Address, phone number, and notes.
-Calendar
One of the other PDA functions, the calendar allowed you to see
each month from the years 1901 to 2099. Why there was such a huge
chunk of time given here is beyond me. I think they would have done
better to include the notes feature rather than just the calendar dates.
-Calculator
Probably the most unused option next to the calendar, the Game.com also
featured the mathematician's helper. It was capable of basic functions,
plus square roots, and percentages.
-High Score
This is my favorite feature in the system (well, besides the original's
dual cart slot), the Game.com kept track of your high scores in every
game you played. If there were no score, it would keep track of other
significant numbers, like how many times you beat an opponent (Mortal
Kombat Trilogy) or how many times you beat the game (Resident Evil 2).
-Solitaire
Everyone's favorite desktop game received a spot on the system's main
menu, with some positive results. Aside from the lack of color, the
game's a snap to play thanks to the pen, and it features a demanding
scoring system. I play this one more than my PC version.
_______c. Games
-Lights Out
The initial shipment of the Game.com had no game to it (with good reason,
since the system could function without one. However, later it did
feature the pack-in. It was never available separately.
_______d. Screen Pen
The plastic pen you used to interact with the touch screen was packaged
with the system. On the original, it's stored in front. In the Pro
version, it slides into a back slot.
_______e. Launch Games
- Batman & Robin
- Indy 500
- Wheel of Fortune
- Williams Arcade Classics
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===( 5 )===---===---(Alternate versions of the Game.com)===---===---===---=
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After the release of the original gray version, Tiger must have realized that
the Game Boy was a monster that could not be stopped. To try and combat this
Tiger released the Game.com Pocket Pro. This new version was smaller, took
fewer batteries, had only one cartridge port, and had back lighting. It also
was a lot cheaper in price.
Sadly, this didn’t catch the public’s eye either, and to save money, Tiger
removed the Back Light featured, and dropped the “Pro” from the title.
Besides the overall design change, there were also new colors to choose from.
System Comparisons:
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|System | Game.com Original | Game.com Pocket |
=======================================================
|Price | $69.95 | $29.95 |
|Size(inches)| 7.5 x 4.25 x .75 | 5.5 x 3.5 x 1 |
|Battery Req.| 4 AA | 2 AA |
|Cart Slots | 2 | 1 |
|Sound Switch| Present | Absent |
|Pen Locale | Front-bottom, slot | Back, top slide |
|------------------------------------------------------
|Colors | Grey/Black | Blue/White |
| | | Black/White* |
| | | Green/White |
| | | Purple/White |
| | | Red/White |
=======================================================
*Note: Tiger had originally intended for there to be a Yellow Colored Pocket,
but after deciding it wouldn’t sell, opted for the black mold again. All five
systems (with yellow, not black) can be seen on the oval shaped game boxes
(Centipede, Frogger, Scrabble).
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===( 6 )===---===---( Published Game Library)===---===---===---===---===---
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In the system’s relatively short life, it only got 20 games. They are
presented here, in alphabetical order with all pertinent information.
Game descriptions follow.
Released Games:
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Name | Players| ESRB | Access. | ID Number
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Batman and Robin | 1 | K to A | None | 71 - 709
Centipede | 1 to 4 | E | None | 71 - 755
Duke Nukem 3D | 1 | T | None | 71 - 712
Fighter's MegaMix | 1 to 2 | E | Link | 71 - 739
Frogger | 1 to 4 | E | Link | 71 - 756
Henry | 1 to 2 | K to A | Link | 71 - 728
Indy 500 | 1 | K to A | None | 71 - 525
Jeopardy | 1 to 3 | K to A | Link | 71 - 726
Lights Out | 1 | ? | None | 71 - 735
Lost World: Jurassic Park | 1 | K to A | None | 71 - 784
Monopoly | 1 to 6 | E | None | 71 - 752
Mortal Kombat Trilogy | 1 to 2 | T | Link | 71 - 711
Quiz Wiz: Cyber Trivia | 1 to 3 | K to A | Link | 71 - 524
Resident Evil 2 | 1 | T | None | 71 - 745
Scrabble | 1 to 4 | E | Link | 71 - 754
Sonic Jam | 1 | E | None | 71 - 734
Tiger Casino | 1 | E | None | 71 - 731
Wheel of Fortune | 1 to 3 | K to A | None | 71 - 523
Wheel of Fortune 2 | 1 to 3 | K to A | None | 71 - 527
Williams Arcade Classics | 1 to 2 | K to A | Link | 71 - 722
=====================================================================
1) Batman and Robin
Based on the movie of the same name, you play either of the Dynamic Duo to
try and stop Mr. Freeze from taking over Gotham City.
2) Centipede
A port of the original arcade classic, you’re on a mission to blast the huge
centipedes that are making their way down the screen.
3) Duke Nukem 3D
One of the best PC games comes to the portable, resulting in one of the
system’s best games. Take Duke through stages full of pigs in cop outfits and
more weapons than you can shake a stick at.
4) Fighter's MegaMix
Sega seemed to have faith in Tiger (or maybe they needed the cash :P), since
FM is one of three of the three Sega brand name games that made it to the
system. Like SNK’s King of Fighters, several of Sega’s trademark characters
from Virtua Fighter, Fighting Vipers, Sonic, and Even Daytona USA make it
into this one-on-one fighting game.
5) Frogger
Another classic arcade game, you’ll need to get your green friend across the
ponds and traffic to the safe heaven across the way.
6) Henry
An odd, incredibly difficult memory game that uses (and abuses) the
Game.com’s sound chip.
7) Indy 500
A surprisingly good conversion of the monsterous Sega arcade racer. Features
hidden cars and other secrets.
8) Jeopardy
What is…another conversion of the game show that makes most of us feel like
dopes because we don’t know lots of useless trivia?
9) Lights Out
An increasingly difficult yet mildly addicting puzzle game where you must
turn off lights to win.
10) Lost World: Jurassic Park
Another movie license, this one had you chasing dinosaurs on both foot and in
cars.
11) Monopoly
Do not pass go. Do not collect $200 on your way to play the Game.com
12) Mortal Kombat Trilogy
A very poor conversion of Midway’s one-on-one fighting game. The game’s lack
of fluid animation killed this version.
13) Quiz Wiz: Cyber Trivia
Tiger’s ‘hip’ version of a Jeopardy like game.
14) Resident Evil 2
Not only a surprise release, but a surprisingly great game. Think of it as
Resident Evil 2 Mini.
15) Scrabble
The game where spelling is all that counts.
16) Sonic Jam
Sega’s leading mascot gets a home on the Game.com, but suffers the same speed
problem as MKT.
17) Tiger Casino
Gambling genre with 5 different games.
18) Wheel of Fortune
Spin the wheel, guess a letter, solve the puzzle, and take home the prize
money.
19) Wheel of Fortune 2
More of the above.
20) Williams Arcade Classics
Includes Robotron, Defender 1 + II, Sinistar, and Joust!
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===( 7 )===---===---( Vaporware Game Library)===---===---===---===---===---
=============================================================================
The following games were planned for the system, but never released.
A Bug's Life
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (Based on the PSX Version)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert
Deer Hunter
Furbyland
GigaPets Deluxe
Godzilla (based on the US Movie)
Holyfield Boxing
Madden Football 99
Metal Gear Solid (Based on the PSX version)
Mulligan's Golf Challenge
Mutoids
Name that Tune
Nascar
NBA Live 99
PDA Cartridge
Pocket Fisherman
The Price is Right
Small Soldiers (Based on movie/toy line)
Turok (Based on Game Boy / N64 version?)
WCW/NOW: Whiplash
X-Files
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===( 8 )===---===---( Accessories)===---===---===---====---===---===---===-
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Despite the short life, the Game.com did have some very interesting
accessories that didn’t catch on.
===================================================================
Name | Use | ID Number | Released ? |
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Earphones | For solo listening. | 71 – 785 – 00 | Unknown |
Carrying Cs.| Take the GC with you. | 71 – 781 - 00 | Unknown |
Modem | On-Line Surfing | 71 – 782 – 00 | No |
AC Adapter | No need batteries. | 71 – 784 – 00 | Yes |
Link Cable | Link 2 Game.coms in Vs.| 71 – 783 – 00 | Yes |
Internet | What you use with modem| 71 – 529 | Yes |
Web Link |Online High Scores Posts| 71 – 747 | Yes |
===================================================================
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===( 9 )===---===---(Closing)===---===---===---===---===---===---===---===-
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Thanks for checking out the Game.com FAQ.
Written By Jason Dvorak
