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Tiger also had something else up its sleeve for the Game.com - it was to be the first handheld system to feature internet connectivity. This was, in fact, the handheld's main selling point. Internet connectivity was not without its flaws, however; as the system was released a good while before "Wi-Fi" was a popular buzzword internet access required a phone cord and jack, as well as a bulky external modem, to work, plus users were required to use Tiger's own ISP to get online. Internet connectivity was also not up to par even with what you'd find on most cell phones today; while the Game.com was equipped with a web browser it only allowed users to access text-only versions of the webpage they wished to view, and interaction with the games themselves was relegated only to online scoreboards. Users could also check their email through the service, but due to the high cost of getting the Game.com online, adoption rates for the console's online services were low.
Later in the console's lifespan Tiger released a new, smaller version called the Game.com Pocket Pro. It featured a smaller screen, one cartridge port, a lit screen (in the first few production runs), and eliminated the console's internet functions. New games, including ports of Resident Evil 2 and the modernized versions of Centipede and Frogger, were released alongside the console. In 2000, when both the original Game.com and the Pocket Pro failed in the marketplace Tiger pulled support of the system, leaving games such as Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Giga Pets, and Foreman Boxing (supposedly with force feedback capabilities) unfinished.
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Before the DS brought touchscreen gaming into the mainstream, Tiger's Game.com had players poking at LCD screens for hours.
The Game.com, released in 1997, was Tiger Electronics's attempt at creating a handheld that could directly compete with Nintendo's Game Boy. It sported a few features that were years ahead of their time, including a touch screen, two cartridge ports, and internet connectivity through an optional 14.4 kb/s modemHistory
Since the company's inception Tiger had produced Game & Watch style handheld games based on popular film, television, and videogame licenses. They released a cartridge based handheld system called the R-Zone in 1995, but it died out quickly as the Game Boy had begun to all but monopolize the handheld market and the simpler titles Tiger had producing were unappealing to gamers. In an attempt to dethrone the Game Boy, Tiger released the Game.com in 1997 with a puzzle title, Lights Out, as the pack-in game. With the licenses obtained for use in their Game & Watch style titles still in effect the system had what could be considered a lineup full of killer apps, albeit all developed in house at Tiger. Popular console titles such as Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Williams Arcade Classics, Sonic Jam, and Fighters Megamix were released either at launch or shortly after alongside adaptations of popular Tiger handheld products including Henry and Quiz Wiz, plus a promotional booklet teased ports of Road Rash, EA Sports titles and games based on upcoming films such as Batman & Robin and The Lost World: Jurrasic Park. (few of which were actually released)Tiger also had something else up its sleeve for the Game.com - it was to be the first handheld system to feature internet connectivity. This was, in fact, the handheld's main selling point. Internet connectivity was not without its flaws, however; as the system was released a good while before "Wi-Fi" was a popular buzzword internet access required a phone cord and jack, as well as a bulky external modem, to work, plus users were required to use Tiger's own ISP to get online. Internet connectivity was also not up to par even with what you'd find on most cell phones today; while the Game.com was equipped with a web browser it only allowed users to access text-only versions of the webpage they wished to view, and interaction with the games themselves was relegated only to online scoreboards. Users could also check their email through the service, but due to the high cost of getting the Game.com online, adoption rates for the console's online services were low.
Later in the console's lifespan Tiger released a new, smaller version called the Game.com Pocket Pro. It featured a smaller screen, one cartridge port, a lit screen (in the first few production runs), and eliminated the console's internet functions. New games, including ports of Resident Evil 2 and the modernized versions of Centipede and Frogger, were released alongside the console. In 2000, when both the original Game.com and the Pocket Pro failed in the marketplace Tiger pulled support of the system, leaving games such as Metal Gear Solid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Giga Pets, and Foreman Boxing (supposedly with force feedback capabilities) unfinished.
Legacy
While the console was a commercial failure, internet capabilities in handheld gaming devices became a popular feature in later handheld consoles. The console also featured a touch screen before the Nintendo DS made touch-screen gaming popular in the handheld market. The console's failure caused Tiger to leave the gaming market, however, and focus on developing consumer electronics aimed at children.Game.Com games
Edit
| Name | Platforms | Developer | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Duke Nukem 3D |
GCOM | Tiger Electronics, Inc. |
|
|
Indy 500 |
RZON, GCOM, ARC | Tiger Electronics, Inc., Sega |
|
|
Quiz Wiz: Cyber Trivia |
GCOM | Tiger Electronics, Inc. |
|
|
Solitaire |
GCOM | Tiger Electronics, Inc. |
|
|
Wheel of Fortune |
GCOM | GameTek, Inc. |
|
|
Wheel of Fortune 2 |
GCOM | Tiger Electronics, Inc. |
|
|
Scrabble released on Oct. 31, 1999 |
MAC, PS1, GCOM | Hasbro Interactive, Inc. |
|
|
Batman & Robin released on Aug. 7, 1998 |
GCOM, RZON, PS1 | Acclaim Studios London |
|
|
Resident Evil 2 released on Jan. 21, 1998 |
PSN, None, PS1, PC, GC, GCOM, N64, DC | Capcom, Angel Studios |
|
|
Tiger Casino |
GCOM | Tiger Electronics, Ltd |
| Platform Name: | Game.Com |
| Release Date: | Sept. 12, 1997 |
| Online Support: | True |
| Install Base: | 300,000 |
| Original Price: | $0 |
| Producing Company: | Tiger Electronics, Inc. |
| Total Games: | games |
|
Scorpion first in Mortal Kombat |
1
|
|
Reptile first in Mortal Kombat |
1
|
|
Kabal first in Mortal Kombat 3 |
1
|
|
Claire Redfield first in Resident Evil 2 |
1
|
|
Kung Lao first in Mortal Kombat II |
1
|
|
Jade first in Mortal Kombat II |
1
|
|
Ermac first in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 |
1
|
|
Leon S. Kennedy first in Resident Evil 2 |
1
|
|
Johnny Cage first in Mortal Kombat |
1
|
|
Khameleon first in Mortal Kombat Trilogy |
1
|
|
Police Station first in |
1
|
|
Sewer first in Mario Bros. |
1
|
|
R.P.D Headquarters first in Resident Evil 2 |
1
|
|
Outworld first in Mortal Kombat II |
1
|
|
Green Hill Zone first in Sonic the Hedgehog |
1
|
|
Angel Island first in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 |
1
|
|
Emerald Hill Zone first in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 |
1
|
|
Scislac Busorez first in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 |
1
|
|
Prison first in |
1
|
|
Raccoon City first in Resident Evil |
1
|
|
E3 1997 first in |
5
|
|
Platinum Games first in |
4
|
|
Death first in |
4
|
|
Melee first in |
3
|
|
2D first in Tennis for Two Simulator |
3
|
|
Instant Death first in |
3
|
|
Game Compilations first in |
3
|
|
PlayStation Underground first in Twisted Metal 2 |
3
|
|
Jump first in Donkey Kong |
2
|
|
Hand to Hand Combat first in |
2
|
|
Gun first in |
4
|
|
Blood first in |
2
|
|
Sword first in |
2
|
|
Jewel first in |
2
|
|
Gem first in |
2
|
|
Pistol first in |
2
|
|
Car first in |
2
|
|
Severed Limbs first in |
2
|
|
Vial first in |
1
|
|
Flamethrower first in |
1
|
