Caanoo

{{short description|Handheld game console}}

{{Infobox CVG system

| title = Caanoo

| logo = Caanoo logo.svg

| image = CAANOO.jpg

| manufacturer = GamePark Holdings

| type = Handheld game console

| release date = {{vgrelease|SK{{!}}EU| August 16, 2010}}

| discontinued = September 2011

| CPU = 533 MHz Host ARM9

| media = SD / SDHC card

| predecessor = GP2X Wiz

| successor =

| memory = 128 MB

| RAMtype = SDRAM

| baseprice = $150

| os = Linux-based

| sound = Wolfson Microelectronics WM1800

| soc = MagicEyes Pollux VR3520F

| graphics = 3D capable

}}

The GP2X Caanoo, more commonly known as Caanoo, stylized CAANOO, is an open source, Linux-based handheld video game console and portable media player developed by the South Korean company GamePark Holdings. It was released on August 16, 2010 in South Korea and was also sold throughout Europe. It is the successor to the GP2X Wiz, and was showcased at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010.[https://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/gameparks-gp2x-caanoo-handheld-hits-this-august-picks-up-where/ Engadget article about Caanoo presentation at E3 2010] The device's launch price was about US$150, but did not reach any retail stores in North America.

The Caanoo is not a direct competitor of handheld consoles like Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable, but rather an alternative open source device. Because of that, any software that is compatible can be run without the need to create custom firmware or other homebrew applications. This is the last open-source gaming device by GamePark Holdings, as they ceased production and development of gaming hardware to focus solely on software.{{Cn|date=May 2024}}

Applications

The Caanoo had only four commercial retail games:{{cite web |url=https://www.hardcoregaming101.net/korea/part3/company-gamepark.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115013624/http://hardcoregaming101.net/korea/part3/company-gamepark.htm |archive-date=2013-01-15 |title=Hardcore Gaming 101: History of Korean Gaming}} Asura Cross, Propis, Rhythmos, and Wiz Party.

The Caanoo can run several applications that emulate consoles{{cite journal |last1=Cutlack |first1=Gary |date=February 2013 |title=Retro handhelds |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=85027730&site=eds-live&scope=site |journal=Stuff |language=English |volume=167 |page=93 |access-date=20 May 2022 }} or computer systems, such as DrPocketSnes for the Super NES, GnGEO for the Neo-Geo, Hu-Go for the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, PCSX ReArmed for original PlayStation games, MAME4all for arcade games and Picodrive for the Mega Drive/Sega Genesis and its add-ons, as well as freeware homebrew games/applications. These applications are created by the community itself and not by the manufacturers. Most software can be found at OpenHandhelds, a community-driven website.

Gamepark Holdings also had a website focused on downloadable content named FunGP. It sold commercial Caanoo and Wiz games, as well as some retro Arcade games. It has since ceased operations.

Caanoo is not compatible{{Cite web |url=http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F56465-confused-about-caanoo-emulation-support%2F |title=Caanoo emulation support discussion |access-date=2019-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717062004/http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F56465-confused-about-caanoo-emulation-support%2F |archive-date=2011-07-17 |url-status=usurped }} with software built for previous GPH devices (such as the GP2X Wiz) without an application to allow it to do so. A compatibility layer named Ginge allows for most software to be compatible, and most applications have already been ported.

See also

References

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