GCW Zero

{{Infobox CVG system

| title = GCW Zero

| logo= GCW Zero logo.svg

| image = GCW Zero Front.png

| manufacturer = Game Consoles Worldwide{{Cite web|url=http://www.gcw-zero.com/specifications|title = GCW Zero - an Open Source Gaming Console Built by Gamers for Gamers}}

| type = Handheld game console

| CPU = Ingenic JZ4770(MIPS)

| CPUspeed = 1 GHz

| memory = 512 MB DDR2

| storage = 16 GB, 32 GB (special edition)

| os = OpenDingux{{Cite web|url=http://wiki.dingoonity.org/index.php?title=OpenDingux:About|title = OpenDingux About}}

| memory card = Secure Digital card (microSDHC up to 32 GB, micro SDXC of 64 GB)

| sound = Speakers, microphone

| display = 320 x 240 pixel, 4:3 aspect ratio, 3.5 inch LCD, HDMI, analog TV out

| graphics = Vivante GC860

| connectivity = Mini USB 2.0 OTG, Mini HDMI 1.3 out, 3.5 mm (mini jack) A/V port for earphone and analog TV-out, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz

| Input = Accelerometer (g-sensor), vibration motors

| power = 2200 mAh battery

| dimensions = {{Convert|143|x|70|x|18|mm}}

| website = {{URL|www.gcw-zero.com}}

}}

The GCW Zero is a Linux-based open-source handheld video game console created by a start up, Game Consoles Worldwide. The GCW Zero was funded by a successful crowdfunding campaign on kickstarter.com on 29 January 2013 with US$238,499 collected, originally aiming for $130,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gcw/gcw-zero-open-source-gaming-handheld|title = GCW-Zero: Open Source Gaming Handheld| date=29 January 2017 }}{{Cite web|url=http://siliconprairienews.com/2013/01/kc-entrepreneur-s-game-console-tops-130k-kickstarter-goal-nears-230k/|title = KC entrepreneur's game console tops $130k Kickstarter goal, nears $230k|date = 28 January 2013}} The project was created by Justin Barwick. The device was eventually released that year.

Concept

The GCW Zero is designed to play games by homebrew/indie game developers, as well as run emulators for classic gaming systems. The software infrastructure is open-source and available on GitHub.[https://github.com/gcwnow gcwnow] on github.com

Supported systems include game consoles such as the Neo Geo, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation, MSX, as well as arcade machines via the emulator Final Burn Alpha.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gcw-zero.com/downloads|title=GCW Zero - an Open Source Gaming Console Built by Gamers for Gamers}} Version 1.8 of ScummVM added GCW Zero support.{{cite web |url=http://www.scummvm.org/news/20160304/

|date=4 March 2016 |title=ScummVM 1.8.0 "Lost with Sherlock" is finally there! |website=ScummVM website}}

Special Edition

Prior to the Kickstarter campaign there was a limited run of 150 Special Edition units. There are two notable differences: Special Edition text under the GCW Zero screen logo and a 32 GB internal microSD card versus the 16 GB of later production units. A common problem with these Special Edition units is a sticking directional pad in the down direction. Common fixes for this issue include the application of a small amount of dielectric grease in the affected friction area or official 3D printed replacement buttons from the GCW Zero store on Shapeways.{{Cite web|url=https://www.shapeways.com/designer/gcwdev/creations|title=GCWDev's Designs on Shapeways}}

Reception

Reviews have generally been positive, and focused on the emulation capabilities of the device. Steve Tilley, writing at the Toronto Sun, is troubled by the need for copyright-infringing ROMs, but thought highly of the device, describing it as like "holding a chunk of my childhood in the palm of my hand". He also describes the device as unintuitive to use.{{cite news| url=http://www.torontosun.com/2014/01/14/old-school-gaming-on-the-sly-with-the-gcw-zero| title=Old-school gaming on the sly with the GCW Zero| author=Steve Tilley| newspaper=Toronto Sun| date=2014-01-16| access-date=2015-04-24}} Tilley repeated these thoughts while presenting a segment for Reviews on the Run where he scored the device 7.5/10; his co-host, Raju Mudhar agreed.{{cite episode| url=http://www.reviewsontherun.com/all/spotlight/gcw-zero-review/| title=GCW Zero Review| author1=Raju Mudhar| author2=Steve Tilley| series=Reviews on the Run| network=Electric Playground| date=2014-04-15| access-date=2015-04-24| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621044740/http://www.reviewsontherun.com/all/spotlight/gcw-zero-review/| archive-date=2015-06-21| url-status=dead}} David Heywood, writing at Micro Mart, praised the device's excellent build quality, and its use of an operating system which was already well established for handheld consoles.{{cite web|url=http://www.micromart.co.uk/gaming/group-test/1225/open-source-handhelds-group-test-gcw-zero-review |title=Open-source handhelds group test: GCW Zero review |author=David Hayward |work=Micro Mart |date=2013-09-04 |access-date=2015-04-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621050905/http://www.micromart.co.uk/gaming/group-test/1225/open-source-handhelds-group-test-gcw-zero-review |archive-date=2015-06-21 }}

The GCW was noted for the limited availability of game titles since the release.[https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTg0NzQ GCW Zero Starts Seeing New Game Releases] on Phoronix by Michael Larabel (25 November 2014)

References

External links

{{Official website|www.gcw-zero.com}}
[http://boards.dingoonity.org/index.php#c10 Community forums at Dingoonity]

Category:Linux-based handheld game consoles

Category:Kickstarter-funded video game consoles

Category:MIPS-based video game consoles