GP32
A South Korean handheld that encouraged homebrew development.
The GP32, short for GamePark 32, is a handheld game console built around an ARM processor and created by the South Korean company Game Park. It launched in South Korea on November 23, 2001, and also saw distribution in parts of Europe. The system’s overall look is similar to the original Game Boy Advance. Instead of the proprietary cartridges common among sixth-generation handhelds, the GP32 uses SmartMedia cards for storing games and data, which lets amateur developers create software without needing extra development hardware.
Game Park first showed the GP32 at E3 conventions from 1999 to 2002. At one point, the company made an unreleased prototype that included cellular phone features. The hardware runs on a 133 MHz ARM 9 CPU with 8 MB of SDRAM. Controls include an eight-way microswitch-based mini-joystick, two main buttons (A and B), two shoulder buttons (L and R) on each side of the SmartMedia card slot, and two menu buttons (SELECT and START) on each side of the screen, made from soft, translucent rubber. It also has a USB 1.1 port for connecting to a computer, a serial expansion port, a 3.3 V power adapter input, a headphone jack, and a rear compartment for two AA batteries.
There are three main commercial versions, distinguished by their display types. All commercial units are white, with either grey or white buttons and trim. There are also various colored promotional units and several prototype designs.
The original model, the no-light unit (NLU), needs an external light source to see the screen. In late 2002, Game Park introduced the frontlight unit (FLU), a factory-modified NLU (modified by Hahotech) that adds a transparent panel between the LCD and the plastic screen cover for built-in illumination. This extra hardware makes the display frame slightly raised compared to the NLU and later BLU models. The front light can be turned off with a switch on the back to save battery. The FLU name came from a sticker on the packaging.
In mid-2004, Game Park released the backlight unit (BLU). Its LCD is compatible with the NLU and FLU and gives a better screen in low light. Later in 2004, a second BLU version appeared with a different LCD; this BLU+ screen is not fully compatible with the original, so software needs special handling to support both. The backlight can be disabled by holding the SELECT button for five seconds.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Game Park
- Generation
- Sixth
- Release Date
- SK · November 23, 2001
- Price
- ₩179,000
- Discontinued
- 2005
- Units Shipped
- ~32,000
- Media
- SmartMedia
- Cpu
- Samsung S3C2400X01
- Memory
- 8 MB of RAM
- Graphics
- 320x240
- Camera
- None
- Successor
- GP2X
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The GP32 was shown at annual E3 conventions from 1999 to 2002. Game Park once produced an unreleased unit with cellular functionality. The console has an eight-way microswitch-based mini-joystick, two main buttons (A and B), two shoulder buttons (L and R), and two menu buttons (SELECT and START) made from softer translucent rubber. It includes a USB 1.1 port, a serial expansion port, a 3.3 V power adapter input, a headphone connector, and a rear compartment for two AA batteries.
Three main commercial versions exist, differentiated by display type. The original no-light unit (NLU) relied on external light. In late 2002, Game Park introduced the frontlight unit (FLU), a factory-modified NLU with a front light that could be turned off via a switch on the back. In mid-2004, the backlight unit (BLU) appeared, offering a superior screen; a second BLU version with a different LCD (BLU+) followed in late 2004, which was not fully compatible with original software. The BLU models also had a slightly different USB connector and better microswitches.
Commercial units are white with grey or white buttons and trim. There are also colored promotional units and several prototype designs. The GP32 BLU was released in Portugal, Spain, and Italy on June 15, 2004, at €199, distributed by Virgin Play. Official distributors existed in the United Kingdom and Sweden, but the console was not released in America.
Reader's Guide
The GP32 is notable for its deliberate support of homebrew development. Game Park provided a free suite of development tools to registered users and allowed publishing of homebrew games on its website under certain restrictions. The original firmware only ran encrypted software, requiring a 'Free Launcher' for unsigned programs; alternative firmware later removed this requirement. This openness led to a wide range of homebrew applications, including alternative firmware, file managers, games, emulators, a DivX player, and image slideshows.
Commercial games could be downloaded (encrypted to the GP32's ID) or bought in retail boxes. Downloading reduced costs, ranging from US$10 to US$30. About 28 commercial games were released, with the last being Blue Angelo on December 16, 2004. Game Park did not charge royalties for game releases, aiding small editors and independent developers. The GP32's relatively powerful ARM 920T CPU and freely available C-based SDK enabled many emulators for 16-bit and earlier systems, compensating for the small commercial library. A Windows-based GP32 emulator also exists. The modification of Ericsson Chatboard micro-keyboards spurred further software development, including Linux ports. Despite limited commercial reach, the GP32 built a large international community of users and developers.
Did You Know?
- The GP32 uses SmartMedia cards instead of proprietary cartridges, making it accessible for amateur developers.
- The frontlight unit (FLU) was a factory modification by Hahotech, with a switch on the back to turn the light off.
- The last commercial game released for the GP32 was Blue Angelo on December 16, 2004.
- About 32,000 or 30,000 units were sold by the end of 2007.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GP32?
The GP32 is a portable gaming device built by South Korean company Game Park around a 133 MHz ARM 9 processor with 8 MB of SDRAM. It hit store shelves in South Korea on November 23, 2001, and saw limited retail availability in select European regions.
What storage format does the GP32 use instead of cartridges?
The system loads games and user data through standard SmartMedia cards (SMC), a widely available consumer memory format. This choice sets it apart from every other sixth-generation handheld, which relied on proprietary cartridge media.
Why is the GP32 popular among homebrew and indie developers?
Because SmartMedia cards are cheap and require no dedicated development hardware, hobbyist programmers can write, test, and distribute their own software with very low overhead. That accessibility made the GP32 a go-to platform for amateur game creation.
Does the GP32 look like any other console?
Its exterior shape and button layout closely mirror the original Game Boy Advance, which can cause confusion at a glance. Despite the visual resemblance, the two systems share no hardware architecture or software compatibility.
When and where was the GP32 first revealed to the public?
Game Park showcased a working prototype at E3 trade shows during 1999 and 2000, giving early audiences a look before the console's official retail launch in South Korea in late November 2001.
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