Mi2 (console)

Lore & Background

The Mi2 was released in October 2009 as the successor to the Pocket Dream Console from 2005. In Benelux it was developed and created by Planet Interactive, while in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the UK it was branded as PDC Touch Media (short for Pocket Dream Console Touch) by Conny Technology and Videojet. An upgraded version, the Mi2 XL, was released in 2010 exclusively in Benelux, featuring five additional games for a total of 105. The console was priced at €99.99 at launch, later dropped to €59.99.

The Mi2 includes 100 built-in games (105 on the XL), mostly unofficial clones of popular titles. Game categories include animal training, balancing, bowling, brain training, camera games, colouring, drawing, educational, fashion design, music mix creation, puzzle, and racing. At launch, the company promised downloadable games for a fee, but this feature was not realized until September 2010. The hardware uses a MIPS-based processor, 16GB NAND flash memory (with 512MB free for use), a Mini SD-Card slot, and SDRAM. It has a 3.5-inch backlit TFT LCD screen with 320x240 resolution, a touchscreen, a motion sensor, a 0.3 megapixel camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, and a headset output. Connectivity includes a Mini USB B connector, a mini headphone jack, and an A/V port for composite video and mono audio via a custom cable. The console is powered by a built-in 1200 mAh battery and comes with a stylus, hand-strap, headset, and AV cable.

Reader's Guide

The Mi2/PDC Touch occupies a niche in the late-2000s handheld market as a budget-oriented device aimed at young children, competing with devices like the Dingoo by offering additional features such as a touchscreen, camera, and accelerometer. Its 100 built-in games, largely unofficial clones, reflect a strategy of providing immediate play value without relying on a cartridge ecosystem. The delayed implementation of downloadable games (September 2010) suggests that the online component was an afterthought or faced technical hurdles. The Mi2 XL, exclusive to Benelux, indicates a limited regional refresh rather than a broad market expansion. The console's significance lies in its attempt to combine multimedia playback (MP3, MP4, AVI, JPEG) with gaming in a low-cost package, targeting a demographic that manufacturers often overlook. Its legacy is modest, as it did not achieve widespread recognition outside its primary markets, but it represents a specific moment when touchscreens and motion controls were becoming standard in portable devices, even in budget-oriented hardware.

Did You Know?

• It features 100 built-in games, mostly unofficial clones of popular titles.
• The Mi2 XL, released in 2010 only in Benelux, has 105 built-in games.
• Downloadable games were promised at launch but not available until September 2010.