SwanCrystal
Final 16-bit handheld in Bandai's WonderSwan line, released July 2002.
The SwanCrystal was the third and final model in Bandai’s WonderSwan line of handheld consoles, following the original WonderSwan and the WonderSwan Color. It launched in Japan on July 12, 2002. Like its predecessors, this 16-bit system ran on a single AA battery. Players could enter personal details such as name, birth date, gender, and blood type by holding the Start button while powering on the device—a feature also present in the earlier consoles. The SwanCrystal played all games made for both the WonderSwan Color and the original WonderSwan. It came in four color options: Skeleton Blue, Skeleton Black, Blue Violet, and Red Wine.
Hardware specifications included a 3.072 MHz SPGY-1003 CPU, a clone of the 16-bit NEC V30MZ, and 64 KB of shared VRAM and WRAM. The screen was a 2.8-inch (71 mm) diagonal TFT reflective LCD with no backlight, a resolution of 224×144 pixels, and a palette of 241 colors from a total of 4,096. Sound came from a built-in mono speaker, with stereo available through an optional headphone adapter; four volume settings—loud, medium, soft, and mute—were selectable via a button. Two-player link play required an adapter. Power came from one AA battery, providing roughly 15 hours of gameplay. The console measured 127.7 by 77.5 by 24.3 mm and weighed 95 g (3.35 oz) including the battery.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Bandai
- Family
- WonderSwan
- Generation
- Sixth Generation
- Release Date
- JP · July 12, 2002
- Media
- Cartridge
- Compatibility
- WonderSwan, WonderSwan Color
- Predecessor
- WonderSwan Color
- Cpu
- SPGY-1003 clocked at 3.072MHz
- Memory
- 64KB shared VRAM / WRAM
- Display
- 224x144 pixels, 241 on-screen colours out of a possible 4096
- Power
- One AA battery
- Weight
- 95g (3.35 oz) (including battery)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The SwanCrystal was a 16-bit handheld game console that, like its predecessors, was powered by one AA battery. It allowed the input of personal data such as name, birth date, gender, and blood type by holding the Start button while turning the system on, a feature also present in both previous consoles. It was compatible with all previous games for both the WonderSwan Color and the original WonderSwan. The system was available in four different colors: Skeleton Blue, Skeleton Black, Blue Violet, and Red Wine.
Reader's Guide
The SwanCrystal represents the final iteration of Bandai's WonderSwan line, released in Japan on July 12, 2002. As a 16-bit handheld, it maintained the core design of its predecessors while introducing a TFT reflective LCD screen capable of displaying 241 colors out of a palette of 4096, a notable improvement over earlier models. Its compatibility with the entire WonderSwan and WonderSwan Color game libraries ensured that owners could access the full catalog of titles without restriction. The system's reliance on a single AA battery for approximately 15 hours of gameplay continued the series' emphasis on portability and efficiency. The inclusion of personal data input via the Start button at startup was a distinctive feature carried over from earlier models, allowing users to store basic profile information. The SwanCrystal's release marked the end of Bandai's dedicated handheld hardware efforts, as the company would later shift focus to other platforms. Its four color variants—Skeleton Blue, Skeleton Black, Blue Violet, and Red Wine—offered modest aesthetic choices for consumers. The console's legacy is tied to its role as the final chapter of a unique handheld line that competed in the Japanese market during the early 2000s.
Did You Know?
- The SwanCrystal was the third and final release in Bandai's WonderSwan handheld series.
- The system could display 241 colors out of a palette of 4096.
- It was compatible with all previous WonderSwan and WonderSwan Color games.
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