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{{short description|Chinese home video game console}}
{{about|the home console|other iQue products|iQue|other uses|iQue (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the home console|other iQue products|iQue}}
{{primary sources|date=December 2017}}
{{primary sources|date=December 2017}}
{{lowercase}}
{{lowercase title}}
{{Infobox information appliance
{{Infobox console
| name = iQue Player
| name = iQue Player
| logo = Ique logo.svg
| logo = File:Logo of iQue Player.png
| image = Nintendo-N64-iQue-Player-FL.png
| image = Nintendo-N64-iQue-Player-FL.jpg
| caption = iQue Player controller
| caption = iQue Player console/controller
| developer = [[Nintendo]]
| developer = [[Nintendo]]
| manufacturer = [[iQue]]
| manufacturer = [[iQue]]
| type = [[Home video game console]]
| type = [[Home video game console]]
| generation = [[History of video game consoles (fifth generation)|Fifth generation]]
| generation = [[Fifth generation of video game consoles|Fifth]]
| media = [[Flash memory|Flash card]], [[Cartridge (electronics)|cartridge]]
| media = [[Flash memory|Flash card]], [[ROM cartridge|cartridge]]
| os = <!-- operating system -->
| os = <!-- operating system -->
| power = AC Adapter
| power = AC Adapter
| cpu = R-4300 64Bit CPU, 93.75 MHz
| cpu = [[R4200#R4300i|MIPS R-4300i]] 64Bit CPU
| memory = 4 MB
| memory = 16 [[Megabyte|MB]] (8 MB available)
| graphics = 62.5 MHz Reality Co-Processor
| graphics = 62.5 MHz Reality Co-Processor
| sound = ADPCM 64
| sound = ADPCM 64
| lifespan = 2003–2016
⚫
| connectivity = USB (Fugue Online)
| discontinued = 2016
⚫
| related = [[Nintendo 64]]
⚫
| connectivity = USB (iQue@Home)
⚫
| website = [http://www.ique.com/products/M_Player.htm iQue] {{zh icon}}
⚫
| related = [[Nintendo 64]]
| releasedate = {{vgrelease|CHN|November 17, 2003}}
⚫
| website = [http://www.ique.com/products/M_Player.htm iQue] {{in lang|zh}}
⚫
| price = [[Chinese yuan|¥]]498
| releasedate = {{vgrelease|CHN|November 18, 2003}}<ref name="iquereleasedate">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051225021132if_/http://www.ique.com/news/game_news_031118.htm|url=http://www.ique.com/news/game_news_031118.htm|title=iQue PLAYER优惠套装上海试卖，五款精品游戏同步发售！|trans-title=iQue Player Discount Set Trial Sale in Shanghai, Five High-quality Games Released Simultaneously!|language=Chinese|access-date=March 15, 2023|archive-date=December 25, 2005|publisher=[[iQue]]}}</ref>
⚫
| location = <!-- GPS or Wi-Fi based -->
⚫
| price = [[Renminbi|¥]]498
⚫
| service = iQue Depot, Fugue Online<ref name="test">[http://www.ique.com/products/M_athome.htm iQue Ltd].</ref>
⚫
| location = <!-- GPS or Wi-Fi based -->
⚫
| topgame = ''[[Dr. Mario 64]]'' (pre-installed in bundled memory card)
⚫
| service = iQue Depot, iQue@Home<ref name="test">[http://www.ique.com/products/M_athome.htm iQue Ltd] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408060033/http://www.ique.com/products/M_athome.htm |date=2018-04-08 }}.</ref>
⚫
| topgame = ''[[Dr. Mario 64]]'' (pre-installed in bundled memory card)
| CPUspeed = 140.625 [[MHz]]
}}
}}


The '''iQue Player''' {{IPAc-en|ˌ|aɪ|_|ˈ|k|j|u:}} is a [[video game console]] that was manufactured by [[iQue]], a [[joint venture]] between [[Nintendo]] and [[Chinese Americans|Chinese-American]] scientist [[Wei Yen]]. The system's [[Chinese language|Chinese]] name was '''''Shén Yóu Ji''''' (神游机), literally "Divine Gaming Machine". ''Shényóu'' (神游) serves a [[double entendre]] because the term also means "to make a mental journey". Although the console was never released in any English speaking countries, the name "iQue Player" appears in the console's instruction manual. The console itself takes the form of the controller and plugs directly into the television. A box accessory is available that allows multiplayer gaming.<ref>[http://www.ique.com/machine_bb_gyh.htm iQue Ltd] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705093324/http://www.ique.com/machine_bb_gyh.htm |date=2007-07-05 }}</ref> It was only marketed in [[mainland China]], as the console's unusual game distribution method is an attempt to curb game piracy in that region.
The '''iQue Player''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|aɪ|_|ˈ|k|j|u:}}, stylised as '''iQue ''PLAYER'''''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ique.com/products/M_Player.htm|title=iQue Ltd.|website=www.ique.com|access-date=2018-06-04|archive-date=2019-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111232106/https://www.ique.com/products/M_Player.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>) is a [[handheld TV game]] version of the [[Nintendo 64]] console that was manufactured by [[iQue]], a [[joint venture]] between [[Nintendo]] and [[Taiwanese in America|Taiwanese-American]] scientist [[Wei Yen]] after China had banned the sale of home video games. Its [[Chinese language|Chinese]] name is '''''Shén Yóu Ji''''' ({{lang|zh-cn|神游机}}), literally "God Gaming Machine". ''Shényóu'' ({{lang|zh-cn|神游}}) is a [[double entendre]] as "to make a mental journey". It was never released in any English-speaking countries, but the name "iQue Player" appears in the instruction manual. The console and its controller are one unit, plugging directly into the television. A box accessory allows multiplayer gaming.<ref>[http://www.ique.com/machine_bb_gyh.htm iQue Ltd] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705093324/http://www.ique.com/machine_bb_gyh.htm |date=2007-07-05 }}</ref>


⚫
==History==
Games for the iQue Player are stored on a 64&nbsp;MB flash card which is contained within a cartridge that plugs directly into the controller/console. Games were purchased at a special "iQue depot", where games may be downloaded onto the cartridge and played later, in a similar manner to the [[Famicom Disk System]], [[Satellaview]], [[Nintendo 64DD]] and [[Nintendo DS Download Play]]. Games can also be downloaded, by connecting the iQue to a PC. Demo games that come with the iQue include ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', and ''[[Star Fox 64]]''. These demos are time-limited versions of the games. Full versions of the three titles are available, as are other first party Nintendo titles such as ''[[Dr. Mario 64]]'', ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', ''[[Wave Race 64]]'', and ''[[F-Zero X]]''.
⚫
===Development===
⚫
China has a large [[black market]] for video games and usually only a few games officially make it to the Chinese market. Many Chinese gamers tend to purchase [[Copyright infringement|pirated]] cartridge or disc copies or download copied game files to play via [[console emulator|emulator]]. Nintendo wanted to curb software piracy in China, and bypass the ban that the Chinese government has implemented on home game consoles since 2000. Nintendo partnered with [[Wei Yen]], who had led past Nintendo product development such as the Nintendo 64 console and later the [[Wii Remote]]. Originally, the system would support games released on Nintendo consoles prior to the [[GameCube]], including the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], and Nintendo 64, but it was decided only to include Nintendo 64 games. Additionally, ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask]]'' was planned and is shown on the back of the box, but was later cancelled.<ref name="youtube.com">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/eGT7lRptA3c Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130214105616/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGT7lRptA3c Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGT7lRptA3c| title = Nintendo iQue Player - History and Hardware Overview | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{unreliablesource|date=February 2023}}


The iQue Player was announced at [[Tokyo Game Show]] 2003. It was originally planned to play [[Super NES]] in addition to Nintendo 64 games, and had a release date set for mid-October with debut markets including [[Shanghai]], [[Guangzhou]], and [[Chengdu]], expanding into the rest of China by the following spring.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031008164643/https://www.gamespot.com/gba/news/news_6075768.html/|url=https://www.gamespot.com/gba/news/news_6075768.html/|title=New Nintendo console for China|website=[[GameSpot]]|last=Calvert|first=Justin|date=September 25, 2003|access-date=March 15, 2023|archive-date=October 8, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/25/ique|title=iQue|website=[[IGN]]|date=November 25, 2003|access-date=March 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/news260903ique|title=Nintendo to launch new console in China|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=September 26, 2003|access-date=March 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2003/9/26/bee3b1516c04c038daa23f9f1f7cdfca.html|title=【TGS】任天堂が中国向けに新ハード「神遊」を発売。ソフトはダウンロード方式！|trans-title=【TGS】 Nintendo launches new hardware "iQue" for China. Software is downloadable!|lang=Japanese|website=[[Dengeki Online]]|date=September 26, 2003|access-date=March 15, 2023}}</ref> The system missed its mid-October launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-ique-player-spotted/1100-6083370/|title=Nintendo iQue Player spotted|website=[[GameSpot]]|last=Calvert|first=Justin|date=November 13, 2003|access-date=March 15, 2023}}</ref> By November 21, it was available for purchase at [[Lik Sang]].<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031206103055/https://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3214|url=https://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3214|title=Nintendo's iQue in stock and shipping: iQue opened and exposed [picture gallery and videos inside]|website=[[Lik Sang]]|date=November 21, 2003|access-date=March 15, 2023|archive-date=December 6, 2003}}</ref>
==Technical details==
⚫
<!--Help this missing link! [[Image:|thumb|right|The logo to the iQue system.]]-->
⚫
The iQue Player is based on the [[Nintendo 64]], but uses [[system-on-a-chip]] technology to reduce size. It plays Nintendo 64 games specifically [[porting|ported]] to the system.


⚫
===Release===
* Processor: R-4300 64-bit CPU, 93.75&nbsp;MHz
⚫
The iQue Player was released on November 18, 2003<ref name="iquereleasedate"/> with few [[launch game]]s. Nintendo's strategy to market games in China was to show how video games can help improve children's mental and social development. However, the launch was not successful. The total estimated sales was between 8,000 and 12,000 units.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chuapp.com/article/251110.html|title=《记录》第17期：神游中国（上） - 触乐|website=www.chuapp.com|language=en|access-date=2017-03-01}}</ref> At first, the only way to get games was via the iQue Depot, but in 2004, Nintendo released iQue@Home to download at home.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ique.com/products/Player_upgrade.htm|title=再次升级啦|website=iQue Ltd.|access-date=2022-02-10}}</ref> The last game, ''[[Animal Crossing (video game)|Animal Crossing]]'' (动物森林, ''Animal Forest'') was released in 2006.
⚫
* Memory: 4&nbsp;MB RAMBUS
⚫
* Graphics: 100,000 polygons/second, 2.09 million colors
⚫
* Sound: ADPCM 64


⚫
=== Discontinuation===
==Main menu==
⚫
On October 31, 2016, iQue reported that iQue@Home service would be discontinued by the end of December 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ique.com/|script-title=zh:神游机服务终止通知|date=2016-10-31|website=iQue|language=zh|trans-title=Notice of Discontinuation|access-date=2016-11-01|quote=The company has decided to formally terminate the service in the end of December 2016 and hereby informing that iQue Depot stations providing the service will be terminated.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224034443/http://ique.com/|archive-date=2018-02-24|url-status=dead}}</ref> The service was gradually phased out until the content distribution servers went offline in 2018.
Once the player has turned on the system, the iQue logo will appear. Then, an advertisement for a game will appear and it will say to press the A button to continue. The main menu lists the games on the memory card and info on the games as well. Once the player has selected a game, a message will appear asking if they want to play this game. A loading screen may appear. If the player presses Z on the highlighted game, a description of the game will appear. Like many other consoles, the player can change the system settings such as TV resolution and username. The system settings will also appear when the player first uses the system.


==Online services==
===Technical details===
⚫
<!--Help this missing link! [[Image:|thumb|right|The logo to the iQue system.]]-->
The iQue Player has online services for buying games, cloud storage, game updates, etc. Currently, there is only one online service for the iQue Player; which is broadband based. In the past, some gas stations had a kiosk based service for accessing games.
⚫
The iQue Player is a size-reduced [[Nintendo 64]] console, using [[system-on-a-chip]] technology. It plays Nintendo 64 games specifically [[porting|ported]] to the system.


* Processor: [[R4200#R4300i|MIPS R-4300i]] 64-bit [[Central processing unit|CPU]], 140.625&nbsp;MHz
===iQue Depot===
⚫
* Memory: 16&nbsp;MB DDR (8&nbsp;MB available)
The iQue depot is a network of kiosks that allows users to download games, update games, and more. Each game comes with a game code that can be used so the user can download the game. Players can also store their games on the iQue Depot network for free. Users must be a member of the iQue Club and have a special iQue Ticket to download games.
⚫
* Graphics: 100,000 [[Polygon mesh|polygons]]/second, 2.09 million colors
⚫
* Sound: ADPCM 64


===Fugue Online===
===Games===
The iQue Player's library has 14 games, light conversions from past releases for the Nintendo 64 in Europe, North America, and Japan. One game was canceled, ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask]]''<ref name="NS cites iQue Player's Majora's Mask">{{cite web | url=https://nintendosoup.com/chinas-ique-player-was-originally-supposed-to-get-zelda-majoras-mask/ | title=China's iQue Player Was Originally Supposed To Get Zelda: Majora's Mask | work=NintendoSoup | first=Gabriel | last=Lim | date=October 16, 2018| access-date=February 2, 2019}}</ref> and another, a Traditional Chinese version of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', was completed but never announced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iquebrew.org/index.php?title=The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Ocarina_of_Time_(Traditional_Chinese)|title=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Traditional Chinese) - iQueBrew|website=www.iquebrew.org|access-date=2019-06-02}}</ref>
Fugue Online is an online service that allows users to get free access to games at home, update their system and more. To connect to Fugue Online, players must plug the iQue Player to their computer via USB. Games are downloaded on the computer, in a similar manner to an MP3 player. The user will need an "iQue Ticket", which is similar to a gift card and is used to purchase games. Fugue Online is only compatible with iQue Players that have been upgraded to the latest firmware. The drivers for the iQue Player only support Windows XP, and cannot run on newer operating systems.<ref name="test"/>


⚫
iQue Player games differ slightly from their Nintendo 64 counterparts, with the text and voices having been translated to Mandarin. The only exceptions are the ''Mario'' games and the previously Japan-only ''[[Sin and Punishment]]'', where the text has been translated but the voices remain in English. Many [[Video game glitch|glitches]] and errors from the original games have been fixed. Some features were removed due to the system's lack of support for Nintendo 64 controller accessories like the [[Rumble Pak]]. Some features were added, and many games that allow the player to enter their name now have the option to use their iQue Player's username.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} [[Speedruns]] of several games, such as ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Star Fox 64]]'', are sometimes carried out on the iQue Player due to quicker loading times and faster scrolling text than the Nintendo 64 versions.<ref name="Gamerant Ocarina">{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/world-record-ocarina-of-time-speedrun-skater82297/|publisher=Gamerant|title=Gamer Sets New World Record for 'Ocarina of Time' Speedrun|last=Gates|first=Christopher|date=2015-05-09}}</ref>
==Accessories==
⚫
Nintendo had plans to support network multiplayer in games that originally only support local multiplayer, which would work in a similar manner to that of an [[console emulator|emulator]].<ref name="IQue Fun Facts">{{cite web|author=IGN IGN|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/nintendo-ique-player/IQue_Fun_Facts |title=IQue Fun Facts |website=[[IGN]] |date=2014-08-01}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=December 2017}}

===Memory card===
The iQue Player memory card is bundled with the system. It is required to start the system and to load the games. Both the games and the game save states are saved on the memory card.

===Swim Box===
The iQue Player Swim Box (共游盒) is a [[multitap]], and is required to play local multiplayer. The Swim Box has four ports; one for the main iQue Player system, and three for Swim Controllers. Due to this design, only one iQue Player system can be used, and the other players must use Swim Controllers. When using the Swim Box, the iQue Player system is Player 1.

===Swim Controller===
The Swim Controller (共游机) is used for local multiplayer. The Swim Controller connects to the Swim Box, and can't load games alone. Games have to be loaded on the iQue system.

⚫
==History==

⚫
===Development===
⚫
China has an overwhelming black market for video games and usually only a few games officially make it to the Chinese market. Many Chinese gamers tend to purchase [[Copyright infringement|pirated]] cartridge or disc copies or download [[ROM image|ROMs]] and [[ISO image|ISOs]] to play via [[console emulator|emulator]]. Nintendo wanted to curb the software piracy in China, and also by-pass the then-ban that the Chinese government implemented on home game consoles since 2000. Nintendo partnered with [[Wei Yen]], who helped Nintendo in other projects, and together they created a game system to get around China's black market, as well as [[loophole]] through the government's ban. Originally, the system would support games released on Nintendo consoles prior to the [[GameCube]], which include the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]] and Nintendo 64, but later in the system's development, it was resulted to only include Nintendo 64 games. Additionally, ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask]]'' was going to be included in the software library but it was later cancelled; however, the game's promotional picture is still on the back of the box.<ref name="youtube.com">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGT7lRptA3c</ref>

⚫
===Release===
⚫
The iQue Player was released on November 17, 2003 with a few launch titles. Nintendo's strategy to market games in China was to show how video games can help improve children's mental and social development. However, the launch was not successful. The total estimated sales was between 8,000 to 12,000 units. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chuapp.com/article/251110.html|title=《记录》第17期：神游中国（上） - 触乐|website=www.chuapp.com|language=en|access-date=2017-03-01}}</ref>At first, the only way to get games was to buy them via the iQue Depot, but in 2009, Nintendo released Fugue Online to download games at home. The latest game for the console was released in 2006.

⚫
=== Discontinuation===
⚫
On October 31, 2016, iQue reported that Fugue Online service will be discontinued by the end of December 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ique.com/|title=神游机服务终止通知|last=|first=|date=2016-10-31|website=iQue|publisher=|language=Chinese|trans-title=Notice of Discontinuation|access-date=2016-11-01|quote=The company has decided to formally terminate the service in the end of December 2016 and hereby informing that Fugue Depot stations providing the service will be terminated.}}</ref>

==Games==
The iQue Player's library has 14 games. All these games were released for the Nintendo 64 in North America, Japan, and other regions prior to the iQue Player. One game was cancelled.


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
Line 86: Line 69:
!Game code
!Game code
|-
|-
|''[[Wave Race 64]]''
|''[[Wave Race 64]]''{{Refn|A demo was included with the system.|name=demo|group="games note"}}
|水上摩托
|水上摩托
|''Shuǐ Shàng Mótuō''
|''Shuǐ Shàng Mótuō''
|November 17, 2003
|November 18, 2003
|51011<ref name=":0">[http://www.ique.com/games/51011.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|51011<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/51011.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2017-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507161729/http://www.ique.com/games/51011.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Star Fox 64]]''{{Refn|A demo was included with the system.|name=demo|group="games note"}}
|''[[Star Fox 64]]''{{Refn|A demo was included with the system.|name=demo|group="games note"}}
|星际火狐
|星际火狐
|''Xīngjì Huǒhú''
|''Xīngjì Huǒhú''
|November 17, 2003
|November 18, 2003
|41011<ref name=":1">[http://www.ique.com/games/41011.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|41011<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/41011.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2007-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928082717/http://www.ique.com/games/41011.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Dr. Mario 64]]''{{Refn|The full version of the game was included with the memory card bundled with the system.|name=bundled|group="games note"}}
|''[[Dr. Mario 64]]''{{Refn|The full version was included with the bundled memory card.|name=bundled|group="games note"}}
|马力欧医生
|马力欧医生
|''Mǎlìōu Yīshēng''
|''Mǎlìōu Yīshēng''
|November 17, 2003
|November 18, 2003
|61011<ref name=":2">[http://www.ique.com/games/61011.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|61011<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/61011.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2006-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515230217/http://www.ique.com/games/61011.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Super Mario 64]]''{{Refn||name=demo|group="games note"}}
|''[[Super Mario 64]]''{{Refn||name=demo|group="games note"}}
|神游马力欧
|神游马力欧
|''Shén Yóu Mǎlìōu''
|''Shén Yóu Mǎlìōu''
|November 17, 2003
|November 18, 2003
|10011<ref name=":3">[http://www.ique.com/games/11011.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|11011<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/11011.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2019-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111232124/https://www.ique.com/games/11011.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''{{Refn||name=demo|group="games note"}}
|''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''{{Refn||name=demo|group="games note"}}
|塞尔达传说 时光之笛
|塞尔达传说 时光之笛
|''Sàiěrdá Chuánshuō: Shíguāng zhī Dí''
|''Sàiěrdá Chuánshuō: Shíguāng zhī Dí''
|November 17, 2003
|November 18, 2003
|21011<ref name=":4">[http://www.ique.com/games/21011.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|21011<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/21011.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2006-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060530082644/http://www.ique.com/games/21011.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Mario Kart 64]]''
|''[[Mario Kart 64]]''
Line 120: Line 103:
|''Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē''
|''Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē''
|December 25, 2003
|December 25, 2003
|52011<ref name=":5">[http://www.ique.com/games/52011.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|52011<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/52011.htm |title=iQue Ltd | access-date=2006-03-21 |archive-date=2014-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011421/http://ique.com/games/52011.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[F-Zero X]]''
|''[[F-Zero X]]''
Line 126: Line 109:
|''F-Zero X Wèilái Sàichē''
|''F-Zero X Wèilái Sàichē''
|February 25, 2004
|February 25, 2004
|52021<ref name=":6">[http://www.ique.com/games/52021.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|52021<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/52021.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2014-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726122409/http://www.ique.com/games/52021.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Yoshi's Story]]''
|''[[Yoshi's Story]]''
Line 132: Line 115:
|''Yàoxī Gùshì''
|''Yàoxī Gùshì''
|March 25, 2004
|March 25, 2004
|11021<ref name=":7">[http://www.ique.com/games/11021.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|11021<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/11021.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2007-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928083541/http://www.ique.com/games/11021.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Paper Mario]]''
|''[[Paper Mario (video game)|Paper Mario]]''
|纸片马力欧
|纸片马力欧
|''Zhǐpiàn Mǎlìōu''
|''Zhǐpiàn Mǎlìōu''
|June 8, 2004
|June 8, 2004
|21021<ref name=":8">[http://www.ique.com/games/21021.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|21021<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/21021.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040100/http://www.ique.com/games/21021.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Sin and Punishment]]''
|''[[Sin and Punishment]]''
Line 144: Line 127:
|''Zuì yǔ Fá: Dìqiú de Jìchéng Zhě''
|''Zuì yǔ Fá: Dìqiú de Jìchéng Zhě''
|September 25, 2004
|September 25, 2004
|41021<ref name=":9">[http://www.ique.com/games/41021.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|41021<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/41021.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2017-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824191235/http://www.ique.com/games/41021.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Excitebike 64]]''
|''[[Excitebike 64]]''
|越野摩托
|越野摩托
|''Yuèyě Mótuō''
|''Yuèyě Mótuō''
|June 15, 2005<ref name=":10">[https://web.archive.org/web/20060212101459/http://www.ique.com:80/game.htm]</ref>
|June 15, 2005<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/game.htm |title=iQue |access-date=2006-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060212101459/http://www.ique.com/game.htm |archive-date=2006-02-12 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|51021<ref name=":11">[http://www.ique.com/games/51021.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|51021<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/51021.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2005-12-10 |archive-date=2014-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726122351/http://www.ique.com/games/51021.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. (video game)|Super Smash Bros.]]''
|''[[Super Smash Bros. (video game)|Super Smash Bros.]]''
Line 156: Line 139:
|''Rèntiāntáng Míngxīng Dà Luàn Dǒu''
|''Rèntiāntáng Míngxīng Dà Luàn Dǒu''
|November 15, 2005
|November 15, 2005
|12021<ref name=":12">[http://www.ique.com/games/12021.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|12021<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/12021.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2006-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526233526/http://www.ique.com/games/12021.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Custom Robo (Nintendo 64)|Custom Robo]]''
|''[[Custom Robo (Nintendo 64)|Custom Robo]]''
Line 162: Line 145:
|''Zǔhé Jīqìrén''
|''Zǔhé Jīqìrén''
|May 1, 2006
|May 1, 2006
|21051<ref name=":13">[http://www.ique.com/games/21051.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|21051<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/21051.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2006-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060530082719/http://www.ique.com/games/21051.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Animal Crossing (video game)|Animal Crossing]]''
|''[[Animal Crossing (video game)|Animal Crossing]]''
|动物森林
|动物森林
|''Dòngwù Sēnlín''
|''Dòngwù Sēnlín''
|June 1, 2006<ref name=":14">[https://web.archive.org/web/20071028053427/http://www.ique.com:80/news_games.htm]</ref>
|June 1, 2006<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/news_games.htm |title=iQue |access-date=2007-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028053427/http://www.ique.com/news_games.htm |archive-date=2007-10-28 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|21041<ref name=":15">[http://www.ique.com/games/21041.htm iQue Ltd]</ref>
|21041<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ique.com/games/21041.htm |title=iQue Ltd |access-date=2006-06-06 |archive-date=2019-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111232116/https://www.ique.com/games/21041.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}
|}
<references group="games note" />
<references group="games note" />
===Differences===
⚫
iQue Player games differ slightly from their Nintendo 64 counterparts, with the text and voices having been translated to Chinese. The only exceptions are the ''Mario'' games and the previously Japan-only title ''[[Sin and Punishment]]'', where the text has been translated while the voices remain in English. Also, the iQue games are newer than the Nintendo 64 counterparts, so many [[Video game glitch|glitches]] and errors from the original games have been fixed. Some features were removed due to the system's lack of support for Nintendo 64 controller accessories like the [[Rumble Pak]]. Due to this, many games that originally supported the rumble feature no longer support it. Some features were added. Many games that allow the player to enter their name now have the option to use their iQue Player's username, which can be set at the iQue Player's main menu.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} [[Speedruns]] of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' have often been carried out on the iQue Player, because it has quicker loading times and faster scrolling text than the Nintendo 64 version.<ref name="Gamerant Ocarina">{{cite web|url=http://gamerant.com/world-record-ocarina-of-time-speedrun-skater82297/|publisher=''Gamerant''|title=Gamer Sets New World Record for ‘Ocarina of Time’ Speedrun|last=Gates|first=Christopher|date=2015-05-09}}</ref> Also other games such as ''[[Star Fox 64]]'' are known in the speedrunning community to be advantageous on the iQue, saving up to several minutes in faster loading times and reduced lag.

⚫
Nintendo had plans to support network multiplayer in games that originally only supported local multiplayer, which would work in a similar manner to that of an [[console emulator|emulator]].<ref name="IQue Fun Facts">{{cite web|first=IGN |last=IGN|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/nintendo-ique-player/IQue_Fun_Facts |title=IQue Fun Facts |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=2014-08-01}}{{unreliable source?|date=December 2017}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Video gaming in China|Video gaming in the People's Republic of China]]
*[[Video gaming in China]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.ique.com/products/M_Player.htm iQue Player website] {{zh icon}}
*[http://www.ique.com/products/M_Player.htm iQue Player website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111232106/https://www.ique.com/products/M_Player.htm |date=2019-11-11 }} {{in lang|zh}}
*[http://www.ique.com/products/M_athome.htm Fugue Online page] {{zh icon}}
*[http://www.ique.com/products/M_athome.htm iQue@Home page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408060033/http://www.ique.com/products/M_athome.htm |date=2018-04-08 }} {{in lang|zh}}


{{Nintendo 64}}
{{Nintendo 64}}
{{nintendo hardware|}}
{{nintendo hardware|}}
{{Fifth generation game consoles}}


[[Category:Nintendo 64]]
[[Category:Nintendo 64]]
[[Category:Fifth-generation video game consoles|IQue]]
[[Category:Fifth-generation video game consoles|IQue]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2003]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2003]]
[[Category:Discontinued products]]
[[Category:Discontinued video game consoles]]
[[Category:IQue consoles]]
[[Category:IQue consoles]]
[[Category:Online gaming services]]
[[Category:Online video game services]]
[[Category:Nintendo consoles]]

Latest revision as of 18:48, 13 November 2024

This article is about the home console. For other iQue products, see iQue.
iQue Player
iQue Player console/controller
DeveloperNintendo
ManufactureriQue
TypeHome video game console
GenerationFifth
Release date
  • CHN: November 18, 2003
[1]
Lifespan2003–2016
Introductory price¥498
Discontinued2016
MediaFlash card, cartridge
CPUMIPS R-4300i 64Bit CPU @ 140.625 MHz
Memory16 MB (8 MB available)
Graphics62.5 MHz Reality Co-Processor
SoundADPCM 64
ConnectivityUSB (iQue@Home)
PowerAC Adapter
Online servicesiQue Depot, iQue@Home[2]
Best-selling gameDr. Mario 64 (pre-installed in bundled memory card)
RelatedNintendo 64
WebsiteiQue (in Chinese)

The iQue Player (/ˌaɪ ˈkjuː/, stylised as iQue PLAYER[3]) is a handheld TV game version of the Nintendo 64 console that was manufactured by iQue, a joint venture between Nintendo and Taiwanese-American scientist Wei Yen after China had banned the sale of home video games. Its Chinese name is Shén Yóu Ji (神游机), literally "God Gaming Machine". Shényóu (神游) is a double entendre as "to make a mental journey". It was never released in any English-speaking countries, but the name "iQue Player" appears in the instruction manual. The console and its controller are one unit, plugging directly into the television. A box accessory allows multiplayer gaming.[4]

History

[edit]

Development

[edit]

China has a large black market for video games and usually only a few games officially make it to the Chinese market. Many Chinese gamers tend to purchase pirated cartridge or disc copies or download copied game files to play via emulator. Nintendo wanted to curb software piracy in China, and bypass the ban that the Chinese government has implemented on home game consoles since 2000. Nintendo partnered with Wei Yen, who had led past Nintendo product development such as the Nintendo 64 console and later the Wii Remote. Originally, the system would support games released on Nintendo consoles prior to the GameCube, including the NES, Super NES, and Nintendo 64, but it was decided only to include Nintendo 64 games. Additionally, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask was planned and is shown on the back of the box, but was later cancelled.[5][unreliable source?]

The iQue Player was announced at Tokyo Game Show 2003. It was originally planned to play Super NES in addition to Nintendo 64 games, and had a release date set for mid-October with debut markets including Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, expanding into the rest of China by the following spring.[6][7][8][9] The system missed its mid-October launch.[10] By November 21, it was available for purchase at Lik Sang.[11]

Release

[edit]

The iQue Player was released on November 18, 2003[1] with few launch games. Nintendo's strategy to market games in China was to show how video games can help improve children's mental and social development. However, the launch was not successful. The total estimated sales was between 8,000 and 12,000 units.[12] At first, the only way to get games was via the iQue Depot, but in 2004, Nintendo released iQue@Home to download at home.[13] The last game, Animal Crossing (动物森林, Animal Forest) was released in 2006.

Discontinuation

[edit]

On October 31, 2016, iQue reported that iQue@Home service would be discontinued by the end of December 2016.[14] The service was gradually phased out until the content distribution servers went offline in 2018.

Technical details

[edit]

The iQue Player is a size-reduced Nintendo 64 console, using system-on-a-chip technology. It plays Nintendo 64 games specifically ported to the system.

  • Processor: MIPS R-4300i 64-bit CPU, 140.625 MHz
  • Memory: 16 MB DDR (8 MB available)
  • Graphics: 100,000 polygons/second, 2.09 million colors
  • Sound: ADPCM 64

Games

[edit]

The iQue Player's library has 14 games, light conversions from past releases for the Nintendo 64 in Europe, North America, and Japan. One game was canceled, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask[15] and another, a Traditional Chinese version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, was completed but never announced.[16]

iQue Player games differ slightly from their Nintendo 64 counterparts, with the text and voices having been translated to Mandarin. The only exceptions are the Mario games and the previously Japan-only Sin and Punishment, where the text has been translated but the voices remain in English. Many glitches and errors from the original games have been fixed. Some features were removed due to the system's lack of support for Nintendo 64 controller accessories like the Rumble Pak. Some features were added, and many games that allow the player to enter their name now have the option to use their iQue Player's username.[citation needed] Speedruns of several games, such as Super Mario 64 and Star Fox 64, are sometimes carried out on the iQue Player due to quicker loading times and faster scrolling text than the Nintendo 64 versions.[17] Nintendo had plans to support network multiplayer in games that originally only support local multiplayer, which would work in a similar manner to that of an emulator.[18][unreliable source?]

Original title Simplified Chinese title Pinyin Release date Game code
Wave Race 64[games note 1] 水上摩托 Shuǐ Shàng Mótuō November 18, 2003 51011[19]
Star Fox 64[games note 1] 星际火狐 Xīngjì Huǒhú November 18, 2003 41011[20]
Dr. Mario 64[games note 2] 马力欧医生 Mǎlìōu Yīshēng November 18, 2003 61011[21]
Super Mario 64[games note 1] 神游马力欧 Shén Yóu Mǎlìōu November 18, 2003 11011[22]
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time[games note 1] 塞尔达传说 时光之笛 Sàiěrdá Chuánshuō: Shíguāng zhī Dí November 18, 2003 21011[23]
Mario Kart 64 马力欧卡丁车 Mǎlìōu Kǎdīngchē December 25, 2003 52011[24]
F-Zero X F-Zero X 未来赛车 F-Zero X Wèilái Sàichē February 25, 2004 52021[25]
Yoshi's Story 耀西故事 Yàoxī Gùshì March 25, 2004 11021[26]
Paper Mario 纸片马力欧 Zhǐpiàn Mǎlìōu June 8, 2004 21021[27]
Sin and Punishment 罪与罚-地球的继承者- Zuì yǔ Fá: Dìqiú de Jìchéng Zhě September 25, 2004 41021[28]
Excitebike 64 越野摩托 Yuèyě Mótuō June 15, 2005[29] 51021[30]
Super Smash Bros. 任天堂明星大乱斗 Rèntiāntáng Míngxīng Dà Luàn Dǒu November 15, 2005 12021[31]
Custom Robo 组合机器人 Zǔhé Jīqìrén May 1, 2006 21051[32]
Animal Crossing 动物森林 Dòngwù Sēnlín June 1, 2006[33] 21041[34]
  1. ^ a b c d A demo was included with the system.
  2. ^ The full version was included with the bundled memory card.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "iQue PLAYER优惠套装上海试卖，五款精品游戏同步发售！" [iQue Player Discount Set Trial Sale in Shanghai, Five High-quality Games Released Simultaneously!] (in Chinese). iQue. Archived from the original on December 25, 2005. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  2. ^ iQue Ltd Archived 2018-04-08 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ "iQue Ltd". www.ique.com. Archived from the original on 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2018-06-04.
  4. ^ iQue Ltd Archived 2007-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Nintendo iQue Player - History and Hardware Overview". YouTube.
  6. ^ Calvert, Justin (September 25, 2003). "New Nintendo console for China". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 8, 2003. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  7. ^ "iQue". IGN. November 25, 2003. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  8. ^ "Nintendo to launch new console in China". Eurogamer. September 26, 2003. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "【TGS】任天堂が中国向けに新ハード「神遊」を発売。ソフトはダウンロード方式！" [【TGS】 Nintendo launches new hardware "iQue" for China. Software is downloadable!]. Dengeki Online (in Japanese). September 26, 2003. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  10. ^ Calvert, Justin (November 13, 2003). "Nintendo iQue Player spotted". GameSpot. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  11. ^ "Nintendo's iQue in stock and shipping: iQue opened and exposed [picture gallery and videos inside]". Lik Sang. November 21, 2003. Archived from the original on December 6, 2003. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  12. ^ "《记录》第17期：神游中国（上） - 触乐". www.chuapp.com. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
  13. ^ "再次升级啦". iQue Ltd. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  14. ^ 神游机服务终止通知 [Notice of Discontinuation]. iQue (in Chinese). 2016-10-31. Archived from the original on 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2016-11-01. The company has decided to formally terminate the service in the end of December 2016 and hereby informing that iQue Depot stations providing the service will be terminated.
  15. ^ Lim, Gabriel (October 16, 2018). "China's iQue Player Was Originally Supposed To Get Zelda: Majora's Mask". NintendoSoup. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  16. ^ "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Traditional Chinese) - iQueBrew". www.iquebrew.org. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
  17. ^ Gates, Christopher (2015-05-09). "Gamer Sets New World Record for 'Ocarina of Time' Speedrun". Gamerant.
  18. ^ IGN IGN (2014-08-01). "IQue Fun Facts". IGN.
  19. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2017-05-07. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  20. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  21. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2006-05-15. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  22. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  23. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2006-05-30. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  24. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2006-03-21.
  25. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2014-07-26. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  26. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  27. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  28. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2017-08-24. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  29. ^ "iQue". Archived from the original on 2006-02-12. Retrieved 2006-02-12.
  30. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2014-07-26. Retrieved 2005-12-10.
  31. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2006-05-26. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  32. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2006-05-30. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
  33. ^ "iQue". Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  34. ^ "iQue Ltd". Archived from the original on 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2006-06-06.
[edit]
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