Nintendo iQue Player

iQue Player is a home video game console created by iQue, a joint venture between Nintendo and Chinese-American scientist Wei Yen after China had made claims of banning video games. In China, it is called Shén Yóu Ji (神游机), which translates to "Divine Gaming Machine". This console was never released in English-speaking countries, but the name ‘’iQue Player’’ is visible in the instruction manual.

The console, which was marketed solely in mainland China in an attempt to restrain console piracy, is constructed with the same logic as N64DD or Satellaview, where the games are stored on a 64 MB flashcard. The 64 MB flashcard is contained within a cartridge that plugs directly into the controller/console. They were purchased at a special "iQue depot", where games could be downloaded onto the cartridge and played later. Although, in contrast with N64, iQue Player uses a system-on-a-chip technology, in order to reduce size.

Basically, Nintendo was trying to deal with the 'clone console problem' in China and was struggling to find a way to thwart piracy. So, the company came up with the genius idea of... cloning its own console!

So, this lesser-known console has 14 games. All of them were previously published by Nintendo in other countries.

1. Wave Race 64

2. Star Fox 64

3. Super Mario 64

4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

5. Mario Kart 64

6. F-Zero X

7. Yoshi's Story

8. Paper Mario

9. Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Earth

10. Excitebike 64

11. Super Smash Bros.

12. Animal Forest

13. Dr. Mario 64, iQue Player's best-selling game

14. Custom Robo

On a technical aspect, iQue Player uses a processor R-4300i 64-bit CPU, 140.625 MHz, and memory of 16 MB DDR (8 MB available). When it comes to graphics, it ‘runs’ 100,000 polygons/second, 2.09 million colors and the sound uses ADPCM 64. Everything that revolves around iQue Player is written in Chinese -even the games were either voiced-over or had translated subtitles!

Some of its extra features include the option for parental control, by setting an age-usage limit. Also, there is a possibility to set the console’s RTC (real-time counter). This gives the option for a time-usage limit. All of those features are enabled by a 4-digit password, which can be enabled, and is required afterward in order to enter the menu.

iQue may be discontinued in 2016 but it served its purpose.