View source for Game Axe

{{Short description|Video game system released by Legend Technology in 1998}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Game Axe
| title = 
| aka = Game Axe Color
| logo = 
| logo_size = 
| image = 
| caption = 
| developer = 
| manufacturer = Legend Technology Co., LTD. / Redant
| family = [[Famicom]] [[Video game clone|hardware clone]]
| type = Handheld video game console
| generation = 
| releasedate = {{Start date and age|1989}}
| lifespan = 
| price = 
| discontinued = 
| unitssold = 
| unitsshipped = 
| media = 
| os = 
| power = Six AA batteries or AC adapter 9VDC/500mA
| soc = 
| cpu = NMOS 6502
| memory = 
| storage = 
| memory card = 
| display = Passive Matrix LCD screen with backlight
| graphics = 
| sound = pAPU (pseudo-Audio Processing Unit)
| input = 
| controllers = Digital joypad; A, B, Turbo A and Turbo B buttons
| camera = 
| touchpad = 
| connectivity = 
| platform = 
| service = 
| dimensions = 
| weight = 
| topgame = 
| compatibility = 
| predecessor = 
| successor = 
| related = 
| website = <!--{{URL|example.org}}-->
| RAMtype = 
| CPUspeed = 1.8 MHz
}}The '''Game Axe''' is an unlicensed handheld version of the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]], made by the Taiwanese hardware manufacturer Legend Technology Co., LTD.<ref name="Edge">{{cite magazine |date=December 2001 |title=Portable Pleasure: Handheld Generations |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=104 |pages=58}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Barnholt |first=Ray |date=April 20, 2012 |title=The Hysterical History of Portable Consoles |url=http://www.1up.com/features/hysterical-history-portable-consoles?pager.offset=2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312104421/http://www.1up.com/features/hysterical-history-portable-consoles?pager.offset=2 |archive-date=12 March 2014 |access-date=3 February 2014 |work=1UP}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Game Axe portable Famicom - Ultimate Console Database |url=http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/portables/game_axe.htm |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=ultimateconsoledatabase.com |archive-date=2023-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724175708/http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/portables/game_axe.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=MO5.COM : Musée des Machines : Console portable : La Redant Game Axe |url=http://mo5.com/musee-machines-1347.html |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=mo5.com}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2004-04-08 |title=The Game Axe Information Site |url=http://members.fortunecity.com/davidlevine/ga.htm |access-date=2023-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040408094818/http://members.fortunecity.com/davidlevine/ga.htm |archive-date=2004-04-08 }}</ref> Launched in 1989 it made a comeback around 2000, being sold in [[Hong Kong]], [[Taiwan]], and [[Japan]] under the Redant brand.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> It is a portable [[Nintendo Entertainment System hardware clone|Famiclone]] that can play Famicom games, and by using the included adapter, [[United States|American]] and [[Europe]]an [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] games.<ref name=Edge/><ref>{{Cite web |last=IGN Staff |date=1999-10-30 |title=Portable NES Hits Japan |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/30/portable-nes-hits-japan |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

==Design==
The design of the Game Axe was horizontal and similar in appearance to Sega's [[Game Gear]].<ref name=Edge/> It had a 3.5-inch (model '''FC-812''') or 4-inch (models '''FC-816'''/'''FC-868''') colour [[Liquid-crystal display|LCD screen]],<ref name="Hardcore">{{cite journal |url= http://www.hardcoregamer.com/issues/0108%20Feb%2006%20Onimusha%20Dawn%20of%20Dreams.pdf |journal= Hardcore Gamer |first= Roger |last= Danish |year= 2006 |issue= 8 |title= Console Curiosities}}</ref> two controller ports at the base, an AC jack, and an [[RCA connector|RCA jack]], allowing the Game Axe to be plugged to a television and essentially replace a Famicom.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url= http://uk.ign.com/articles/2000/06/10/game-axe-color |title= Game Axe Color |date= June 9, 2000 |access-date= 3 February 2014 |author= Colin Williamson |work= [[IGN]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" />

=== Technical specifications ===
These are the basic technical specifications for the Game Axe:<ref name=":3" />

* Power: 9 volts DC 500-1000mA / 6 [[AA battery|AA batteries]].
* CPU: NMOS [[MOS Technology 6502|6502]] at 1.8&nbsp;MHz
* Graphics: PPU (Picture Processing Unit)
* Display: 3.8 inch Passive Matrix LCD screen with backlight. 
* Sound: pAPU (pseudo-Audio Processing Unit)
* Connectors:  
** DC in, cartridge slot, A/V Out, RCA A/V in ([[component video]] [[Y-cable]] connecting to 1/8” [[Phone connector (audio)|mini jack]])
** Controllers
** A/V Out (using standard Sega Genesis A/V out cord)
** Phones

===Issues with the NES cartridge adapter===
Due to the necessity of an extra adapter, the Game Axe suffers severe stability issues if playing NES games while holding the device. Any jarring of the hand held causes NES games to lose enough contact to freeze or shut off.<ref name=":0" />

==See also==
* [[Nintendo Entertainment System hardware clone]]
* [[Pocket Famicom]]
* [[Sega Nomad]]
* [[TurboExpress]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
*
{{Nintendo Entertainment System}}
{{Handheld game consoles}}

[[Category:Unlicensed Nintendo Entertainment System hardware clones]]
[[Category:Handheld game consoles]]


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