Help with a Wonderswan

[SpykeXD]

This is my first time posting, and I there's something I need a bit of help with.

Namco released a game console in Japan to compete with the Game Boy called the Wonderswan, and I'm thinking about purchasing one so I can get the Klonoa game on it (I'm a big fan of the series). The problem is, it's a Japanese-only console, and while I've found some sellers on eBay, I want to know as much as I can about the console. If anyone could answer a few questions for me, I would be eternally grateful.

1.) Is the console battery-operated, or does it have a rechargeable battery?
2.) Say I bought it and charged it/put batteries into it and popped a game in for the first time. What do I have to get through (menu, name input, etc.) before I can actually play the game? How much of it would I have to go through the next time I turn it on?
3.) Are there any known hardware issues for the console (i.e., is it prone to breaking or something of the sort)?
4.) What are the advantages of getting the Wonderswan Crystal over the Wonderswan Color?

The games are not an issue, I'm in the process of downloading the ROMs to see which ones I'd want to buy.

[Space_turnip]

I'm no expert on the Wonderswan, but as i received my SwanCrystal this week, I can help with a couple of things!

It's non-rechargable battery powered. Single AA battery. 10 hour life (I think)
I'm pretty sure it just goes straight into the game on startup. As far as i can tell (unless im doing something wrong) there's no menus or set ups to go through.
As far as why the Crystal is 'better', I think the quality of the screen is a little bit better and less prone to blurring - but there's some guys on the forum who will be able to confirm whether thats right or not!

[ShadowNeku]

This is my first time posting, and I there's something I need a bit of help with.

Namco released a game console in Japan to compete with the Game Boy called the Wonderswan, and I'm thinking about purchasing one so I can get the Klonoa game on it (I'm a big fan of the series). The problem is, it's a Japanese-only console, and while I've found some sellers on eBay, I want to know as much as I can about the console. If anyone could answer a few questions for me, I would be eternally grateful.

1.) Is the console battery-operated, or does it have a rechargeable battery?
2.) Say I bought it and charged it/put batteries into it and popped a game in for the first time. What do I have to get through (menu, name input, etc.) before I can actually play the game? How much of it would I have to go through the next time I turn it on?
3.) Are there any known hardware issues for the console (i.e., is it prone to breaking or something of the sort)?
4.) What are the advantages of getting the Wonderswan Crystal over the Wonderswan Color?

The games are not an issue, I'm in the process of downloading the ROMs to see which ones I'd want to buy.

Welcome to the forum Spyke!
As the above poster said there is no startup screen, it goes straight to game like a gameboy.
Dont know of any hardware issues. Ive had mine a while and it still works fine.
The swan crystal has a clearer screen, however you typically have to pay about £80 for a mint boxed one on Ebay. You might want to wait for an auction.

If you are looking for a copy of Klonoa im pretty sure GenkiGames.com has a copy in stock for a relatively affordable price. If you need any suggestions for other games id be happy to point you in the right direction. Its a great little system and i hope you enjoy it!

[DreamcastRIP]

... The swan crystal... you typically have to pay about £80 for a mint boxed one on Ebay.

Sheesh, if that's correct then the market value has rocketed these past few years! I've two SwanCrystals (one pretty much mint CIB, the other BNIB) and I 'only' paid around £35 for the highest priced one via eBay three to four years back. Saying that, I do recall having had to be patient to snag them both at such prices as the item was commonly available for around £45-£50 at the time.

[SpykeXD]

Thanks guys! I'm probably gonna buy this for my birthday (my first retro purchase WOOT!) and there's plenty on eBay last time I checked, so hopefully I'll be able to get this soon.

Now if only I could read Japanese...

[DreamcastRIP]

... Now if only I could read Japanese...

You may find this previous post of mine rather useful then - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5966&p=381244&hilit=klonoa#p381244

[Space_turnip]

That's a damn useful list. As lovely as final fantasy 2 is on mine, playing something I can understand would be nice!

[stvd]

They might be owned by Namco now but it was Bandai that released the Wonderswan.

[adippm82]

Videogame imports have a 2nd hand near mint Swan Crystal one at the moment for £32.

I bought one off them a while ago, same description, and it looked new to be honest.

[SpykeXD]

... Now if only I could read Japanese...

You may find this previous post of mine rather useful then - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5966&p=381244&hilit=klonoa#p381244

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind.

[Smurph]

Great list DC. I can add a couple to that as well from personal experience - it covers most of the bases, but there's two more, which are personal favourites of mine, that will provide a lot of fun:

Raku-Jongg
Soroban-Gu.

Both puzzlers. Raku-Jongg is basically Mahjong and Tetris smooshed together, and Soroban-Gu is a quite difficult puzzler, but has pieces that are either numbers or colours, so a little experimentation pays dividends.

EDIT: I know the list includes Makaimura for WonderSwan, but I'm just recommending it some more - probably about the most forgiving of the GnG saga (of which I'm a massive fan), and has a brilliant abseiling level where you flip the console on its side.

BTW I own the Color and you can get about 20 hours out of one battery, if that helps, and the blurring isn't a huge deal IMO.