The
Game Axe was first produced in the early 90's these
were slightly different to the new Redant version. The
LCD screen was smaller with a white border and it had
two white buttons. This early version is shown on the
front of the manual. The original version was impossible
to find outside of Asia but after nine years thanks
to the internet and Redant it is possible to import
the new Game Axe "Color". Redant started reproducing
the Game Axe in 1999 giving a new fresh looking box
a slightly bigger LCD screen and four black buttons. |
|
| The Game Axe Color was
first sold on Golden
Shop Hong Kong and Liksang
before it hit eBay and the masses for around $99 with
no extras. It was quite a while before anyone was selling
the 60-72pin converter so these were selling for more
than the Game Axe at one time. Luckily I already had
one so I ordered a Game Axe right away. |
|
|
|
| About two weeks later
the Game Axe arrived at first I was very disappointed
my first impression was how cheaply made the system
looked and felt. I know what do I except from a pirate
system? well I was expecting to be able to run the thing
off all 6 AA batteries required it is portable after
all. But oh no not only does it drain them in no time
only half the screen lights up. Although at the time
Redant were offering to fix this problem if you sent
the Game Axe back to them. But after the price of postage
there and back I didn't bother. |
|
|
|
| After a few days of
the Game Axe sitting in it's box I gave it another chance
but this time using a mains adaptor maybe this would
power the screen a little better?. I tried a Game Gear
adaptor at first even though the voltage wasn't quite
the same. To my surprise it worked and the screen looked
a lot better. Still not the greatest picture in the
world but at least games are playable now. |
|
|
|
| The Game Axe is probable
worth getting if you don't already have a Famicom system
since it can be connected to a TV using a modified genesis
cable and used like a regular Famicom. Also they're
no longer being produced so they will probable be become
quite collectable in years to come. |
|
| Manual
: Front
- Inside
- Back |
|
| Pros |
About as portable as
a Famicom or NES is ever going to get.
Can be hooked up to a TV and used like a regular Famicom.
Plays both PAL and NTSC games.
Is compatible with the Famicom Disk System.
No longer in production so value is likely to rise. |
| |
| Cons |
Batteries won't light
the LCD screen up fully (on mine anyway).
The LCD leaves a lot to be desired as you can see
from the screen shots below.
Like most pirate NES on a chip systems it's compatibly
isn't as good as the real thing.
Game Theory Admiral (GTA) is half the price and much
better in my opinion. |
|
|
|