A competitor falls: the end of Game Park [Update 1]
by Steven Bailey 
{ Mar 19th 2007 at 9:00AM }
Like many gamers I've always had the desire to own every console that hits the market. Unfortunately I never owned a Game Park. I always admired the fact that despited not really having big developer support, the system found a fanbase because of its homebrew scene. The systems success also was probably helped by the fact that the Korean gaming platform didn't have a lot of competition. Until 2002 Japanese electronics were banned from Korea. The increase of competition also came with a system (PSP) that was more than capable of doing homebrew perfectly, making importing a handheld with a homebrew bent less attractive. Now Pockett is reporting that Game Park has declared bankruptcy and their once proud gaming site is replaced by one that sells shoes. You can probably still pick up one of the many Game Park system variations, but it doesn't reduce the sadness of one less player in the games industry.
[Via Insert Credit]
[Update 1: Corrected formatting and link source. We apologize to Pockett.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LoZ Hero @ Mar 19th 2007 10:38AM
Ohh, Yeah...
The PSP did that...
Not like the huge DS Lite release that was advertised for months and months ahead and with the release featured bundles that just couldn't be avoided with that nice less-than-psp-thing pricing had no effect on the Korean market...
*curls into fetal position...awaits beatings*
Jason @ Mar 19th 2007 11:13AM
It should be noted that while Gamepark folded, the company Gamepark Holdings is still solvent. After Gamepark created the GP32, there was an internal schism over the design of the successor. Some of the engineers who were dissatisfied with the new design left Gamepark and formed Gamepark Holdings. Gamepark Holdings manufactures and sells the GP2X, mostly regarded as the spiritual successor to the GP32, and this console is still being sold.
Kichigai Mentat @ Mar 20th 2007 10:33AM
Wow. The GamePark 32 is dead. I'm not surprised. there's the GP2X (by GamePark Holdings, an off-shoot from GamePark) is the successor, and GamePark tried to make the XGP, a commercial (as opposed to homebrew) successor to the GP32, hoping to compete with the PSP and DS. The GP2X is still around, and has no illusions of competing with Nintendo and Sony, unlike Tiger Telematics.
PSP Fan @ Mar 19th 2007 10:13PM
I really hope that comment #2 is true as I really want one these hand helds. PSP is my favorite hand held especially over the piece o crap DS and DS lite. The only thing I see on the GP32 that blows away the PSP is the emulation ability (Thanks Sony!)
Does anyone know the best place to purchase a GP32?
Shane @ Mar 19th 2007 8:13PM
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-14-71-d1-49-en.html
You can buy the GP2X here. I haven't seen the GP32 since lik-sang went down.
Ken Edwards @ Mar 20th 2007 12:02AM
#5 - Get a GP2X. Its a great handheld. Sadly it is not backwards compatible with the GP32, but the emulators have been up and running on the GP2X for some time now. Its money well spent, very solid little toy.
vR @ Mar 20th 2007 1:03AM
Emulation for just about every platform runs better on the PSP (with sound and at a higher FPS) than any Gamepark product. Just because the GP2X embraces homebrew the way Sony doesn't, don't think it handles emulation better. GP32 emulation is even worse. Where do these misconceptions come from?
PSP Fan @ Mar 20th 2007 1:43AM
It's not that the PSP could not handle homebrew and emulation but if you keep up with your firmware than you CAN'T do homebrew. You have to do some kind of software hack to run any emulation. Whereas out of the box the GP2X can do emulation, this is not a misconception it is a fact. IF Sony would get off there arses and allow homebrew and emulation instead of charging you for old PS1 games yet again then I have no doubt the PSP would be the best portable emulation platform in existance bar none! It would even help sells as well...
Extinction @ Mar 20th 2007 2:16AM
Problem for #8 is, all PSPs firmwares will get hacked.
And then there is custom firmware for those who want up to date firmware and homebrew.
Oh and what #7 said about PSP being more powerful.
Hell PSP pulled off full speed PS1 and N64 emulation
Kade Storm @ Mar 20th 2007 7:32AM
Guy's this isn't even a debate! GP2X is a good homebrew monster, with 2-d graphics. It's like a very powerful gameboy, but with a 2-d graphics core.
PSP is clearly able to do homebrew beyond GP2X level, in the right conditions (fimrware etc.), and so much more!
Only difference: PSP isn't supposed to be, what's the term - Open Source Console? But we know that certain firmwares, and firmware hacks clearly deal with that little status.
I mean, there's a reason why homebrew's thriving on the PSP!
vR @ Mar 20th 2007 10:09AM
PSP Fan: The misconception comment was in reference to what you said: "The only thing I see on the GP32 that blows away the PSP is the emulation ability (Thanks Sony!)" That comment is very clear. To downgrade a psp to a homebrew friendly 1.5 or custom firmware is a one-time (and pretty simple) operation. Who cares if Sony "allows" it? The bottom line is that it's right there! It's already "the best portable emulation platform in existance bar none!" Who cares if Sony keeps releasing firmware updates? They don't sneak into your room in the middle of the night and install them for you. Stop bitching about Sony, because they won't change. Downgrade your PSP, run your emulators, and stop whining.
pixelator @ Mar 20th 2007 3:12PM
My GP2X is great, when it works. I managed to get one of the few that doesn't seem to allow any overclocking without becoming terribly unstable. That, and the UI is clunky as holy hell, even the UI skins don't really improve things much.
That said, you can't beat it for straightforward emulation. The PSP has more power, but the GP2X is simply tailored for running old 8 and 16 bit stuff with its digital thumbstick d-pad, cheap SD card slot and plethora of open source and actively developed emulators. For Neo*Geo, this handheld is spectacular - especially with the TV output cables/cradle.
Sometimes the various strata of 'fanboy' becomes pretty clear: Those who love the device and also acknowledge the limitations, and those who have to make a goddamned this vs. that argument out of every thread that mentions a competing device. Ugh.
vR @ Mar 20th 2007 9:37PM
You're right, pixelator. There's also the fanboy who cannot post without including a flame, backhanded or otherwise. Everyone's a badass on the internet.