-------------------------WELCOME TO THE GCW ZERO-------------------------
The GCW Zero is a powerful handheld console built for open source software and indie gaming. Tired of hacking mainstream handhelds just to play your favorite old games or homebrew? The GCW Zero is the solution, with a CPU that is several times more powerful than a PSP, the Zero runs a Linux based OS and is fully open for anyone to develop on. Plus, with its built-in WiFi, USB, HDMI and video-out ports, the Zero can also be (once the drivers are complete) attached to a TV, gamepads, keyboards etc. to be used as a retro/indie gaming console and/or mini-computer.
Whether you're interested in playing indie games, retro games, emulators, or developing your own software, the GCW Zero has much to offer.
The GCW Zero was successfully funded via Kickstarter on 1/28/2013, and Kickstarter units are estimated to begin shipping March, 2013.
***Please keep in mind I am NOT personally involved with GCW. I am just a gamer and fan of this sort of device.***
-------------------------MAIN LINKS-------------------------
Kickstarter: (now over) http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gcw/gcw-zero-open-source-gaming-handheld
GCW Homepage: http://www.gcw-zero.com
GCW Forum: http://boards.dingoonity.org/index.php#c10
GCW on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/GCW-Zero/518785154808241
Join #GCW on freenode IRC
-------------------------BUYING A GCW ZERO-------------------------
Unfortunately you can't easily buy a GCW Zero yet. Most people pledged on the GCW Kickstarter to obtain one, but online sales will also become an option, albeit not until May, 2013 (estimated; see quote below).
CONGRATULATIONS GCW TEAM AND ALL KICKSTARTER BACKERS! The final total was $238,498 -- exactly $108,498 more than the original goal!
Watch the last minute of the GCW Kickstarter as it happened! (Courtesy of SnakeSlashRO AKA KoKuTanLuFi): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5LQWe1vbCA
Assuming there are no production and shipping delays, GCW plans to ship systems in March, 2013. Some weeks before that, GCW will contact each backer to ask about console color choice (black or white), as well as other details. KEEP IN MIND: delays can happen, so don't take the March shipping date as gospel. It is an estimated date, which hopefully can be met. Thanks to four stretch goals being reached, all Kickstarter Zeros will include the following bonus items: USB OTG adapter, Mini HDMI cable, GCW Pouch, screen protector.
Want to buy a GCW Zero but missed the Kickstarter? No worries! GCW plans to produce extra stock to be sold online eventually, but of course the Kickstarter units will come first. UPDATE: via GCW on Facebook (price has not yet been mentioned)
-------------------------ABOUT THE GCW ZERO-------------------------
In 2011/2012 a Dingoo reseller named Justin Barwick in the USA decided to design his own retrogaming handheld with the help of the hobbyist community, addressing all the issues of the Dingoo. The result is the GCW Zero. GCW stands for Game Consoles Worldwide, and the Zero is their first product. Keep in mind this device is NOT intended to be a pocket computer like the Pandora - it is completely geared to one purpose and doing it well - gaming. Therefore it has a 4:3 screen, a dpad, analog (TRUE analog) nub, and a set of standard gaming buttons. It is NOT Android based, and that is by design, since Android is prone to sound lag in emulators due to the way it handles processes. Instead, the GCW Zero runs Dingux, a version of Linux made for Dingoo handhelds, which also means the Zero inherits a massive existing library of emulators, games and apps ready to be ported.
Perhaps the best aspect of the GCW Zero is that it has already gone way past prototyping, and a first batch of 40 units have already started shipping to people who participated in an earlier pre-order. By all accounts (watch some of the early user reviews on Youtube) the device has lived up to expectations, with excellent hardware and software. Also note it has WiFi, USB, AV out, HDMI out, and memory card slot. So the Zero will also potentially work as a mini retro/indie console as well as a handheld!
It is also very affordable IMO (i.e. $135 pledge on Kickstarter). If something like this strikes your retrogaming / indie gaming fancy, check the following links to learn more:
-------------------------VIDEO LINKS-------------------------
Click here for list of all GCW Youtube Videos
Many emulators already running well on GCW Zero:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3t0aR4W3KRQ
SOTN running decently on GCW Zero prototype (NOTE: very old video, totally unoptimized PSX emulator port):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6cN2wZM28Gw#t=502s
Various open source indie/freeware games:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aQJD07FzWY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tr02kZGMU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlQQsWThsh0
GCW Zero Youtube channel (by qbertaddict, one of the GCW team members):
https://www.youtube.com/user/qbertaddict1
Various GCW Zero demo videos on Youtube:
Quake 2 ONLINE multiplayer: http://youtu.be/6T6_M0zKM3M
Quakeforge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAyB-3Wvb0U
MSX emulator (8bit computer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em3ufZnlSJo
Atari 7800 emulator: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUP_rt7dwGI
Rise of the Triad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xHaKQinO_I
GCW Zero vs. PSP for SNES emulation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZfwtGSZA1I
-------------------------AUDIO LINKS-------------------------
Podcast Interview with Justin Barwick about the GCW Zero:
http://geekswithwives.com/2013/01/gww-podcast-episode-67/
-------------------------INFORMATION ABOUT THE GCW ZERO-------------------------
During the Kickstarter GCW decided to improve the original console specifications as follows:
Specifications:
Size/Weight Comparisons: (Basically the GCW Zero is about the size of the bottom half of a DS Lite.)
GCW Zero: 143 x 70 x 18 mm, 225 g
PSP 1000: 170 x 74 x 23 mm, 280 g
PS Vita: 182 x 83.55 x 18.6 mm, 260 g (279 3G version)
Nintendo 3DS: 130 x 74 x 20 mm, 230 g
Nintendo DS Lite: 133 x 73.9 x 21.87 mm, 218 g
Gamepark GP2X: 143.6 x 82.9 x 27 mm, 161 g (w/o battery)
Dingoo a320: 125 × 55.5 × 14 mm, 110 g (note this has a much smaller 2.8" screen)
Various photos of the GCW Zero: (note there will also be a white version; see last photo)
The GCW Zero is a powerful handheld console built for open source software and indie gaming. Tired of hacking mainstream handhelds just to play your favorite old games or homebrew? The GCW Zero is the solution, with a CPU that is several times more powerful than a PSP, the Zero runs a Linux based OS and is fully open for anyone to develop on. Plus, with its built-in WiFi, USB, HDMI and video-out ports, the Zero can also be (once the drivers are complete) attached to a TV, gamepads, keyboards etc. to be used as a retro/indie gaming console and/or mini-computer.
Whether you're interested in playing indie games, retro games, emulators, or developing your own software, the GCW Zero has much to offer.
The GCW Zero was successfully funded via Kickstarter on 1/28/2013, and Kickstarter units are estimated to begin shipping March, 2013.
***Please keep in mind I am NOT personally involved with GCW. I am just a gamer and fan of this sort of device.***
-------------------------MAIN LINKS-------------------------
Kickstarter: (now over) http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gcw/gcw-zero-open-source-gaming-handheld
GCW Homepage: http://www.gcw-zero.com
GCW Forum: http://boards.dingoonity.org/index.php#c10
GCW on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/GCW-Zero/518785154808241
Join #GCW on freenode IRC
-------------------------BUYING A GCW ZERO-------------------------
Unfortunately you can't easily buy a GCW Zero yet. Most people pledged on the GCW Kickstarter to obtain one, but online sales will also become an option, albeit not until May, 2013 (estimated; see quote below).
CONGRATULATIONS GCW TEAM AND ALL KICKSTARTER BACKERS! The final total was $238,498 -- exactly $108,498 more than the original goal!
Watch the last minute of the GCW Kickstarter as it happened! (Courtesy of SnakeSlashRO AKA KoKuTanLuFi): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5LQWe1vbCA
Assuming there are no production and shipping delays, GCW plans to ship systems in March, 2013. Some weeks before that, GCW will contact each backer to ask about console color choice (black or white), as well as other details. KEEP IN MIND: delays can happen, so don't take the March shipping date as gospel. It is an estimated date, which hopefully can be met. Thanks to four stretch goals being reached, all Kickstarter Zeros will include the following bonus items: USB OTG adapter, Mini HDMI cable, GCW Pouch, screen protector.
Want to buy a GCW Zero but missed the Kickstarter? No worries! GCW plans to produce extra stock to be sold online eventually, but of course the Kickstarter units will come first. UPDATE: via GCW on Facebook (price has not yet been mentioned)
"May 2013 is the estimated date when it will be available to the general public. The device will be sold at gcw-zero.com, with dragonbox.de and ithic.com as official resellers."
-------------------------ABOUT THE GCW ZERO-------------------------
In 2011/2012 a Dingoo reseller named Justin Barwick in the USA decided to design his own retrogaming handheld with the help of the hobbyist community, addressing all the issues of the Dingoo. The result is the GCW Zero. GCW stands for Game Consoles Worldwide, and the Zero is their first product. Keep in mind this device is NOT intended to be a pocket computer like the Pandora - it is completely geared to one purpose and doing it well - gaming. Therefore it has a 4:3 screen, a dpad, analog (TRUE analog) nub, and a set of standard gaming buttons. It is NOT Android based, and that is by design, since Android is prone to sound lag in emulators due to the way it handles processes. Instead, the GCW Zero runs Dingux, a version of Linux made for Dingoo handhelds, which also means the Zero inherits a massive existing library of emulators, games and apps ready to be ported.
Perhaps the best aspect of the GCW Zero is that it has already gone way past prototyping, and a first batch of 40 units have already started shipping to people who participated in an earlier pre-order. By all accounts (watch some of the early user reviews on Youtube) the device has lived up to expectations, with excellent hardware and software. Also note it has WiFi, USB, AV out, HDMI out, and memory card slot. So the Zero will also potentially work as a mini retro/indie console as well as a handheld!
It is also very affordable IMO (i.e. $135 pledge on Kickstarter). If something like this strikes your retrogaming / indie gaming fancy, check the following links to learn more:
-------------------------VIDEO LINKS-------------------------
Click here for list of all GCW Youtube Videos
Many emulators already running well on GCW Zero:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3t0aR4W3KRQ
SOTN running decently on GCW Zero prototype (NOTE: very old video, totally unoptimized PSX emulator port):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6cN2wZM28Gw#t=502s
Various open source indie/freeware games:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aQJD07FzWY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tr02kZGMU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlQQsWThsh0
GCW Zero Youtube channel (by qbertaddict, one of the GCW team members):
https://www.youtube.com/user/qbertaddict1
Various GCW Zero demo videos on Youtube:
Quake 2 ONLINE multiplayer: http://youtu.be/6T6_M0zKM3M
Quakeforge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAyB-3Wvb0U
MSX emulator (8bit computer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em3ufZnlSJo
Atari 7800 emulator: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUP_rt7dwGI
Rise of the Triad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xHaKQinO_I
GCW Zero vs. PSP for SNES emulation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZfwtGSZA1I
-------------------------AUDIO LINKS-------------------------
Podcast Interview with Justin Barwick about the GCW Zero:
http://geekswithwives.com/2013/01/gww-podcast-episode-67/
-------------------------INFORMATION ABOUT THE GCW ZERO-------------------------
During the Kickstarter GCW decided to improve the original console specifications as follows:
Specifications:
CPU: Ingenic JZ4770 1 GHz MIPS processor
GPU: Vivante GC860, capable of OpenGL ES 2.0
Display: 3.5 inch LCD with 320x240 pixels; 4:3 aspect ratio is ideal for retro gaming
Memory: 512 MB DDR2 (updated from 256MB)
Internal storage: 16 GB, most of which is available for applications and data (updated from 8GB)
External storage: micro SDHC up to 32 GB or micro SDXC of 64 GB (SDXC cards must be reformatted before use)
Mini USB 2.0 OTG
Mini HDMI 1.3 out
3.5 mm (mini jack) A/V port for earphone and analog TV-out
Stereo speakers, mono microphone
Accelerometer (g-sensor) and vibration motors
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz, can connect to access point or direct device-to-device
Dimensions: 143 * 70 * 18 mm
Weight: 8 oz / 225 g
Battery: 2800 mAh (estimated at 7-10 hours per charge, depending on usage)
Size/Weight Comparisons: (Basically the GCW Zero is about the size of the bottom half of a DS Lite.)
GCW Zero: 143 x 70 x 18 mm, 225 g
PSP 1000: 170 x 74 x 23 mm, 280 g
PS Vita: 182 x 83.55 x 18.6 mm, 260 g (279 3G version)
Nintendo 3DS: 130 x 74 x 20 mm, 230 g
Nintendo DS Lite: 133 x 73.9 x 21.87 mm, 218 g
Gamepark GP2X: 143.6 x 82.9 x 27 mm, 161 g (w/o battery)
Dingoo a320: 125 × 55.5 × 14 mm, 110 g (note this has a much smaller 2.8" screen)
Various photos of the GCW Zero: (note there will also be a white version; see last photo)