Editing GP32

{{short description|Handheld game console}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=April 2008}}
{{Update|inaccurate=yes|date=November 2010}}
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{{Infobox information appliance
| name = GP32
| title = 
| aka = 
| logo = Gp32logo.png
| image = Gp32.jpg
| caption = 
| developer = 
| manufacturer = [[Game Park]]
| family = 
| type = [[Handheld game console]]
| generation = [[History of video games (Sixth generation era)|Sixth]]
| releasedate  = {{vgrelease|[[South Korea|SK]]| November 23, 2001}}
| price = 
| discontinued = 2005
| unitssold = 
| unitsshipped = ~32,000
| media = [[SmartMedia]]
| os = 
| power = 
| soc = 
| cpu = [[Samsung]] [[List of Samsung systems on a chip|S3C2400X01]]
| memory = 8&nbsp;MB of [[Random-access memory|RAM]]
| storage = 
| memory card = 
| display = 
| graphics = 
| sound = 
| input = 
| controllers = 
| camera = 
| touchpad = 
| connectivity = 
| platform = 
| service = 
| dimensions = 
| weight = 
| topgame = 
| compatibility = 
| predecessor = 
| successor = [[GP2X]]
| related = 
| website = <!--{{URL|example.org}}-->
}}
The '''GP32''' (GamePark 32) is a [[handheld game console]] developed by the [[South Korea]]n company [[Game Park]]. It was released on November 23, 2001, in [[South Korea]] and distributed in some parts of Europe.

==History==
The GP32 was shown at E3 in 1999, 2000, 2001,<ref>{{cite news |title=The Ever-Evolving GP32 Handheld |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/29/the-ever-evolving-gp32-handheld |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=IGN |date=29 August 2001 |language=en}}</ref> and 2002.<ref name="IGN E3 2002">{{cite news |title=E3 2002: GP32 at the Show |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/24/e3-2002-gp32-at-the-show |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=IGN |date=24 May 2002 |language=en}}</ref> At one point, GamePark produced an unreleased unit with [[mobile phone]] functionality.<ref name="IGN E3 2002"/>

==Features==
The overall design is not unlike the original version of the [[Game Boy Advance]].<ref name="IGN GP32">{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=Hands-on with the GP32 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/08/hands-on-with-the-gp32 |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=IGN |date=8 March 2002 |language=en}}</ref> The GP32 is based on a 133&nbsp;MHz [[ARM architecture|ARM 9]] [[Central processing unit|CPU]] and 8&nbsp;MB of [[Random Access Memory|SDRAM]].<ref name="IGN GP32"/><ref>{{cite web |title=GP32 by Game Park – The Video Game Kraken |url=http://videogamekraken.com/gp32-by-game-park |access-date=19 May 2022}}</ref> Unlike other handheld gaming systems, which tend to be proprietary cartridge-based, the GP32 uses [[SmartMedia]] cards (SMC) for storing programs and data, making it accessible for amateur developers as no further development hardware is required.<ref>{{cite news |title=30 Years of Handheld Game Systems |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/515286/evolution_of_portable_gaming.html |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=PCWorld}}</ref>

The console has an eight-way microswitch based mini-joystick controller,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Strietelmeier |first1=Julie |title=Game Park GP32 Handheld Game Device Review |url=https://static.the-gadgeteer.com/gamepark-gp32-review.html |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=static.the-gadgeteer.com |date=May 19, 2003}}</ref> two main buttons ('A' and 'B'), two shoulder buttons on each side of the SMC slot ('L' and 'R') and two other menu buttons on each side of the screen ('SELECT' and 'START'),<ref name="IGN GP32"/> made from a softer, translucent rubber. The console also has a [[Universal Serial Bus|USB 1.1]] port for connection with a host computer, a serial expansion port, a 3.3&nbsp;V power adapter input, a headphone connector and a rear compartment that holds two AA-sized batteries.

== Variants ==
There are three main commercial versions of the unit characterized by different display types.  Commercial units are white in color with either grey or white buttons and trim. There are also a number of differently colored promotional units and several prototype units with different designs.

=== GP32 NLU ===
The original GP32 was the no-light unit (NLU) which relied on an external light source to view the screen.

=== GP32 FLU ===
In late 2002, Game Park introduced the [[frontlight]] unit (FLU) as a factory-modified (by [[Hahotech]]) version of the NLU. It provides its own illumination via a transparent panel between the LCD display and the plastic screen cover. The extra hardware resulted in a slightly raised display frame when compared to the NLU and BLU variants. The front light could be turned off with a switch mounted on the back of the GP32 case (to save battery).
The GP32 FLU's name was derived from a sticker added to the front of the GP32 packaging differentiating it from the standard non-light versions.

=== GP32 BLU ===
In mid-2004, [[Game Park]] introduced the [[backlight]] unit (BLU). The new BLU LCD was compatible with the NLU (and FLU) and provided a superior screen display in poor lighting conditions. At the end of 2004, Game Park also released a second version of the BLU, which had a different LCD from the first version of BLU units. The new BLU+ LCD was not 100% compatible with the original LCD screen and so software required special handling to support both LCD versions.
The backlight could be disabled by holding the SELECT button for 5 seconds.  The BLU models also had a slightly different [[USB]] port connector and better quality micro switches for the controller.

==Software==

===Built In===
The original [[Game Park]] [[firmware]] had three main functions: to launch applications, provide a means of linking to a host computer and play music in [[MP3]] format.
Later versions of the [[Game Park]] [[firmware]] removed the [[MP3]] music capability.

===Homebrew===
Game Park planned their system to be powerful and useful, but they also wanted users to be able to create [[Homebrew (video games)|homebrew]] software. GP32 users could register the unit on the official website and get a free suite of development tools to create their own programs. Game Park also allowed (under certain restrictions) the publishing of such homebrew games on their website.
The GP32's original firmware only supported running encrypted games and tools. Users had to register and use an encrypted "Free Launcher" to run unsigned software. Alternative [[firmware]] removed the necessity of using the "Free Launcher" software and provided many extra functions that were lacking in the original firmware.

Through this strategy, the GP32 was the host of multiple homebrew applications and games. The various applications made for it ranged from alternative [[firmware]], file managers, games, emulators, game generators (such as [[RPG Maker]]), a [[DivX]] player and image slideshows.

===Commercial===
Commercial games could be acquired via internet download (encrypted to the GP32's ID) or in a retail box.  The retail boxes contained [[SmartMedia]] Cards with the games which were encrypted to run only from these cards (SMC ID). They could alternatively be downloaded from a Korean portal after submitting the GP32's ID, they were then encrypted to run only on that GP32. Downloading the games effectively reduced the cost to the consumer, who was no longer paying for the manufacture of the cartridge. Downloading a game online could range from US$10 to US$30.

===Games===
{{See also|List of commercial GP32 games}}
Five games in a variety of genres were released at the system's launch on November 23, 2001.  About 28 commercial games were eventually released.  The last commercial game to be released was the platformer/RPG [[Blue Angelo]], which was released on December 16, 2004. Most commercial GP32 games could be bought in two ways: boxed or downloaded through the internet through Gamepark's online JoyGP store (typically for a much lower price). JoyGP was the international version of the MegaGP store, which existed earlier and was limited to South Korea. Although most games were sold in both formats, there were a few exceptions: for example, "Blue Angelo" was (and is) only sold as a boxed copy made in France, and "Gloop Deluxe" was only sold online, but not through JoyGP.

Although the number of official games available for the GP32 system is limited, many [[open source]]/[[free software]] developers worked on various emulators and [[porting|ported]] PC games. In addition to this, a wide range of free, [[public domain]] games were created by amateur developers. Game Park did not ask any royalties to release games for its device, which made it easier for small editors or independent developers to release software for the GP32.

[[Image:Gp32-flu.jpg|right|220px|thumb|GP32 with an Ericsson Chatboard]]

The modification of [[Ericsson]] Chatboard micro-keyboards to work with the system has seen a new flourish of software development, including countless attempts at ports of [[Linux]], and keyboard support being added to many emulators.

===Emulators===
The GP32's relatively powerful ARM 920T CPU and freely available 'C'-based SDK have allowed many emulators to be specifically developed or ported from other platforms. Emulated systems that run on the GP32 include 16-bit era and earlier console and computer platforms. These emulators allow users to experience a large variety of games on their GP32 system, largely compensating for the relatively small library of commercially available games.
There is also a [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]-based GP32 emulator, which allows users to run GP32 software on a Windows-based PC.

==Commercial availability==
Commercially, the system can be found mostly in Korea, and some other parts of Asia. Although an initial European release was abandoned,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jenkins |first1=David |title=GP32 Euro Release Canned |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/gp32-euro-release-canned |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=Game Developer |date=23 October 2003 |language=en}}</ref> the GP32 BLU model was released in three European markets, including [[Portugal]], [[Spain]], and [[Italy]], being distributed by [[Virgin Play]] on June 15, 2004, with a price point of €199.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} There were official distributors in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Sweden]] as well.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} Game Park, however, did not release the console in [[Americas|America]].

Despite not being released worldwide, the GP32 has a large international community of users and developers. About 32,000<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jenkins |first1=David |title=GP2X Gaming Handheld Officially Released In UK |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/gp2x-gaming-handheld-officially-released-in-uk |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=Game Developer |date=18 May 2006 |language=en}}</ref> or 30,000 units were sold by the end of 2007.<ref name="clockerz">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081020004746/http://www.clockerz.org/articles/gp2x_qa_with_craig_rothwell.html GP2X Q&A, With Craig Rothwell]}}. ''Clockerz''. Accessed on 24-03-2008.</ref>

==Hardware==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Dimensions
| {{Convert|147|x|88|x|34|mm}}
|-
! Weight
| {{Convert|0.163|kg}}
|-
! Display
| {{Convert|3.5|in}} [[thin-film transistor|TFT]], 16-bit colour, 320 × 240 pixels
|-
! CPU
| [[Samsung]] S3C2400X01 (ARM920T core), 20 (and under) to 133&nbsp;MHz (overclockable to 166&nbsp;MHz+ in some cases. Some have even reached 256&nbsp;MHz (not always stable, low battery life). Overclocking ability is random, however, all GP32s were supposed to reach 133&nbsp;MHz. A few early "bad" units maxed out at 132&nbsp;MHz.)
|-
! RAM
| 8&nbsp;MB SDRAM (16-bit wide)
|-
! ROM
| 512&nbsp;KB (8-bit wide)
|-
! Sound
| 44.1&nbsp;kHz 16-bit stereo sound<br />four-channels and up software WAV mixing (it is up to the coder, but four-channel is built into the official SDK)<br/>16-part polyphonic software [[MIDI]] (in official SDK) <br/>[[Earphone port]]<br/>[[Stereo speakers]]
|-
! Storage
| SmartMedia 2–128 MB 3.3v
|-
! Power Supply
| 2 × [[AA batteries]] or 3-V DC adapter. Batteries last between 6 and 12+ hours, but the actual amount depends on a number of factors.
|-
! Wireless
| GP Link was a wireless dongle that could be inserted into the external socket. It allowed users to chat and play online games.
Up to four wireless units could be connected at once within 10m. Frequencies were reported to be 300&nbsp;MHz. The games supported for multiplayer were Little Wizard, Dungeon & Guarder, Treasure Island, and Rally Pop.
|}

==Successors==
* [[GP2X]] - dual-CPU unit produced by new company [[GamePark Holdings]].
* [[GP2X Wiz]] - Successor to the GP2X
* [[GP2X Caanoo]] - Successor to the GP2X Wiz
* [[XGP]] - a never-released system developed by [[Game Park]]

==See also==
* [[Comparison of handheld game consoles]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080404024829/http://www.gp32x.de/cgi-bin/cfiles.cgi GP32 File Archive] (all free software written for the system)<!--Note: As the GP32's success was due entirely to the unofficial software written for it (emulators, apps, games), this is the most relevant link that can be here. Please do not remove it without discussion on the talk page.-->
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{{Sixth generation game consoles}}
{{Handheld game consoles}}
{{commons category|GP32}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gp32}}
[[Category:ARM-based video game consoles]]
[[Category:Discontinued handheld game consoles]]
[[Category:Handheld game consoles]]
[[Category:Sixth-generation video game consoles]]
[[Category:Game Park]]