Forgotten Consoles: Sega IR 7000

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In the world of smartphones, digital organizers are no longer necessary. But, before then, PDAs and similar devices were fairly common. Who ever thought Sega would make an attempt at one?

The Sega IR 7000 Communicator (SegaRetro.org)

Enter the Sega IR 7000, capable of sending text messages to another IR 7000 along with other functions such as a calculator and calendar. Visit Sega Retro’s site for more info on this device lost to time.

The IR 7000 Communicator is a handheld device manufactured by Casio and released by Sega to the United States in 1994. The IR 7000 acts as a personal digital assistant, and allows IR 7000 users to communicate with each other via an infra-red beam, referred to as a “Magic Beam” on the box and back of the device. The IR 7000 features include the ability to send text messages, play the one or two-player action game “Brain Drain”, create pictures of contacts using 400 facial features, and save phone numbers and addresses with password protection. The device also features a scheduler, calendar, calculator, currency converter, alarm, memo pad, World map, and 10 language settings.

The IR 7000 has much in common with the Casio Secret Sender 6000 (JD-6000) and the Casio My Super Magic Diary JD-6500, including similar button placements, shells, and modes. While not designated with a JD model number, it is likely that the IR 7000 is the successor to the JD-6500. While the IR 7000 has a battle mode, the JD-6000 has a universal television remote and the JD-6500 has a virtual pet. The IR 7000 does not feature Casio branding, however the default name for the owner of the device is “Casio”.

-Sega Retro

Survival Kids 2 sees fan translation

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An old Game Boy favorite of mine, Survival Kids, was definitely overlooked by many at the time. For one, it was an unforeseen genre which just so happens to be so extremely popular nowadays. Released in October 1999 in the US, this game contained gameplay elements that not many games used at the time such as a hunger meter, day and night cycles, a crafting system, multiple endings, puzzle solving, two selectable characters and a fully explorable world. Many of the features could be discovered in a non-linear fashion, Survival Kids is a game about learning how things work and Survival Kids 2 sees fan translationwhat they work with all while exploring a deserted tropical island.

Unfortunately for gamers outside of Japan never saw its sequel: Survival Kids 2. Konami did eventually release more games in the Survival Kids lineage, but renamed the series to Lost in Blue once it reached North America.

Recently however, an English fan translation was released, giving many the chance to finally enjoy the game without the use of language guides.