Power Player Super Joy III: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:25, 27 April 2007

Latest revision as of 06:32, 5 May 2025

(262 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{Short description|Home video game console}}

[[Image: PPSJIIIboxfront.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Front of Power Player Super Joy III box]]

{{Redirect|Power Games|the psychological term|Mind games|the 2013 Australian mini-series|Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch War}}

[[Image: PPSJIIIboxback.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Back of Power Player Super Joy III box]]

{{more citations needed | date=August 2016}}

The '''Power Player Super Joy III''' consoles (also known as '''Power Games''' and '''XA-76-1E''') are a line of unauthorized handheld [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]/[[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] [[Nintendo Entertainment System hardware clone|clone]]s manufactured by NRTRADE that are sold in [[North America]], [[Brazil]], [[Europe]], [[Asia]], and [[Australia]]. The system resembles a [[Nintendo 64]] controller and attaches to a TV set. [[NTSC]], [[PAL]] and [[SÉCAM]] versions are available. They all use a custom "[[NES-on-a-chip]]" (NOAC) that is an accurate copy of the NES's hardware (Custom 6502, PPU, PAPU, etc).

{{Infobox information appliance

| name =

| aka = Power Games, XA-76-1E

| logo =

| image=PPSJIIIboxfront.JPG

| caption = Front of Power Player Super Joy III box

| developer =

| manufacturer = Sinango

| type = [[Home video game console]]

| generation = [[Third generation of video game consoles|Third generation]]

| releasedate =

| lifespan =

| price =

| discontinued=

| unitssold =

| media = optional [[ROM cartridge]] ("Game Pak")

| cpu = NES on a Chip ([[MOS Technology 6502]] core)

| controllers = One built in, one extra, [[light gun]]

|topgame=

| predecessor =

| successor =

}}

The '''Power Player Super Joy III''' (also known as '''Power Joy''', '''Power Games''', and '''XA-76-1E''') is a [[famiclone]] video game console. It is notable for legal issues based on the violation of intellectual property rights held by [[Nintendo]] and its various game licensees. Manufactured by Sinango, the Power Player has been sold in [[North America]], [[Brazil]], [[Europe]], [[Asia]], and [[Australia]].

==BackgroundHardware==

[[Image:Power Player Super Joy III system (filtered).JPG|thumb|Power Player Super Joy III System]]

The consoles come with 76 built-in games, although marketing frequently claims to have 1,000+ ways of playing them. Most of the included games were originally released for the NES or Famicom, but some have been created by the manufacturer to expand their list of included games. Most of the games have had their title screen graphics removed to save space on the ROM chip, not to mention a company logo removal trick for reduced liability.

{{details | Nintendo Entertainment System#Technical specifications}}

The system resembles a [[Nintendo 64 controller]] and [[Handheld TV game|attaches to a TV set]]. [[NTSC]], [[PAL]] and [[SECAM]] versions are available. They all use a custom "[[Famiclone|NES-on-a-chip]]" (NOAC) that is an implementation of the Famicom/NES's hardware such as its custom 6502, PPU, and PAPU.

The units resemble a [[Nintendo 64 controller]], sometimes with a 60-pin cartridge slot for [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] cartridges. They come packaged with a secondary 9-pin 6 button controller resembling a [[Sega Genesis]] controller, intended for a second player. They are packaged with a 9-pin light gun resembling a [[Walther PPK]] pistol. There is a non-moving joystick, added for visual appeal. Though the Power Player Super Joy's button layout is identical to that of the Nintendo 64 controller, the buttons have been mapped differently. The C buttons of the Nintendo 64's controller function as A and B on the Super Joy, the A and B buttons of the Nintendo 64's controller are Start and Select on the Super Joy, respectively. Finally, the N64 controller's Start button is the Reset button on the Super Joy. The units are available in multiple colors, including black, grey, red, and blue.

After this product gained some popularity, the Power Player 3.5, an improved model with more games, was released. A wireless version of Power Games was also released.

The consoles have 76 built-in games, although marketing frequently claims to have more than 1,000 ways of playing them. Hence, the game count of 76,000 is listed as a gold sticker on the box. Most of the included games had been originally released for the Famicom or NES, but some have been created by the manufacturer. Most of the games have had their title screen graphics removed to save space on the ROM chip.

==Legal issues==

When [[Nintendo]] discovered this product, they began taking strong legal action against importers and sellers of the consoles, and have obtained a temporary [[injunction]] against the import and sale of video game systems containing counterfeit versions of Nintendo games.

There are a number of scenes depicted on the front and back of the boxes, but all of them are artistic stylized drawings or retouched photos—none of them are actual game screenshots. Some versions sold in the US have an unlicensed still image from ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]'' on the front of the box.

As of Spring 2005, NrTrade quit selling these products, however they still retain stock by other companies. These are still in production in [[China]] by Eittek but not massively distributed.

On December 16, 2005, the [[FBI]] executed search warrants at two kiosks at the [[Mall of America]] and also searched storage facilities rented by Yonathan Cohen, 27, an owner of Perfect Deal LLC of [[Miami, Florida]].<ref name="Knockoff">[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]] (January 20, 2005) ''Knockoff games allegedly sold at mall.'' Section: Local; Page B6</ref> The consoles, purchased wholesale at $7 to $9 each, sold for $30 to $70 each.<ref name="guilty">[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]] (April 5, 2005) ''Man pleads guilty in pirated game sales.'' Section: Local; Page B3</ref> After confiscating 1,800 units of Power Player, each containing 76 copyrighted video-game titles belonging primarily to Nintendo or its licensees, Cohen was charged in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]] in January 2005 with federal criminal infringement of [[copyright]] for selling Power Player video games at kiosks at the Mall of America and other malls across the nation.<ref name="Knockoff"/> In April 2005, Cohen pleaded guilty to selling pirated video games.<ref name="guilty"/>

After this product gained some popularity, the Power Player 3.5, an improved model with more games, was released.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} A wireless version of Power Games was also released.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}}

Nine days after Cohen's guilty plea, 40 FBI agents arrested four Chinese nationals working in an international piracy ring and seized 60,000 pirated Nintendo Power Player consoles in searches in [[Brooklyn]], [[Queens , New York|Queens]], [[Manhattan]] and [[Maple Shade, New Jersey]].<ref name="sunk">Gearty, Robert. (April 14, 2005) [[New York Daily News]] ''[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nydailynews/access/821882541.html?dids=821882541:821882541&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Apr+14%2C+2005&author=ROBERT+GEARTY&pub=New+York+Daily+News&edition=&startpage=32&desc=VIDEO+GAME+PIRATES+SUNK Video game pirates sunk.]'' Section:News; Page 32</ref><ref>[[Business Wire]] (April 15, 2005) ''[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_April_15/ai_n13612029 Nintendo Applauds the FBI -- Four Arrested for Allegedly Distributing Pirated Nintendo Products.]''</ref>

The console can possibly have issues where it starts [[Smouldering|smoldering]] when turned on.

In November 2005, Cohen was sentenced to five years in federal prison and required to run ads in mall magazines to tell the public how he illegally sold knockoff video games at Mall of America kiosks.<ref>[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]] (November 19, 2005) '' Man gets five years in video game fraud.'' Section: LOCAL; Page 5B</ref>

==History==

Several shopping malls quit selling these products but despite that the product is still sold by other dealers (e.g. [[flea markets]]).

[[Image:PPSJIIIboxback.JPG|thumb|Back of Power Player Super Joy III box]]

When [[Nintendo]] discovered this product line, the company began strong legal action against importers and sellers of the consoles, and have obtained a temporary [[injunction]] against the import and sale of video game systems containing counterfeit versions of Nintendo games.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

On December 16, 2004, the [[FBI]] executed search warrants at two kiosks at the [[Mall of America]] in Minnesota and also searched storage facilities rented by Yonatan Cohen, an owner of Perfect Deal LLC of [[Miami, Florida]].<ref name="Knockoff">[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]] (January 20, 2005) ''Knockoff games allegedly sold at mall.'' Section: Local; Page B6</ref> The consoles, purchased wholesale at $7 to $9 each, sold for $30 to $70 each.<ref name="guilty">[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]] (April 5, 2005) ''Man pleads guilty in pirated game sales.'' Section: Local; Page B3</ref> After confiscating 1,800 units of Power Player, each containing 76 copyrighted video game titles belonging primarily to Nintendo or its licensees, Cohen was charged in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]] in January 2005 with federal criminal infringement of [[copyright]] for selling Power Player video games at kiosks at the Mall of America and other malls across the nation.<ref name="Knockoff"/> In April 2005, Cohen pleaded guilty to selling illegally copied video games.<ref name="guilty"/>

==Technical aspects==

[[Image:PPSJIIIsystem.JPG|200px|thumb|left| Power Player Super Joy III System]]

:''See [[Nintendo Entertainment System#Technical specifications|Nintendo Entertainment System's technical specifications]] for more info.''

*Can support Japanese Famicom cartridges (cartridge slot may not be present on some models).

*has [[composite video|composite]] and audio outputs.

*Is able to run unlicensed NES/Famicom games.

Nine days after Cohen's guilty plea, 40 FBI agents arrested four Chinese nationals working in an international copyright infringement ring and seized 60,000 Power Player consoles in searches in [[Brooklyn]], [[Queens]], [[Manhattan]], and [[Maple Shade, New Jersey]].<ref name="sunk">Gearty, Robert. (April 14, 2005) [[New York Daily News]] ''[https://archive.today/20070325035616/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nydailynews/access/821882541.html?dids=821882541:821882541&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Apr+14,+2005&author=ROBERT+GEARTY&pub=New+York+Daily+News&edition=&startpage=32&desc=VIDEO+GAME+PIRATES+SUNK Video game pirates sunk.]'' Section:News; Page 32</ref><ref>[[Business Wire]] (April 15, 2005) ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20080923041945/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_April_15/ai_n13612029 Nintendo Applauds the FBI -- Four Arrested for Allegedly Distributing Pirated Nintendo Products.]''</ref>

In November 2005, Cohen was sentenced to five years in federal prison and was required to run ads in mall magazines to tell the public how he illegally sold knockoff video games at Mall of America kiosks.<ref>[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]] (November 19, 2005) '' Man gets five years in video game fraud.'' Section: LOCAL; Page 5B</ref>

Several shopping malls quit selling these products, though the product was still sold by other dealers such as [[flea market]]s.

==List of built-in games==

*On version 3.0 of PPSJ, all these items duplicated themselves circa 1,000 times; hence the claim to have 76,000 games built in when the true count is only 76. Version 3.5 has a more honest description and uses the titles once.

Notes:

*In the games list, there is a message at the top that says "FUNTIME 76000 IN 1" or "FUNTIME 76 IN 1".

*On version 3.0 of PPSJ, all these items duplicated themselves circa 1000 times hence the claim to have 76,000 games built in, however version 3.5 has a more honest description and uses the titles once.

*MoreAdditional games can be played if a Famicom cartridge is inserted, or a NES cartridge is used with an importadapter, adaptoralthough issome usedhardware variants require the plastic housing to be trimmed to fit cartridges in the Famicom slot.

*Many of the game titles in the system menu are abbreviated, misspelled, use alternate names for the game, or are simply wrong (e.g. Burgertime and PacmanTekken). In this list, an effort has been made to use the proper name for the games, with the PPSJ menu name in parenthesisparentheses for known differences.

*This game incorporates menu selection sounds from the game ''[[Action 52]]''.

*When the system starts up, the words "FUN TIME" appear flashing on the screen. (This may not show up on LCD TVs because the system gives off a weak TV signal and then improves later during gameplay.)

Built-in games may include the following:

*#''[[10-Yard Fight]]'' (listed as "10YF")

*#''[[1942 (arcade game)|1942]]''

*#''[[AladdinMagic IIICarpet 1001]] '' (a.k.a.listed as "MagicALADDIN Carpet 1001III"), taken directly from the "[[Caltron]]/Myriad 6-in-1" cartridge)

*#''[[Antarctic Adventure]]'' (listed as "ANTARCTIC")

*#''[[Arkanoid]]'' (listed as "ARKONOID")

*#''[[Balloon Fight]]''

*#''[[Baseball (Nintendo game)|Baseball]]''

*#''[[Battle City (video game)|Battle City]]'' (inIn the ROM, the title screen says '''''[[Tank A 1990]]''''', or '''''[[Tank M 1990]]''''', and '''''Tank N 1990''''', and in the game selection menu, it is listed multiplemanifold times, as both "DESERT TANK", "SPEED TANK", and "SPEEDABRAMS TANK".)

*#''[[Binary Land]]'' (listed as "BINARY", and "BINARY LAND" or "BINARY & LAND")

*#''[[Bird Week]]''

*#''[[Bomberman]] (listed as "BOMBERMAN")''

#''[[Circus Charlie]]'' (listed as "TOY STORY", and "CIRCUS CHABLIE" or "CURCUS CHARLIE")

*[[Burgertime]] Listed as BURGER TIME, but this ROM is definitely not Burgertime.

*#''[[ChampionshipDuck LodeHunt|Clay RunnerShoot]]'' (listed as "LODECLAY RUNNER 2SHOOTING") was actually part of ''Duck Hunt''.

#''[[Clu Clu Land]]''

*[[Circus Charlie]] (also listed as "TOY STORY" and "CIRCUS CHABLIF")

#''[[Contra (arcade game)|Contra]]''

*[[Duck Hunt|Clay Shoot]] (listed as "CLAY SHOOTING") was actually part of Duck Hunt.

#''[[Defender (video game)|Defender]]'' (listed as "DEFENDER II")

*[[Clu Clu Land]]

#''[[Devil World]]''

*[[Contra (arcade game)|Contra]]

#''[[Dig Dug]]'' (listed as "DIG DUG I")

*[[Devil World]]

*#''[[DigDoor DugDoor]]''

#''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (arcade game)|Donkey Kong, Jr.]]'' (listed as "DONKEY KONG 2" and "MONKEY")

*[[Door Door]]

*#''[[Donkey Kong, Jr. (arcade game)|Donkey Kong, Jr.Math]]'' (listed as "DONKEY KONG 2" and "MONKEYCALCULATOR")

*#''[[Donkey Kong, Jr. Math3]]'' (listed as "CALCULATORDONKEY KONG" or "KEYKONG 3")

*#''[[Duck Hunt]]'' (listed as "SNOWFIELD SHOOT" and "DUCK HUNT")

*#''[[Elevator Action]]'' (listed as "ELEVATOR")

*#''[[Excitebike]]''

*#''[[Exerion]]''

*#''[[F-1 Race]]'' (listed as "F1 RACE" or "F-1 RACE")

*#''[[Field Combat]]'' (listed as "COMBAT")

*#''[[Formation Z]]''

*#''[[Front Line (arcade game)|Front Line]]''

*#''[[Galaga]]'' (listed as "GALAGA" or "GALAZA")

*#''[[Golf (1984 video game)|Golf]]''

*#''[[Gomoku Narabe Renju|Gomoku Narabe]]'' (listed as "ChessCHESS", and "FiveFIVE ChessCHESS" or "ChineseCHINESE ChessCHESS")

*#''[[GyrodineGradius]]''

#''[[Gyrodine]]''

*[[Raid on Bungeling Bay]] (listed as "Helicopter")

#''[[Raid on Bungeling Bay]]'' (listed as "HELICOPTER" or "RAID ON BAY")

*[[Hogan's Alley (arcade game)|Hogan's Alley]]

#''[[Hogan's Alley (arcade game)|Hogan's Alley]]''

*[[Ice Climber]]

#''[[Ice Climber]]''

*[[Joust (arcade game)|Joust]]

*#''[[KaratekaIkki (computervideo game)|KaratekaIkki]]'' (listed (as "[[Tekken]]KNIGHT")

#''[[Joust (arcade game)|Joust]]''

*[[Lunar Pool]] (listed as "LUNAR BALL")

#''[[Karateka (video game)|Karateka]]'' (wrongly listed as "[[Tekken (video game)|TEKKEN]]")

*[[The Super Dimension Fortress Macross|Macross]]

#''[[Salamander (video game)#Nintendo Entertainment System|Life Force]]''

*[[Magic Jewelry]]

#''[[Lode Runner]]'' (listed as "LODE RUNNER 2")

*[[Mario Bros.]]

*#''[[MappyLunar Pool]]'' (listed incorrectly as "[[Pac-Man|PACMAN]]LUNAR BALL")

#''[[M.U.S.C.L.E.]]'' (listed as "[[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWF]]")

*[[Mighty Bomb Jack]]

#''[[Magic Jewelry]]'' (listed as "JEWEL TETRIS")

*[[Millipede (game)|Millipede]]

*#''[[NinjaMahjong Kunvideo game|Mahjong Taikai]]'' (listed incorrectly as "Ninja IMAJUN2")

*#''[[Nuts &Mario MilkBros.]]'' (listed incorrectly as "Milk &MARIO NutsBROS")

*#''[[Brush RollerMappy]]'' (listed as "BrushMICE RollLOVE CAT", "MAPPY", and wrongly as "Paint[[Pac-Man|PACMAN]]")

#''[[Mighty Bomb Jack]]'' (listed as "BOMB JACK")

*[[Pinball (video game)|Pinball]]

#''[[Millipede (arcade game)|Millipede]]''

*[[Pooyan]]

#''[[MotoRace USA]]'' (listed as "ZIPPY RACE")

*[[Popeye (arcade game)|Popeye]]

#''[[Ninja Kun]]'' (listed as "NINJA I")

*[[Road Fighter]]

#''[[Nuts & Milk]]'' (listed as "MILK & NUTS")

*[[Slalom]]

#''[[Make Trax|Brush Roller]]'' (listed as "BRUSH ROLL" and "PAINTER")

*[[Sky Destroyer]]

#''[[Pac-Man]]''

*[[Space Invaders]] (listed as "SPACE ET")

#''[[Paperboy (video game)|Paperboy]]''

*[[Spartan X]] (listed as "SPARTANX," more commonly known as "[[Kung Fu Master]]")

#''[[Pinball (1984 video game)|Pinball]]'' (listed as "PINBALL" or "PIN BALL")

*[[Sqoon]]

*#''[[Star ForcePooyan]]''

#''[[Popeye (arcade game)|Popeye]]''

*[[Star Gate]]

#''[[Road Fighter]]''

*[[Super Arabian]] (listed as "ARABIAN")

#''[[Slalom (video game)|Slalom]]'' (listed as "SLACOM" or "SLALOM")

*[[Super Dynamix]]

#''[[Sky Destroyer]]''

*[[Super Mario Bros.]]

*#''[[TagSpace Team Match M.U.S.C.L.E.Invaders]]'' (listed as "[[WorldSPACE Wrestling Entertainment|WWF]]ET")

#''[[Spartan X (video game)|Spartan X]]'' (listed as "SPARTANX"), more commonly known as ''Kung-Fu Master''

*[[Tennis (video game)|Tennis]]

*#''[[Tetris]]Soccer (Tengen1985 video game)|Soccer]]'' (listed as "Tetris[[Fifa 2Soccer|FIFA SOCCER]]")

*#''[[TwinbeeSqoon]]''

*#''[[UrbanStar ChampionForce]]''

*#''[[WarpmanStargate (1995 video game)|Stargate]]'' (listed incorrectly as "[[BurgerSTAE Time|BURGERTIME]]GATE" or "STAR GATE")

#''[[Super Arabian]]'' (listed as "ARABIAN")

*[[Wild Gunman]]

*#''[[WorldSuper SoccerContra]]''

#''[[Super Dimension Fortress Macross (Famicom game)|Super Dimension Fortress Macross]]'' (listed as "MAXCROSS" or "MACROSS")

*[[Yie-Ar Kung Fu]] (listed as "King of Fighter")

#''[[Super Dyna'mix Badminton]]'' (listed as "SUPER DYNAMIX")

{{listdev}}

#''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (listed as "SUPER MARIO")

#''[[Super Soccer]]'' (listed as "SOCCER HEROES")

#''[[Tennis (1984 video game)|Tennis]]''

#''[[Tetris: The Soviet Mind Game]]'' (listed as "TETRIS 2"), by [[Tengen (company)|Tengen]]

#''[[Twinbee]]'' (listed as "TWIN BEE")

#''[[Urban Champion]]''

#''[[Warpman]]'' (listed as "WARPMAN", and wrongly as "[[Burgertime|BURGERTIME]]")

#''[[Wild Gunman]]''

#''[[World Soccer (1990 video game)|World Soccer]]''

#''[[Yie-Ar Kung Fu]]'' (listed as "KING OF FIGHTER" or "YIE AR KUNG FU" or "SPARTAN")

'''Note:''' That the list count is greater than 76, as different versions of the PowerPlayer include slightly different game sets.

==References==

<div class="references-small"><references/></div>

==See also==

*[[Famiclone]]

*[[FC Game Console]]

*[[Playervision]]

*[[Generation NEX]]

*[[Nintendo Entertainment System hardware clone]]

*[[PocketFami]]

*[[Polystation]]

==References==

{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160108131247/http://www.vidgame.net/misc/POWER_PLAY.htm A page with information about the Power Player Super Joy III]

* [http://www.usdojpromoguy.govnet/usao2004/mn04/press01/econpower-playah-th/econ0027.htm FBI PressOnline Releasediscussion regardingabout aPower lawsuitPlayer againstSuper theJoy creatorSystem]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121020101542/http://www.gamesreviews2010.com/10-hilarious-knock-off-gaming-consoles/ 10 Hilarious Knock Off Gaming Consoles]

* [http://www.funroom.com/store/power_player.mgi?mgiToken=26F8F20226 The Funroom Store: Power Player Video Game System]

* [http://www.promoguy.net/archives/002438.php Online discussion about Power Player Super Joy System]

{{Nintendo Entertainment System}}

[[Category:Dedicated consoles]]

[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System hardware clones]]

[[Category:Handheld game consoles (no screen)]]

[[Category:Copyright infringement of software]]

[[fr:Power Player Super Joy III]]

[[Category:Handheld TV games]]

[[es:Power Player Super Joy III]]

[[Category:Unlicensed Nintendo Entertainment System hardware clones]]

[[Category:Video game controversies]]