Sega has not stopped making consoles altogether, but those it designs are aimed at the children’s market. And it does so by keeping alive one of its most classic consoles: the Sega Pico. The first model was launched in 1993 and was accompanied by all kinds of games, from those starring Sega characters to those based on famous licenses.
The second Pico was the Sega Advanced Pico Beena, which went on sale in 2005 and repeated the concept, but with a significant technological leap. Once again, the most famous characters of the moment were present, although the console was only released in Japan. Now Sega is back with the third generation of Pico, which has been dubbed the Sega ePico. It will go on sale in Japan in October 2024 and is already available for pre-order on Amazon.
A triumphant return
While the Pico consoles may not have the appeal of the Dreamcast or Mega Drive to gamers, it’s worth noting that the Pico has already sold more than 3.5 million units. Thirty years on, the console is evolving with the addition of the latest technology, such as a stylus that now has a six-axis sensor, vibration and microphone. The stylus is also a stroke of genius, as it can now be inserted into the space in the casing and automatically turns into a joystick. This provides instant fun with classic controls.
To make the gaming experience more interesting, the ePico has a mat that children can jump on as if they were playing Dance Dance Revolution. It also has new technology that, among other things, tracks the child’s activities and checks not only how their intelligence is developing, but also what they like most about the console.
The ideal option for children aged 3 and up
Although it may not seem like it, Japan is a country where video games are not as focused on children as in other parts of the world. It is practically impossible to find children’s games in the PlayStation console catalogue, and they can only be accessed through import. Therefore, the launch of a console like ePico is fantastic news for the Japanese market.
Along with the machine, which has a price of 30,800 yen in its reservation process on Amazon, a game will be included that provides 100 different experiences in a single cartridge-book. At Sega, it is said that it is the best option, since it has so many types of games and experiences that all children will find several that they will like and find fun. In addition, Sega believes that exposing children to these 100 games will make it easier for them to discover their passions and what they really like. After all, each child is unique.
The 100 mini-games included in the game that comes with the console provide a huge variety of experiences, including both games for fun and others for learning. Children will be able to participate in lessons in all kinds of subjects, act out different types of jobs, plant rice, participate in sumo fights, dig fossils, fish or even explore the Moon. Throughout the test of these mini-games, children will have to switch between different control methods, using the microphone, the mat to walk, jump or run or the joystick.
It is designed for children aged 3 and up, so both the interface and the mini-games are designed in an intuitive and accessible way. Sega stresses that these are experiences that cannot be achieved with a smartphone and that, in addition, everything is designed so that the child enjoys it and does not feel frustrated as can happen with video games designed for adults or older children.
The different games will offer an experience based on three levels: discover, explore and test. First, they will use their body and hands to play and have fun. Next, they’ll explore the encyclopedia-like knowledge that the game has and all the knowledge it shares. And finally, they’ll take part in different quizzes to test what they’ve learned. Based on this, children will receive points and parents will be able to access an information menu where they will receive reports on the progress their child is making while playing.
First games available
In addition to the panda game that is included with the console, for the launch in Japan on October 10 there will be two titles available, each of them on reserve for 4950 yen. They will be Hajimete de kita yo! Oboeta yo! Anpanman hitori de deki chatta!, starring the iconic superhero Anpanman, and Disney Princess: Magical Academy.
Each of the games has more than 30 activities represented with mini-games of all kinds. All children have to do is put the book-cartridge in the console and start playing in different experiences with their favorite characters. The Anpanman game will include some of the classic minigames in the character’s universe that have been seen in other games of the hero, such as in his Nintendo 3DS titles. Of course, everything will be adapted to the new console.
On the other hand, the Disney Princess game will have the minigames divided into categories depending on the princess that stars in them. The princesses that have their own games are: Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Snow White, Rapunzel, Ariel, Jasmine and Tiana. Considering the level of popularity that Frozen has in Japan, and given the absence of its characters in this game, it is most likely that Sega is thinking of releasing an exclusive one in the future.
For now, Sega has not talked about an international launch, but we assume that everything will depend on the success in Japan or the demand that may be in other countries.