The PasoGo, derived from the Japanese loanword "pasocon", was a rare console released in April 5, 1996 by Koei for Go enthusiasts. Its high price point of ¥39,800 made it four times more expensive than the Game Boy Pocket which had been released in the same year.[1]
This 395 gram handheld console features a 320 x 240 LCD screen with monochrome colors.[1] The screen size enables the full Go board to be viewed by players when challenging the AI, though proper lighting is necessary to properly view it. The handheld has two buttons and a directional pad.[2]
Powered by a Vadem VG230 chip, the console requires 6 batteries and comes with a power cable accessory.[2] This made it last longer than the Game Boy, though its limited selection of games kept it from being popular outside of its intended target market.
Games
The following game cartridges below offer different variations of Go with their contents distinguished by box color.
The games in the green-colored boxes serve as Go tutorials for newcomers, enabling them to get a feel of the game's rules and various strategic plays. Each one featured hundreds of different moves to experiment with.[3]
The titles decked in blue let players test their skills on an AI opponents. One of the titles enables two players to compete with one another.[3]
Games with red-colored boxes are analytic demos that allow intermediate users to observe and guess the skills of professional players. The progress speed of each round can be adjusted for further studying.[3]
- Taikyoku-kun 1 - ¥9,800[3]
- Tanoshii Tsumego Dai-1-kan - ¥7,800[3]
- Tanoshii Tsumego Dai-2-kan - ¥7,800[3]
- Igo Meikyokushuu - Dai-1-kan - ¥5,800[3]
- 94 Nendo San Dai Title Chousen Teaishuu - ¥5,800[3]
- Rekidai Kisei Sen Meikyokushuu - ¥5,800[3]
- Kikai Haoh Den: Koten-hen - ¥5,800[3]
- Kikai Haoh Den: Gendai-hen - ¥5,800[3]
- Denshi Goban
- Tsuyoku Naru Tesuji - Dai-1-kan