Difference between revisions of "Sega Pico Models"

Revision as of 09:22, 30 August 2023

There are numerous variants of the Sega Pico console spread across the world. The console was officially supported between 1993 and 2005, and during this time many cosmetic changes and cost-cutting measures were put in place. For the most part, all models of Pico are technically identical and will run the same software. The Pico is a region-free console.

Primarily there are two variants of the Pico hardware, the more durable pre-2000 "Kids Computer Pico" (キッズコンピュータ・ピコ) models, and the post-2000 cost-reduced "Kids Communication Pico" models. There, are, however, some exceptions detailed below.

Japan

HPC-0001

The very first model of the Kids Computer Pico was the HPC-0001, a variant only released in Japan which debuted in June 1993. The HPC-0001 is a yellow with a red base, and has a dash of dark blue. It is one of two models to have the unused DE-9 port on the side.

Console closed
Console opened
Side inputs/outputs
Expansion port

HPC-0003

The HPC-0003 release was a revised version of the previous HPC-0001 version of the console, with a few minor tweaks to the bodywork that debuted in mid-to-late 1993 (mainly the removal of the DE-9 port). No HPC-0002 model was released to the public.

Console closed and box)
Console opened
No more DE-9 port

HPC-0003A

The HPC-0003A is a very rare update to the HPC-0003, released sometime in 1993. It is rumoured to have been targeted at schools, though this comment may be referring to the similar IMC-001 model by Imagineer. This version uses the color scheme that was used with its North American and European counterparts, being cyan and purple. It is, however, the only Sega-branded Japanese model to adopt this colour scheme.

Console and box
Console opened
Console closed
Front of box
Back of box

HPC-0007

Sega released the HPC-0007 sometime in 1993, which would become the "standard" Pico model for many years to come. It is largely identical to the HPC-0003, but the middle piece of plastic was changed to dark blue. Initial Asian and South Korean models of the Pico are based on the HPC-0007.

Console closed
Console opened

HPC-0008

In 2000, distribution rights were moved from Sega to Sega Toys, and light rebranding occurred. It is assumed HPC-0008 models were churned out quickly in preparation for the redesigned Kids Communication Pico. Alternatively it may have been repackaged leftover stock from other Asian markets.

Console closed
Console opened

HPC-0009

The most important change for the Pico occurred in 2001, when Sega Toys launched the Kids Communication Pico. Communication Picos are lighter models without thick blastic bases - they are supported instead by a thinner piece of foldable plastic, making them easier to store but signficantly less durable. Two types of HPC-0009 were available at launch - orange/white, or cyan/white.

Console closed
Console opened
Cyan/blue model. The console was also available in different color variants. Here's a cyan blue one.

Pico Pocket Monsters

This 2004 Pico release was given a Pokémon makeover in an attempt to revive sales. It is otherwise identical to the HPC-0009.

Console and box
Console closed
Front of box

Pico Anpanman

box
Console closed
Console opened

Pico Mushiking

Console closed
Console open

Pico Hamtaro

Pico JP HAM 1.jpg

Console and box
Pico JP HAM 2.jpg

Console closed
Pico JP HAM Box Front.jpg

Front of box

MIXT BOOK PLAYER COPERA

The Mixt Book Player Copera is the only unusual Pico model. It was released in 1993 by Yamaha and is based on the HPC-0001, but adds stereo sound output and an FM sound chip as well as a microphone and support for music composition. It also has two MIDI ports. Coperas are much rarer devices and its exclusive set of software is not compatible with regular Sega Picos.

Console closed
Console opened
A variety of different inputs/outputs

HIRAMEKI MIRAI KIDS IMC-001

The Hirameki Mirai Kids Pico model, presumably based on the HPC-0003A, is a rare variant released by Imagineer, potentially for schools. It adopts the cyan/purple colour scheme you may find elsewhere.

Pico JP HMK.jpg

Pics to probably be stoled from blog.

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/rig_veda/61101403.html

North America

MK49002

The MK49002 is the standard 1994 North American Sega Pico model, similar to the HPC-0007 in Japan but with a cyan/purple colour scheme. There are a few logo changes and the coloring is slightly different, but is otherwise identical.

Console closed
Console opened
Pen sensor board
Pico mainboard

MK49325

When Majesco were given the rights to distribute older Sega consoles in 1998, they produced this model of Pico in 1999, based on the Japanese HPC-0008. It was cheaper to manufacture, but like the Genesis 3 sales were sluggish in comparison to the original release. It can be identified by the console's non-colored logo and lack of Sega branding.

Console closed
Console opened

PAL Regions

Only one model of Pico is known to have been released in PAL regions, and is identical to the North American MK49002 model. The only difference is its adjustments required to work with PAL TV setups.

South Korea

Model 1

The Pico (피코) was surprisingly popular in South Korea, where it was initially distributed by Samsung from March 1995 to December 2002. This first model, being the most common, is similar to the North American and European designs, but again sports a different logo.

Model 2

A second model called Thinko (싱코) was based on the HPC-0007 and released by Samsung in 1998.

Neo Pico

The HPC-0009 Kids Communication Pico was distributed in the country by Xity Enterprise from 2003 as the "Neo Pico" (네오피코).

Asia

A version of the Japanese HPC-0007 Pico, with some branding borrowed from the European variant, was distributed in "Asia". Which specific countries received the Pico is not yet known.

83	84	85	86	88	90	91	93	94	98	06
Sega Home Video Game Systems
SG-1000	SG-1000 II			Mega Drive			Mega Drive II
SC-3000						Mega-CD	Mega-CD II		Genesis 3
		Sega Mark III						32X	Dreamcast
			Master System		Master System II
			AI Computer		Game Gear
								Saturn
							Pico			Beena

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 ===HPC-0003===
-The HPC-0003 release was a revised version of the previous HPC-0001 version of the console, with a few minor tweaks to the bodywork that debuted in 1994 (mainly the removal of the [[DE-9]] port). No HPC-0002 model was released to the public.
+The HPC-0003 release was a revised version of the previous HPC-0001 version of the console, with a few minor tweaks to the bodywork that debuted in mid-to-late 1993 (mainly the removal of the [[DE-9]] port). No HPC-0002 model was released to the public.
 <gallery>
 File:Pico JP HPC0003 1.jpg|Console closed and box)
@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 ===HPC-0003A===
-The HPC-0003A is a very rare update to the HPC-0003. It is rumoured to have been targeted at schools, though this comment may be referring to the similar IMC-001 model by [[Imagineer]]. This version shares its color scheme with its North American and European counterparts, being cyan and purple. It is, however, the only Sega-branded Japanese model to adopt this colour scheme.
+The HPC-0003A is a very rare update to the HPC-0003, released sometime in 1993. It is rumoured to have been targeted at schools, though this comment may be referring to the similar IMC-001 model by [[Imagineer]]. This version uses the color scheme that was used with its North American and European counterparts, being cyan and purple. It is, however, the only Sega-branded Japanese model to adopt this colour scheme.
 <gallery>
 File:Pico JP HPC0003A 1.jpg|Console and box
@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 ===HPC-0007===
-In 1997 Sega released the HPC-0007, which would become the "standard" Pico model for many years to come. The HPC-0007 is largely identical to the HPC-0003, but changes the middle piece of plastic to dark blue. Initial Asian and South Korean models of the Pico are based on the HPC-0007.
+Sega released the HPC-0007 sometime in 1993, which would become the "standard" Pico model for many years to come. It is largely identical to the HPC-0003, but the middle piece of plastic was changed to dark blue. Initial Asian and South Korean models of the Pico are based on the HPC-0007.
 <gallery>
 File:Pico JP HPC0007 1.jpg|Console closed
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 ===HPC-0008===
-In 2000 distribution rights were moved from Sega to [[Sega Toys]], and light rebranding occurred. It is assumed HPC-0008 models were churned out quickly in preparation for the redesigned Kids Communication Pico. Alternatively it may have been repackaged leftover stock from other Asian markets.
+In 2000, distribution rights were moved from Sega to [[Sega Toys]], and light rebranding occurred. It is assumed HPC-0008 models were churned out quickly in preparation for the redesigned Kids Communication Pico. Alternatively it may have been repackaged leftover stock from other Asian markets.
 <gallery>
 File:Pico JP HPC0008 1.jpg|Console closed
@@ Line 93: / Line 93: @@
 File:Pico JP HMK.jpg|Pics to probably be stoled from blog.
 </gallery>
 http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/rig_veda/61101403.html
 ==North America==