The Video Game Console Library - Funtech Super A'Can

	Funtech Super A'Can
	HANDS ON REVIEW by Marriott_Guy DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
	Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy

Developer	Manufacturer	Release Date	Country(s)	Initial Price	Model Number	Game Releases	Overall Rating
Funtech Entertainment	Funtech Entertainment	25-Oct-95	Taiwan	Unknown	UMCF-001	12	6.0
Ratings	Reviews	Pictures\Media	Specs\Manuals	Games\Emulation	Models	Clones	Links

Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release. Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality)	06
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile)	04
Controllers (design, response, feel, use)	06
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation)	05
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects)	05
Media (game media format, design, durability)	07
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging)	05
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library)	01
Innovations (technological industrial strides)	01
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?)	01
Collector Value (good collector investment?)	08
Games Rarity (general availability of games)	08
Console Rarity (general availability of a system)	09

Reviews

Nice overall picture of the Funtech Super A'Can (picture credits unknown)

DW FACTS
- by Dark Watcher

The year is 1995, and Funtech Entertainment Corp decides to create the first original video gaming system made in Taiwan.

At first glance one might mistaken the Super A'Can as a clone of Nintendo's Super NES. In truth the console is a mixed bag, but definitely not a clone of any console released. The Super A'Can is a 16-bit console that appears to borrow elements from a few other popular consoles. The outer case and controllers strongly resemble the Super NES. The controller connector pin-outs are identical to the Sega Genesis. Internally however, the A'Can uses a dual Motorola processor configuration similar to SNK's Neo Geo (The 16-bit Motorola 68000 CPU was found in the Neo Geo and Genesis. Instead of an 8-bit Z80, it uses a Motorola 6502 found in the NES)

An interesting console that appears to have stayed under the radar of many collectors. It appears that the console was never released outside of Taiwan. Eight games (all by Funtech) have been confirmed for the system.

HANDS ON REVIEW
- by Marriott_Guy (31-Aug-07)

In 1995, Funtech Entertainment Corporation released the first original gaming system in Taiwan - the Super A'Can. Produced and sold exclusively in its native country, the console and controllers feel very fragile, constructed of thin plastics that belies its strong, dark grey outwardly appearance and extremely high price tag. This system is often mistaken as a Super Nintendo Entertainment System clone due to both the physical design and the processor powering this unit. A closer inspection of this rare oddity reveals a different picture.

Appearing just at the end of the hugely successful 16-bit era, the Super A'Can utilizes dual Motorola processors to deliver its gaming experience. The first of these central processing units (CPU) was the 16-bit Motorola 68000, which was also the driving core used in the Sega Genesis and Neo Geo AES systems. The 8-bit Motorola 6502, which originally debuted inside the Nintendo Entertainment System, comprised the second CPU. This dual engine rendered games using a 32,768 color palette and was quite powerful compared to the rest of the 16-bit systems. This processing power would have been a significant advantage for the Super A'Can if this console was released in 1989 instead of 1995. 32-bit technology was already being fully utilized within the gaming market at the time of its release and the Super A'Can was technologically obsolete before it hit the store shelves.

The twelve (12) confirmed games, with an additional nine (9) rumored to be in existence, were released in rather large, SNES-like cartridges. Games came presented in flamboyant, cardboard boxes which included a plastic game holder and instruction manual (also well presented). This matched the fun and playful design of the systems packaging. Overall game graphics and play are very similar to the Neo Geo and SNES. Bold, vibrant colors are pleasantly displayed in 2D environments. One of the best games for this system is C.U.G., a Super Mario type clone.

The Super A'Can failed miserably due to utilizing outdated technology and being initially offered for sale at an exorbitant price. Very few of these systems were sold, and it has been reported that Funtech Entertainment Corporation lost $6 million USD in this venture. Unsold units were disassembled and were parted out to various companies in the USA and abroad.

Collecting for this console is an expensive proposition, due to the limited number of units that were purchased and the exclusivity to the Taiwanese market. Expect to invest heavily if pursing this console - $100/$150 USD for a loose system, $250 USD plus for complete in box (CIB). Unfortunately, games are as rare that the system itself and usually run around $50 a piece for the common games, more for the more elusive titles. Super A'Can systems and games are most commonly found from Taiwanese sellers. Shipping costs to the USA will run you a few dollars, but overall are quite reasonable compared to other countries.

Overall, the Super A'Can is a pretty rare console solely due to its failure in the gaming industry. There is nothing extraordinary about the system or the game library for it. Only serious console or game collectors should pursue purchasing the Super A'Can - the system itself does not warrant the high investment by the casual gamer.

Pictures & Media

Various picture\media for this console. Click pictures to enlarge.

Super A'Can - Front

Super A'Can - Back

Super A'Can - Display

Super A'Can - Box Front

Super A'Can - Contents

Super A'Can - Box Back

The following excellent pictures are provided courtesy of Umbrella

Specs & Manuals

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.

Processor Type	Processor Speed	Other Processor Information	RAM \ Video RAM
16-bit Motorola 68000 \ 8-bit Motorola 6502	10.6 MHz \ 3.58 MHz	None	Unknown
Screen Resolution	Color Palette	Polygons \ Sprites	Audio
640 x 480	32,768 colors	Unknown	Unknown
Media Format	Media Capacity	Games Released	Other Supported Formats
Cartridge	Unknown	12	None
Internal Storage	External\Removable Storage	Game Controllers	Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None	None	4 button Gamepad, D-Pad	None
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
Two (2)	None	Extension Port	Composite
Power Supply - External	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: AC 120V, 60Hz, 35W Output: DC 8.5V, 1.2A	None	None
Manuals
Funtech Super A'Can Owners Manual (PDF) - 0.77 MB (images courtesy of Umbrella)

Games & Emulation

Games, media format, emulators and screen shots for titles released on this system.

Super A'Can game cartridge (Formosa Duel)
Software for the Funtech Super A'Can was distributed in the ROM cartridge format. The carts, as well as the packaging, are extremely similar to the style utilized for Super Famicom games. An inner clear plastic sleeve stores the cartridge along with providing some limited structural integrity to the actual box (pictured in the sections below).

Bright, vibrant colors were the preferred palette for the cover art design. Two to three screenshots are featured on the back of the box, along with a short description of the game.

Games are more difficult to locate than the system itself. Rebel Star is by far the most rare of the twelve titles that were released.

Funtech Super A'Can Title Screens

Formosa Duel Sango Fighter Son of Evil Speedy Dragon Super Taiwanese Baseball League C.U.G. Super Dragon Force Monopoly: Adventure in Africa Gambling Lord Boomzoo

Funtech Super A'Can Game Screenshots

Formosa Duel
F001

Formosa Duel screenshot

Sango Fighter
F002

Sango Fighter screenshot

Son of Evil
F003

Son of Evil screenshot

Speedy Dragon
F004

Speedy Dragon screenshot

Super Taiwanese Baseball League
F005

Super Taiwanese Baseball League screenshot

C.U.G.
F006

C.U.G. screenshot

Super Dragon Force
F007

Super Dragon Force screenshot

Monopoly: Adventure in Africa
F008

Monopoly: Adventure in Africa screenshot

Gambling Lord
F009

Gambling Lord screenshot

Magical Billiards
F010

Magical Billiards screenshot

Boomzoo
F011

Boomzoo screenshot

Rebel Star
F012

Rebel Star screenshot

Super A'Can Game Boxes
(click to enlarge image)

Super A'Can Game Box Contents
(click to enlarge image)

Third Party Emulators
Program	Website	Description
M.E.S.S.	http://www.mess.org/	Multi-Emulator Super System is a DOS based emulator capable of running many systems including this one. It has a Windows based GUI, and should be usable by most PC systems

Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.

No other additional models were released.

Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).

No clones were released for this system.

Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.

Name	Website	Description
Paku Paku Blog	http://pakupakustory.blogspot.com/.../...super-acan.html	Excellent article on Super A'Can games (in French)

visitors since 01-Apr-2008
Page last updated 11-Dec-2011

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