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The Video Game Console Library - Funtech Super A'Can

Funtech Super A'Can 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		 1995 Taiwan Unknown UMCF-001 12 6.0
Ratings Reviews Pictures\Video Specs Games\Emulation Models Clones Links
Funtech Super A'Can
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
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Reviews
Funtech Super A'Can

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 pinouts 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.

Funtech Super A'CanThe 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.

   
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Pictures & Video

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

Super A'Can - Front

Super A'Can - Front

 Super A'Can - Back

Super A'Can - Back
 Super A'Can - Display

Super A'Can - Display
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Specs

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 Standard Gamepad None
Controller Ports Network Ports

Other Ports

Audio \ Video

Two (2)

 None None Composite \ RCA

Power Supply

Other Outputs

 Other Details \ Notes
AC Power Adaptor None None
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Games & Emulation

Games screen shots and\videos released for this system.  Click pictures to enlarge.
Cartridge Close-Up

Cartridge Close-Up
 		Speedy Dragon Game Footage
Video courtesy of dhgHunter. 		Game Boxes 2

Game Boxes 2
Sonic Flying Dragon Screen Shot
Picture courtesy of EmuGo.com

Sonic Flying Dragon Screen Shot
 Son of Evil Screen Shot
Picture courtesy of EmuGo.com

Son of Evil Screen Shot
 C.U.G. Screen Shot
Picture courtesy of EmuGo.com

C.U.G. Screen Shot
Third Party Emulators
Program Website Description

None released at this time.
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Models

Additional authorized releases for this console. 

No other additional models were released.
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Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones). 
No clones were released for this system.
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Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.
Name Website Description
EmuGo.com's Super A'Can http://www.vanillaicemedia.com/acan/acan.htm More great screen shots/pictures
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