Introduction
The early 1990s were a golden era for handheld gaming, with several companies vying to capture the attention of gamers worldwide. While Nintendo’s Game Boy dominated the market, numerous other companies attempted to break into the space with their own handheld consoles. One such company was Watara, a relatively obscure Hong Kong-based electronics manufacturer. Watara's most notable contribution to the gaming industry was the Supervision, a handheld console that aimed to compete directly with the Game Boy. Despite its ambitions, the Watara Supervision struggled to make a significant impact in the gaming industry, but its story remains an intriguing chapter in the history of handheld gaming.
The Genesis of Watara Supervision
Watara and the Birth of the Supervision: Watara was founded in the late 1980s and initially focused on producing low-cost electronic products. As the popularity of handheld gaming consoles soared in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Watara saw an opportunity to enter the market. The company developed the Supervision, a handheld gaming console designed to offer a similar experience to the Game Boy but at a lower price point.
Launched in 1992, the Supervision was marketed as a more affordable alternative to the Game Boy, featuring a larger screen, a similar control layout, and the ability to play games on interchangeable cartridges. The console was distributed in various regions under different brand names, such as the QuickShot Supervision in the UK and the Hartung SV-100 in Germany. Watara’s goal was to tap into the growing demand for portable gaming while providing a budget-friendly option for consumers.
Design and Features: The Supervision was designed with affordability in mind, which was both its strength and its weakness. The console featured a monochrome LCD screen, similar to the Game Boy, but slightly larger at 3.5 inches. The Supervision’s screen was also adjustable, allowing users to tilt it for a better viewing angle—a feature that was unique among handheld consoles at the time.
The Supervision’s control layout mirrored that of the Game Boy, with a directional pad (D-pad) on the left and two action buttons on the right. Additionally, the console included a start button, a select button, and a contrast dial for adjusting the screen’s visibility. The Supervision was powered by four AA batteries, and it also featured a link port for multiplayer gaming, similar to the Game Boy’s link cable functionality.
However, the Supervision’s low-cost design led to several compromises. The console’s screen, while larger than the Game Boy’s, suffered from poor contrast and ghosting, making it difficult to see in certain lighting conditions. The build quality was also less robust than its competitors, contributing to the Supervision’s image as a budget product.
The Game Library: A Mixed Bag
Limited Third-Party Support: One of the major challenges for the Watara Supervision was its game library. Unlike Nintendo, which had strong relationships with numerous third-party developers, Watara struggled to attract major game publishers to its platform. As a result, the Supervision’s game library was composed mostly of titles developed by smaller, lesser-known companies.
The Supervision launched with a handful of games, including titles like "Crystball," "Super Pang," and "Challenger Tank." These games were often simple in design and lacked the polish and depth found in many Game Boy titles. While some games were enjoyable, the overall quality of the library was inconsistent, which hurt the Supervision’s appeal to gamers.
Notable Titles and Clones: Despite the limitations, there were a few notable titles in the Supervision’s library. "Crystball," for example, was a breakout clone that showcased the system’s potential for fun, arcade-style gameplay. Another title, "Journey to the West," was a side-scrolling action game based on the classic Chinese novel. However, many of the Supervision’s games were direct clones or heavily inspired by more popular titles on other systems, which did little to distinguish the console in a crowded market.
The lack of exclusive, high-quality games was a significant factor in the Supervision’s inability to compete with the Game Boy. While Watara attempted to expand the library with new releases, the games were not compelling enough to draw gamers away from Nintendo’s more established offerings.
Marketing and Distribution
Global Distribution Strategy: Watara adopted an aggressive global distribution strategy for the Supervision, partnering with various companies to market the console under different brand names in different regions. In the United States, the console was distributed by Bondwell under the name “QuickShot Supervision,” while in Europe, it was marketed by companies like Hartung and Videojet.
Despite these efforts, the Supervision faced significant challenges in gaining a foothold in key markets. In the U.S. and Japan, the console struggled to compete with the Game Boy’s overwhelming popularity. In Europe, where the handheld gaming market was more fragmented, the Supervision managed to gain a small following, but it was still overshadowed by Nintendo’s dominance.
Advertising and Market Positioning: Watara positioned the Supervision as an affordable alternative to the Game Boy, highlighting its lower price point and larger screen in marketing materials. However, the company’s advertising efforts were limited, particularly in comparison to Nintendo’s well-funded campaigns. As a result, many consumers were either unaware of the Supervision’s existence or viewed it as a lesser alternative to the Game Boy.
The Supervision’s budget positioning also worked against it in some respects, as it reinforced the perception that the console was inferior to its competitors. While the lower price made the Supervision accessible to more consumers, it also meant that the console was often overlooked by gamers who prioritized quality and brand recognition.
The Decline and Legacy of the Watara Supervision
The End of the Supervision: By the mid-1990s, the Watara Supervision was effectively out of the market. The console’s poor sales, limited game library, and lack of strong brand support made it difficult for Watara to continue competing in the increasingly crowded handheld gaming market. As Nintendo continued to dominate with the Game Boy and new competitors like Sega’s Game Gear entered the fray, the Supervision was gradually forgotten.
Watara eventually shifted its focus back to producing low-cost electronics and left the gaming industry behind. The Supervision, while not a commercial success, remains a curious footnote in the history of handheld gaming—a reminder of the challenges faced by smaller companies trying to break into a market dominated by giants.
Legacy and Impact: Although the Watara Supervision did not achieve the same level of success as the Game Boy or other handheld consoles, it played a role in demonstrating the viability of low-cost gaming devices. The Supervision’s attempt to offer an affordable alternative to more expensive systems highlighted the demand for budget-friendly gaming options, a trend that would continue in the industry with devices like the Playdate and various retro gaming consoles.
The Supervision is also remembered by collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts, who appreciate its unique place in gaming history. While the console itself may not have been a game-changer, it represents the creativity and ambition of smaller companies during a time of rapid innovation in the gaming industry.
Conclusion
The Watara Supervision is a fascinating example of a console that aimed high but ultimately fell short in the competitive landscape of the early 1990s. Despite its innovative design and budget-friendly price, the Supervision was unable to compete with the likes of the Game Boy, largely due to its limited game library, marketing challenges, and technological compromises. However, its story remains an important part of gaming history, illustrating the struggles and ambitions of smaller companies trying to make their mark in an industry dominated by larger players. Today, the Watara Supervision is remembered as a quirky and ambitious attempt to bring affordable handheld gaming to the masses.