Dendy

Dendy ( ) is a series of home video game consoles that were unofficial hardware clones of Nintendo's third-generation Family Computer system. Released on 17 December 1992, Dendy consoles were manufactured in Taiwan using Chinese components on behalf of the Russian company Steepler. These consoles were primarily sold in Russia. Over time, production expanded to include assembly at the Chinese Subor factory and the Russian Tensor factory in Dubna, Moscow Oblast. The Dendy consoles were based on Japanese hardware designs and cartridge formats, which differed slightly from their American counterparts. The Dendy product line was divided into two categories: the main Classic series and the budget-oriented Junior series. These categories differed in design, quality, and price. The Classic models were replicas of the Micro Genius consoles produced by Taiwan's TXC Corporation and were manufactured in the same factory. The Junior models, developed specifically for Steepler, employed a cost-effective design based on a system-on-a-chip architecture. Steepler also planned to release a Pro version featuring one wired and one wireless gamepad. However, this model was only produced in a single, limited batch. Because the Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System were never officially sold in post-Soviet states, the Dendy achieved great popularity in the region.…

Dendy ( ) is a series of home video game consoles that were unofficial hardware clones of Nintendo's third-generation Family Computer system. Released on 17 December 1992, Dendy consoles were manufactured in Taiwan using Chinese components on behalf of the Russian company Steepler. These consoles were primarily sold in Russia. Over time, production expanded to include assembly at the Chinese Subor factory and the Russian Tensor factory in Dubna, Moscow Oblast. The Dendy consoles were based on Japanese hardware designs and cartridge formats, which differed slightly from their American counterparts. The Dendy product line was divided into two categories: the main Classic series and the budget-oriented Junior series. These categories differed in design, quality, and price. The Classic models were replicas of the Micro Genius consoles produced by Taiwan's TXC Corporation and were manufactured in the same factory. The Junior models, developed specifically for Steepler, employed a cost-effective design based on a system-on-a-chip architecture. Steepler also planned to release a Pro version featuring one wired and one wireless gamepad. However, this model was only produced in a single, limited batch. Because the Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System were never officially sold in post-Soviet states, the Dendy achieved great popularity in the region. Its marketing strategy included television shows and video game publications. The brand name "Dendy" became genericized in Russia, referring not only to other Famicom hardware clones, colloquially called Famiclones, but also to various gaming consoles. Production of the original Dendy ceased in 1998 following Steepler's bankruptcy. By then, sales estimates ranged from 1.5 to 6 million units. The Dendy is regarded as the catalyst for the video game and console market in Russia. File:Dendy Classic.png|Dendy Classic File:Dendy Classic-2 Game console.jpg|Dendy Classic II File:Dendy Classic-2 Gamepad.jpg|Dendy Classic II controller File:Dendy Junior frontleft.png|Dendy Junior File:Dendy Junior detachable controller.png|Dendy Junior controller File:Dendy Junior II frontrt ctrls.png|Dendy Junior IIP File:Dendy Junior joysticks.png|Dendy Junior II controllers Dendy was manufactured in several variants, broadly categorized into two lines: the main Classic series and the budget-oriented Junior series. The first Dendy model was based on the Taiwanese Micro Genius IQ-501, which itself was based on the Twin Famicom from Sharp. TXC Corporation, a Taiwanese company, reimagined the Twin Famicom's design, creating a more compact console. The Russian company Steepler rebranded the IQ-501 as the Dendy Classic and launched it on 17 December 1992. Steepler launched the Dendy Junior in the summer of 1993 as a more economical alternative to the Classic, aimed at younger children. The company's goal was to offer a console at a price point that would make it more attractive for wholesalers to source from Steepler rather than Chinese manufacturers. To achieve this, the Junior utilized cost-effective production methods, including a system-on-a-chip architecture. TXC Corporation custom-designed this model for Steepler to compete with inexpensive, low-quality Chinese clones. The Junior's appearance was based on the original Famicom, with packaging designed by Rustem Adagamov. With a wholesale price of $29, the Junior's release had the effect of increasing Classic model sales. The next model in the series was the Dendy Junior II, which featured a rounded case similar to the original Junior, but with non-detachable controllers. The second controller lacked Start and Select buttons. Alongside this model, Steepler released the Dendy Junior IIP, which included a light gun resembling the NES Zapper and a multi-game cartridge. Following the Junior II, Steepler introduced the Dendy Junior IVP, skipping the Junior III designation. This decision was made after unknown competitors released a modified version of the Junior II under the Junior III name. To differentiate their product, Steepler launched the Junior IVP in black, using less expensive plastic and bundling it with a light gun modeled after the Beretta M9. The Dendy Classic II, based on the Micro Genius IQ-502, was the final model in the series. It featured a new rounded design and updated controllers. Despite its higher price compared to standard Junior versions, the Classic II saw limited consumer interest. Steepler also planned to release the Dendy Pro, based on the Micro Genius IQ-1000, which would have included one wired and one wireless controller. Savyuk described it to Kommersant newspaper as a console that would "provide worthy competition to the best Japanese 8-bit consoles." However, according to Savyuk, only a limited run of 1,000-1,200 units was produced, which sold poorly.

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