The Sega Game Gear is Sega's answer to the Nintendo Game Boy. Released in April of 1991 in the United States, and bringing color and an illuminated screen, the Game Gear can go where the Game Boy dares not to tread unless bristling with accessories. A diagonal upgrade of the Sega Master System, the Game Gear bridges the gap between it and the Genesis.

A great many arcade classics and more recent Sega Genesis games have been ported to the Game Gear, ensuring that there will be something for everyone. Despite being an 8 bit system, it still hangs tough. Just dial down your expectations a bit, and keep an eye on import catalogs in your favorite game magazines, as there is sure to be a number of interesting titles released an ocean away, with no plans for their translation. Thankfully, like the Game Boy, the Game Gear has no physical or software region locking, meaning you can import all of the Japanese or European games you see fit. Just keep an eye on the currency exchange rates. You don't want to pay $50 for a game one month, only to find that it's now effectively only $20. The Yen has been rather crazy lately.

While slightly less prone to ghosting than the Game Boy, scrolling backgrounds can blur all the same. The Game Gear, being backlit, is best played in areas with low light, as natural or artificial light sources compete with the in-built backlight, obscuring visuals. Sega and third parties have accounted for this, and would be more than happy to sell you screen shades and magnifiers to enhance your experience.

The Game Gear is unabashadly a power-hungry beast, and will drink cheap AA cells dry in a small number of hours. It's recommended to purchase rechargable AA cells, and use them when away from usable AC power. Of course, external battery packs are also an option, especially for extended road trips. Nevertheless, be sure to keep a note pad with you to jot down any passwords, codes, or strategies you come across, especially if your power LED is growing dim. You don't want all of that effort going to waste!