Game Axe

The Game Axe is an unlicensed handheld version of the Famicom, made by the Taiwanese hardware manufacturer Legend Technology Co., LTD. Launched in 1989 it made a comeback around 2000, being sold in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan under the Redant brand. It is a portable Famiclone that can play Famicom games, and by using the included adapter, American and European Nintendo Entertainment System games.

Design

The design of the Game Axe was horizontal and similar in appearance to Sega's Game Gear. It had a 3.5-inch or 4-inch colour LCD screen, two controller ports at the base, an AC jack, and an RCA jack, allowing the Game Axe to be plugged to a television and essentially replace a Famicom.

Technical specifications

These are the basic technical specifications for the Game Axe:

Power: 9 volts DC 500-1000mA / 6 AA batteries.
CPU: NMOS 6502 at 1.8 MHz
Graphics: PPU
Display: 3.8 inch Passive Matrix LCD screen with backlight.
Sound: pAPU
Connectors:
* DC in, cartridge slot, A/V Out, RCA A/V in
* Controllers
* A/V Out
* Phones

Issues with the NES cartridge adapter

Due to the necessity of an extra adapter, the Game Axe suffers severe stability issues if playing NES games while holding the device. Any jarring of the hand held causes NES games to lose enough contact to freeze or shut off.