In 1995 electronics giant,
Casio, made a second unique venture in gaming, after their first failed attempt. (
ルーピー,
Rupii)
Loopy - My Seal Computer SV-1000 was the first game console marketed entirely towards young females. Like the PV-1000, this console also failed to gain popularity; though it does have some curious features. First off, there is only one controller port, limiting any possibility of two-player gaming. Also, the console itself has a built-in "
Seal" printer, or thermal sticker printer, that uses heat to burn an image onto chemically treated stickers. This seal process is similar in function to the Game Boy Printer, but not in black-and-white.
The controller is quite simple with a single D-pad, a start button, and four buttons arranged in an arc to the right side. The alternative peripheral was a
mouse controller, which was sometimes bundled with one of two games. The only other hardware items available for the Loopy were replacement Seal cartridges.
The Loopy game library is almost a joke in itself. Casio published all 11 titles throughout the console's short two-year lifespan. All games also tend to have the same themes. Painting, dress-up/makeover, and romance stories are all that were offered. The art programs make the most use of the Seal printer, and seem to have little value otherwise. While the system claims uses 32-bit RISC processing, it appears technically unimpressive due to the nature of the software available.
Nothing gives a better impression of the Loopy than a look at the game offerings available.
- あにめらんど (animerando, Anime Land)
Frame an anime character portrait and add objects like cute adds or food to the window. This was designed to be primarily used with the Sealer. - ドリームチェンジ 小金ちゃんのファッションパーティー (doriimuchienji kogane channo fasshonpaateii, Dream Change)
A makeover simulation where the main character wants to be a fashion model. - わんわん愛情物語 (Wanwan Aijou Monogatari, Bow-wow Puppy Love Story)
An adventure from the point of view of a young girl's doggie, named "Peach". - 似顔絵アーティスト (Nigaoe Aeisuto, Nigaoe Artist or Portrait Artist)
Doodle on facial templates to make a portrait. This software offers finer control than "Anime Land", and can also be printed onto stickers. - HARIHARIシールパラダイス (harihari shiiru paradaisu, HARI HARI Sticker Paradise)
HARIHARI is yet another sticker printing software. Add an image of an animal, or write a note to a friend. - ビデオシールワープロ マジカルショップ (bideoshiiruwaapuro majikaru shoppu, Magical Shop)
Magical Shop is the most unique title available for the Loopy. The cartridge has video inputs and acts as a capture card to take an image from a digital camera, video recorder, or VCR. That image can be manipulated to add a note and print it on a sticker. - リトルロマンス - Little Romance (ritoru romansu)
Is more information necessary? A dating simulator where the main character interacts with others to build relationships and change emotions. - チャクラくんのおまじないパラダイス (Chakra-kun no Omajinai Paradaisu, Mr. Chakra's Charm Paradise)
Mix and make charms and spells. - パソコン・コレクション (pasokon . korekushon, PC Collection)
One of the titles to use the mouse. This is a software suite with functions for word processing, drawing, music composition, astrology readings, and more. Ten applications including a mini-game are included. - ルピトンのワンダーパレット (rupiton no wandaaparetto, Lupiton's Wonder Palette)
An angel's child, Lupiton, is friends with your character. Play through their interactive coloring-book world by adding real world scenery, and adding color. This game also works with the mouse, Magical Shop, and the printer. - ルーピータウンのおへやがほしい! (Rupi Taun no O-heya ga Hoshii!, I Want a Room in Loopy Town!)
A living simulation of sorts, like The Sims. Work a part-time job in Rupi Town to afford the miscellaneous goods for sale. Buy furniture to make a dream home. This one also uses the mouse.
While the printer was a neat idea, the shallow game offerings did not make this console an appealing buy. Many girl gamers now would probably consider themselves too mature for even this girl's system, though they appreciate the thought. The only other attempts to produce feminine consoles by any manufacturer to date have been pink colored consoles; most notably the
Lady Cassette Vision. More recently, Nintendo has taken a wiser approach by appealing to a wider genderless audience. As a result the Nintnedo DS and Wii have been hot sellers since their respective launches.
