Home » Game » [Game] I’ve never heard of the device at all, but was it quite famous?

[Game] I’ve never heard of the device at all, but was it quite famous?

  • Game
  • March 24, 2025
  • 0 Comments

Why was the “PlayYan,” which was intended to be used as an alternative to the iPod for the Nintendo DS, unpopular? Smart Phone Life PLUS GAME BOY ADVANCE SP. Nintendo, movies, and music… PlayYan TM Release date: February 21, 2005 Standard price: PlayYan 5,000 yen (including tax) “MediaStage Ver.4.2 for Nintendo” set 6,000 yen (including tax) Compatible models: Game Boy Advance SP, Game Boy Micro, Nintendo DS *Not compatible with Game Boy Advance. Sales of PlayYan have ended. Main features, specifications, Q & A, if you think it might be broken, mini-games. Feature Specification may be included. Latest information ● As of September 11, 2005, “PlayYan” has ended sales. We are now releasing “PLAY-YAN micro” with equivalent performance. For more details, please see here. (2005.9.12) [Link] [Link] New feature addition files have been released. (2005.7.14) [Link] New feature addition files have been released. (2005.7.11) [Link] An update file for “MediaStage Ver.4.2 for Nintendo” has been released. (2005.3.28) (Image is quoted from the official Game Boy Advance website) Among those who loved the Game Boy Advance SP (GBASP) and Nintendo DS, there might be those who remember “PlayYan” and “PLAY-YAN micro” released by Nintendo in 2005?

1: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx72

I’m from the direct hit generation, but I don’t know…

2: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx27

It was famous.

You could insert an SD card into the GBA cartridge and play songs.

3: Japan Otaku Reviews

I have no idea.

4: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx9

I’m telling you it’s unpopular.

5: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx20

At the point where it costs 5000 yen, it should be fine to just be an ordinary player…

6: Japan Otaku Reviews

It was the one that had the sound output reversed and was voluntarily recalled.

9: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>6

I got it exchanged.

7: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx4

If you had both, the PSP had the playback function standard equipped…

8: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx18

I think it was famous.

I know about things like the Satellaview and 64DD, but it’s the kind of stuff that nobody actually owns.

10: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx5

I thought Nintendo was just casually putting out toys again.

Wasn’t there no popularity for online-only sales options back then?

11: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

I knew of its existence, but I didn’t know it was made by Nintendo.

12: Japan Otaku Reviews

Did you manage to push in the SD?

It seems like I could do something naughty.

21: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

>>12

There were probably people trying to play homebrew games or hack the DS through actual play.

Soon, game copiers became widespread, and they became unnecessary for such uses.

13: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

I only had a DS, so it was very useful for listening to music.

Back then, SD cards were really expensive…

14: Japan Otaku Reviews

I wanted this in the past.

I bought a PSP, so I no longer need this.

15: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx10

Wasn’t this a device in the same category as the GB Pocket Camera?

It wasn’t something that seemed aimed at sharing, was it?

16: Japan Otaku Reviews

I think I was still using an MP3 player with CDs around 2005…

I remember putting music converted from mp3 onto my cell phone after that.

17: Japan Otaku Reviews

The PSP was like a smartphone when I think about it now.

18: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx5

The PSP could do anything.

19: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx23

>>18

It was able to do too much of everything.

29: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>19

At the time, a 1GB memory stick cost more than 10,000 yen, but it was still worth buying.

20: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx6

Even if I’m asked why something unknown was unpopular, I have no words to respond.

22: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

I was using this connected to a GB Micro as an MP3 player.

23: Japan Otaku Reviews

There was this too, but it didn’t catch on at all.

Pereiyan is relatively well-known, partly because of its name.

https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/l_goods/others/others13.html

24: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx5

Playan was famous! There was even a thread about it at the time!

28: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

>>24

First of all, there weren’t that many people using the internet back then.

32: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx14

>>28

It’s a story about someone who was famous among the otaku on the internet.

Well, those who weren’t using the internet wouldn’t know about it.

35: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx14

>>28

It’s quite a joke for someone without a name to say this.

36: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

>>35

Well, at that time, it’s a fact in terms of the era.

25: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

Play as a character has made a comeback in Rhythm Heaven.

26: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx4

I could watch the video, but I ended up going with the PSP…

27: Japan Otaku Reviews

Since iPods and various MP3 players that imitated it were popular and I had one, I don’t really need it, right?

I and the people around me weren’t interested… I thought there are other videos that are just as good.

30: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx5

In terms of convenience, it is definitely inferior to dedicated players.

It is based on the playful idea that functions can be expanded with cartridges.

31: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

I was using various external devices for mobile phones back then, like cameras, one-segment TV, and car navigation systems.

33: Japan Otaku Reviews

I had a one-segment tuner for the DS.

34: Japan Otaku Reviews

I’ve heard the name, but…

I didn’t know what it was all about.

37: Japan Otaku Reviews

I remember endlessly playing background music with the Sky Exploration Team’s in-game feature…

I’m really glad that it keeps running properly even when I close the screen.

38: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

The player and the bulletin board are almost the same age…

It’s just a newly born bulletin board, but…

39: Japan Otaku Reviews

I remembered it was an mp3 player.

So it was an SD card type…

40: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

The year 2005 when Playyan was released was a time when the latest information about games from Famitsu, Dengeki, IT Media, 4Gamer, and many others was shifting to online media.

41: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx6

Stop it!

42: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx4

In 2005, the internet penetration rate was already 70%.

43: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

The internet penetration rate in 2004-2005 was about 70%, approximately 80 million people.

44: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx6

If it’s about the DS, I remember there were threads here too, but anyone who actually bought it must be quite a character, right?

46: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>44

I didn’t buy it either, but I was at least aware of the thread.

48: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>44

I didn’t know at the time, but wasn’t I just being naive…?

50: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx4

>>44

No one is denying that.

45: Japan Otaku Reviews

I knew it, but I didn’t think it was something officially released…

47: Japan Otaku Reviews

I had the impression that it would be nice if it were a bit cheaper.

49: Japan Otaku Reviews

It was the peak era of stick-shaped MP3 players.

51: Japan Otaku Reviews

I feel like the GBA version was necessary to play Hajirusu.

53: Japan Otaku Reviews

I’ve heard the name before.

54: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx11

I’ve relied on Mobile Video Converter…

55: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

>>54

It was my daily routine to move this after coming home from school.

56: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

It was convenient to have, and there were many favorable talks among users.

57: Japan Otaku Reviews

I didn’t know because I was listening on PSP.

58: Japan Otaku Reviews

I wonder how the ease of use and sound quality compared to the iPod and PSP.

64: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>58

A little better than the cheap MP3 players at the time.

59: Japan Otaku Reviews

I had only heard the name, but this is what it was like.

60: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

The player had a certain level of recognition.

I have never seen anyone using it since then…

61: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx3

I was here since then, but there were threads being started from time to time.

62: Japan Otaku Reviews

Is this the advance that allows you to watch Anipoke?

63: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

I saw that the PSP was really allowed to do whatever it wanted, so I completely understood when I saw that the Vita had absolutely no freedom.

65: Japan Otaku Reviews

The product name and logo were crazy, which gave it some level of recognition.

I’ve never seen anyone who has it.

66: Japan Otaku Reviews

I even feel anger!

67: Japan Otaku Reviews

The Game Gear, which allows you to watch TV, is superior.

77: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>67

There was also a TV tuner unit for the DS.

68: Japan Otaku Reviews

I’ve heard of its existence, but I’ve never seen it.

69: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx3

At that time, when the capacity of MP3 players was around 256MB, it feels like a different era.

70: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx3
71: Japan Otaku Reviews

Because it’s not necessary.

Mobile devices like this used to sell really well.

72: Japan Otaku Reviews

I was watching it sideways, wondering if it was being lifted up in a Gaha-like manner.

73: Japan Otaku Reviews

Many people who were anonymous listened to songs on their mobile phones with ringtones or chaku-uta rather than using something like this.

74: Japan Otaku Reviews

One-seg on PSP and car navigation.

Mystery gadgets from the transitional period before smartphones are great, right…?

78: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>74

The PSP’s one-segment TV was convenient because it could also record programs in advance.

76: Japan Otaku Reviews

Since it wasn’t sold in stores, it’s no surprise that only a few people know about it.

79: Japan Otaku Reviews

The DS’s one-segment TV was also used for relief supplies during the earthquake.

80: Japan Otaku Reviews

I was using a GPS unit on my PSP for car navigation.

81: Japan Otaku Reviews

In that sense, the PSP was quite innovative.

I was using an iPod at the time, and it was nice to be able to see it on that screen size.

Thank you so much, Mobile Video Converter…

82: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

I had the Playyan Micro version.

Watching erotic videos on a small screen with a micro attachment was strangely exciting.

83: Japan Otaku Reviews

Couldn’t you buy a cheap Walkman for this price?

85: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>83

It’s just something to cater to the niche demand of wanting to listen on the DS…

84: Japan Otaku Reviews

I still have a DS TV tuner at home, but it will probably never gain any value in the future.

86: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

There are plenty of students who don’t have a computer and mainly use their game consoles, like the PSP.

87: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

You were a guest in some game, right?

89: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>87

It’s Rhythm Heaven, isn’t it?

I learned about PlayYan through reverse importation.

88: Japan Otaku Reviews

I didn’t think it would sell from the beginning since it was mail order.

90: Japan Otaku Reviews

The GBA was short-lived and moved to the DS, and by that time, the PSP was already around, so it feels like everyone had one, but maybe not so much.

91: Japan Otaku Reviews

It’s a memorable gadget because it’s the first one I’ve ever touched.

It started from the point of “MP3…?” after all.

92: Japan Otaku Reviews

At that time, I feel like 512MB was around 5000 yen.

Now they’re selling ones with over 16 times for 900 yen.

93: Japan Otaku Reviews

I don’t know at all…

94: Japan Otaku Reviews

There were various mobile devices, and many people have probably converted and loaded music and videos themselves.

I was putting it on my Video iPod.

95: Japan Otaku Reviews

Isn’t it quick from release to discontinuation?

103: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

>>95

It says that it’s specifically designed for playing on the DS and Game Boy Micro, since Micro has been released…

96: Japan Otaku Reviews

I’ve never seen a place that sells it.

97: Japan Otaku Reviews

I thought it was quite rare and was skyrocketing in price, but it turns out it’s not.

107: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>97

If bad people set their sights on it, it will be quickly bought up and sold at more than ten times the price.

98: Japan Otaku Reviews

At that time, I was a pot person, but I was doing reasonably well on the mobile game board.

Was it a mobile game? I have a memory of a move to a general game board that was like a ghost town, which caused it to decline.

99: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

The first-generation PlayYan had games included, but…

100: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

There are probably quite a few people who know the character from Night Walk.

101: Japan Otaku Reviews

I seem to remember that the first generation required adding an extension file to watch videos.

102: Japan Otaku Reviews

Can this be used even when it’s closed?

104: Japan Otaku Reviews

It hurts that despite greatly expanding individual skill trees, I wasn’t able to create an all-in-one smartphone.

105: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

It reads the BPM of the music on its own and keeps the rhythm for you.

When you press the A button at the right timing, it will dance for you.

If you long press and release at the right timing, it will also strike a pose.

There was probably no other music player like that.

106: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>105

Shirasun…

109: Japan Otaku Reviews

>>105

Do you need that?

108: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

It feels like it’s becoming difficult to find these low-capacity SD cards now.

110: Japan Otaku Reviews

I have two instruction manuals for the image in the thread.

111: Japan Otaku Reviews

Is there a “Play Yan” inside “Play Yan”?

113: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx3

There’s no meaning in a price tag if no one is going to buy it.

Only the outsiders who don’t buy are making noise.

114: Japan Otaku Reviews

Isn’t it something like a DAC nowadays?

115: Japan Otaku Reviews

Individual mobile devices have mostly been replaced by smartphones, so it’s boring, isn’t it?

117: Japan Otaku Reviews

First, I ripped the CDs I borrowed for 1000 yen for four at TSUTAYA using Windows Media Player…

118: Japan Otaku Reviews

I know it because it appeared in Rhythm Heaven.

I don’t know anything else…

119: Japan Otaku Reviews

I didn’t know because I was around 5 years old.

120: Japan Otaku Reviews

I always thought it was a strange name.

I just realized that it’s a play on words with the player…

121: Japan Otaku Reviews

The reason the mobile devices of that time couldn’t evolve into today’s smartphones and tablets is…

It’s probably because the standard search browser was awful.

122: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx2

Selecting songs while hearing the click of the iPod was the best.

123: Japan Otaku Reviews

Speaking of which, there was also a browser software for the DS… the one where you insert an expansion memory into the GBA slot.

124: Japan Otaku ReviewsYeahx1

Wasn’t it only available through mail order and not for general sale?

125: Japan Otaku Reviews

It’s nice to have products from the era when we were feeling our way through multimedia…

126: Japan Otaku Reviews

I knew the name, but is it official and not some suspicious third-party equipment?!

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