10 Handheld Games That Disappeared After a Year

These handheld games hit the shelves with big promises but quickly faded out after just one year.

Daisy Montero
November 4, 2025
4 min read

10 Handheld Games That Disappeared After a Year — Engin Akyurt on Pexels

Handheld gaming was once full of experiments that did not always last. Some devices looked flashy, others tried to ride on big names, but many of them fizzled out almost as quickly as they arrived. Here are 10 gaming gadgets that vanished after only a year on the market.

1. 1. R-Zone

The R-Zone was Tiger Electronics’ ambitious attempt to create a wearable gaming console. It projected red images onto a mirrored visor, which looked futuristic but was nearly impossible to play. The screen was blurry, the gameplay was sluggish, and players often complained of headaches. After a year of ridicule, the R-Zone became a punchline in gaming history rather than a success story.

2. 2. Mattel HyperScan Handheld

Mattel’s HyperScan was built around the idea of scanning collectible cards to unlock in-game content. It sounded exciting at first, but the scanning process was painfully slow, breaking the flow of gameplay. Most of its titles were poorly made, leaving kids frustrated and bored. Within a year, stores were practically giving them away just to clear out stock.

3. 3. Bitcorp Gamate

The Gamate tried to compete with the Game Boy by offering a cheaper alternative, but it lacked both quality and creativity. Its monochrome screen was blurry, and the sound quality was tinny and harsh. The few games available felt like rushed copies of existing hits. Within a year, most gamers had never even heard of it, and those who did quickly moved on.

4. 4. WonderSwan (Original)

Created by the same engineer who designed the Game Boy, the WonderSwan seemed destined for greatness. It had long battery life, a clean design, and solid titles, especially in Japan. However, it never got the international release it deserved, and competition from Nintendo was fierce. After a brief run, the system faded out before reaching global players.

5. 5. Mega Duck

Mega_duck_cougar_boy_and_games.jpg: m.c.j. de Jong (mahjongg) on Wikimedia Commons

The Mega Duck was another Game Boy clone that failed to make an impression. Its limited library of games and awkward design made it hard to love. Most stores barely carried it, and players had little reason to pick one up. Within a year, it vanished without anyone noticing, becoming one of the rarest forgotten handhelds today.

6. 6. Tiger Telematics Game.com

The Game.com was marketed as the first internet-ready handheld, which sounded groundbreaking at the time. Unfortunately, its tiny screen and unresponsive controls made games nearly unplayable. Even big-name titles like Sonic and Resident Evil 2 were stripped-down messes. Within a year, it was clear the technology was ahead of its execution.

7. 7. Neo Geo Pocket Color (Short Run in the West)

SNK’s Neo Geo Pocket Color delivered great titles and strong battery life, but it arrived too late in the handheld race. Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance had already captured everyone’s attention. Its limited Western release meant many gamers never even saw one in stores. Despite lasting longer in Japan, its time in the U.S. barely stretched a single year.

8. 8. Tapwave Zodiac

9. 9. Gizmondo

The Gizmondo tried to combine gaming, GPS, and messaging into one portable powerhouse. It sounded revolutionary, but the execution was terrible — games were laggy, and the device was overpriced. Scandals involving the company’s executives made matters worse, turning it into a tabloid headline rather than a tech company.

10. 10. Atari Lynx I

The Atari Lynx was ahead of its time with a full-color screen and impressive graphics. However, it was heavy, ate through batteries, and had few games worth playing. Competing against the smaller, cheaper Game Boy proved impossible. After just a year, Atari shifted its focus elsewhere, leaving the Lynx to fade quietly into tech history.