Micro Genius was a division of the Taiwanese company TXC Corp. best known for its Famiclones, but which also developed and published a number of NES and Famicom games.
Famiclones[]
Micro Genius Famiclones included:
- IQ-180
- IQ-201 (Three models exist - a Taiwanese one with a digital clock, an International one lacking it and one with the Famicom's colors shown in the gallery below)
- IQ-301
- IQ-501 (first MG with detachable controllers; IQ-201 and 301 were hard-wired like the original Famicom)
- IQ-502
- IQ-503 (Same mold as the IQ-501 with the colors and branding similar to the IQ-201).
- IQ-601
- IQ-701 (NES styled but top loading, released in both 60 and 72-pin versions)
- IQ-801 (Appears to be a 1:1 clone of the NES with an added eject functionality)
- IQ-901 (one of the first self-contained controller famiclones)
- IQ-1000 (one wireless controller, unusual for the time, and one wired)
- IQ-1001 (the console mold has some slight differences with the IQ-1000)
- IQ-2000 (identical to the IQ-1000, two wireless controllers)
- MG-02 (Dendy Junior, also released with 'Micro Genius' label on front)
They were also released under different names in other parts of the world: for example, Steepler's Dendy Classic 1 and 2 are based on the IQ-501 and IQ-502, while the IQ-502 was sold as a Pegasus in Poland, and both IQ-301 and IQ-501 were sold as Nichi-Man in Colombia. Several Famiclones can still be found in Iran, imported in early 1990s. Because of this, the NES/Famicom in Iran is literally, mistakenly called "Micro".
New "Micro Genius" products can still be found in Turkey, but these are rebranded generic Chinese Famiclones and LCD games and don't appear to be related to the original Micro Genius company.
Games[]
Micro Genius published both its own original games and games previously released by Idea-Tek. The Idea-Tek games are identical to their original releases.
Some later original Micro Genius games were developed by the Chinese company Chengdu Tai Jing Da Dong Computer Co, which also produced games including Aladdin II and Super Contra X, and later became Waixing.
Re-released Idea-Tek games[]
- Bingo, aka Xiao Ma Li (MGC-005)
- Poke Block, aka Stakk'm (MGC-012, MGC-004?)
- Mahjong Block (same as Poke Block, with a mahjong theme; released with added nudity as AV Dragon Mahjang by Hacker International) (MGC-008)
- F-15 City War (MGC-006)
- Puzzle (MGC-007)
- Horses Racing (MGC-009; aka '91 Du Ma Racing, Enjoyable Horse Racing)
- Volleyball, aka Venice Beach Volleyball (MGC-010)
- Tennis, aka Rad Racket (MGC-011)
Original Micro Genius games[]
- Qi Wang (MGC-001, Chinese Chess; some hacks misspell the game as "Chinese Chese" on the title)
- Qi Wang II (MGC-016, can be seen on the box art of IQ-901 console; unreleased)[1]
- Creatom (MGC-003)
- Strike Wolf (MGC-014)
- Policeman (MGC-015)
- Thunder Warrior (MGC-017; also released by Gluk Video as Gluk the Thunder Warrior, with their mascot replacing the main character)
- Journey to the West (TTS-001, developed by Tai Jing Da Dong; a sequel was later developed by Waixing)
- Light-gun minigames: (MGC-023 and MGC-024, probably developed by Tai Jing Da Dong)
- Clown
- Snake Charmer: a whac-a-mole type of game.
- Shooter
Gallery[]
