The GP2X Wiz is a handheld game console and portable media player developed by South Korean company GamePark Holdings running a Linux kernel-based embedded operating system.

This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. (August 2008)

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GP2X Wiz

A GP2X Wiz with the main menu open
Manufacturer	GamePark Holdings
Type	Handheld game console
Generation	Seventh generation era
Release date	May 13, 2009
Introductory price	$179.99
Media	SD card
Operating system	Linux based
System on a chip	MagicEyes Pollux VR3520F
CPU	ARM926EJ @ 533 MHz
Memory	64MB (DDR SDRAM)
Storage	1GB NAND Flash
Removable storage	SDHC card
Sound	Cirrus Logic 43L22
Predecessor	GP2X
Successor	Caanoo[1]

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GP2X Wiz was released in May 2009, and was the first console from both Game Park and Game Park Holdings to also be released outside South Korea. It was announced by GamePark Holdings in August 2008, and succeeded the GP2X, featuring a slimmer profile and enhanced capabilities including a 533 MHz CPU (overclockable to 900 MHz), 1 GB NAND flash memory, 64 MB RAM, and a 2.8-inch AMOLED touchscreen. Distinguished from its predecessor by a more consistent release of games and a focus on both commercial and homebrew development, the Wiz targeted the open-source community. It supports various multimedia formats and comes with pre-installed games and applications, with an online application store launched in August 2009. Official accessories and the introduction of Flash Player 8 enhanced its appeal.

An image of the Wiz system was first leaked on the web in late July 2008.^[2] Rumors had been circulating that GamePark Holdings was in the process of making a new handheld, since they had abruptly discontinued production of its first handheld, the GP2X, in late June/early July. Prior to the official announcement, this handheld was sometimes referred to as the GP3X.^[3]

On August 26, 2008, GamePark Holdings announced that it was planning to release a new handheld, named the Wiz.^[4][5] Along with the announcement, a brochure detailing a great amount of launch information was released, complete with the system's specs.^[6] The brochure stated that new games would be released every month for the system; This is a deviation from the GP2X, which did not have many commercial games. However, the Wiz still appears to be primarily advertised as an open-source system, meant for homebrew development of games and emulators.

On September 2, 2008, it was reported that the GP2X Wiz's button layout was to be revised, and the second D-Pad on the right-hand side of the system was to be removed. In order to make these design changes, the release of the system was to be pushed back to November 2008.^[7]

Around the last week of April 2009, GamePark shipped test units of the GP2X Wiz.^[8] These are thought to be the final hardware revision before the actual product launch.

Retailers for the GP2X Wiz stated that they planned to begin shipping the GP2X Wiz as soon as October 8, 2008. As of May 2009^[update], retailers are listing the price of the Wiz at US$179.99.^[9] The GP2X Wiz started shipping as of May 13, 2009.^[10]

An online application store was set to launch in August of 2009.^[11]

Official accessories for the GP2X Wiz include the Accessory Kit (which comes with an SD card case, a wrist strap, and a spare stylus), a screen protector, and a Genuine Leather Case.^[12]

The successor of GP2X Wiz is GP2X Caanoo.

In February 2009, South Korean president Lee Myung-bak had stated that "Korea needs to develop a video game console like a Nintendo DS".^[13] This statement was parodied with the "Myungtendo MB", an obvious rip-off of the Nintendo DS.^[14] While completely unrelated to the Myungtendo incident, the GP2X Wiz is often nicknamed as the "Myungtendo", due to its release shortly after the statement.^[15]

The Wiz had only four commercial retail games, these are:^[20]

• Deicide 3: Distorted Existence
• Propis
• Redemption: Liar
• Rhythmos

The Wiz can run many emulators, freeware games, flash games, and applications. The GP2X Wiz comes pre-installed with a number of games on the NAND.

IQ Jump

This is a collection of 5 brain training style games.

• Look for the same pictures
• Look for the missing number
• Addition and Subtraction
• Look for the coin in the saving pocket
• Crisis Ladder

• Animatch by Ruckage
• Square Tower Defence by Alex^[21]
• Wiztern by Chemaris
• Myriad by Clare Jonsson
• Tail Tale by Rerofumi
• Boomshine2x by Peter Roberts^[22]
• Space Varments by Ruckage

Originally a game called Snake on Dope was shipped with the unit, and may have been removed due to copyright issues relating to the music

• Comparison of handheld game consoles
• GP32 - Predecessor device
• Pandora (console), an open source handheld device