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DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
The year is 1995, and Funtech Entertainment Corp decides to create the first original video gaming system made in Taiwan. At first glance one might mistaken the Super A'Can as a clone of Nintendo's Super NES. In truth the console is a mixed bag, but definitely not a clone of any console released. The Super A'Can is a 16-bit console that appears to borrow elements from a few other popular consoles. The outer case and controllers strongly resemble the Super NES. The controller connector pin-outs are identical to the Sega Genesis. Internally however, the A'Can uses a dual Motorola processor configuration similar to SNK's Neo Geo. Tthe 16-bit Motorola 68000 CPU was found in the Neo Geo and Genesis. Instead of an 8-bit Z80, it uses a Motorola 6502 found in the NES. An interesting console that appears to have stayed under the radar of many collectors. It appears that the console was never released outside of Taiwan. Twelve games (all by Funtech) have been confirmed for the system.

HANDS ON REVIEW by Marriott_Guy
In 1995, Funtech Entertainment Corporation released the first original gaming system in Taiwan - the Super A'Can. Produced and sold exclusively in its native country, the console and controllers feel very fragile, constructed of thin plastics that belies its strong, dark grey outwardly appearance and extremely high price tag. This system is often mistaken as a Super Nintendo Entertainment System clone due to both the physical design and the processor powering this unit. A closer inspection of this rare oddity reveals a different picture. Appearing just at the end of the hugely successful 16-bit era, the Super A'Can utilizes dual Motorola processors to deliver its gaming experience. The first of these central processing units (CPU) was the 16-bit Motorola 68000, which was also the driving core used in the Sega Genesis and Neo Geo AES systems. The 8-bit Motorola 6502, which originally debuted inside the Nintendo Entertainment System, comprised the second CPU. This dual engine rendered games using a 32,768 color palette and was quite powerful compared to the rest of the 16-bit systems. This processing power would have been a significant advantage for the Super A'Can if this console was released in 1989 instead of 1995. 32-bit technology was already being fully utilized within the gaming market at the time of its release and the Super A'Can was technologically obsolete before it hit the store shelves.
The twelve (12) confirmed games, with an additional nine (9) protos rumored to be in existence, were released in rather large, SNES-like cartridges. Games were presented in cardboard boxes featuring flamboyant artwork and included a plastic game holder along with the instruction manual (also well presented). This matched the fun and playful design of the systems packaging. Overall game graphics and play are very similar to the Neo Geo and SNES. Bold, vibrant colors are pleasantly displayed in 2D environments. One of the best games for this system is C.U.G., a Super Mario type clone. The Super A'Can failed miserably due to utilizing outdated technology and being initially offered for sale at an exorbitant price. Very few of these systems were sold and it has been reported that Funtech Entertainment Corporation lost $6 million USD in this venture. Unsold units were disassembled and were parted out to various companies in the USA and abroad. Collecting for this console is an expensive proposition, due to the limited number of units that were manufactured and the exclusivity to the Taiwanese market. Expect to invest heavily if pursing this console. Unfortunately, games are just as rare as the system itself. As you could have guessed, Super A'Can systems and games are most commonly found from Taiwanese sellers. Overall, the Super A'Can is a pretty rare console solely due to its failure in the gaming industry. There is nothing extraordinary about the system or the game library for it. Only serious console or game collectors should pursue purchasing the Super A'Can - the system itself does not warrant the high investment by the casual gamer.

MODELS Officially licensed releases
Funtech Super A'Can (Model #UMCF-001)



Courtesy of Umbrella

CLONES Non-licensed hardware releases
No clones were released for this system.

CONSOLE RATINGS
by Marriott_Guy

Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release. A 10 point scale is utilized, with 10 being excellent.

CRITERIA	RATING	NOTES & COMMENTS
Console Design	07	I rather like the sleek, grey colored chassis of the Super A'Can. The design is solid with easy to access front controls and AV ports.
Console Durability	07	The Super A'Can almost feels like it is made out of paper mache. It is extremely light and caution should be used whenever manipulating this console. I never experienced any problems during my time with it (5+ years), but then again I would not bet my last dollar on this console lasting very long with general use.
Controllers	06	Though very comfortable, the controller is constructed of cheap plastics which feel very fragile when firmly gripped and in the heat of battle.
Graphics	05	The graphical capability of the Super A'Can is basically the same as the SNES, with maybe a 5-Hour Energy tossed in. Overall, bit up to par with the competition of the era.
Audio	05	Ditto the above.
Media	03	The decision to utilize the cartridge is puzzling when considering that CDs had been out for nearly five years when the Super A'Can was released.
Game Library	01	The offerings are all basically clones of existing titles. If you already have a Super Famicom \ Nintendo, then chances are you have probably played its equivalent.
Gamer Value	01	This console is definitely not recommended for the average gamer. Though the system performs well, there is nothing here that you haven;t already experienced.
Collector Value	08	These systems are quite rare and difficult to acquire. Expect to pay big bucks when considering adding this to your collection.

FORMAT, PACKAGING & GENERAL INFO Interesting facts on software for this system
Software for the Funtech Super A'Can was distributed in the ROM cartridge format. The carts, as well as the packaging, are extremely similar to the style utilized for Super Famicom games. An inner clear plastic sleeve stores the cartridge along with providing some limited structural integrity to the actual box. Bright, vibrant colors were the preferred palette for the cover art design. Two to three screenshots are featured on the back of the box, along with a short description of the game. Games are more difficult to locate than the system itself. Rebel Star is by far the most rare of the twelve titles that were released.	applemctom's Games that Defined Compiliation

Funtech Super A'Can Title Screens


SCREENSHOTS Captured in-game images
Formosa Duel F001	Sango Fighter F002	Son of Evil F003
Speedy Dragon F004	Super Taiwanese Baseball League F005	C.U.G. F006
Super Dragon Force F007	Monopoly: Adventure in Africa F008	Gambling Lord F009
Magical Billiards F010	Boomzoo F011	Rebel Star F012

EMULATION
First and third party system emulators

MESS

MESS (Multi-Emulator Super System) is a DOS based emulator capable of running many
systems including this one. It has a Windows based GUI and is extremely user friendly.

SPECS & MANUALS
For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.

Processor Type	Processor Speed	Other Processor Information	RAM \ Video RAM
16-bit Motorola 68000	10.6 MHz	8-bit Motorola 6502 (3.58 MHz)	64 KB \ 128 KB
Screen Resolution	Color Palette	Polygons \ Sprites	Audio
320 x 240	32,768 colors	Unknown	16 audio channels, PCM Stereo
Media Format	Media Capacity	Games Released	Other Supported Formats
Cartridge	112 MB	12	None
Internal Storage	External \ Removable Storage	Game Controllers	Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
32 KB	None	4 button Gamepad, D-Pad	None
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
Two (2)	None	Expansion Port	Composite
Power Supply - External	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: AC 120V, 60Hz, 35W Output: DC 8.5V, 1.2A	None	None
Manuals
Funtech Super A'Can Owners Manual (PDF) - 0.77 MB