HyperScan
| Manufacturer | Mattel |
|---|---|
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Seventh |
| Release date | October 23, 2006 |
| Introductory price | $69.99 |
| Discontinued | 2007 |
| Units sold | ~30,000 |
| Media | CD-ROM |
| System on a chip | Sunplus SPG290 @ 108Mhz |
| Memory | 16MB DDR SDRAM |
| Storage | RFID cards |
| Controller input | Gamepad |
| Best-selling game | X-Men (pack-in) |
The HyperScan is a discontinued home video game console from the toy company Mattel, and was marketed for tweens. The console uniquely includes a 13.56 MHz radio-frequency identification (RFID) scanner that reads and writes to special IntelliCards which activate features in, and save data from, the games. Players can enhance their characters by scanning cards.
The HyperScan was released in North America on October 23, 2006. Games retailed for $19.99 and the console for $69.99 at launch, but at the end of its short lifespan, prices of the system were down to $9.99, the games $1.99, and booster packs $0.99. Only five games were released, and two more were canceled.
The HyperScan was critically panned upon its release for having outdated 2D graphics, a weak game library, and being less capable than other similar consoles such as the VTech V.Flash, which was released the month prior. Critics lamented the number and cost of IntelliCards needed to complete a set. With disappointing sales, Mattel discontinued the HyperScan the following year, and canceled all upcoming game and card releases.