thumb|left|The WonderWave accessory is an infrared communicator that could transfer data between two WonderSwans. It is also compatible with the PocketStation (right) for select Bandai games. The WonderSwan launched on March 4, 1999 and was available in nine casing colors: pearl white, skeleton green, silver metallic, skeleton pink, blue metallic, skeleton blue, skeleton black, camouflage, and gold. Three limited edition two-tone models were also released in frozen mint, sherbet melon and soda blue. These colors were chosen through an online poll at Bandai’s website, with the metallic and pearl white models being discontinued on July 22 to make room for the special two-tone editions. Despite Nintendo's release of the Game Boy Color five months before, Bandai remained confident that the WonderSwan and its monochromatic screen would perform well because the original black-and-white Game Boy had previously been more successful than its color-screen competitors, the Game Gear and Atari Lynx, on the basis of its battery life and the quality of its game library. With a retail price , the WonderSwan was also cheaper than its competition. In 2000, Bandai signed an agreement with Mattel to bring the handheld to North America, but ultimately decided against a Western release. The exact reason for this is unknown, but the crowded handheld video game console market has been suggested as a factor.
thUmb|left|thE wOnderwavE AcceSsory IS An InfRAreD commUniCaToR ThaT couLD tRansfer Data Between tWo wonderSwANS. it iS AlSO coMpATIBLe wiTh thE pocKetstatiON (rIGhT) for seLECT baNdai Games. ThE wonDErswAN launChed On maRcH 4, 1999 aND WaS AVAILable in niNe Casing ColOrs: PeArL wHite, skelEton green, silvEr metalLIc, skElEtoN pink, blue metallic, skelETON blUE, skEletoN bLAck, camouflaGE, anD goLd. THReE liMited edITiOn tWO-ToNE models were also rEleased in fROzEn mInT, sherBet melon anD Soda bLuE. thesE ColOrs Were chOSEN ThrOUgh an OnLinE Poll At bAnDai’s wEbsiTe, wITh thE metalliC and pEarl WhitE models Being dIscOnTInued on JUly 22 To make Room FOR thE sPEcIaL TWo-tonE edItiOnS. DESpite niNtendo's rElease Of the gaMe boY CoLor FivE months BEFOre, Bandai remaINeD conFiDent ThaT the wondeRswan and Its MoNocHromaTiC SCReEn would pErform WELL bEcauSE the originAl black-and-wHITe gAMe Boy HaD pRevIOusLy BeeN mOre suCCessFul tHAn ItS cOLoR-screen compETiTORs, the gAme geAr and aTaRi lynX, ON the BAsIs of its BattEry life anD ThE QuAlITy of ITs gAmE libRAry. wIth a retaiL PrIce , ThE wondersWAn wAs AlSo cheAper than iTs compETition. In 2000, bandai signed an aGReement with matteL tO bRiNg the handHEld to nOrtH AMERica, but uLtIMAtELy Decided agaiNst A WEsTern rELeasE. The ExAcT rEason FOR this is unknown, bUt The crOWdEd handHelD vidEo gamE CoNsole mArKET has been suggesTed As a FACtoR.