N-gage - GBA killer?

GBA News | Nokia showcases its new N-gage half mobile, half handheld console device.

The Nokia N-Gage game-deck allows users to play the latest high-quality titles in a new way - multiplayer games connected locally via Bluetooth wireless technology or over-the-air games over mobile networks. Enabling new business models, the Nokia N-Gage is a unique platform that also provides opportunities for game developers and publishers, network operators and other service providers to generate new revenue streams and develop new games and service concepts.

"The Nokia N-Gage brings the start of a whole new gaming experience to the market, with an ergonomic design optimsed for playing games. Nokia is working with world-renowned game publishers, including Activision, Eidos, Sega, Taito and THQ, and developers to provide an appealing and balanced catalogue of high quality games to the marketplace. Titles will include both the latest blockbuster games and a variety of titles across game genres," said Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia Mobile Phones. "The game experience can further be enhanced when network operators and service providers enter the value chain by providing game related mobile services such as downloadable game levels, additional features and game characters or even running online multiplayer games and communities. With these building blocks in place, the Nokia N-Gage platform will help to unleash the creative and innovative spirit of the games industry."

N-Gage screen:
o Large color screen with backlight, 176x208 pixels with up to 4096 colours

GBA screen:
o 160x240 resolution 40.8mm x 61.2mm screen size 32,768 possible colors

N-Gage Features:
o Series 60 platform and Symbian Operating System
o Bluetooth wireless technology for gaming
o An eight-way directional controller "Rocker" for game play
o Multimedia messaging (MMS)
o Triple band GSM (900/1800/1900), GPRS mobile phone
o Digital Music player (AAC/MP£) & Stereo FM radio
o Nokia Audio Manager PC SW for managing own music files
o Comprehensive range of applications; e-mail and personal information management
o XHTML browsing
o JavaTM application support

N-gage connectivity: calendar sychronization with PC, USB for music file and application download

N-Gage usage times:
o Games up to 3 - 6 h (depending on game type)
o Talk up to 2 - 4 h
o Standby up to 150 - 200 h
o Music up to 8 h
o Radio up to 20 h

N-gage Size:
o Dimensions (L x W x D) 133.7 x 69.7 x 20.2 mm
o Weight 137g

GBA Size:
o Dimensions (L x W x D) 144.5 x 24.5 x 24.5mm
o Weight 140g

Compared with the GBA, the N-gage is slightly smaller, has similar resolution, but significantly less colours.

Games to watch out for that the system have lined up are Sonic N and Super Monkey Ball. Find out more information about the games here.

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10 Comments

mrcivic

9 years ago

Gear.ign said it'll cost "under US$300", so something like $249-$299 is possible, which basically is too high for a "handheld game's console".

mito

9 years ago

hmm....I just don't trust it.... there isn't enough demand in the handheld market to justify a new 'console' if you could call it that

lostprophet

9 years ago

It's a nice idea but I think they should have sought partnerships with games/electronics companies, the price and design stink.

Primator

9 years ago

There is no way in hell this is gonna sell. I smell Wonderswan.

armageddon12

9 years ago

It is going to sell but very few people who play games will buy into it I'm sure. It will probably sell to people who want a mobile and think games are cool. Look how many people have bought into the picture messaging already.

DeViE

8 years ago

I really think this will flop as a console, with a RRP of $900.00 in aust...

Sorce:
http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=3704

Fido Dido

8 years ago

Personally, I can't see this quite loosening Nintendo's vice-like grip on the handheld market yet, but I suspect similar devices could really threaten the Nintendo hegemony a few years from now, once the technology becomes cheap enough to attract the mainstream consumer. As we've seen with the Playstation 2, the massmarket love their multi-purpose devices, and the advantages of a gadget such as the N-Gage - downloadable content, playing against other users over the 'net etc - are clear. It's just a matter of waiting for the price to drop far enough.

- Fido

mrcivic

8 years ago

DeViE wrote

I really think this will flop as a console, with a RRP of $900.00 in aust...

Sorce:
http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=3704

$900?
I'm sure people will be won over with that price tag....

anek

8 years ago

c'mon guys. I don't know about the rest of the worold, but here in Poland it's pretty normal that a new type of cell phone is offered at a nice price, if you agree to use this or that operator' services for a particular time. I'm pretty sure that the price of the Nokia N-Gage here in Poland will equal to $300 for a straight-off-the-shelf item, but when I sign a deal with mobile operator, say for two years, the price will be no more than 299 pln, which would be ca. $75. and this is less than you have to pay for GBA (not to mention additional AB or Illu Pro), or GBA SP - when it becomes available thru Polish branch of Nintendo, not thru some private importer.

oh, and by the way - hi. I'm new here:>

rgds,

anna

Matt

8 years ago

anek wrote

Welcome to PALGN.

Most mobile phones in Australia on a contract basis still have a minimum cost of around 400 bucks based on their contract, and because most of the phone uptake in this country has been due to budget consciousness, I doubt N-Gage will really take off as anything more than a plaything for people with too much money.

Practically dead on arrival, but may make up some ground later in life.

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