The future of handheld gaming will take a giant step forward in 2003. Nokia has decided to invest heavily in the handheld gaming market, creating a prototype that will push portable gaming far beyond the current standard. Nokia is poised to release the N-gage; a handheld gaming machine combined with a tri-band cellular phone, a digital music player and recorder, and an FM stereo receiver. This impressive package is enhanced by a multitude of wireless-enabled features via Bluetooth and WAP over GPRS. The N-gage will support wireless, multi-player gaming; multimedia messaging; all major email protocols (IMAP4, POP3, SMTP, MIME2); content viewing via an XHTML browser; and a USB 1.1 port for digital music download from a PC. What else could they possible pack into this new device? How about Personal Information Management Center, featuring a calendar, To-Do list, Contacts/Address book and a Pinboard?

All those features are spectacular, but this is first and foremost a gaming machine. The success or failure of gaming hardware depends almost exclusively on the development and successful marketing of software. Nokia is well on their way to securing an impressive lineup of software developers that have agreed to create games for the N-gage. The list includes Sega, THQ, Activision and Eidos . The support of these companies ensures that franchise titles such as Lara Croft's Tomb Raider, Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Monkey Ball and Red Faction will be making appearances on the N-gage, helping to bolster the status of the handheld with instant brand recognition.

Game data will be stored internally on an internal 4 MB flash, with external memory cards (32, 64 and 128 Mb) available. As of today, plans are to include a 64 MB game card (MMC) in the sales package. Game software will also be available on game cards (MMC), with plans for downloadable content, upgrades and eventually full game software. Games will be played on an illuminated 176 x 208 pixel display, featuring the Series 60 GUI which will enable multitasking via five-navigation. There will be separate application buttons, music and radio short cut buttons, and highlighed game buttons.

The digital music player will feature a stereo line in for audio recording (analog), a USB 1.1 port for digital music downloads, a hi-fi stereo headset for music and voice calls as well as a built-in speaker. There will also be a seperate 64 MB memory card for music storage. The GUI promises to make simultaneosly playing music and games seamless. Nokia will also bundle its own Audio Management Software for the PC with the game pack.

Nokia is going to enter a market that has been dominated by a single player for the past 14 years. The Gamboy Advance is the second highest selling gaming device with over 24 million units shipped, trailing on the PlayStation2 in total sales. The most recent competitor to try and take on Nintendo was the Sega Game Gear, which died a rather quick death due to low sales figures and a general lack of interest. However, Nokia has decided to not just compete in the handheld market, but rise to bar to a level never before seen. In Nokia's not so far-fetched world, a customer could use a single device to replace their current handheld gaming machine, their phone, their PDA, and their portable MP3 player. Combine this with WAP enabled multi-player gaming, email and instant messaging, and Nokia could revolutionize the wireless world.

its so pretty.....
*Sturmtruppe reaches computer... only to have his dreams crushed when the glass blocks the path.

OoooOoOo I see buttons!!! :D lots of them too :shocked: wouldn't it be hella expensive?

I don't believe that they have released the pricing info as of yet, but it will be between they say the price will between $100-$200 :o
If the price is too high they'll lose to the GBA but if they take a bit of a financial hit by releasing it at a more competitive price point of the GBA then they could dominate.

aiyayayayaya expensiveee like most when they first are released...

btw Ch1cKeN :D definately sweet siggy :) :w00t:

yeah :p but at least it has so much built into it that with a $200 price point or below it wouldnt be too bad. :purr:

ive seen the price, its gonna be around $299. I think its over rated

$300 is too much, if they hit the $200 price point or below that would be a lot better. If they do make it that much it will be lost in the storm. By the time the N-Gage is released the GBA will be around $50 with a few hundred games available for it. If Nokia is crazy enough to have tha high of a price point there is no way it can compete regardless of all the bells and whistles it comes with.

Not only is it 299. Games at $30-35. a Piece. If you're gonna make a console that much u should lower game prices.

reminds me of the cost of the psone when it first came out... :poke:

If they don't lower the price they'll be owned. Games look good, and the have a nice amount of developers for it but honestly how many people are willing to buy a handheld system for $300 :/
I was thinking that $200 would have been acceptable at best based on the production costs of the unit, but anything more then that isn't fesible.
Well anyone who wants the N-Gage should wait until Christmas as it will likely be significantly cheaper if it hasn't failed by then.

I want one :( o well, its shiny and thats all that matters... and Im amazed that a small handheld gaming system can support stuff like Tomb Raider in 3d

there was a temporary price cut for the N-Gage that brought the price down to only $199 :o
The graphics are very impressive for the handheld, but they just need some more games out for it.