Article

Nokia N-Gage Mobile Game Deck

More than just a mobile gaming device, the Nokia N-Gage is a tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900 mobile phone that provides both voice and data support, including multimedia messaging (MMS) and web surfing, across 170 countries in five continents. But the features don't stop there. The N-Gage also features a digital music player (MP3/AAC), a 64MB memory card for music, a stereo line in for audio recording (analog), and an integrated stereo FM radio. Calls, game sounds, and music can be listened to using either the integrated IHF speaker or the standard stereo headset connector and the high fidelity stereo headset Nokia includes in the package.

Info at Your Fingers

The N-Gage utilizes an illuminated high-contrast, full graphics color display (size 176 x 208 pixels) that supports up to 4096 colors. This is nice since the N-Gage is also a PDA with a range of e-mail (IMAP4, POP3, SMTP, MIME2), calendar, and personal information management software preinstalled to get you going. With full support for XHTML browsing, Java applications, and USB connectivity to computers for data synchronization, music file and application downloads, the N-Gage will be germane for some time.

You may be wondering, just how is this phone handled? To answer the phone, the top edge flat spine part of the N-Gage is held to the ear. Alternatively, the phone can be answered via headset or played aloud using the external speaker.

Wireless Worldwide Gaming

The interesting aspect of the N-Gage is how it combines gaming with its advanced voice/data connectivity. Using GPRS wireless connectivity, users can play games head-to-head with each other from different continents! We're curious to see just how well the games actually play over long distances and just how this type of connectivity would impact a monthly bill. To take this idea one step farther, a player could conceivably grab screenshots while playing a game, add text and sound, and then send it as a multimedia message (MMS) to an email address or MMS-enabled phone. Forget about simple text messaging. Of course, since N-Gage has Bluetooth support, games can be played head-to-head with other N-Gage decks within 30 feet of each other.

The ergonomic, Playstation/X-Box controller-like design makes game play easy. A five-way directional controller (eight ways in games) is used to control game elements while the buttons on the right work in tandem. Games are stored on and installed via game cards, using the MultiMediaCard standard, which are sold separately. Game cards are inserted into the top of the device underneath the display.

Availability

The Nokia N-Gage (www.n-gage.com) will be available in the 4th quarter of 2003 in time for the holiday shopping season. Retail pricing has not been announced although GeekSpeak was informed that it would vary depending on market and competitor factors. Nokia is targeting mass market volumes across five continents. Expect games from publishers including Activision, Eidos, Sega, Taito, and THQ. Nokia has announced 14 titles already and hope to have upwards of 20-25 titles at launch. A few of these include Kart Racing, Major League Baseball, Moto GT, Red Faction, SonicN, Super Space Invaders, and Tomb Raider.

Audio Interview

A Nokia representative was kind enough to detail the Nokia N-Gage for us: "The N-Gage is optimized for gaming..." (Origonaly played on the March 14, 2003 Geek Speak Show.)