N-Gage facts for kids
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Original model
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| Also known as | N-Gage "game deck" |
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| Manufacturer | Nokia |
| Type | Handheld game console and mobile phone |
| Generation | Sixth |
| Discontinued | 26 November 2005 |
| Media | MultiMediaCard |
| Operating system | Symbian OS 6.1 (Series 60) |
| CPU | ARM920T |
| Display | 2.1 in (53 mm) TFT LCD, 176 × 208 px, 4,096 colors |
| Connectivity | HSCSD, GPRS, Bluetooth |
| Related articles | Nokia 7650, Nokia 3650, Nokia 6600 |
The N-Gage was an early mobile device created by Nokia. It combined a cellular phone and a handheld game system into one unit. Released on 7 October 2003, it was nicknamed the "game deck." It used the GSM mobile network and ran on the Series 60 software platform using Symbian OS.
Nokia wanted to compete with Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. To attract players, they added telephone calling and SMS texting to the gadget. Games were sold on small MultiMediaCard memory chips. Players could also use GPRS data to connect to N-Gage Arena, an online service with multiplayer games. Over 50 games were made for the system, but the N-Gage became a famous commercial failure. Only 3 million units were sold before it was discontinued in 2005.
Contents
History of the Gaming Phone
Nokia announced the N-Gage in Germany in late 2002. They noticed that many people were carrying both mobile phones and handheld consoles. Nokia spent over 100 million dollars creating the device. Big game companies such as Electronic Arts, Sega, Activision, Taito, Gameloft, and Eidos Interactive signed up to make games.
The device came with unique ringtones made by musician Markus Castrén. He wrote tunes inspired by dance music and classic arcade machines. He created these sounds in a fun chiptune style to make them sound like real games.
Release and Reception
When the system launched in the United States, it cost 299 dollars. It was not very popular with shoppers. The Game Boy Advance outsold the N-Gage 100 to 1 during its first weeks. Major gaming shops like GameStop and Electronics Boutique quickly discounted the price by 100 dollars.
Nokia stopped selling the device in Western markets in November 2005. The last game released in North America was Civilization in 2006. That same year at E3 2006, Nokia introduced a new version called the N-Gage service for its regular phones.
Hardware and Design Features
The original N-Gage had a wide body with a screen in the middle. It featured a D-pad on the left and phone number buttons on the right. Players could play multiplayer games wire-free using Bluetooth or through the Internet.
The first model had some funny design problems. To swap games, players had to take off the plastic back and remove the battery. Even stranger, the speaker was placed on the thin side edge. Users had to hold the edge against their cheek to talk, making it look like a taco. People playfully called it the "taco phone."
The N-Gage QD Redesign
In May 2004, Nokia released a better version called the N-Gage QD. It had a rounder shape and was much easier to use.
- The game card slot was moved to the bottom edge.
- Players could change games without taking out the battery.
- The speaker was moved to the front face, ending the taco style.
- Some extra parts were removed, including the FM radio and MP3 music playback.
Game Library and Software
The N-Gage was a true smartphone for its time. It had an email client and a web browser that supported XHTML pages. It could run standard Java MIDP programs and send MMS picture messaging texts.
The system had an official library of 58 game titles. Nokia made its own hit war strategy game called Pathway to Glory. Other titles included sports games like Flo-Boarding, racing in Sega Rally, and the pre-installed arcade hit Space Impact Evolution X. While the phone did not last long, it helped pave the way for modern mobile gaming.
See also
In Spanish: N-Gage para niños
- Nokia 3300
- Nokia N81
- Xperia Play
