You know, Nokia only needs to have one or two kick ass titles to make their new N-Gage gaming platform work. In the past we’ve seen how far teh platform was pushed with mobile version of Medal of Honor for the second generation N-Gage and while we were impressed, it still wasn’t very playable.

Well hopefully Nokia has learned from this and they’re now bringing in playable titles that will hopefully create a following in their new mobile gaming platform. Yes we’re talking about Metal Gear Solid.

The new version of the classic game features original content that can only be found on the mobile platform. METAL GEAR SOLID(R) MOBILE includes never-before-seen dramatic 3D art displays and camera work. The detailed in-game graphics capture the atmosphere of the METAL GEAR SOLID(R) series and create a depth that completely draws the player into the game, and pushes the capabilities of the mobile platform.

Players face the extreme tension of solitary infiltration in this version of the tactical espionage action game developed in conjunction with Ideaworks3D and utilizing its Airplay 3.5 SDK. An in-game camouflage system utilizes colour samples from the scenery of the real world captured by the handset’s camera. Moreover, additional controls are introduced that are made especially for mobile devices.

[PR Newswire Release]

You know what? This sounds promising. And we’re glad we don’t need a specific phone to play this game. It will run on any Nokia phone that supports the N-gage platform.

Image taken with permission from Nokia

Post from: Cellphone9

As i write this post I’m currently downloading the Nokia N-Gage client for the Nseries phone. Nokia has released the preview version of the client for the N81. Similar to how XBOX Live worls, the client allows you to play games, install value added media and track player scores.

If you own a Nokia N81 or N81 8GB, you can download the application here.

Currently, these are the games available for download:

Space Impact: Kappa Base (11.7 MB)
System Rush: Evolution (13.2 MB)
Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep (28 MB)

So this is it guys, Nokia’s new business model for games is nearing completion. I honestly have mixed feelings about how this will turn out. With the proper pricing, the quality of games and developer relationships with Nokia – these three factors, together with the adrenaline rush for gaming via wireless Internet will spell success or defeat for the N-gage client.

Post from: Cellphone9

The Going Cellular blog has compiled a list of old skool games you can purchase, download, and play on your mobile phone. Apart from the three Atari Legends package, there is also a virtual NES emulator for some 8-bit action during the holidays.

Post from: Cellphone9

eSoft Interactive has released the highly anticipated Traffic Jam 2, a multiplatform game for Windows Mobile and other portables. There are even versions for Windows and Mac OS X. Traffic Jam 2 is the sequel to Traffic Jam, which puts you in the puzzle solving mode to move traffic back and forth – how perfect for the holiday traffic jam! The game is available for USD $9.95.

Traffic Jam 2 has the following features:

# Includes 250 exciting puzzles!
# Addictive and simple gameplay
# Amazing graphics and sounds
# Save/Load your game anytime, anywhere!
# Track your stats and compare with your friends!
# Earn tokens and auto-solve puzzles
# FREE lifetime updates

The game supports the following operating systems:

# Windows Mobile – Smartphone
# Pocket PC 2003/2003 SE
# Windows Mobile 5
# Windows Mobile – Standard
# Windows Mobile – Classic
# Windows Mobile – Proffesional
# Palm OS (high resolution – 320×320 only)

Post from: Cellphone9

Perhaps one of the most surprising and enlightening announcements today from the Go Play event was the rebranding of the Nokia N-Gage from a hardware product to a service. The once hardware-centric brand is now a software and service that will be available throughout the Nokia phone platform. What this means is that anyone will be able to experience gaming across the board on all Nokia phones via download from the PC or over the air (OTA) direct download to almost any Nokia phone.

I remember when the first N-Gage was announced. Though it was not released in the Philippines, I wanted to get a piece of the action because I thought that mobile gaming was the coolest thing. As it turns out, many months later, I was able to test the next generation gaming phone called the N-Gage QD which was sadly swallowed by other dedicated gaming platforms in the form of the Sony Playstation Portable and the Nintendo DS.

I remember writing in a magazine column on why the old N-Gage business model was not sustainable – it had something to do with the Nokia guys not having computer gaming as one of their core competencies (as compared to Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo). With the games only openly available for the N-Gage and the N-Gage QD, this made access to casual games even more unaccessible as you would have to purchase the hardware AND the software to play games.

Nokia has now revamped the N-Gage into a gaming experience service that consists of (1) over the air downloads of all N-Gage titles via Ovi as well as (2) access to the wireless N-Gage gaming community also via the same portal. Game downloads will cost between 6 to 10 Euros. The games can be downloaded from the N-Gage website (you are actually downloading a software platform first for older models) which will be available come November 2007. The service will be fully available in South East Asia come first quarter of 2008.

Currently, these phones are compatible with the N-Gage service:

Nokia N73
Nokia N81
Nokia N81 8GB
Nokia N93
Nokia N93i
Nokia N95
Nokia N95 8GB

So what do you think? Will the newly repackaged N-Gage service fly? How much are you willing to pay for a game? Take a look at the picture above. That’s a Nokia N95 8GB utilizing the new Tv out feature to play games over a big television screen.

Post from: Cellphone9

Take a look at Sonic 2 for the Panasonic P902iS cellphone.

[Read all about it here]

Post from: Cellphone9

You can check the game out here. The game is available for download for various java supported phones. It costs a measely $3.99.

Post from: Cellphone9

Dunno how well this is going to do the world in the overall design of things, but a Paris Hilton mobile phone game seems to be the thing the world needs now. Yes friends – the cure for Cancer, the fight against terrorism and solving world hunger – these are just more important things to do like create a series of “exciting” (*sheepish grin*) mobile phone games starring everyone’s favorite Hilton.

I’m just as curious as you to find out what type of games will be released by developer Gameloft. I have full respect for the mobile game developer – but hesitant to admit that this might have been an embarassing choice they made.

But then again, the Hilton’s “dumb blonde” persona is a double edged sword. Money talks.

[Thanks, Jonic | Source]

Post from: Cellphone9