Gizmondo Europe confirmed that it is now shipping the new handheld console as part
of a strategic retail roll out in the UK. The company has also released information
regarding some of the games that will accompany the Gizmondo handheld at launch.
Some
of the first units to be released will be on display at the forthcoming Best of Stuff 2004
show in London on the 5-7th November.
This will be the first opportunity many have
had to sample all the features of the Gizmondo, including the GPS and GPRS functionality, as
well as the remarkable 3D power of the new NVIDIA GoForce 4500 chipset.
Presented
through the upcoming launch period will be twelve games, including: Super Drop Mania, Angel
Fish, Colours, Richard Burns Rally, Interstellar Flames 2 and Stuntcar Extreme. Also
included in the retail pack will be a contract-free SIM card, mains charger, a pair of
headphones, battery, and a USB cable, making the device ready to use straight out of the
box.
Carl Freer, Managing Director, Gizmondo Europe, says: As the newcomers, we've
had to play many cards close to our chest, but this is about to change. Over the coming
weeks, there will be a series of Gizmondo announcements, as we go to market.
The
Gizmondo is powered by a Microsoft Windows CE.net platform, boasts a 2.8-inch TFT colour
screen with a Samsung ARM9 400Mhz processor and incorporates the GoForce 3D 4500 Nvidia
graphics accelerator. It provides cutting-edge gaming, multimedia messaging, an MP3 music
player, Mpeg4 movie playing capability, a digital camera and a GPRS network link to allow
wide-area network gaming. Additionally, it contains a GPS chip for location based services,
is equipped with Bluetooth for use in multi-player gaming and accepts MMC card
accessories.
The Gizmondo device and its games are due for launch in the UK in the
fourth quarter 2004 and in North American markets from the first quarter 2005.
The
Games
Super Drop Mania
Inspired from the all time classic of simple
brilliance, Tetris, Super Drop Mania is the game for ultimate fun at every moment.
It's
the simple things in life that often give the most pleasure. And Super Drop Mania is no
exception. Enjoy colourful and simplistic gameplay at its best. While maintaining the
addictive nature of the original game, Super Drop Mania brings additional depth to the party
in the form of special combos, allowing smart players to rack up monster scores. Add
beautiful, vibrant backgrounds and catchy audio and you have the most pleasurable experience
to be found in your pocket.
Angel Fish
The earth is destroyed by aliens
and you are left with nothing but vengeance. Welcome to our new game - Angel Fish.
The
Sirians came and conquered. Your cities lie in ruins and the alien attackers have stripped
the last of your planet's resources. Your species has been extinguished, your culture
completely annihilated. Everyone you know and love is dead. There is nothing left but
vengeance. That's bad odds. Take the role of a futuristic fighter pilot and unleash the
awesome firepower of the Angel Fish. Beautifully hand drawn parallax environments complement
this intense old school 2D shooter. You get all the intense action of an arcade game, in
your pocket.
Stuntcar Extreme
Stuntcar Extreme is a fast-paced
arcade-style driving game, similar to the original Stunt Car Racer. This is the most extreme
form of racing, and only the best of the best, or the craziest of the crazy participate in
the hair-raising duels on the dangerous tracks.
The Player races against zany characters
on various tracks with difficult hills, jumps and other stunt racing obstacles. The player
has three different racing modes available to him: Arcade mode racing for quick thrills,
ascending the ranks of stunt drivers in the Championship-mode or Multiplayer challenges via
Bluetooth.
The game is set in the 1980s: the cars and overall look and feel of the
game reflect this fashionable retro style. In the world of Stuntcar Extreme, Bullitt meets
Cannonball Run - sideburns
flaming.
