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.