New handheld console expected to receive 89 games throughout this yearDespite it's somewhat ill-timed launch in the UK last month, just a little over a week after Nintendo's own DS portable debut, Tiger?Telematics is still betting on success for their new Gizmondo handheld console.?In fact, they revealed yesterday that 89 games are expected to be available for the portable from a handful of distinguished publishers by the end of this year.?This offers the new player a relative degree of assurance compared to the larger lineup Nintendo and Sony are boasting for their own handhelds.?Of course, Tiger did not reveal what most of those actually are, with only a few names known.
"Hit titles for Gizmondo have already been announced from Microsoft Games Studios, SCI, Disney's BuenaVista Games, Team 17, and Fathammer, with further announcements pending from European gaming giant, Ubisoft Entertainment, plus one of the world's leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment.These uniquely developed games for the Gizmondo will be optimized to use the distinctive features of the device, including the GPS, digital camera, Bluetooth, and GPRS connectivity, never seen before in a handheld games console and sparking the interest of leading developers."
In case you need a refresher, the Gizmondo is a Windows CE-based portable console featuring a 2.8" LCD TFT colour screen, Samsung ARM9 400Mhz processor and an Nvidia GoForce 3D 4500 integrated GPU.?In addition to gaming, it offers MP3 music and Mpeg4 movie playback support, SD and MMC media card expansion, and a built-in digital camera and a GPRS network link.
The portable is expected to launch in North America and the rest of Europe this Spring.?Naturally, it's much too early to say if the Gizmondo will be able to inspire homebrew development like other non-mainstream portables have by then.?It's long-term staying power in the market is also uncertain.
edit:?Whoops, mixed up the two companies there.?Goes to show you what old age does to someone.?Thanks to everyone for noting this!
