The N-Gage is a compact device, noticeably smaller than the original Game Boy Advance and lighter as well. Its shape resembles other, previous portable game systems ranging from the GBA to the NeoGeo Pocket Color to the Atari Lynx, though you can quickly see the resemblance between the N-Gage and a typical cellular phone--the right-hand side of the unit includes a row of keys that are used both for gaming and for dialing phone numbers. To use the N-Gage as a phone, you put the side of the device to your head, so the flat side of the unit faces outward. This is somewhat of an awkward though not uncomfortable means of using the device. Currently available preordering options for the N-Gage will include some sort of phone service right in the box, but specifics on what sort of service plans will be available for the unit will vary by provider and area. If you already have a cell phone that uses a SIM card, you should be able to put that SIM into the N-Gage and use it with your existing plan. We tested a T-Mobile SIM card in the N-Gage, and it worked just fine. The N-Gage won't work at all without a SIM card inserted. It may work with an expired SIM, but we weren't able to test an expired or invalid SIM in the unit to see if you could still play games without having an active cellular plan.
The N-Gage features shortcut buttons to the music player, FM radio, and main menu, key aspects of the device's interface. Cell phone-style selection keys and a circular directional pad are used to navigate the interface, which gives access to features such as the organizer, calendar, and more. The device is powered by a slim lithium-ion battery that snaps inside the back of the unit--the rear panel slides off--and battery life will vary significantly depending on how you use the device. For gaming, the battery will last just three to six hours before it needs recharging. It's also good for four hours of talk time, 20 hours of radio, and eight hours of digital music. A battery and A/C adapter come standard with the N-Gage.
Games and Gaming
N-Gage games come on tiny game cards, which make Game Boy Advance cartridges look enormous by comparison. Games will be sold for $25 to $35 at retail and come in plastic cases reminiscent of DVD packaging. These in turn contain a slim, foldable plastic case in which you can store up to four N-Gage titles--this seems convenient to have on the go.
One aspect of the N-Gage that isn't convenient, however, is how you swap game cards into and out of the device. To insert a game card, you must remove the back panel of the device, remove the battery, and then insert the game card into a small slot in the back. Then you replace the battery and the panel and turn the system back on. There's a noticeable initial loading time as the N-Gage boots up, so all in all, it can take a good minute or so between the time when you stop playing one game and start playing another. For what it's worth, you don't need to be as delicate when futzing around with the rear panel, battery, and game cards as you might expect. Nevertheless, this clearly isn't the most user-friendly design possible and seems to rule out the possibility of the N-Gage being usable by younger audiences.
Wireless Multiplayer
The N-Gage supports local wireless multiplayer gaming via Bluetooth technology, which is certainly one of the system's most compelling features. Players must be less than 30 feet or so away from each other for the Bluetooth connection to work, but they can use this technology to experience lag-free multiplayer gaming without any wires attached. Many of the N-Gage launch titles will support two-player multiplayer via Bluetooth. Additionally, a multiplayer gaming service called N-Gage Arena will debut along with the N-Gage, which will allow users to access cheats and strategy guides for their games, compete for international high scores, and more.
Interface and Multitasking
A cell phone-style interface lets you navigate through the N-Gage's various features. The games themselves are not plug-and-play--a game card you've inserted into the device will be represented on the main menu, and you can boot it up from there. As an MP3 player, radio, organizer, and more, the N-Gage is functional and reminiscent of other such devices. However, the interface is a little sluggish. Menus slide open and such, preventing you from deftly surfing around the options, though the shortcut buttons at least help put those options at your fingertips. The N-Gage also allows for multitasking. Even while in the middle of playing a game, you can take a phone call (the game will pause) or start doing some other activity. As such, and despite Nokia's billing of the N-Gage as a device purely designed for gaming, it seems clear that the device has a lot in common with personal organizers, pocket PCs, and so on.
