N-Gage QD to launch for $99 with rebate

Electronics Boutique will offer customers who sign a one-year service contract with carrier T-Mobile an instant $100 rebate when they purchase the N-Gage QD, which goes on sale next Tuesday. The rebate will cut the price of the new model in half, from its list price of $199 to just $99.

"$99 is the right price and a good value for the QD," says EB Games director of business development Nathan Solomon. EB officials did not say when the rebate offer would end.

Last October, the original "side-talking" N-Gage was released at a price point of $299, but its sales were underwhelming. The QD is an upgraded version of the launch model with "front-talking" functionality (but no FM radio or MP3 player features).

Solomon says the rebate offer--which EB Games is partially footing--is currently only available in the company's brick-and-mortar locations. EB Games is considering, but has yet to offer, the rebate to its online customers.