Voost Kain
Banned
So I though I'd do a few console Retrospectives of some consoles most people haven't played or at the very leave have played but forgotten about.
Console Retrospective list:
N-Gage
Now to get started with this, I want to talk about the N-Gage.
The N-gage released in 2002, and it despite what some say while looking back it was a beat for its time. A beast. The closest thing near an N-gage were the Windows Mobile phones at the time.
But the N-gage is special, I remember half the stores that had displays and demos, would have them taken down 304 weeks later. The N-gage threw outsome good games and managed to sell a few million. But by that time it was an uphill battle, and although the redesigned N-gage-second image above) was interesting, it still had similar problems.
N-gage would later become a digital platform for Nokia.
The N-gage had a few issues, it's screen made playing games kind of weird, but the buttons also helped with that. They seemed to have made the insides of console for games first, but the outside for a phone first, and the OS they used was very odd and would take a bit to navigate as the OS was disorganized.
The original N-gage also had you hold the phone up to your ear sideways. While also having to remove the back and battery to change games.
But for this retrospective let's go over some of the games I had found in my ye old closet, and see how well this gaming device holds up today. For those interested I would go for the QD model for a more spacious screen and controls that are better laid out.
One thing I'll give the N-gage over the GBA or others right off the bat is the cool box designs. Also online features in some games? Was pretty impressive fr the time
First up, Crash Nitro Kart:
Crash Nitro Kart is basically the in between version of the PS2 and GBA versions. It's the GBA version with improve graphics, some polygons, and 3D sprite effects. The GBA version of Nitro Kart is already amazing, and the fact this plays really well on the N-gage will give you a good time.
The controls are responsive, the Vertical screen doesn't cause any issues for viewing, and the framerate is solid. I remember playing a demo of this game at demo set-ups, and is one of the games I played that got me to pick one up.
Next up RAYMAN 3:
Rayman 3 for the N-gage is more like a 2D sequel to Rayman 1/2 and plays much differently than the console version. Unlike later 2D Rayman games, ths keeps the magical feel of the first Rayman game while allowing more flexibility and options for traversal. It's a really solid game on the N-gage and much better than other releases of this 2D version of Rayman 3.
One small issue is that on rare occasions, some enemies without knowing they are there, will pop up on screen. But most of the time the level design keeps the Vertical screen in mind. The game runs good, the colors are vivi, and the controls are tight for the most part wth a few small exceptions.
Splinter Cell TSA
Splinter Cell TSA is a very well made, and well animated Stealth 2D game. Everything is responsive, you get your usual Sam Fisher stealth kills and stealth moves. Parallax, enemy A.I. recognizing sound, and pretty good level design.
One small issue I have is some enemies on patrol patterns or camera can pop out of nowhere on the screen because well, the screen is Vertical. Now, this isn't too much of an issue, and you can negate most of this issue if you are stealthy, and after the first couple times you'll have it down, but it is a problem that can cause some annoyances.
Otherwise everything is slick, from moving, to shooting, to traversing.
Bomberman N-Gage
Bomberman N0gage is basically the same Bomberman you've likely played multiple times. The 2D graphics are nice, but basic. IN fact, this may have been a rush job since MP can only have two characters over connection or Bluetooth. I remember getting a bit annoyed with that with some friends of mine.
Anyway the game is fine, runs fine, it's just not really anything new. But a good time waster for your N-gage.
King Of Fighters Extreme
KOFE is the N-gages answer for fighting game fans, and was pushed hard in japan. While the Mortal Kombat for the wet was cancelled. Which is odd because they basically got DA running. Oh well.
ANYWAY KofE is actually a pretty solid fighter. The buttons for the game are definitely there, and input had no lag. Sometimes during certain attacks the frame rate jumps but otherwise, t's not much of an issue.
Tons of characters as well, so this will be a real trat for fightng game fans who have been looking at getting an N-gage.
Splinter Cell Choas Theory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwSzL3nVkGk
Just look at the video above, I know going down this list some were thinking 3D wasn't a thing for the N-gage, but remember it had plenty of 3D games, including an elder scrolls game I can't find right now, but may add later.
Chaos Theory is the first 3D Stealth game on handhelds, and that line is correct. It's also an amazing game, and this was the game that got me to get the QD consoles to go along with my original.
Movement, Linning up shots, stealth, it's all surprisingly fluid and well done. In fact, I remember my jaw dropping at the time because this game is damn well made, and I had no clue a game of this calibur could run on the N-gage.
One of the reasons may be that despite the name, it's not a port or an alteration tot he original code, it's built for the ground up. Camera control in a portable game console that came out in 2002?
One thing though the game does have areas with branching paths and areas, however don't expect any open open levels in this game. It's not a strict line, which is good, but don't expect a town of RDR here.
There's multiplayer as well! It's a must have for the N-gage.
SONIC N
Sonic N is a altered port of Sonic Advance.. With 4 playable characters. Some graphical changes, and arguably faster gameplay.
Now there is s small minor problem I have with this game and it's the fact going fast horizontally with a vertical screen may have you run into issues. They do a good job with giving you some seeing space but it will trip you up.
Otherwise, like the original Sonic Advance, plus more characters, it's a pretty decent game. Nothing special, and just like the GBA version not sure what ST was doing with the stage design. But you'll get some enjoyment here. Especially since you have added replay incentives.
Red Faction
This game blew minds back when it was shown. It came out in 2003, and there was no alternative in anyform.
You have here a polygonal full 3D FPS running at an excellent framerate, and no input lag. Sure it's missing a few advanced features and slicker graphics from the console versions, but we still have a pretty good game here. It feels like Quake with some Red Faction elements.
Add in wireless Multiplayer, and well, I mean this was a must pick up. It was the second game that got me to buy the first N-gage. I did borrow a friends for a bit, and played the demos, but this along with the game I mentioned near the top of this page were the games that told me, time to get a damn N-gage.
Aiming is a bit fiddly, but other than that, you have one great game. Red Faction regardless of version, isn't immediate pick up and play, it expects you to learn as you go and this version is no different, ut it's not annoyingly frustrating and takes a very short time. You'll be blasting baddies in no time.
Well that's it for the N-gage retrospective for now. My suggestion would be to buy one now as they are still at reasonable prices, that includes "some" of the games as well.
Console Retrospective list:
N-Gage
Now to get started with this, I want to talk about the N-Gage.
The N-gage released in 2002, and it despite what some say while looking back it was a beat for its time. A beast. The closest thing near an N-gage were the Windows Mobile phones at the time.
But the N-gage is special, I remember half the stores that had displays and demos, would have them taken down 304 weeks later. The N-gage threw outsome good games and managed to sell a few million. But by that time it was an uphill battle, and although the redesigned N-gage-second image above) was interesting, it still had similar problems.
N-gage would later become a digital platform for Nokia.
The N-gage had a few issues, it's screen made playing games kind of weird, but the buttons also helped with that. They seemed to have made the insides of console for games first, but the outside for a phone first, and the OS they used was very odd and would take a bit to navigate as the OS was disorganized.
The original N-gage also had you hold the phone up to your ear sideways. While also having to remove the back and battery to change games.
But for this retrospective let's go over some of the games I had found in my ye old closet, and see how well this gaming device holds up today. For those interested I would go for the QD model for a more spacious screen and controls that are better laid out.
One thing I'll give the N-gage over the GBA or others right off the bat is the cool box designs. Also online features in some games? Was pretty impressive fr the time
First up, Crash Nitro Kart:
Crash Nitro Kart is basically the in between version of the PS2 and GBA versions. It's the GBA version with improve graphics, some polygons, and 3D sprite effects. The GBA version of Nitro Kart is already amazing, and the fact this plays really well on the N-gage will give you a good time.
The controls are responsive, the Vertical screen doesn't cause any issues for viewing, and the framerate is solid. I remember playing a demo of this game at demo set-ups, and is one of the games I played that got me to pick one up.
Next up RAYMAN 3:
Rayman 3 for the N-gage is more like a 2D sequel to Rayman 1/2 and plays much differently than the console version. Unlike later 2D Rayman games, ths keeps the magical feel of the first Rayman game while allowing more flexibility and options for traversal. It's a really solid game on the N-gage and much better than other releases of this 2D version of Rayman 3.
One small issue is that on rare occasions, some enemies without knowing they are there, will pop up on screen. But most of the time the level design keeps the Vertical screen in mind. The game runs good, the colors are vivi, and the controls are tight for the most part wth a few small exceptions.
Splinter Cell TSA
Splinter Cell TSA is a very well made, and well animated Stealth 2D game. Everything is responsive, you get your usual Sam Fisher stealth kills and stealth moves. Parallax, enemy A.I. recognizing sound, and pretty good level design.
One small issue I have is some enemies on patrol patterns or camera can pop out of nowhere on the screen because well, the screen is Vertical. Now, this isn't too much of an issue, and you can negate most of this issue if you are stealthy, and after the first couple times you'll have it down, but it is a problem that can cause some annoyances.
Otherwise everything is slick, from moving, to shooting, to traversing.
Bomberman N-Gage
Bomberman N0gage is basically the same Bomberman you've likely played multiple times. The 2D graphics are nice, but basic. IN fact, this may have been a rush job since MP can only have two characters over connection or Bluetooth. I remember getting a bit annoyed with that with some friends of mine.
Anyway the game is fine, runs fine, it's just not really anything new. But a good time waster for your N-gage.
King Of Fighters Extreme
KOFE is the N-gages answer for fighting game fans, and was pushed hard in japan. While the Mortal Kombat for the wet was cancelled. Which is odd because they basically got DA running. Oh well.
ANYWAY KofE is actually a pretty solid fighter. The buttons for the game are definitely there, and input had no lag. Sometimes during certain attacks the frame rate jumps but otherwise, t's not much of an issue.
Tons of characters as well, so this will be a real trat for fightng game fans who have been looking at getting an N-gage.
Splinter Cell Choas Theory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwSzL3nVkGk
Just look at the video above, I know going down this list some were thinking 3D wasn't a thing for the N-gage, but remember it had plenty of 3D games, including an elder scrolls game I can't find right now, but may add later.
Chaos Theory is the first 3D Stealth game on handhelds, and that line is correct. It's also an amazing game, and this was the game that got me to get the QD consoles to go along with my original.
Movement, Linning up shots, stealth, it's all surprisingly fluid and well done. In fact, I remember my jaw dropping at the time because this game is damn well made, and I had no clue a game of this calibur could run on the N-gage.
One of the reasons may be that despite the name, it's not a port or an alteration tot he original code, it's built for the ground up. Camera control in a portable game console that came out in 2002?
One thing though the game does have areas with branching paths and areas, however don't expect any open open levels in this game. It's not a strict line, which is good, but don't expect a town of RDR here.
There's multiplayer as well! It's a must have for the N-gage.
SONIC N
Sonic N is a altered port of Sonic Advance.. With 4 playable characters. Some graphical changes, and arguably faster gameplay.
Now there is s small minor problem I have with this game and it's the fact going fast horizontally with a vertical screen may have you run into issues. They do a good job with giving you some seeing space but it will trip you up.
Otherwise, like the original Sonic Advance, plus more characters, it's a pretty decent game. Nothing special, and just like the GBA version not sure what ST was doing with the stage design. But you'll get some enjoyment here. Especially since you have added replay incentives.
Red Faction
This game blew minds back when it was shown. It came out in 2003, and there was no alternative in anyform.
You have here a polygonal full 3D FPS running at an excellent framerate, and no input lag. Sure it's missing a few advanced features and slicker graphics from the console versions, but we still have a pretty good game here. It feels like Quake with some Red Faction elements.
Add in wireless Multiplayer, and well, I mean this was a must pick up. It was the second game that got me to buy the first N-gage. I did borrow a friends for a bit, and played the demos, but this along with the game I mentioned near the top of this page were the games that told me, time to get a damn N-gage.
Aiming is a bit fiddly, but other than that, you have one great game. Red Faction regardless of version, isn't immediate pick up and play, it expects you to learn as you go and this version is no different, ut it's not annoyingly frustrating and takes a very short time. You'll be blasting baddies in no time.
Well that's it for the N-gage retrospective for now. My suggestion would be to buy one now as they are still at reasonable prices, that includes "some" of the games as well.
