View source for N-Gage

{{Short description|Mobile phone and handheld game system}}
{{About|the hardware device|its successor mobile gaming service|N-Gage (service)|the model railway gauge|N scale}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| title = N-Gage
| logo = N-Gage console logo.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| logo_size = 220px
| image = Nokia-NGage-LL.png
| codename = Starship (original)<ref name="fossbytes">{{Cite web |last=Tiwari |first=Aditya |date=8 December 2016 |title=10 Mysterious Phones Nokia Created In Its Days Of Glory |url=https://fossbytes.com/10-mysterious-phones-nokia-created/ |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=Fossbytes |language=en-US}}</ref><br/>Aquarius (QD)<ref name="museum">{{Cite web |title=Nokia - N-Gage QD |url=https://www.mobilephonemuseum.com/phone-detail/nokia-n-gage-qd |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=www.mobilephonemuseum.com |language=en}}</ref>
| manufacturer = [[Nokia]]
| type = [[Handheld game console]] and [[mobile phone]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.n-gage.com/community/press_082907c.html |title=Get out and play&nbsp;— with N-Gage games in your Nokia device |publisher=Nokia |access-date=2 February 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071009163030/http://www.n-gage.com/community/press_082907c.html|archive-date=9 October 2007}}</ref>
| generation = [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|Sixth]]
| releasedate = 7 October 2003<ref name="ngagelaunch" />
| discontinued = 24 February 2006<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mobilementalism.com/2005/11/26/nokia-kill-the-n-gage/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005104109/http://mobilementalism.com/2005/11/26/nokia-kill-the-n-gage/|title=Nokia kill the N-Gage|first=Mike|last=Evans|work=MobileMentalism|date=26 November 2005|archive-date=5 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
| unitssold = 3&nbsp;million<ref name="gamepro"/>
| media = [[MultiMediaCard]]
| display = {{cvt|2.1|in}} [[TFT LCD]], 176&nbsp;×&nbsp;208&nbsp;[[pixels|px]], 4,096&nbsp;colors<ref name="PM">{{Cite magazine |last=Grumet |first=Tobey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AdEDAAAAMBAJ&q=176x208%2520%2522n-gage%2522&pg=PA36 |title=Dial-A-Game |magazine=[[Popular Mechanics]] |date=June 2003 |publisher=Hearst Magazines}}</ref><ref name="Ang">{{Cite magazine |last=Ang |first=Terence |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WuoDAAAAMBAJ&q=176x208%2520%2522n-gage%2522&pg=PT16 |title=Get N-Gaged with Nokia |magazine=HWM |date=April 2003 |publisher=SPH Magazines |issn=0219-5607 |pages=15 |language=en}}</ref>
| os = [[Symbian OS]] 6.1 ([[Series 60]])
| cpu = [[ARM920T]]
| CPUspeed = 104 MHz
| related = [[Nokia 7650]], [[Nokia 3650]], [[Nokia 6600]]
| storage = 
| connectivity = [[HSCSD]], [[GPRS]], [[Bluetooth]]<ref name="ngagetechspecs">{{cite web |url=http://www.n-gage.com/en-R1/gamedeck/ngage/techspex/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205162936/http://www.n-gage.com/en-R1/gamedeck/ngage/techspex/ |title=N-Gage Game Deck Tech Specs |publisher=Nokia |access-date=2 February 2008 |archive-date=5 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ngageqdtechspecs">{{cite web |url=http://www.n-gage.com/en-R1/gamedeck/ngage_qd/techspex/ |title=N-Gage QD Game Deck Tech Specs |publisher=Nokia |access-date=2 February 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080115210709/http://www.n-gage.com/en-R1/gamedeck/ngage_qd/techspex/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 15 January 2008}}</ref>
| service = N-Gage Arena
| caption = Original model
| aka = N-Gage "game deck"
}}

The '''N-Gage''' is a [[mobile device]] combining features of a [[cellular phone]] and a [[Handheld game console|handheld game system]] developed by [[Nokia]], released on 7 October 2003.<ref name="ngagelaunch">{{cite web |url=http://www.nokia.com/A4136002?newsid=919619 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210124611/http://www.nokia.com/A4136002?newsid=919619 |title=Let the sales begin! Nokia N-GageTM game deck sales to start  |publisher=Nokia |access-date=7 October 2008 |archive-date=10 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Officially nicknamed the ''game deck'',{{Efn|Attibuted to the following references:<ref name="Fahey">{{Cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=14 April 2004 |title=Nokia N-Gage QD |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/fi-n-gageqd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202070141/https://www.eurogamer.net/fi-n-gageqd |archive-date=2 December 2024 |access-date=4 February 2025 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Wiley">{{Cite web |last=Wiley |first=M. |date=29 April 2004 |title=N-Gage QD Impressions |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/29/n-gage-qd-impressions |access-date=4 February 2025 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="actipress">{{Cite web |title=Activision® Set to Develop Titles for Nokia N-Gage™ Mobile Game Deck |url=https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/activisionr-set-develop-titles-nokia-n-gagetm-mobile-game-deck |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925194733/https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/activisionr-set-develop-titles-nokia-n-gagetm-mobile-game-deck |archive-date=25 September 2024 |access-date=4 February 2025 |website=Activision Blizzard |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Nokia3Q2003">{{Cite press release |title=Nokia in 3Q 2003 |date=16 October 2003 |publisher=[[Nokia]] |url=https://www.nokia.com/system/files/files/q3-2003-earnings-release-pdf.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910202015/https://www.nokia.com/system/files/files/q3-2003-earnings-release-pdf.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2024}}</ref>}} the N-Gage's phone works on the [[GSM]] cellular network, and software-wise runs on the [[Series 60]] platform on top of [[Symbian OS]] v6.1.

N-Gage attempted to lure gamers away from the [[Game Boy Advance]] by including [[telephone]] functionality, including [[SMS]] texting, in an "all-in-one" device.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nokia makes a play for wireless gaming |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nokia-makes-a-play-for-wireless-gaming/1100-2896710/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> Game software was packaged in a [[MultiMediaCard]] to be inserted into the N-Gage's slot. Nokia also ran an online service community, N-Gage Arena, which also supported [[multiplayer]] on some titles, using the phone's [[GPRS]] data connection.<ref>https://www.theregister.com/2004/04/14/nokia_interview?page=5</ref> Ultimately over 50 games — which included titles by major third-party publishers — were released for the system in a three year period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=N-Gage Games |url=https://www.gamespot.com/new-games/?game_filter_type%5Bplatform%5D=105&page=1 |access-date=29 August 2018 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

The N-Gage was unsuccessful, partly because the buttons were not well-suited for gaming, while it was described as resembling a [[taco]], which led to its mocking nickname "taco phone".<ref name="gamepro">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamepro.com/gamepro/domestic/games/features/125748.shtml |title=The 10 Worst-Selling Handhelds of All Time |access-date=17 January 2008 |author=Blake Snow |publisher=[[GamePro]] |date=30 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012194600/http://gamepro.com/gamepro/domestic/games/features/125748.shtml|archive-date=12 October 2007}}</ref><ref>"[https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2003/12/08/355130/index.htm Hold On, My Taco is Ringing Nokia says it has the phone for Gen Y]", "CNN.com" 8 December 2003, Peter Lewis.</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything |last=Saylor |first=Michael |year=2012 |publisher=Perseus Books/Vanguard Press |page=81 }}</ref> Less than a year later, the QD model was introduced as a redesign of the original "Classic" N-Gage, fixing widely criticized issues and design problems. The revised model was unable to make an impact, and with only 2 million units sold in its two years, the N-Gage was a [[List of commercial failures in video games|commercial failure]] and discontinued in February 2006, with Nokia moving its gaming capabilities onto selected Series 60 smartphones; this was announced as the [[N-Gage (service)|N-Gage platform or "N-Gage 2.0"]] in 2007, carrying on the N-Gage name.<ref name="fabegins1">{{cite web|url=http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/ngagefirstaccessbegins/ |title=N-Gage First Access Begins! |publisher=N-Gage Blog |access-date=5 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207054338/http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/ngagefirstaccessbegins/ |archive-date=7 February 2008 }}</ref><ref name="fabegins2">{{cite web|url=http://www.n-gage.com/community/news_FirstAccess.html |title=N-Gage First Access |publisher=Nokia |access-date=5 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207054357/http://n-gage.com/community/news_FirstAccess.html |archive-date=7 February 2008 }}</ref> In 2022 a TikTok video about a new N-Gage phone went viral in Indonesia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lativah |first=Eva |date=2022-04-14 |title=HP Nokia N Gage 2022 Segera Rilis, HP Gaming Zadul Gaya Kekinian |url=https://www.harapanrakyat.com/2022/04/hp-nokia-n-gage-2022-segera-rilis-hp-gaming-zadul-gaya-kekinian/ |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=Harapan Rakyat |language=id}}</ref>

== History ==
Nokia officially introduced the N-Gage at the Mobile Internet Conference in Munich, on 4 November 2002,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=4 November 2002 |title=Game On for Nokia |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/04/game-on-for-nokia |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> a device that integrated the functionalities of [[mobile phones]] and [[handheld game console]]s, which some people were increasingly carrying side by side. Its original development codename was ''Starship''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PhoneDB |title=Nokia N-Gage (Nokia Starship) {{!}} Device Specs {{!}} PhoneDB |url=http://phonedb.net/index.php?m=device&id=902&c=nokia_n-gage__nokia_starship |access-date=27 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

The N-Gage had a reported development budget of more than $100 million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shahtman |first=Noah |date=15 November 2003 |title=N-Gage faces tough haul |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune/144421256/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402214357/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune/144421256/ |archivedate=2 April 2024 |accessdate=2 April 2024 |page=23 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> Games for N-Gage used to cost $600,000 to $1.5 million to develop.<ref>{{cite web |last=Andrews |first=Marke |date=15 September 2004 |title=Vancouver games maestro to launch two new titles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vancouver-sun/131020716/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905104508/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-vancouver-sun/131020716/ |archivedate=5 September 2023 |accessdate=5 September 2023 |page=36 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |newspaper=[[Vancouver Sun]]}}</ref> Nokia had attracted a decent amount of large third-party game companies that signed up to develop titles for the platform, including [[Eidos Interactive]], [[Electronic Arts]], [[Sega]], [[Gameloft]], [[Activision]] and [[Taito]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Chambers |first=Chadd |date=12 September 2003 |title=The Ultimate N-Gage FAQ |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/12/the-ultimate-n-gage-faq |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

Many of the preloaded [[ringtone]]s and sounds were composed by former [[demoscene]] musician Markus Castrén, who worked at Nokia during mid-2002. For both the N-Gage and [[Nokia 7600]], he wrote ringtones in a variety of popular [[dance music|dance]] genres, as well as creating a small set of sounds inspired by 1980s arcade games; he chose to compose those in a [[chiptune]] style as music in video games of the time did not stand out as sounding distinctively game-related.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Друковский |first=Максим |date=8 February 2022 |title=Рингтоны — часть культурного наследия»: автор твиттера Ringtone Bangers коллекционирует мелодии телефонов из нулевых |url=https://tjournal.ru/internet/529102-ringtony-chast-kulturnogo-naslediya-avtor-tvittera-ringtone-bangers-kollekcioniruet-melodii-telefonov-iz-nulevyh |website=TJ |language=ru}}</ref>

=== Release and lifetime ===
Nokia tested the N-Gage with consumers across Europe from August 2003 until release as part of the ''N-Gage Tour''.<ref name="Nokia3Q2003"/> With a launch price of US$299<ref name="gamepro" /> ({{Inflation|US|299|2003|fmt=eq}}), the N-Gage was not commercially popular.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 October 2003 |title=N-Gage Launch |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/08/n-gage-launch |access-date=27 August 2018 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In its first weeks of availability in the United States, it was outsold by the [[Game Boy Advance]] 100 to 1.<ref name="ngagedoesnt">[https://web.archive.org/web/20071110220604/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdgmn/is_200401/ai_n9513528 "The N-Gage Doesn't"]  ''[[GameNOW|Game Now]]'', January 2004. Retrieved 5 May 2007.</ref><ref>Smith, David.  [https://web.archive.org/web/20071206041226/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zd1up/is_200310/ai_ziff110118 "N-Gage Moves Under 5,000 Units"]  ''[[1Up.com]]'', October 2003. Retrieved 5 May 2007</ref> Within 17 days of the deck's release, popular retailers [[GameStop]] and [[Electronics Boutique]] began offering $100 rebates on the deck's price.<ref name="cut">Smith, David.  [https://web.archive.org/web/20071224140628/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zd1up/is_200310/ai_ziff110512 "US Retailers Cut N-Gage Price"].  ''[[1Up.com]]'', October 2003. Retrieved 5 May 2007.</ref>[[File:Nokia-NGage-QD-Back-Open-Battery.jpg|thumb|The QD revision allowed the cartridge to be [[Hot swapping|hotswapped]] without removing the battery.]]
In February 2004, with the N-Gage failing to make a major impact four months on, CEO Jorma Ollila claimed that the device would be given until 2005 to be judged whether it was a success or failure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=23 February 2004 |title=Nokia admits to disappointing N-Gage sales |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nokia-admits-to-disappointing-n-gage-sales |access-date=31 August 2018 |website=gamesindustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> In 2004, a revision was released named N-Gage QD and this retailed at a lower price compared to the original N-Gage device, aided by the fact that it was usually sold with service contracts and applicable subsidies.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

In January 2005, UK sales-tracking firm ChartTrack dropped the N-Gage from its regular ELSPA chart, commenting that "The N-Gage chart, though still produced, is of little interest to anyone. Sales of the machine and its software have failed to make any impact on the market at all."<ref>{{cite web |date=11 January 2005 |title=N-Gage Dropped by ChartTrack (Nokia N-Gage) |url=http://spong.com/article/8204/N-Gage-Dropped-by-ChartTrack |access-date=2 August 2014 |publisher=Spong.com}}</ref> Although only directly reflective of the UK market, this was interpreted by some as a serious blow to the N-Gage as a viable gaming platform. Despite this, Nokia reaffirmed their commitment to the N-Gage as a platform, to the point where a new version of the hardware was rumored after [[Game Developers' Conference|GDC 2005]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 November 2004 |title=Nokia N-Gage QD officially announced |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_ngage_qd_officially_announced-news-36.php |access-date=1 September 2018 |work=GSMArena.com |publisher=GSMArena.com news}}</ref>

In November 2005, Nokia admitted that the N-Gage failed, selling only one-third of the company's expectations. The product was discontinued from Western markets in February 2006, but would continue to be marketed in India and parts of Asia;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Osborne |first=Doug |date=29 November 2005 |title=Nokia admits N-Gage is a failure |url=https://www.geek.com/games/nokia-admits-n-gage-is-a-failure-560162/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624012701/http://www.geek.com/games/nokia-admits-n-gage-is-a-failure-560162/ |archive-date=24 June 2016 |access-date=1 April 2020 |website=[[Geek.com]] |language=en-US}}</ref> the last game to be released in the U.S. for the system was [[Civilization (video game)|''Civilization'']] in March 2006,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100417163258/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ngage/civilization ''Civilization'' game-page] on Metacritic, archived 17 April 2010</ref> and later that year the combat racer ''Payload'' in other territories.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2006 |title=Payload for N-Gage / N-Gage QD now on sale |url=http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/4376_Payload_for_N-Gage__N-Gage_QD_.php |access-date=8 October 2021 |website=All About Symbian |language=en}}</ref> At [[E3 2006]], Nokia promoted its next-generation N-Gage which would become the [[N-Gage (service)|N-Gage service]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hudson |first=Travis |date=5 October 2006 |title=E3 2006: N-Gage Still Kickin' |url=https://gizmodo.com/e3-2006-n-gage-still-kickin-172693 |access-date=1 April 2020 |website=[[Gizmodo]] |language=en-us}}</ref> A travelling exhibition about the N-Gage realised by the Finnish Museum of Games named "A Fantastic Failure" was opened in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neleman |first=Danny |date=9 October 2023 |title=A Fantastic Failure - The story of Nokia N-Gage, a new exhibition at Finnish Museum of Games |url=https://retrolike.net/2023/10/09/a-fantastic-failure-the-story-of-nokia-n-gage-a-new-exhibition-at-finnish-museum-of-games/ |access-date=15 April 2025 |website=retrolike.net |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A Fantastic Failure |url=https://www.tekniikanmuseo.fi/en/exhibition/a-fantastic-failure/ |access-date=15 April 2025 |website=Tekniikan museo |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Hardware ==
[[File:Nokia-NGage-Disassembled.jpg|thumb|upright|A disassembled N-Gage, showing each layer of hardware]]

=== Design ===
The N-Gage is used in a wide physical form with a 2.1 inch [[Thin-film transistor|TFT]] display in the centre with a [[D-pad]] to the left and numerical keys to the right, among other buttons. This kind of design was roughly used before by the [[Nokia 5510]] mobile phone.

Instead of using cables, [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] gaming was accomplished with [[Bluetooth]] or the [[Internet]] (via the N-Gage Arena service). Its main CPU was an ARM Integrated (ARMI) compatible chip (ARM4T architecture) running at 104&nbsp;MHz, the same as the [[Nokia 7650]] and 3650 phones.

The original phone's design was considered awkward: to insert a game, users had to remove the phone's plastic cover and remove the battery as the game slot was next to it. Another feature was that the speaker and microphone were located on the side edge of the phone; this often resulted in many describing it as talking into a "[[taco]] phone"<ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Justin |date=16 February 2004 |title=The 7 Deadly Sins of N-Gage |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/february04/7sinsngage/index2.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016114107/http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/february04/7sinsngage/index2.shtml |archive-date=16 October 2006 |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref> or "Sidetalking", or simply that they had one very large ear, because the user held the edge of the phone against the cheek in order to talk into it. Usual for a phone, but unusually for a game system, it had a screen taller than it was wide, with a size of 2.1" and resolution of 176 X 208, giving an aspect ratio of 11:13; at the time most televisions were 4:3.

=== Accessories ===
Accessories for the N-Gage included extra batteries, car chargers, wireless [[Bluetooth]] headsets, and travel cases.<ref name=":0" />

=== Revision ===
[[File:Nokia-NGage-QD-LFL.jpg|thumb|N-Gage QD]]Following criticism of the N-Gage design, Nokia revised the model as the N-Gage QD,{{efn|"QD" is primarily a marketing designation, and does not officially stand for anything.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mike |first=Antonucci |date=14 April 2004 |title=Nokia Hopes Game Isn't Over For N-Gage |periodical=San Jose Mercury News |url=http://www.newsmodo.com/2004/04/14/nokia-hopes-game-gage/display.jsp?id=4188997 |access-date=10 September 2009 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> According to Nokia spokesman Will Willis, some have suggested that the letters could be considered to stand for ''quaque die'', meaning ''every day'' in [[Latin]])<ref>{{cite web |title=N-Gage QD Q&A |url=http://www.gamingnexus.com/Article/N-Gage-QD-QA/Item812.aspx |work=Gaming Nexus |page=1 |date=16 April 2004 |access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref>}} unveiled on 14 April 2004<ref>{{cite web |date=14 April 2004 |title=Nokia Welcomes The N-Gage QD Game Deck To The Mobile Gaming Family! |url=http://press.nokia.com/PR/200404/941341_5.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040506230528/http://press.nokia.com/PR/200404/941341_5.html |archive-date=6 May 2004 |access-date=10 September 2009 |publisher=Nokia |quote=The N-Gage QD game deck is expected to be available in May 2004 for Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific and in June 2004 for the Americas. |location=Helsinki, Finland}}</ref> and released on 26 May 2004.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 May 2004 |title=N-Gage QD game deck starts shipping in Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific |url=http://press.nokia.com/PR/200405/946979_5.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029111954/http://press.nokia.com/PR/200405/946979_5.html |archive-date=29 October 2007 |access-date=10 September 2009 |publisher=Nokia}}</ref> It revised the original N-Gage's physical design, being smaller and rounder, with other cosmetic changes on its face. It corrected the flaw of the original's cartridge slot placement with a more convenient one on the bottom of the device as opposed to behind the battery. This design also moved the earpiece to the face of the device, rather than on the side, as in the previous model.

Although it uses the same Symbian S60 software, some features available in the original system, such as [[MP3]] playback, [[FM radio]] reception and [[USB]] connectivity, were removed from the new device.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Nokia N-Gage QD officially announced |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_ngage_qd_officially_announced-news-36.php |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=GSMArena.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Later in August 2005<ref>{{cite web |date=3 August 2005 |title=Nokia releases N-Gage QD Black Edition To European, Middle Eastern and African Markets |url=https://www.fonearena.com/blog/103/nokia-releases-n-gage-qd-silver-edition-to-european-middle-eastern-and-african-markets.html/amp |access-date=18 August 2009 |publisher=Nokia |location=Espoo, Finland}}</ref> Nokia marketed the Silver Edition of N-Gage QD with a few cosmetic changes, and the replacement of the two specialist gaming buttons (5 and 7) with standard keys.

In October 2021, photos and information about a prototype for a cancelled hardware revision called the "N-Gage IC" were posted to the [[AtariAge]]<ref name="atariage">{{Cite web |date=1 October 2021 |title=Planned successor to Nokia N-Gage QD found! ("N-Gage IC") |url=https://forums.atariage.com/topic/325544-planned-successor-to-nokia-n-gage-qd-found-n-gage-ic/ |access-date=30 March 2024 |website=AtariAge Forums |language=en-US}}</ref> and ObsureGamers<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2021 |title=Nokia N-Gage IC. Cancelled Nokia N-Gage and N-Gage QD Official Successor. |url=https://obscuregamers.com/threads/nokia-n-gage-ic-cancelled-nokia-n-gage-and-n-gage-qd-official-successor.3818/post-27348.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107150954/https://obscuregamers.com/threads/nokia-n-gage-ic-cancelled-nokia-n-gage-and-n-gage-qd-official-successor.3818/post-27348.html |archive-date=7 January 2023 |website=ObscureGamers Forums}}</ref> forums by two independent collectors: Timo Weirich (Germany) and Leo Ashomko (Russia). The prototype is cosmetically similar to the base N-Gage QD but came with an integrated camera, a 123 MHz processor, Symbian OS 7.0 with Series 60 2nd Edition and USB mass storage as well as hardware MP3 decoding from the original model.<ref name="ssff">{{Cite tweet |number=1445860489343291392 |user=stopskeletons |title=More news on an unreleased third model of N-Gage, a possible successor to the QD |date=7 October 2021 |access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref><ref name="mobilephonemuseum">{{Cite web |title=Nokia - N-Gage QD |url=https://www.mobilephonemuseum.com/phone-detail/nokia-n-gage-qd |access-date=30 March 2024 |website=www.mobilephonemuseum.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="retronet">{{Cite web |title=Virtuelles Computer-Museum » Exklusiv: Prototyp des N-Gage QD-Nachfolgers "N-Gage IC" gefunden [Update] |url=http://retro-net.de/?id=89 |access-date=30 March 2024 |website=retro-net.de}}</ref>

== Software and features ==
Besides its gaming capabilities, the N-Gage is a 2.5G [[GPRS]] data supporting [[Nokia Series 60|Series 60]] smartphone, running [[Symbian OS]] 6.1, with features similar to those of the [[Nokia 3650]] (it does not have an integrated [[camera]], however). It is able to run all Series 60 software (other than those that require a camera) and comes with the standard features such as an [[email client]], [[Wireless Application Protocol|WAP]], and [[XHTML]] browser; it also supports [[Java (programming language)|Java]] [[MIDP]] ([[J2ME]]) applications. The N-Gage Classic is tri-band [[GSM]] on frequencies 900, 1800 and 1900; the N-Gage QD revision on the other hand was released in two dual-band variants for the American region and another for Eurasian markets.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Nokia N-Gage QD - Game Console - Computing History |url=https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/36002/Nokia-N-Gage-QD/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=www.computinghistory.org.uk}}</ref> Furthermore, the QD runs the same software version despite Series 60 2nd Edition having already come out by the time this revision was developed.<ref name=":2" /> The original N-Gage includes [[MP3]] and [[RealAudio]]/[[RealVideo]] playback, an [[FM radio]] tuner, and also supports [[Multimedia Messaging Service|MMS picture messaging]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nokia N-Gage promotion website |url=https://www.artlebedev.com/nokia/n-gage/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=www.artlebedev.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 April 2004 |title=Nokia N-Gage |url=http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/features/item/Nokia_N-Gage.php |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=All About Symbian |language=en}}</ref> However the QD version removes MP3 and FM support.<ref name=":1" />

Exclusive to the device was N-Gage Arena, an online service run in-house by Nokia which consisted of an [[online community]] where users could play against each other online on certain titles, chat and post on [[message boards]], view and upload high scores on a global scoreboard, and receive game tips news.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2004 |title=Nokia's cell phone/gaming device needs work |url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/nokias-cell-phone-gaming-device-needs-work-20040709-gdjauq.html |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2003 |title=N-Gage Arena |url=http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/N-Gage_Arena.php |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=All About Symbian |language=en}}</ref>

== Game library ==
{{Main|List of N-Gage games}}

Before the launch of Nokia's first in-house N-Gage title, ''[[Pathway to Glory]]'', a one-level demo was released to journalists to allow them to sample the game and understand the concepts behind the turn-based wargame. This demo was subsequently placed on the N-Gage.com website as a free download. Undaunted by the 16 MB download size, fans jumped on the ''Pathway to Glory'' demo. The success of the download paved the route for future titles. On 6 June 2006 Nokia announced that people also could buy the games digitally.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2006 |title=Nokia N-Gage {{!}} Nokia launches new online retail distribution channel for N-Gage games |url=http://www.n-gage.com/en-R1/press/Press+releases/press_release_060606.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125091847/http://www.n-gage.com/en-R1/press/Press+releases/press_release_060606.htm |archive-date=25 November 2006 |access-date=8 May 2021}}</ref>

There are 58 full titles available for N-Gage. Two of the titles were not released in North America: [[Supreme Snowboarding|''Flo-Boarding'']] (Germany and UK only) and ''[[Sega Rally]]'' (Australia and Brazil only). All but three titles (''Payload'', ''[[Snakes (N-Gage game)|Snakes]]'', ''[[Virtua Cop]]'') were available for retail purchase. Payload only could be bought via the digital N-Gage store, Snakes were given out as a free file and Virtua Cop being cancelled. One more game was bundled with the N-Gage (on the Support CD): an exclusive version of ''[[Space Impact|Space Impact Evolution X]]'', that was later made available to [[S60 (software platform)|Symbian S60v2]] phones. Other than N-Gage titles, the device supports native Series 60 games and [[Java ME]] applets written specifically for Series 60.

== Reception and legacy ==
''[[Pocket Kingdom: Own the World]]'' received a handful of glowing reviews when it was released, and ''[[Pathway to Glory]]'' was Nokia's first self-published success. These games came perhaps too late to have much effect in improving the perception of the N-Gage hardware itself in the eyes of consumers or press.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Keane|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/12/before-the-mobile-gaming-explosion-there-was-the-n.html|title=Before Mobile Gaming Exploded, There Was the Nokia N-Gage|date=1 December 2015|work=Paste|access-date=31 August 2018|language=en}}</ref> Nokia had projections of at least 6 million sold decks in three years instead of only 3 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2146487/nokia-holds-fire-mobile-gaming|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112091157/http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2146487/nokia-holds-fire-mobile-gaming|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 January 2008|title=Nokia holds fire on mobile gaming | publisher = vnunet.com|date=12 January 2008|access-date=31 August 2018}}</ref>

It was also noted that although Nokia touted the device as a [[handheld game console]], it was in reality a standard Nokia [[Symbian]] [[S60 (software platform)|Series 60 1st Edition]] smartphone in a different form factor and without any enhanced hardware chips for gaming capability. Pirated games released on the platform could be run as normal on devices of the period such as [[Nokia 3650]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2006 |title=Nokia's Next Generation gaming platform, the future of N-Gage |url=http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/features/item/Nokias_Next_Generation_gaming_platform_the_future_of_N-Gage.php |access-date=10 September 2024 |website=All About Symbian |language=en}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = Apple had the [[Apple Newton|Newton]]. Sony struck out with the [[Betamax]]. I.B.M. blew it with the [[IBM PCjr|PCJr]]. Every technology giant has one or two failed products it would rather the world forget. But Nokia, the world’s largest cellphone manufacturer, wants everyone to remember its most famous misfire, the 2003 taco-shaped video game-cellphone hybrid, the N-Gage.
| author = Brad Stone
| source = ''[[The New York Times]]'', about the introduction of [[N-Gage 2.0]] in 2007<ref>{{cite web|title=Play It Again, Nokia. For the 3rd Time.|website=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 27, 2007|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/27/technology/27nokia.html}}</ref>
| align = right
| width = 40%
}}

The "N-Gage" brand name still had a poor reputation within the gaming media and among the few consumers who recognized the N-Gage brand, due to the weakness of the system's first games and the original model's limitations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The (Not Quite) Greatness of Nokia's N-Gage |url=https://www.newegg.com/insider/the-not-quite-greatness-of-nokias-n-gage/amp/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035627/https://www.newegg.com/insider/the-not-quite-greatness-of-nokias-n-gage/amp/ |archive-date=28 August 2018 |access-date=27 August 2018 |website=newegg.com |publisher=Newegg Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> Despite this, Nokia attempted another shot at N-Gage in 2007, which itself would last only two years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 November 2009 |title=What will Nokia learn from the Failure of N-Gage? |url=http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/features/item/What_will_Nokia_learn_from_the_Failure_of_N-Gage.php |access-date=25 September 2024 |website=All About Symbian |language=en}}</ref>

=== Sales ===
In 2004, Nokia claimed in a press release that it had shipped its millionth deck, represented as a company milestone despite falling short of the company's initial projection of six million decks by the end of 2004.<ref>"[http://www.nokia.com/A4136002?newsid=959289 Nokia ships one million N-Gage game decks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222224307/http://www.nokia.com/A4136002?newsid=959289|date=22 February 2008}}", "Nokia.com", 1 September 2004</ref> However, this number shipped does not give a reliable picture of the actual sales of the deck.<ref name="cut" /> Nokia ultimately shipped over 2 million N-Gage decks by 2007.<ref name="nyt2M">[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/27/technology/27nokia.html "Play It Again, Nokia. For the 3rd Time."].  Brad Stone, 27 August 2007. ''[[The New York Times]]''. Retrieved 27 August 2007.</ref>

There is some disagreement in sources about the actual number of N-Gage decks sold. Nokia initially claimed 400,000 sales in the first two weeks the deck was available. However, independent market research firms Chart-Track and Arcadia Research claimed that the N-Gage had sold only 5,000 decks in the United States in that time, and 800 decks in the UK. German magazine ''GamePro'' talked about 15.000 sold units by mid 2004 in Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GamePro Nr. 4/2004 |url=https://bk.gamestar.de/getcatalog.do?catalogId=8616&catalogVersionId=123161&catalogVersion=1&preview=true |access-date=18 October 2023 |website=bk.gamestar.de |language=de}}</ref> Critics suggested Nokia was counting the number of decks shipped to retailers, not the number actually purchased by consumers.<ref>[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/10/23/nokia_figures_claim_massive_ngage/ "Nokia figures claim massive N-Gage sales"].  October 2003. ''[[The Register|The Register UK]]''. Retrieved 5 May 2007.</ref> Nokia later admitted this was the truth.<ref name="ngagedoesnt" />

=== N-Gage 2.0 ===
{{Main|N-Gage (service)}}

The new N-Gage, also referred to as ''N-Gage Next Gen'' or ''N-Gage 2.0'', saw a change in concept as [[Nokia]] explained to the world during [[E3 2005]] that they were planning on putting N-Gage inside several of their [[smartphone]] devices, rather than releasing a specific device. In August 2007, the new N-Gage platform was finalised and was released in April 2008. It was compatible on many [[Symbian]] [[S60 (software platform)|S60]] smartphones with hardware acceleration capability. The service was discontinued in October 2009.

== See also ==
*[[Nokia 3300]], 2003 model with a similar design to N-Gage.
*[[Nokia N81]], [[Nokia N96]], and  [[Nokia N79]]/[[Nokia N85|N85]], later Nokia smartphones supporting N-Gage 2.0 platform.
*[[Scalable Network Application Package|Scalable Network Application Package (SNAP)]], N-Gage Arena-like service designed by Nokia and Sega for Java-based games.
*[[Xperia Play]], a similar product that combined mobile telephony with gaming.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Nokia N-Gage}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050831013829/http://www.n-gage.com/ Nokia's official N-Gage site]

{{Nokia platforms}}
{{Nokia devices|1000 series=yes|2000 series=yes|3000 series=yes|5000 series=yes|6000 series=yes|7000 series=yes|8000 series=yes|9000 series=yes|3-digit series=yes|asha=yes|cseries=yes|eseries=yes|nseries=yes|xseries=yes|3-digit symbian=yes|lumia=yes|internet=yes|n-gage=yes|x family=yes|android=yes|originals=yes|c series=yes|g series=yes|x series=yes|miscellaneous=yes|below=yes}}
{{Sixth generation game consoles}}
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[[Category:ARM-based video game consoles]]
[[Category:Handheld game consoles]]
[[Category:Nokia mobile phones]]
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