Panasonic Unveils New Handheld Platform "The Jungle"

[buzz_n64]

Electronics giant returns to the handheld market with a handheld dedicated to online games. Courtesy of 1up http://www.1up.com/news/panasonic-unveils-handheld-platform-jungle

http://www.1up.com/media?id=3847483&type=sm

Interesting idea, hope it's done right. We all saw how the Gizmondo and the Zodiac did. At least I hope they learned something from the 3DO. Good luck Panasonic!

[Snapple]

So, is this going to play any MMORPG you want (like WoW) or is it just going to support MMORPGs that are designed for this hunk of junk?

While I think it's a doomed idea anyway, I could see the profit potential for wanting to cater to WoW addicts, giving them a way to play WoW while they're outside the house.

If all you can play are this Battlestar Galactica game and whatever else they find to support the system that isn't mainstream, then it's ten times the doomed that it was to begin with.

And that horrible "Online Underground" cartoon is as bad an omen as I've ever seen.

[jb143]

... WoW addicts, giving them a way to play WoW while they're outside the house.


I think you contradicted yourself there.;)

[punkrockdave]

Don't you see judging just by the name you will only be able to play games that take place in a jungle EX. Platoon, MGS3 , and those oter games that are in the jungle. It's so niche it can't fail.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

The Jungle?

I used to dial in to that BBS in the 80s.

So ... will this thing play door games like Food Fight and Trade Wars?

[portnoyd]

If it can play all the Zynga games at full speed, it may turn out to be a success.

[Snapple]

I think you contradicted yourself there.;)

You have a point!

Anyway, Kotaku says the Jungle is using Linux as its base operating system, which seems like a very bad idea to me.

[bohproper]

i hope this works out for panasonic,plus you gotta love the name >.<

[Enigmus]

Wow, it's the 3DO of MMORPGs. LOL

Also, if we're talking jungle based, don't forget the jungle of level one of Contra. Either that or Commando.

Also, it looks like a portable DVD player they sell at Wal Mart. Smooth move in the design aspect, Panasonic /sarcasm

[kupomogli]

Anyway, Kotaku says the Jungle is using Linux as its base operating system, which seems like a very bad idea to me.

It'll probably be removed in a firmware update three years after release.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Looks like Panasonic Opened the Zoo! Linux? Really!? Or did they open the sauce? :D

Had to check the calendar. Suddenly felt like April for some reason...

I'm calling it now... GNR is getting money from Panasonic's ad dept on this one.

[j_factor]

That design looks horrible. The concept is stupid. Also:

http://imgur.com/U7IY4.jpg

[kupomogli]

I think they should have called it "The Bungalow" personally. Not many people even know what a bungalow is(so wouldn't complain about the name being stolen) and it just sounds cool.

[The 1 2 P]

The main question is: have they learned from the price debacle that was the 3DO FZ-1? Better yet, have they learned even more recently from the price debacle that was the PSP GO? If they can price competitively(a big "if") and continue to add that to their gaming pricing than this may just do better than most expect it to do. However, I also feel the inclusion of Linux is a bad idea and ultimately a bad omen as well.

[Berserker]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/natev/panawffles.jpg

[Icarus Moonsight]

^^ EPIC ^^

Now this I would buy immediately on impulse... Think about it. Waffles anywhere! Soon would become waffles everywhere! :o

[Darko]

I love my Panny plasma, but this? I'm betting on a fail unfortunately.

Why wouldn't you just buy a laptop? I doubt that the thing will be under $400-$500. For several $100 more you could get a pretty decent laptop that runs an operating system that said MMO was built to run on. Hmm...seems like a no brainer to me.

[Jaruff]

http://www.open-pandora.org/

I guess Panasonic figured if a bunch of hobbyists could do one, they could to. This thing fails hard but I'll buy one when they're in the bargain bin. Hell, I'll buy two, keep one sealed, and sell it 10 years from now for mad profit.

[StoneAgeGamer]

I agree the only way this would somewhat succeed is if it could indeed play WoW on the go and play it well.

I think Panasonic is banking on portable MMOs being the next big thing and they are trying to be the first to outright support it.

The question is though. If you were to make a portable MMO why would you not target the DS (3DS), the PSP, or even the iPhone. All these already have a large user base.

[poloplayr]

Short Matsushita stock - Panasonic must have some bloody idiots running the business. There isn't a chance in hell this will ever succeed.

[Compute]

God damn, this looks worse than my brother's discount "e-book reader." Why don't they start with a real ad campaign instead of..that? Is there going to be an app store? It looks to me like they had some netbook hardware laying around they had to use for SOMETHING. Otherwise why not make it a full tablet PC right away?

[BHvrd]

If it can play all the Zynga games at full speed, it may turn out to be a success.

So true! Nothing could be better than playing Mafia Wars or Farmville at 60 frames per second! http://serve.mysmiley.net/party/party0006.gif

[NayusDante]

The Pandora found a niche because it's a decent device. It also runs Linux. The Jungle is going to run a Linux-based operating system, so it's not going to be compatible with every x86 Linux binary out there out of the box. If they're just going to have it run a Linux-derivative, then there is no reason for this to not to be an Android tablet with a keyboard.

Seriously, Android tablet with keyboard. THAT should have been their core product description from day one. Instead, they made a movie prop from 1997, or maybe a 1995 MacBook with the corners cut off Battlestar Galactica style. Oh wait, I see what they did there... It has to be ugly and non-functional so they Cylons can't hack into it! Brilliant!

Fast-forward to launch: There's already a dozen 3G Android tablets available at a lower price point, and they can play Farmville with ease. There is no market for The Jungle. Panasonic goes back to making TVs and microwaves. Feeling inspired, Nokia announces another N-Gage.

[buzz_n64]

Update! Jungle Canceled! ”due to changes in the market and in our own strategic direction.”
http://www.panasonicjungle.org/

As if it mattered.

[Gapporin]

Looks like a bungle in The Jungle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw0YKg07Zz0

[Icarus Moonsight]

Looks like a bungle in The Jungle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw0YKg07Zz0

You are made of the awesome and are worth 2k rocking flutists. :D

[GameNinja]

Update! Jungle Canceled! ”due to changes in the market and in our own strategic direction.”
http://www.panasonicjungle.org/

As if it mattered.

Well, looks like it is time to cancel my pre-order then...

[kedawa]

Nothing changed in the market. It was always a horrible idea. I guess their 'strategic direction' is no longer 'straight down the shitter'.

[Colorado Rockies]

Nothing changed in the market. It was always a horrible idea. I guess their 'strategic direction' is no longer 'straight down the shitter'.

Ya this thing probably would've sold less than the N-Gage