What do I need to play a N-gage?

[Gamereviewgod]

This is a little more complicated then I expected, at least it seems that way. This is what I was going for for Christmas this year, but I kinda overwhelmed mom.

I see all types of cards, unlocked, locked, etc. I have no use for it as a phone. All I want to do is put in a game and play. I'm looking at QDs now since I know the games are easier to change, but I don't know if there's something else I need.

Help!

[davidbrit2]

As long as you have a valid, usable SIM card, I think you should be fine. You do not need any phone service to actually use the device. The QD Cingular Prepaid I picked up came with $10 free service, but I haven't bought anything else for it. In fact, you can even put the NGage in offline mode, and it won't even activate the radio hardware. If you can find one of those bundles available still, they're only like $100. That would be the safest way to go, I'd assume.

[qbertandernie]

i bought mine used, and it played games right away. i think it just needs the sim card and youre good to go.

...other than all of the games around here have been shipped to ann arbor :)

[Gamereviewgod]

What does unlocked/locked mean then? And what is a SIM card exactly?

Thanks!

[Bojay1997]

Because many cell service providers give subsidies toward the purchase of a phone, they usually insist that their phones be "locked" so that you can only use it on their service. Unlocked phones can be used with basically any cell service provider. A sim card is just a small piece of plastic inside of most cell phones that tells the security system on your phone that you are actually paying someone for service. It's similar in concept to those cards used in set-top boxes for security purposes.

[Gamereviewgod]

So ANY SIM card is ok? I see a lot of consoles on eBay without the card, but still including games.

[thegreatescape]

Any SIM should do it- I think originally they come with a dummy SIM card, but most people throw them out. My carrier disconnected me several months ago and all I get is a message on bootup telling me it cant connect to the network (as you would expect).

[maxlords]

Hands are also useful. No hands, no NGage gaming.

Seriously though, that's all I use mine for is a game machine. When you buy one new for $99, it comes with a sim card in it I think. Shouldn't be a problem.

[classicb]

So ANY SIM card is ok? I see a lot of consoles on eBay without the card, but still including games.

I'm not a cell phone expert so I could be wrong but I don't think you can use any SIM card if the phone is locked. If you get an unlocked phone you can use any SIM card. but if its locked into a carrier like say cingular you'll need a cingular SIM card... but like I said I could be wrong about this.

I know you said you didn't need it as a phone but its a damn good phone I use it every day as my phone. Also you can get it for free with any 3 games right now if you were to use it with a phone service.

[Gamereviewgod]

These things are hard to find with a SIM card! I've been on eBay for a week, and all of two have the needed card. Why don't they have them? I mean, what did people do without them? Can I make the assumption some people don't even know they have one in there?


I know you said you didn't need it as a phone but its a damn good phone I use it every day as my phone. Also you can get it for free with any 3 games right now if you were to use it with a phone service.

Just got a new phone earlier in the year. No need for a new one. I only want the N-Gage for games so I can write about something else. ;)

[esquire]

So has there been any clear consensus on this? Does it come with a Sim Card or not? I too am interested in one. I see most of the games are only $6 and the system $100 at Gamestop. The clerk there told me I need to get a phone service, but he was not sure as he didn't have one.

So, I want the console and games but no phone service. Not sure if this will work for me.

[classicb]

So has there been any clear consensus on this? Does it come with a Sim Card or not? I too am interested in one. I see most of the games are only $6 and the system $100 at Gamestop. The clerk there told me I need to get a phone service, but he was not sure as he didn't have one.

So, I want the console and games but no phone service. Not sure if this will work for me.

the $100 ones at Gamestop do not need a phone service. They are pre-paid phones. You don't need to use it as a phone and it will come with a sim card so you can play games

[Zadoc]

SLOW sales for Nokia’s gaming phone, the N-Gage, has forced the company to discontinue the sales of the device in American and European markets. Nevertheless, the N-Gage will still be sold throughout the Asia Pacific region, according to Barry Lee, managing director of Nokia Malaysia.

However, sources reveal that there are no plans to produce a newer model to replace the current one, the N-Gage QD, at least for the foreseeable future.

Originally released in 2003 as a combo mobile phone and game device to compete with the likes of game-only devices such as Nintendo’s Game Boy, the N-Gage has had a spotty record since its introduction.

The original version of the N-Gage was much-ridiculed for having its earphone and microphone on the side of the device instead of the front.

This “sideways talking” method gave rise to numerous websites which spoofed the way in which one had to hold the N-Gage to make a call.

Besides that, the original N-Gage also required the removal of the battery pack in order to access the memory slot, forcing the user to turn off the phone before switching to another game.

Although the company subsequently fixed these problems in the next version, the N-Gage QD, worldwide sales continued to be slow, reportedly only hitting two million units globally to date, far short of the six to nine million target that the company was aiming for when it was launched.

However, the N-Gage’s loss may also be the regular Nokia phone’s gain – according to the company, the games platform of the N-Gage will find its way into its Series 60 phones which run the Symbian operating system.

The end of the N-Gage might only be temporary, however, as Nokia adopts a wait-and-see attitude till 2007, when it will re-evaluate the market to see whether it will continue to pursue the mobile games market.

[classicb]

that's old news man. Nokia has since come out and said that they will continue to sell the N-Gage in American and European markets as well as continue to release games at a tune of 2 a month.

[kedawa]

I have an ngage qd as my phone, and it's a decent phone, but man is it ever a shitty, poorly thought-out game system.

The screen is oriented wrong for almost every type of game and has an atrocious vertical viewing angle, the buttons are layed out poorly, the dpad blows, there doesn't seem to be any support for rumble (despite the fact that the phone has that capability), the speaker placement causes the sound to be muffled most of the time, and there's no direct control over sound volume.

As if that weren't bad enough, most games punish the hardware to the point that you only get 15-20fps.

Even as a phone, it has issues, like needing two hands to make a call.

[classicb]

Even as a phone, it has issues, like needing two hands to make a call.

I don't know about that I do just fine with one hand but most of the points you make are valid. It's not a very well designed game system but it is a very portable one.

I think it excells at games that don't require alot of quick actions like Pathway to Glory, Rifts, High Seize, Catan and others of that nature. The verticle screen doesn't really matter with games like those. I'm surprised that game developers haven't tried harder to use the verticle screen better in games. Only Mile High Pinball and Glimmerati seem like they should have a verticle screen.

[kedawa]

If I'm dialing a number that isn't in my contacts, I have to enter the number with my right hand, and press the send button with my left.
I can do it with one hand, but it's really awkward.
Maybe you have bigger hands or something.

[poloplayr]

a lack of good taste.