We're really finding ourselves short on bling-esque terms to ascribe to this golden Game Boy; suffice it to say that the bling has arrived, and it has made its dwelling among this old skool, b&w screened, beast of a unit. The whole shebang weighs in at 27 ounces, and is made of 18K solid gold, along with diamonds surrounding the screen and set in the on/off buttons. Better start saving up those gangsta'pennies of yours though, (you know, the ones with Lincoln in a du-rag) this piece is going for a nice 25 grand.

[Thanks, Max]

Filed under: Gaming, Portable, Retro

The golden Game Boy - old skool originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Dec 2005 10:00:11 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nothing like slapping a bit of bleeding edge technology into your forthcoming portable gaming handheld to grab a bit of attention, and iRiver is doing just that with their announced plans for sticking WiBro (that longer range, but slower tower hander off-er) into their 2006 device. WiBro is looking to be Korea's Wi of choice, and iRiver is planning this device for rollout along with the planned WiBro networks for South Korea. That's about all we know so far, other than their aim to compete with the PSP with this guy. We'll keep you posted, alright?

Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wireless, Portable, Sony PSP, Wireless

WiBro planned for iRiver's upcoming PSP "killer" originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Nov 2005 08:30:36 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Not so sure about you, but this thing looks pretty much like an officially official Sony-made PSP headset to us. The first of what we hope will be many Sony-made PSP accessories to be released this holiday season - the PSP Giga Pack just isn't quite sitting right with us right now as their sole offering. Apparently this bad boy'll ship the 5th of November, and will run you up $19.99.

[Thanks, Rohan]

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Portable, Sony PSP

Is this the PSP headset? Over. Could be! Over. originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:05:11 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So the Gizmondo finally saw its official North American release yesterday. It hasn't exactly been a success in the UK, where it was introduced back in March, and if Associated Press writer Matt Slagle's review is any indication it's not going to tear it up over here, either. Slagle doesn't mince words, declaring that even though it specs out nicely (400MHz processor, 2.8-inch LCD, GPRS, and GPS), most of the Gizmondo's 14 launch titles are "uniformly terrible" and its much-touted multimedia features aren't so hot either ("playback stuttered throughout").

Filed under: Gaming, GPS, Handhelds, Portable

Way down on the Gizmondo originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Oct 2005 16:58:42 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We're a bit surprised we didn't get a liveblog-like stream of emailed press releases from Tiger Telematics this morning because today's their big day in North America. That's right, the Gizmondo is officially on sale for $229 with fourteen launch titles. They did roll deep by buying a full-page ad in USA Today with Verne Troyer (aka Mini Me) shilling the Gizmondo, but we're not so sure a launch with some weak hype, obvious insecurity with their press presence, abysmal sales abroad, and a third of a billion in mounting debt is reason enough for Tiger's EU managing director Carl Freer to be "extremely proud of what [they've] achieved."

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Gaming, GPS, Handhelds, Nintendo DS, Portable, Sony PSP

Gizmondo launches in North America originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Oct 2005 17:00:09 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You know, we're not gonna tell you how to live your life, so if you want to spend $15 of your hard earned dollars on the "PSP Smart Charging Dock"-a PSP dock sure to drive away all but your most loyal compatriots with its intense gaudiness-be our guest. Just don't say we didn't warn you about sudden losses in guests at your place of residence. Unless that's what you're actually going for, anyway.

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Portable, Sony PSP

The PSP Smart Charging Dock originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Oct 2005 04:30:12 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you were ever curious as to exactly what was entailed in a PSP-bricking (for the uninitiated, that's when running some code that kills your PSP entirely), famed antivirus company F-Secure (who we hope you should well know by now) plunked down the $250 to do an on-camera bricking, for, um, educational purposes. It's not pretty. In fact, you may want to shield their eyes if you've got children (or gamers) in the room. The lesson to learn here? Always use protection, kids-never run unverified arbitrary code.

Watch [14MB WMV]

Filed under: Gaming, Hacks, Portable, Sony PSP

F-Secure bricks a PSP on camera originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Oct 2005 11:05:56 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For everyone who thought the Datel 4GB PSP drive seemed too good (or suspect) to be true, import gaming giant Lik Sang gave it the once over after receiving a unit before their first shipment of the devices comes in. We really like the idea of Datel selling these things as a straight enclosure so we can roll our own drive (specifically a large capacity CF drive, for example), but make sure you're not counting on more than 4GB of space if you're going to buy and mod it-the PSP can't address more than 4GB of Memory Stick memory, so you can't exactly go nuts on the thing. Coming soon via LS for $200 cash money.

[Via PSPnews]

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals, Portable, Sony PSP

Datels 4GB PSP drive tested and dissected originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2005 14:45:21 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Links to PSP formatted subway maps for other cities around the world have been dribbling in since Thursday's story about that PSP NYC subway map, so we figured we'd post a few of them up. Let us know if there any others out there and we'll add them to the list.

Read - Barcelona
Read - Berlin
Read - Boston
Read - Chicago
Read - Frankfurt
Read - Hamburg
Read - London
Read - Mexico City
Read - Milan
Read - Moscow
Read - Munich
Read - New York City
Read - Nuremberg
Read - Oslo
Read - Osaka
Read - Paris (Metro + RER)
Read - Rome
Read - Santiago
Read - Stockholm
Read - Stuttgart
Read - Sydney
Read - Tokyo
Read - Washington DC Metro

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable, Sony PSP

PSP subway maps from around the world originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2005 13:34:31 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We didn't think that portable video game screens could get any smaller than the squint-inducing display on the Game Boy Micro, but the makers of the Casino Pen have proven us wrong once again with their recent attempt to snaz up that most-utilitarian of tools. This latest foray into the world of pen-top gaming comes in the form of the Arcade Pen lineup, which includes games that we haven't actually seen in the arcade for many, many years (if ever) such as Blockade, Car Racing (how original), and Pac Man. Clearly not big proponents of truth in advertising, the manufacturers/retailer are hyping, "Each classic game has awesome graphics, impressive sounds, and entertaining challenges." Uh, yeah. And what's up with posing the pens next to a homework assignment; we can't imagine that this product is endorsed by professional educators.

[Via bookofjoe]

Filed under: Gaming, Portable, Retro

Arcade Pens: don't get your hopes up originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2005 02:30:15 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PC Watch has gotten their hands on a Game Boy Micro, which is scheduled to be released in the US on September 19th for $99 (but came out today in Japan). The first thing they did? Blow it up, of course. They've posted their dissection of the device, and while it doesn't offer too many surprises (not that we know what to look for), it features a number of improvements versus the Gameboy Advance SP. They mention that while at first glance the Gameboy Micro appears to just be a new form factor of the SP, it is in fact quite different under the hood. They say how Nintendo has paid attention to detail in many of the aspects of the device's construction, such as its overall solid structure, detailed electrical work, and small touches such as stoppers that prevent  screws from becoming loose. Unfortunately it's too late to add these stoppers to Miyamoto's screws.

Filed under: Gaming, Hacks, Portable

Game Boy Micro revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2005 11:00:21 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We know it's been a rough eleven days, but it looks like your wait is almost over - Sony just put up a placeholder site detailing all of the new features of the North American version of the PSP's new 2.0 firmware upgrade. Nothing all that different from the Japanese version (surprise, surprise), but at least now you won't technically be voiding your warranty. The download itself isn't available yet (we just tested and it's still v1.52), at least not as of this writing, but we're guessing that it won't be long now.

[Thanks, SGOlsen]

Update: Ok, so apparently a bunch of people found a login (scea/scea-how original) to the PSP update site, which in return said something to the effect of the update being made available August 24th (i.e. tomorrow). Um, and now the PSP update site appears to have been taken down, removed, or is otherwise missing. Aiight, square one. And thanks to everyone who sent this in.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable, Sony PSP

PSP v2.0 upgrade: So close, so close... originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Aug 2005 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Do we really need to expend much energy hating on the Gizmondo? You know as well as we do that this thing's not going anywhere, but the latest bit of bad news out of Tiger Telematics is that they're delaying the console's North American launch, which was originally set for next week, until sometime in October. Tiger Telematics claims that it's because of a "hardware shortage" and delays in a couple of key titles, but there are plenty of people whispering about how the company is quietly going broke.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Gizmondo North American launch delayed until October originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Aug 2005 12:05:06 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Wanna know just how micro the screen on Nintendo's new Game Boy Micro really is? Reader "gameduck" just sent in this graphic he created comparing the size of the Micro's screen with that of the Game Boy Advance SP (he based it on the size of the GBM's cartridge slot-turns out paying attention in math class has its advantages). Let's just say that if you've got beef with the screen on the Game Boy Advance SP then you're probably not going to be happy with what you're getting with the Micro. Otherwise, you're cool.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Game Boy Micro vs. Game Boy Advance SP originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 May 2005 06:38:13 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

They didn't have a Nintendo Revolution lying around, but we did have a chance to get up close and personal with the brand new Game Boy Micro. Very slick little package, but that squint-inducing LCD screen is definitely pushing the limits of how small a screen on a portable game console can get and still be useable.

Continue reading Nintendo @ E3: Hands on with the Game Boy Micro

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Nintendo @ E3: Hands on with the Game Boy Micro originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 May 2005 21:59:27 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We know it's a little gratuitous, but we wanted to hit you with a nice new pic of the Game Boy Micro. It's just that cute. Holla!

Filed under: Gaming, Portable

Nintendo's Game Boy Micro: take 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2005 15:37:46 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nintendo also unveiled the Game Boy Micro this morning, here's what we know so far:

• Launch is slated for this Fall.

• Silver in color for now, expect all sorts of rainbow-flavored variations.

• Dimensions: 4 inches wide by 2 inches tall and 0.7 inches thick.

• Weight: 2.8 ounces (80 paper clips' worth of weight).

• Processor: Same as GBA SP.

• Form factor: "Gleaming shoulder and start/select buttons that literally shine", removable and customizable face plate.

• Screen: 2-inches, backlit and the "best Game Boy screen ever" with adjustable brightness controls for use indoors or outdoors.

• Marketing angle: "We're making the gorgeous Game Boy Micro for image-conscious folks who love video games, the ones who want the look of their system to be as cool as the games they play on it" according to George Harrison, Nintendo of America Sr. VP of marketing. It's clear that they're going after the kids who are too cool to carry around an obvious gaming device but who don't mind carrying something that looks like the cell phone that they're already carrying.

• Accessories: built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery; supports standard headphones.

• Software: the Game Boy Advance has nearly 700 titles available, all of which will be playable on the Game Boy Micro.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

The Game Boy Micro: What we know originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2005 14:28:07 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Live from Sony's PlayStation Portable Launch Party

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Live from Sony's PlayStation Portable Launch Party originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2005 21:15:43 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you really, really, really need to get yr hands on the new Nintendo DS (and you, uh, didn't already get one sent to you last week like we did), starting at midnight tonight EB Games will be the first ones officially selling the new portable game console. Big emphasis on the "officially', as we've heard a few sporadic reports of people walking into stores and finding sympathetic employees willing to help them get their hands on a DS a few days early. Most stores should have them in stock already, so you might just want to try your luck. Otherwise, get in line.

[Via I4U]

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Nintendo DS goes on sale at midnight tonight originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Nov 2004 13:30:08 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

[Thanks, Mike]

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Nintendo giving away gold Game Boy Advance SPs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Nov 2004 08:32:16 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Nintendo adds third DS factory due to demand originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Nov 2004 08:49:45 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Seriously, Sony, how badly do you want to torture us? 3Yen has some pics of a bunch of billboards they've just installed in the Toyko subway with actual working models of the PlayStation Portable behind plexiglass. And yes, they already anticipated that someone might be tempted to do a smash-and-grab, and so despite Japan's notoriously low crime rate they've hired three security guards to keep an eye on things just in case.

Continue reading PlayStation Portable billboards -- So close, yet so far away...

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

PlayStation Portable billboards -- So close, yet so far away... originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Nov 2004 13:15:43 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sometimes my friends, the gods smile upon you. We hadn't even gotten around to asking for one to review, but just a few minutes ago the FedEx guy showed up with a little something for us: the new Nintendo DS! (They also went to the trouble of overnighting us a tube of bubble wrap, which has something to do with their "Touching is good" advertising campaign). We'll squeeze out a review soon, but in the meantime, enjoy these hastily shot pics of us unwrapping our new toy.

Continue reading Unpacking the Nintendo DS

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Unpacking the Nintendo DS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Nov 2004 10:58:44 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The kids over at IGN got their hands on an early-release Nintendo DS handheld gaming machine, and they seem both excited and perplexed.  You see, the DS comes with a thumbstrap to allow players to use the touchscreen without greasing it up.  Interesting, though, that the game that comes with the DS isn't stylus-oriented.  Rather, they're using the touchscreen as a thumb controller, sort of like an analog stick.  Will the DS touchscreen become more of a thumb-screen, like a big joystick, instead of the stylus screen we all imagined?  Based on the game lineup, it seems this may be possible.

Filed under: Gaming, Portable

Nintendo DS out of the box, one thumb down. On the screen. originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Nov 2004 08:50:16 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Yeah, we're still 16 days from the official release of the Nintendo DS, but someone's already claiming to have posted an emulator for it. The only thing is that since no games have been released there are no ROMs to run on it (or conclusively test their claims), just a demo file which they were supposedly able to get up and running. We'll keep you posted.

[Thanks, Tony]

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Nintendo DS emulator? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Nov 2004 07:54:35 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Remember when we said that the Nintendo DS was going to be in short supply? Well, you better get ready for some serious eBay-gouging, because already one retailer, GameStop, has sold out their initial supply of the new portable game console and has stopped taking pre-orders on it. And there's still 19 days left before it ships, too.

[Thanks, Scott]

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

GameStop stops taking pre-orders on the Nintendo DS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2004 14:27:49 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Well that didn't take very long. It's not even out yet, but the first attempt to cash in on the PlayStation Portable has arrived in the form of a new 3G cellphone from Lenovo (a Chinese manufacturer) that knocks off the design of Sony's new portable game console right down to the labels on the buttons. We smell a lawsuit.

[Thanks, Tony]

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Lenovo's new 3G cellphone rips off the PlayStation Portable hard originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2004 10:22:23 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Obscured by the news of the PlayStation Portable's surprisingly competitive pricing and decent battery life was the tidbit from NTT DoCoMo that they're opening up their payment platform to companies outside their walled garden of i-mode cellphone sites. Specifically, it looks like they'll be letting Sony PSP owners download games and other content directly to their new console and pay for it on their cellphone bills.

[Via K-Tai Watch (Japanese)]

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

DoCoMo enables online shopping for the PlayStation Portable originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2004 04:37:08 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Videos surface showing Nintendo DS in action originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2004 13:37:23 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We'll gently remind everyone that they still haven't said anything concrete yet about US pricing or availability, but we should probably have mentioned that in addition to selling the PlayStation Portable as a basic standalone package (pictured above), Sony will also be offering a PSP Value Pack which'll retail for 24,800 Yen and include a battery pack, AC adapter, 32MB Memory Stick Duo, a carrying case, and headphones with a line-in remote.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Sony's PlayStation Portable Value Pack originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2004 09:20:58 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this one in]

Filed under: Gaming, Portable

Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) launch date and price originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Oct 2004 07:59:25 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We were just clued in to some new shots and a video of the PlayStation Portable using the Universal Media Disc (UMD). The mechanism appears to be similar that used in many Sony MD units, in that is is both slot-loading and flips open to eject the disk.  The best part of video clip is when the guy demoing it fails to properly remove the UMD on the first go-around.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

New images and a video of the PlayStation Portable's UMD in action originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Oct 2004 11:00:27 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sony's been showing off the PlayStation Portable at the Tokyo Games Show and AV Watch was there (with tons of pics, of course). Most disturbing part: to prevent anyone from "accidentally" walking off with one, Sony kept all their PlayStation Portable demonstatration consoles strapped to these trade show girls, forcing geeks to make friendly with the fairer sex if they actually wanted to play with one (a PSP, that is).

Continue reading Play the PlayStation Portable... in Japan

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Play the PlayStation Portable... in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2004 10:35:07 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This just crossed the wires moments ago (occasionally insomnia has its plus side): the double-screened Nintendo DS portable game console hits retail stores on November 21st (just in time for you-know-what) and is going to sell for $149.99, which is about fifty bucks less than we'd expected. Even better, for once we'll get it before the Japanese-it goes on sale there a few days later on December 2nd. Other juiciness: it'll come with a software app called PictoChat which'll write you draw pictures and write messages with an on-screen keyboard and wireless beam them to other DS users. They'll have 20 titles initially available, and as mentioned before, the DS will be backwards-compatible with Game Boy Advance SP games.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

It's official: Nintendo DS debuts November 21st at $149.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Sep 2004 02:39:06 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Well, looks like Sony is slowly unwrapping the PSP for us, this time some bits at the Austin Game Conference; if you're not a fan of specs, keep on movin'. So as we now know, apparently this thing is going to be able to match or beat the PS2 in performance, but here's the news: a USB 2.0 port (probably for connecting up to a PC), will have 10 digital buttons and an analog joystick, a 24-bit, 480x272 pixel screen (no video out, why doesn't that surprise us?), a 1800mAh lithium-ion battery (which seems a little on the light side, in our opinion), 802.11b (not yet sure if this is going to be crippled, but it's something Sony would totally do), a Memory Stick port, and on launch acecssories will include a camera, a GPS module, and a (hopefully foldable) keyboard. Whew. Now can they please just release it already?

Filed under: Gaming, Portable

More PlayStation Portable specs confirmed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Sep 2004 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

And here you were, thinking how much better the Gameboy Advance SP was over the good ol' GBA. Good god, how wrong you were. Didn't you know that the GBA can interface with Neo-Geo controllers, a PSOne LCD monitor, and your TV via video out? Well, it can now, anyway. See? Old dogs do learn new tricks!

Filed under: Gaming, Portable

The mother of all mods for the Gameboy Advance originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Sep 2004 14:25:49 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Okay, so we're not exactly sure what you're going to do with Unix(C) running on a Gameboy Advance (besides drive your significant other into someone else's arms) but if you're really that into root on your GBA, don't let us get in your way. Go forth and grep .roms, young one!

[Via Slashdot]

Filed under: Gaming, Portable

Gameboy Advance got root originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Sep 2004 12:26:17 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We vaguely recall them claiming last year that they were going to sell "millions" of these, but despite all the sidetalkin' and the widespread harshing on their mellow by gamers and gadget freaks alike, somehow Nokia has managed to sell (or at least ship) their millionth N-Gage this week. The figure counts both the original N-Gage and the revised N-Gage QD, but we still have yet to meet anyone who bought one with their own money.

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Nokia ships millionth N-Gage originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2004 13:10:41 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sony revealed some detailed specs for the processors they're putting into their new PlayStation Portable game console everyone is currently salivating over in anticipation. Without getting too deep into it, basically the PSP's chipset is set to include a 333MHz CPU, a dedicated media processor, a 3D graphics engine, and processors specifically for security (to thwart piracy and hacking) and power management.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Sony reveals a little more about the PlayStation Portable originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Aug 2004 09:22:40 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Portable

Nintendo DS: in color! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2004 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.