This time around the N-Gage isn't a device, but rather an application that runs on a few of their cellphones. When I updated the firmware on my Nokia N95 a few months back I noticed a new application called N-Gage under one of those files, so naturally I opened the program. To my surprise it was a trial of FIFA 2007 and Asphalt (not sure which version since it didn't really interest me at the time). I played FIFA 2007 for awhile and was semi-impressed. I basically just shrugged it off until I heard that the full version of the N-Gage Next Gen was officially out.

I saw great potential. The concept reminded me of the XBox 360, but a handheld mobile version of course. Having a player name was like having an Xbox Live account. I'd gain N-Gage Points from the games I played, I could get rep from fellow players I played with, and of course I could add friends. N-Gage Arena is what I would call a miniature Xbox Live.