NEWS - Monday, January 10, 2005
Gizmondo Gets Halo ????
Given the relative lack of any major developments or announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) it was perhaps inevitable that the good, old rumour-mill would be spurned into action. Adding some momentum to rumours that first surfaced late last year, is the suggestion that Master Chief could soon be providing a healthy injection to the somewhat anaemic Gizmondo games line-up. Naturally there’s very little of anything bordering on substantial evidence, beyond the fact that Microsoft reiterated their stance against entering the handheld market, and having already pledged support for the Gizmondo format. However the unlikely handheld competitor did confirm the appearance of SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog for the Gizmondo; although it can hardly be described as full support from the Japanese developer. Announcing a deal with Digital Media Cartridges Ltd, it’s believed that Sonic the Hedgehog is currently being shown on the handheld system, with Outrun, Golden Axe, Shinobi and Altered Beast set to follow shortly. “The fact that these games are every bit as playable today as they were back on 16-bit machines is a tribute to their heritage and the teams that developed them," commented Brian Moon, Senior Vice President of Business Development at DMC. "It’s great that we can bring them bang up to date by using today’s hardware and introduce an entirely new audience to some of the greatest games ever devised". Whilst it’s true that a number of these titles are still fun to play to this day, they’re hardly the type of titles to “sell” the Gizmondo, particularly when faced with the heavyweight competition of Sony and Nintendo. Perhaps of even more concern is the fact that such titles can easily be played by purchasing one of the popular “Joypad –TV” combo systems, allowing you to play the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast and others for a fraction of the cost of the Gizmondo! However if you like to listen to the rumours, then SEGA themselves will pledge support to the system along with Electronic Arts – if this does materialise will bring you more information as we get it…Source: http://www.totalvideogames.com
