By Sherri L. Smith, BlackWeb20.com
As a rabid and dedicated gamer. I can say with unwavering conviction that gaming in all its forms is cool. Whether it’s an RPG, FPS, Survival Horror, or a good old platformer — I’m into it. And even though I’m a tried-and-true console girl, I defiitely have love for the unbridled pleasure that PCs and handhelds can offer, hell the DS is helping kids manage their diabetes. One area that’s been lacking on the gaming front is the mobile phone. And while there have been attempts to make mobile gaming (anyone remember the Nokia N-Gage?), it’s only now with quality games backed by big named game studios like Electronic Arts, that anyone’s taking mobile gaming seriously.
Since mobile gaming is on the rise, there’s a need for sweet peripherals just like all the gaming hardware out there. Enter the Zeemote JS1 Game Controller. The JS1 created by Zeemote, gives mobile gaming that familiar console feeling. Baring a resemblance to the Nintendo Wii’s nunchuk, the wireless controller fits comfortably in your hand. Comprised of an analog joystick with four action buttons designed to give users tight control which is a necessity for those high pressure situations when your outnumbered by a horde of bloodthirsty zombies and it’s just you and your trusty handgun. In addition to controlling the gameplay, the JS1 can also control other phone features including applications and menu navigation.
Small enough to fit in your pocket, set up is pretty simple. Just enable your phone to find a new Bluetooth device. Once the link is established, confirm it and voila, you’re raiding tombs and kicking ass and taking namees in no time. That being said, it’s pretty obvious that the JS1 only works on phones with Bluetooth capability. Currently, the Zeemote is compatible with Nokia, Blackberry, LG, and Samsung phones. The controller is powered by two AAA batteries and is supposed to get over 50 hours of gameplay before you have to re-up on the batteries.
The Zeemote is an awesome gadget that could have serious potential in the gaming market — that is if mobile gaming can become as engaging as their handheld and console counterparts. According to Engadget Mobile, there are already a few classic games that have been ported over including Sonic the Hedgehog and Tomb Raider. Having the ability to walk down memory lane is always cool, but what about the here and now? Will Zeemote be able to convince game developer to make games for the JS1? Zeemote has take some of the footwork out of the process providing developers with the controller’s API so they can just plug it into the game’s code with no fuss or muss which is why EA, Bandai Namco, and Gameloft are just a few of the developers making games compatible to the Zeemote.
No price as of yet, but it will be interesting to see if Zeemote and its snazzy new controller can change the visibility of mobile gaming, especially against its number one competitor the handheld console. Ever since the Game Boy, hit the scene in 1989, Nintendo has asserted its dominance in the handheld market. Zeemote has its work cut out for it.
BlackWeb20.com covers website and application launches; culturally relevant Internet industry news; and mainstream Internet industry news from an African-American perspective. They also analyze emerging web trends and how they apply to web properties that target African-Americans or African-American culture.
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