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Panasonic's 'Jungle' Handheld Aims for Mobile Online Gaming

by Warren Riddle on October 6, 2010 at 08:10 AM

Video game insiders continue to anoint online, mobile gaming as the future of the industry. Carving a niche in the increasingly crowded handheld marketplace, though, presents a formidable challenge for manufacturers. Nintendo's enormously popular DS continues to outsell home consoles (while having a 3-D model on the way), and Sony's PSP remains a highly profitable item.

While major manufacturers typically dismiss the rumors of mobile gaming platforms and devoted video game phones, Panasonic apparently intends to challenge the established mobile gaming linchpins. The company recently embarked on an advertising campaign for its new "Jungle" gaming platform (with 'Battlestar Galactica' as the premiere, marquee game), and the promotional tour included a recent appearance on MTV's 'Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory.' Panasonic has apparently equipped the flip-top device with a directional pad, multiple buttons, a headphone jack, a micro-USB port and a mini-HDMI port.

Panasonic definitely chose the right game and the right show to appeal to 20- and 30-something geeks. But, taking a wait-and-see approach with this device -- particularly considering the upcoming arrival of competitive gadgets like OnLive's 'MicroConsole' -- may be a wise and necessary move.

Tags: gaming, handheldgaming, handhelds, jungle, MobileGaming, panasonic, panasonicjungle, top, videogames

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