M-Gage Shows Imitation Sincerest Form Of Flattery

Thanks to Lik-Sang for their news story showcasing the M-Gage bootleg handheld game, which contains "11 games, [a] calculator and alarm clock built-in", as found in Hong Kong's videogame district recently. Although Lik-Sang "doesn't really think about selling" the rudimentary device, taking a side-by-side comparison with Nokia's much-criticized N-Gage 'portable gaming deck' reveals unmistakable similarities, from the shape and button layout all the way down to the vertical screen orientation and the logo. Were the bootleggers ahead of the game on this incredibly basic handheld knockoff, or will they be Side Talkin' their way to bankruptcy?

Comments

Re:Bootleg something popular

[Alkaiser]

Either they were hired by Nokia...or foolish enough to believe their marketing hype. Or hoping that people stupid enough to buy an N-Gage will buy an M-Gage because they really don't know what the hell they're doing. Honestly, if I found one, I'd probably buy it for $20 or so...just for the laughs.

Attack of the Clones

[BackwardEngineer]

There are lots of pirated consoles out there in Hong Kong.

From the Treamcast, a portable DreamCast with screen and travel bag. To the countless Famicom/NES clones that look like GBAs, PSXs, and N64 controllers. They make them look like products people will recognize.

Now, excuse me, I have to go play with my Game Axe.

N-Gage

[Thrymm]

I know a tad off topic, but is it me, or those commercials and screenshots of games from this hand held look worse than Super Ninteno graphics? For $199, I wouldnt be getting one, and would be tempted to take a peek at these counterfiet M-Gage ones.

Re:Bootleg something popular

[Alkaiser]

I did. But thanks for the flaming couched in what seems to be a valid response. I don't think they're trying to sell it as a valid platform. I think they're trying to get people to go "Look! N-Gage!" and pick it up without knowing any better. If they sold it for $2.50 it wouldn't fool anyone. So it's probably just artificially priced high, as they aren't trying to actual sell it based on actual functionality.