XGP Kids handheld console unveiled
Game Park to add another pocket games device to the mix
Korean company Game Park looks set to swell the growing ranks of handheld devices, announcing details of a new XGP Kids handheld console to sit alongside its XGP and XGP Mini consoles unveiled earlier this year.
Broadly similar to its GP32 portable of 2001 (which wasn't widely distributed in Europe) the XGP Kids promises all the power of that earlier console in a more compact shell and at a budget price tag of around $75 (£40).
The tech specs are below, but the bottom line is that the handheld runs on Game Park's GPOS operating system, and will be able to play commercial and homebrew games as well as music and video. As the name suggests, it will be targeted primarily at a younger generation.
Unlike the GP32, the XGP range (which stands for 'Xtreme Games Player' in case you were wondering) looks set to be distributed and promoted in the US and Europe, challenging the likes of the PSP and GBA as well as that other descendant of the GP32, the GP2X. The latter was created by GamePark Holdings, a separate company formed in 2005 by many of the engineers behind the original GP32.
Confused yet? Just to make things even trickier, the GP2X is distributed exclusively in the UK via a company called GP32/2x Distribution ltd.
Suffice to say we're eager to get to grips with all the XGP consoles, and we're already eagerly inquiring after more details and European distribution dates. When we get the answers you'll be first to know.
It certainly been a busy old month for pocket gaming completists. The paint was still drying on the latest new coloured editions of the DS Lite when Apple decided to hurl its iPod shaped hat into the ring, announcing last week that the media player was adding games to its music and video playing capabilities. And don't forget, there's still the Zune to come!
Those GPX Kids tech specs
Processor: ARM 940T 140MHz CPU
Operating System: GPOS
RAM: 8MB of DDR memory, 2MB of NOR Flash
Storage: SD Cards
Display: 2.2 inch TFT card (220x176 pixel, 65K colours)
Interface: USB 1.1
Power: AA Battery x2
Sound: 64Poly 44.1KHz, 16bit stereo
Controls: Analog joystick, function keys, expand keypad
