Panasonic is coming back to games with a new portable console by Sean B.
Panasonic recently announced the advent of yet another game console entering the already heated portable arena. The system has been dubbed the Jungle, coining such phrases as "we ARE online gaming". So what type of online games will dominate the system? Primarily MMO's, including the already teased Battlestar Galactica as a launch title. That's right, this device will allow you to grind as you go -- if you decide to anyways.
So how's it looking? According to engadget, the Jungle will operate under a custom Linux system, which is hopefully good news to those seeking a user friendly experience. The actual device will also feature a high-resolution display and full QWERTY keyboard paired with a d-pad and button arrangement. Mini HDMI and micro USB ports can also be found on the end, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Facts aside, let's just get to that damned elephant in the room. Do we really need another one of these things on the market? Sure, it has a fresh new approach, claiming to have a mastery of online portable gaming, but so did Nokia's N-Gage and Tiger's easily forgotten Game.Com (pronounced "Game Com") from the late 90s. We already have a market saturated with portable phones and other devices excluding the obvious contenders like the Nintendo DS, PSP and Apple iPhone. This all seems like another obvious ploy to cash in on the whole "hardcore" or "true" gamer mentality we've witnessed this past decade. Many companies have slapped key terms and phrases (like their description of Online Underground being a "Kick-a$$ new show") on to multiple game related projects in order to make themselves seem more appealing to gamers. I know, marketing is marketing, but either way, enough is enough.
Panasonic has already created a simplistic marketing site for their seemingly clunky toy, featuring teaser videos for the Jungle's mission, BSG Online and a web show titled "Online Underground". The first video doesn't really say (or show) much besides everything I've already mentioned. It's portable and it specializes in online gaming. As for BSG Online, the first thing that comes to my mind is yet another obvious tie-in product to keep an already satisfying but aging product line interesting, which could be dangerous. And finally, we have Online Underground. Yeah, a profit funded web show sponsored by a company to be shown exclusively on their new device, how underground is that? Best reason to probably avoid these terms.
Overall, We're looking at a system that doesn't really offer anything new. Hopefully we see some impressive ideas emerge from the Jungle, but the track record of other portable systems, promising or not, has remained one-sided for years. The Game.Com introduced the idea of online portability, but nobody cared. The Game Gear and Lynx gave players an opportunity to play games in stunning full-color presentation, but folks weren't impressed; we can probably blame that on short battery life. Panasonic, I personally salute you for your confidence and determination, but I'm honestly a little pessimistic about this whole concept. We'll all just have to keep posted and see what happens.
Articles 
Reader Comments (2)
I mean...I don't want to be a downer on Panasonic or anything...but it simply doesn't make sense at all from a marketing perspective. I can't believe somebody actually approved this idea. They obviously have no grasp on the video game industry in my opinion.
I mean...if the handheld industry is going anywhere...it's towards things like iPhone, cellphone gaming. I mean...the point of mobile gaming is to be quick, simple, and fun. MMO's...require devotion and time. Besides, let's be honest here...people who play MMO's don't leave their house LOL. =P Not to mention this thing looks butt ugly. My prediction? It doesn't even make it to shelves.
Good prediction... Phantom 2.0? Maybe?? Or maybe it will be net-exclusive?
And of course, agree on the butt-ugliness going on with ts design... and look at its size; it looks about as big as a 9" netbook.