Nokia Reinvigorating N-Gage

The Nokia N-Gage, a major flop in the portable gaming market, is once again gaining steam, courtesy of its creator. The Finnish phone-maker has announced its plans to reinvigorate its failed platform through new games, updated software development tools and a new testing program, among other things.

Nokia plans to release Asphalt 3: Street Rules, Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway, Brain Challenge, Midnight Pool and FIFA 2008 later this year. They have also announced that Glu Mobile, Indiagames and THQ Wireless have come onboard to publish games and content for the N-Gage games platform.

The company has launched its next-generation SDK for the platform, letting developers focus on one code-base to create games across Nokia’s range of S60 3rd edition devices. The new N-Gage Zone also provides all the tools, documentation and support required to successfully develop games for the platform.

Nokia’s new testing program is being conducted in partnership with SNAP Mobile. The program will limit costs by combining a self-testing process with a traditional certification program. This will result in the barrier of entry being lower for developers and publishers who have signed up for the SNAP Mobile Platform.

The phone-maker’s latest endeavors and products will be on display at GDC 2007 which runs from March 7-9.