Astraware's Bejeweled 2 Coming Soon

Bejeweled 2, the sequel to the best selling PDA game, Bejeweled, will make its handheld debut less than a month after PopCap's PC version and will retain all the features of its bigger brother, including four standard play modes, classic, action, endless and the all-new puzzle mode. Additionally, five special bonus modes are unlocked as players progress through the various standard modes.

"Bejeweled 2 will take the Bejeweled phenomenon to the next level, and will become our flagship PDA product moving into 2005." said Howard Tomlinson, Astraware CEO and self confessed Bejeweled addict. "It is nearly four years since the first Bejeweled for PDA launch captivated players and allowed them to take their addiction with them as they go. Bejeweled 2 takes that even further, with new modes, a fantastic new look, and Hyper and Power Gems to add an extra level of play to those who crave more strategy to their game."

With all new graphics, stunning background images, in-game transitions and cutting-edge effects Bejeweled 2 is sure to captivate both the die-hard Bejeweled fan and new players coming to the Bejeweled experience for the first time.

Bejeweled 2 is available to pre-order for $14.95 USD at Astraware's website, and will be released in December 2004. Preview screenshots are available here.

"Astraware have done a terrific job porting Bejeweled 2 to the PDA," said Jason Kapalka, Creative Director and co-founder of PopCap. "They have consistently outdone themselves with their conversions of our games, both in technical areas and in retaining playability, all on devices with dramatically fewer resources than a PC."

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1st Post

tellit2be @ 10/27/2004 3:35:28 PM #
Nice!

320x480 support?

Strider_mt2k @ 10/27/2004 4:13:18 PM #
I hope it supports the larger screens!

If not, no sale.

RE: 320x480 support?
moot @ 10/27/2004 7:34:08 PM #
What would the game show on the extra screen space? Bejeweled has always been on a square playing board.
RE: 320x480 support?
ackmondual @ 10/28/2004 2:31:56 AM #
^^
OK, so i have a Zire 71 and can't get 480x320 display. There are times where I'm jealous of other's wider/taller viewing area, but the idea that every new game released has to be wide/tall screen b/c Zods, T3, T5, and several Clie's support them is rather one-sided. Not everygame has a direct benefit for having more screen estate. Certain games like Warfare Inc. are spectacular. I tried it once and it was nice having that extra space, but it works on that game b/c the "real screen" is the whole map you're playing on. Your PDA display lets u view that, and bigger is better in that case. For games like Kickoo's Breakout, which also supports hi-res+, the gameplay area is still 320x320 with the extra area containing backdrop of wallpaper. In this case, it has no direct affect on gameplay. Point is, I'm sure Bejweled 2 can have hi-res+ and still be better than just hi-res, but sometimes it changes the mechanics of the game such that other thigns get changed as well.


START QUOTE
[i] And Bejelewed 2 will be spectacular!!![/i]
END QUOTE

I've noticed that Bejeweled seems to be the Halo of PDA gaming. I like Halo and Bejeweled as games, but some pppl talk about it (and Halo) like its the next best thing since the very PDA they play Bej on got invented. I don't think it's THAT good, and i probably never will to the same extent other (hardcore) fanatics do.

[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]

RE: 320x480 support?
ackmondual @ 10/28/2004 2:43:10 AM #
It'd be nice if u could edit posts to news....

anyways, I also hope that It won't be too large in size, or at least have VFS support. Astraware games are relatively small, even with extra music files, but their latest offering, Gamebox Gems from PDAmill was 2.4MB standard or 1.4MB for the no audio version. Astraware had little to do with it, as it's really a PDAmill game published by them, but it really shot me down in reminding how my Zire71 is getting older and older..... didn't have the 6MB of free internal RAM to run it (even if the game is on mem card). I had to delete and move a combo of apps to memory card just so i can play the no audio version, which only requires 3.75MB of free handheld mem.

[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]

RE: 320x480 support?
Strider_mt2k @ 10/28/2004 6:49:13 AM #
"What would the game show on the extra screen space? Bejeweled has always been on a square playing board."


But this is Bejeweled 2, and could make use of that space to make the board bigger!

You see as these things develop, changes are often made to account for changing technology, especially when that technology (in this case a bigger screen) could be used to enhace gameplay.

That way we don't get endless redux versions with tiny little changes that no one cares about.


RE: 320x480 support?
hkklife @ 10/28/2004 11:54:43 AM #
Ack;

Kickoo's Breakout doesn't support 320*480, at least not on a T3. There's a special Zodiac version of it available but that doesn't do the T3/T5 crowd any good. Regular Breakout hasn't even been updated in a year and a half. In fact, Kickoo's designers are about the sorriest bunch I've ever seen in handheld gaming land. They have been promising buffixes, new levels, and updates to their titles seemingly forever yet they cannot handle the slightest criticism on their forums.

Stay away from these guys and purchase AtomSmash instead. Not as glitzy but less buggy.



RE: 320x480 support?
ackmondual @ 10/28/2004 4:19:28 PM #
^^

QUOTE
"What would the game show on the extra screen space? Bejeweled has always been on a square playing board."


But this is Bejeweled 2, and could make use of that space to make the board bigger!
/QUOTE

The square playing board is 8x8. Making it 8x12 or 12x8 would be neat, but agian, that changes the gameplay factor of Bej2. I'm not sure they could do it tho. Bej2 is another PopCap game, just like Insaniquarium, which did have landscape support on the T3. I've played it square and landscape, and I must say, it seems T3 owners have an unfair advantage with a bigger fish tank. But then again, they've updated the original Bejeweled but never gave it hi-res+ support. You should consider emailing Astraware about this, but since it's ultimately Popcap's decision, u'll probably end up emailing them as well.

[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]

RE: 320x480 support?
ackmondual @ 10/28/2004 4:34:13 PM #
Arrgh, I've gotten soo used to being edit posts on the forum!

.... I actually do have both AtomSmash and Kickoo's Breakout. KB is really snazzy, colorful, and sharp looking at hi-res, but I stopped playing it after beating it 4x and am actually back to playing AS and Ricochet from Astraware. 36 + 1 bonus levels can give u only so much excitement.

I've been to their forums briefly, and I disagree with u that they CAN take some criticisms, but they would rather have compliemtns tho, and they REALLY soak up compliments dry as a bone. They'v also stated that they don't have any plans to make any add-on levels at the time (which for some ppl is just as worse as being promised new levels and not getting 'em). IMO, they're killing their fan base by not giving the scores of fans who've requested more levels. Many of them even offered to pay more $$ for those levels.

Either way, i AM done with them. They don't have that many games anyways.

[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]

RE: 320x480 support?
hkklife @ 10/28/2004 4:52:12 PM #
Yup, I am actually DOUBLY scorned. I registered Iambic's Ababall greyscale version shortly before I dumped my Vx. Then I got an m505 and they basically said "Sorry, no 16-bit color updates for the title, you'll have to repurchase it. No discounts either." Moments like THAT are precisely what drive honest consumers to warez sites etc. All I wanted was to "exchange" my greyscale reg code for the color one or even upgrade for $2-$3.

Then I got my T|T the next year and someone on their forums recommended Kickoo's Breakout as it was a "new" title by the same designers. However, due to contractural obligations they couldn't accept previous Ababall registrations. Ababall was buggy on OS5 anyway and didn't support the d-pad...So, after perhaps a year of greyscale Ababall on my m505, I ponied up the $ again for Kickoo's Breakout. It was a buggy at first but they smoothed it out with a few updates. Then I got my T3. It started acting wacky (white dots all over the playing field despite reregistering it) and we've never seen an update since. They have defintiely lost my business and my respect. On top of that debacle, I had another issue with buying BumpAttack Pinball from Iambic after the Handmark site shows it as compatible with T3. It was barely playable and the graphics didn't even seem to be fully 320*320, much less high-res+. So mark Iambic and ALL of their products (notice that they've gotten out of the games biz, btw) off of my list. Yes, I pay for software on a regular basis and I don't complain about having to pay for it. I am fiercely loyal to reasonable companies but I'll air my complains about companies that are anything but reasonable support-wise on this and other sites.

So here it is again: 320*480 licensed Tetris port w/ music, multiplayer, and d-pad support. Someone, PLEASE do this! While we're at it, how about an official ARCADE (not 2600!) Ms.PacMan/Namco Arcade collection for those users that prefer not to muddle around in the nebulous world of ROMs & Emus? And can we please get a good shooter--Tempest? Gyruss? Galaga? Thunderforce? The possibilities are endless for non-amateur licensed, straightforward shooters! The new Zap! will probably never come out anyway...just like that 3d polygon racing game Astraware was going to release a year or two ago.

Why no one makes money selling PalmOS software
The_Voice_of_Reason @ 10/28/2004 11:57:28 PM #
I registered Iambic's Ababall greyscale version shortly before I dumped my Vx. Then I got an m505 and they basically said "Sorry, no 16-bit color updates for the title, you'll have to repurchase it. No discounts either." Moments like THAT are precisely what drive honest consumers to warez sites etc. All I wanted was to "exchange" my greyscale reg code for the color one or even upgrade for $2-$3.

Based on your "logic" we should be able to steal a new car every year if the dealership refuses to allow us to "exchange" our vehicles for a new model? People like you make developers cringe.



******************************************************************
Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.

RE: 320x480 support?
hkklife @ 10/29/2004 1:39:07 AM #
Jumping to conclusions a bit quickly, aren't we? Did I specifically SAY I got a warez copy of the game in color? No, I sure didn't. I repurchased what was essentially the same damn game from a different publisher and got burned AGAIN. Re-read my post. I said that situations LIKE THAT ONE can push someone who is borderline about such matters over the edge simply out of frustration with the developer. Look what happened to the music industry when CD prices got too high and album content got too poor.

So due to the fact that I spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year on software for various formats makes me a developer's worst nightmare? And there's something wrong with me always trying to buy directly from the developer's site instead of PalmGear etc? Please illustrate your logic there, my friend. I'm not seeing much reason in your voice on this matter.

No, you see, this is a free market and consumers vote with our dollars. A company that refuses to stand by the products they sell, whether it be hardware or software, is their OWN worst nightmare. It is simply preposterous for a developer to charge full price for the same program every time a new handheld line is released. My copy of Office 2k still works fine on Win XP. I have been updating and patching the "same" purchase of Zap 2016 since 2001. Look at Aaron Ardiri's offer on this site from a few months back. He offered to let customers who bought the retail MMC version of the Atari Retro pack but were denied upgrades by the PUBLISHER send the cards in to the DEVELOPER and get a reg code for the latest downloadable version of the software. That is what I call customer service and if makes me WANT to buy something from Ardiri/Mobile Wizardry in the future because I know that they are watching out for their fans/customers.

Palm developers go broke catering to tightwad customers
The_Voice_of_Reason @ 10/30/2004 1:42:44 PM #
Jumping to conclusions a bit quickly, aren't we? Did I specifically SAY I got a warez copy of the game in color? No, I sure didn't. I repurchased what was essentially the same damn game from a different publisher and got burned AGAIN. Re-read my post. I said that situations LIKE THAT ONE can push someone who is borderline about such matters over the edge simply out of frustration with the developer. Look what happened to the music industry when CD prices got too high and album content got too poor.

Jumping to conclusions a bit quickly, aren't we? Did I specifically SAY you got a warez copy of the game in color? No, I sure didn't. Re-read my post. No one is "pushed" into using warez, so please stop the BS right there. If you want to use warez, fine. If you don't, fine. But no one and nothing forces you to do either. Saying people are pushed into stealing is just another lamea$$ed excuse people use to feel better about their decisions. (I stole because I was a VICTIM of Big Bad Mr. Software Company. It wasn't my fault. I'm a VICTIM, dammit!)

What happened to the music industry? They're losing money because of MP3 trading, but people would trade MP3 even if CDs cost $5 apiece. It's human nature to try to get something for nothing. Does the music industry DESERVE to get ripped off because they're making a lot of money? How about Microsoft? GM? GE? Exxon? Enron? ;-)

So due to the fact that I spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year on software for various formats makes me a developer's worst nightmare? And there's something wrong with me always trying to buy directly from the developer's site instead of PalmGear etc? Please illustrate your logic there, my friend. I'm not seeing much reason in your voice on this matter.

Congratulations for being one of the (tiny) minority of people who regularly purchase software. (Most Palm users seem to stick with freeware, warez or the built in apps.) Do you want a medal?

No, you see, this is a free market and consumers vote with our dollars.

Then DO that. And S T F U.

A company that refuses to stand by the products they sell, whether it be hardware or software, is their OWN worst nightmare.

True.

It is simply preposterous for a developer to charge full price for the same program every time a new handheld line is released.

Nonsense. You buy apps at a specific point in time for a specific OS and a specific PDA. There are no guarantees the software will work on your future hardware/OS. Period. The fact that well coded Palm apps from up to seven years ago can still work with the latest hardware is a testament to how slick PalmOS is and it's a big bonus we should be thankful for rather than whining that all software isn't free.

My copy of Office 2k still works fine on Win XP. I have been updating and patching the "same" purchase of Zap 2016 since 2001. Look at Aaron Ardiri's offer on this site from a few months back. He offered to let customers who bought the retail MMC version of the Atari Retro pack but were denied upgrades by the PUBLISHER send the cards in to the DEVELOPER and get a reg code for the latest downloadable version of the software. That is what I call customer service and if makes me WANT to buy something from Ardiri/Mobile Wizardry in the future because I know that they are watching out for their fans/customers.

So you've been able to use old software for several years. Do you think software companies could survive if they provided free upgrades forever? Would you be willing to work year after year for nothing or next to nothing? Get a clue. Developers deserve to eat just like everyone else. Try not to be so selfish, begrudging developers the few dollars they ask for for new versions of their apps. Do you think they don't deserve compensation for all the time spent coding, testing, learning quirks of new OS versions, responding to retarded questions from clueless users, etc, etc? If I was a professional developer (actually, I only have released a couple of freeware apps) I wouldn't want you to buy my apps. Really. I'm sure other developers reading the tone of your posts would feel the same way. Take care.



******************************************************************
Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.

Please update Bounce Out! as well!

Strider_mt2k @ 10/27/2004 4:14:21 PM #
Bounce Out! is SORELY in need of an update too!



RE: Please update Bounce Out! as well!
Pathdoc @ 10/27/2004 11:19:43 PM #
Ity was updated on 10/18/2004 as Super BounceOut. Here is the link:

http://www.astraware.com/all/default/superbounceout

[B]Save a life, Donate Blood!!![/B]
Visit here to see how:
[URL=http://66.155.15.152/]America's Blood Centers[/URL]
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RE: Please update Bounce Out! as well!
ackmondual @ 10/28/2004 2:28:42 AM #
I wouldn't hock the original just yet. Sure, the updated one has hi-res graphics, digital sound, music, and maybe some other things, like many Astraware updates, but it takes longer for the balls to fill in vacant spots. Quite a bummer for fast paced games waiting for the gaps to fill in.

[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]
RE: Please update Bounce Out! as well!
Strider_mt2k @ 10/28/2004 6:44:35 AM #
Thank you for cluing me in on Super Bounce Out!

I DLed it and my code does indeed work.

Also the game IS incredibly slow compared to the original, which I have wisely kept.

Guess I should have signed up for the e-mails. Doh!



RE: Please update Bounce Out! as well!
ackmondual @ 10/28/2004 4:08:07 PM #
Astraware (in their forums) say they may have some1 work on the speed issue, so do check in on their website from time to time, about x1 a week if you're not gonna be on their email list. I would tho, some of their exclusive discounts are through email, and several others for previous Astraware customers will also be offered through email.

[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]
RE: Please update Bounce Out! as well!
Strider_mt2k @ 10/29/2004 3:46:30 PM #
I've bookmarked the site, and signed up for Email as well.

Cool info!

320*480 support? It's not mentioned on their preview page!

hkklife @ 10/27/2004 3:31:18 PM #
Watch this one still not have 320*480 graphics on compatible non-Zodiac devices. It's apalling how many lazy-arsed developers there are out there who still haven't brought their apps up to full-screen (I'll refrain from naming names this time). I can understand the processing hit taken up by the lack of video acceleration on a T3 with a shooter or FPS game. But for an application or a strategy title like Bejeweled...unforgivable. Let's cross our fingers that Bejeweled2 will be full-screen on at least T3s, T5s and Zodiacs.
Sure, it's a great game but it's arguable if it's worth that much. I'll hope to see a good "Existing Bejeweled user" promo upgrade offered by Astraware.

RE: 320*480 support? It's not mentioned on their preview page!
gavinfabl @ 10/28/2004 1:43:19 AM #
Bounce out needs an update -

Its has been, go to astraware's website and download Super Bounce Out. Uses same code.

And Bejelewed 2 will be spectacular!!!

Zlauncher 3.62b, Tungsten TT3.

RE: 320*480 support? It's not mentioned on their preview page!
ardiri @ 10/28/2004 6:31:49 AM #
It's apalling how many lazy-arsed developers there are out there who still haven't brought their apps up to full-screen (I'll refrain from naming names this time).

:) i think it does depend on the games however.

most older games can have problems expanding themselves out to support hires+ (they just were not designed that way) without a complete write of the games. all new games however, should have hires+ support - thats a given.

---
Aaron Ardiri
PalmOS Certified Developer
aaron_ardiri@mobilewizardry.com
http://www.mobilewizardry.com/members/aaron_ardiri.php

RE: 320*480 support? It's not mentioned on their preview page!
hkklife @ 10/28/2004 10:29:36 AM #
Don't worry, Aaron-you guys aren't on my "guilty parties" list. Basically I am still waiting for someone to get their act together a do a licensed, genuine port of Tetris with fullscreen support, multiplayer capability, configurable d-pad layout, and the nice Russian music the GameBoy versions have had for years!

It's funny how a good number of developers went and "dumbed down" their high-res apps to work properly on a Treo 600 when they saw how successful that particular model was but there's still been such little effort in the community to cater to T3 owners over a year after that model's introduction. Then you have the titles that were redone back when the NR/NX Sonys were released and the developer hasn't felt bothered to consider that now there are Palm/PalmOne models to take into consideration. In many ways the Palm gaming world seems perpetually trapped in 2002 ;-)

bejeweled = halo of pda gaming

ardiri @ 10/28/2004 6:22:05 AM #
I've noticed that Bejeweled seems to be the Halo of PDA gaming.

bejewelled is a great game - mainly because it fit the genre of handheld computers.

technically, its a four-five hour coding job; but, its secret lies with the attractive graphics, enchanced sounds and addictability. astraware caught the game and published it at the right time.

in regards to bejeweled 2 success? i expect it'll ride a lot on the success of bejeweled - but as a standalone title entering a quickly saturated market of games; i doubt it would have done well at all.

the handhelds are improving, especially with gaming in mind - and, simple "puzzle games" wont be the future of gaming. one big hurdle most developers have these days is the introduction of emulators; emulators bring back classics - and, they directly compete with new and original titles. to make matters worse; they are also free.

fun stuff.

---
Aaron Ardiri
PalmOS Certified Developer
aaron_ardiri@mobilewizardry.com
http://www.mobilewizardry.com/members/aaron_ardiri.php

RE: bejeweled = halo of pda gaming
ackmondual @ 10/28/2004 5:04:59 PM #
QUOTE
the handhelds are improving, especially with gaming in mind - and, simple "puzzle games" wont be the future of gaming. one big hurdle most developers have these days is the introduction of emulators; emulators bring back classics - and, they directly compete with new and original titles. to make matters worse; they are also free.
/QUOTE

Well, there will be ppl who will move past simple puzzle games, but I believe that puzzle games will still be popular in the years to come. They (somewhere online and yes, i forgot where) did a study and found that mroe women tend to play simplier/quick games, while men like to play more involving/longer games. This was for games on all platforms. So while guys 'll probably be more interested in RPGs, FPS, and other long games, women tend to go for quick online flicks (like bejeweled), *puzzle games*, and certain action genres. More women are getting into vid games than ever. Astraware's also had alot of success with puzzle games, so i'd liek to think simple puzzle games (if not, more complex ones) are here to stay.

When free emus their games become more mainstream for Palm, I'd like to see how things change.


[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]

RE: bejeweled = halo of pda gaming
Strider_mt2k @ 10/28/2004 6:24:39 PM #
My wife kicks my butt at Zuma, I know that. :D

Boo Hoo Hoo! I wish I'd coded Bejeweled!
The_Voice_of_Reason @ 10/30/2004 1:55:54 PM #
bejewelled is a great game - mainly because it fit the genre of handheld computers.

technically, its a four-five hour coding job; but, its secret lies with the attractive graphics, enchanced sounds and addictability. astraware caught the game and published it at the right time.


Not that Aawon's a widdle bit jealous, or anything. Right?

Looks like someone's got the green eyed monster... Maybe if you cut the cables to the brakes on Howard's fancy new car (that was paid for with all those massive Bejeweled profits)... Then release your own clone version for a few dollars less... [cue evil laugh]





******************************************************************
Sony CLIE UX100: 128 MB real RAM, OLED screen. All the PDA anyone really ever wanted.

Why Pre-Order?

Beavis @ 10/28/2004 9:24:29 AM #
Is Astraware going to sell out of a downloadable game?

RE: Why Pre-Order?
hkklife @ 10/28/2004 9:36:36 AM #
Because they want all your $ to belong to them!


Seriously, I think pre-ordering is sort of a way of publishers trying to make the general public think theirs is the latest "gotta-have" title.

RE: Why Pre-Order?
ackmondual @ 10/28/2004 5:12:40 PM #
from their site....
"
Pre-order Bejeweled 2 now and get $5 off the price, or sign up to be notified as soon as Bejeweled 2 is available and receive a 10% release discount!
"

Buy it now for $15 or get it later for $18 or $20

But what hkklife said about promoting the popularity of their new games is also true.

[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]

RE: Why Pre-Order?
Galley_SimRacer @ 10/28/2004 11:06:09 PM #
I wonder if current Bejeweled owners will get it for less than $14.95?

--
"I'm not a cool person in real life, but I play one on the Internet".
Galley

yawn...

pkuhns @ 10/29/2004 2:40:01 PM #
The OS5 palms are capable of so much more. I am not a programmer (yet) so will not be a total jerk, but seriously... Bejewelled being newsworthy? What a joke. My 486 SX20 ran Doom and Alone in the Dark just fine in late '93. My Zire 72 has WAY MORE POWER.

If we're going to talk about simple puzzle games, Vexed set the standard. Namely: simple puzzle games should be free. Anything better you can charge for...

Nokia 3650 bluetooth magnate

RE: yawn...
hkklife @ 10/29/2004 3:30:06 PM #
AMEN!!!

Never have I seen a platform so relatively powerful with so much mediocrity and laaaaame puzzle titles (how many differet candy-colored Tetris, Blackjack, and "Move the colored jewel" games can we see? Everyone is raving over the Nintendo DS's touchscreen. We've had color Palms for years now with touchscreens. A pity no one other than Spiffcode has even bothered to try and harness the semi-considerable power of the platform and OS. Don't even get me started on the Zod's software library.

I know the majority of the P1 d-pads still suck for gaming but developers, please stop using that as an excuse to just keep rehashing the same old puzzle titles. Zap 2016 plays perfectly with the standard button layout, even on a Palm V. A 15 year old B&W Gameboy title is better programmed and has tighter play control and smoother scrolling than any comparable modern Palm title.

RE: yawn...
Strider_mt2k @ 10/29/2004 3:49:16 PM #
Say it brother!

I just bought a Game Boy Advance SP (NES edition) for that very reason.

Well, that and the non-gaming button layout on my TH55. ;)


RE: yawn...
ackmondual @ 10/29/2004 11:50:16 PM #
[]
I know the majority of the P1 d-pads still suck for gaming but developers, please stop using that as an excuse to just keep rehashing the same old puzzle titles. Zap 2016 plays perfectly with the standard button layout, even on a Palm V.
[/]

ahmmmm, I wouldn't say "perfectly". I'd still prefer a GB layout for such a game. Which is Y my Z71 is much better with the 5-way joystick, but it's crappy at handling diagnol movement. I can move diagoanlly, but my thumb gets "branded" with the circular top of teh stick since i gott use that much force. I've pusehd the slider all the way up several times b/c of that.

As for the DS following Palm's touch screen, it really shouldn't be that of a big of deal, but it would be for GBA players. Many of them may not be into Palms. I remember how Nintendo was touting that the newer SNES games were on 32mb cartridges. The highest capacity ever for an SNES game. The 1st level of Rebel Assault for PC CD-Rom had at least 5x that. Let's put it this way... would alot of Palm users care if some PPC got VGA resolution? Probably not. They'd already have switched by then.

Finally, Astraware announced that this Bej2 is coming out sometime in December. A whole month to create a foundation to pour lots of hype onto.

[signature0]the secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse[/signature0]
[signature1]My PDAs: Visor --> Visor Neo (blue) --> Zire 71.... so ends the "marathon", for now[/signature1]

Splendid...

vesther @ 10/31/2004 8:06:08 PM #
Hope this one will support the 320x480 Hi-Res Plus Standard.....

My ideal Handheld:
Intel PXA27X
Built-In Jump Drive
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, both superceding IRDA
Stereo and Bose Surround
480x640 Resolution with 262K OLED Colors

I just read a great review of Bejeweled 2..

killah fury @ 11/29/2004 5:45:55 PM #
... over at clieuk.com - sounds great! can't wait for Dec 6th!

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