Gizmondo launches in North America
By Ryan Block 
posted October 22nd 2005 5:00PM
posted October 22nd 2005 5:00PM
We're a bit surprised we didn't get a liveblog-like stream of emailed press releases from Tiger Telematics this morning because today's their big day in North America. That's right, the Gizmondo is officially on sale for $229 with fourteen launch titles. They did roll deep by buying a full-page ad in USA Today with Verne Troyer (aka Mini Me) shilling the Gizmondo, but we're not so sure a launch with some weak hype, obvious insecurity with their press presence, abysmal sales abroad, and a third of a billion in mounting debt is reason enough for Tiger's EU managing director Carl Freer to be "extremely proud of what [they've] achieved."
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Hey everyone. I'm a Sales Rep of a Gizmondo Store in the US. I have read every single thing you guys have said, and some of the critizm is warrented.
Firstly, I will be the first person to agree that the current game line-up isn't the best. But if memory serves me, the only reason I would have bought the PSP was for Lumines, and the DS for Super Mario 64x4. They have thier good line-up game(note: singular grammar usage), and the Gizmondo has Trailblazer. True, not that much is lined-up for the future, but its still possible that Tiger is pulling a Nintendo with information.
Secondly, the whole issue with the heads if done and over with. It does have the possiblity to be horrible of the system, but it has the possiblilty that its the best thing that could happen. It will just tke time.
Thirdly, all of the features are present on the Gizmondo w/o extra purchises i.e. you can use the messeging and the GPS and all that jazz out of the box. Its true that the e-mail is not finished yet, and the GPS system is not fully set-up, but did the DS come with Wireless Online play when it released?
Lastly, I have my own Gizmondo, and it doesn't have sqiggily lines as buttons. It has the play, stop, rewind, and ff buttons. It helps non-techies figure out how to play thier damn music. Yes, the shoulder buttons are a tad uncomfortable, but for me , it works well. However, it doesn't work for my friend who has big hands. That is the problem. It doesn't fit everybody, and hopefully, they will fix that with the WS release.
Look, I'm not tell you that its the greatest thing gaming has got since Mario. Hell, I admit it has its downs. BUT SO DOES EVERYTHING ELSE. Yes, your comments are valid (well, a few at least), but give the thing a chance, cause thats all it needs. My suggestion is to go on Gizmondo.com and find a store and at least try it out before throwing hate everywhere. This is no N-Gage. This is not the Zodiac. This is the Gizmondo, and it has the possibilty to make the handheld war a three-way. And where there is competition, innovation and inspiration exist.
P.S.: On a more personal note, wtf is with sweat shop talk?
I playtested one of these devices recently and thought it VERY cool. One of the better devices I have seen for packers. With GPS, games, camera, mp3, and more, I couldn't ask for much more in a single unit to take up to the mountains with me. Also, for my kids, the GPS tracking "leash" is a great feature as well. So, before trashing the device, actually check it out.