GamePark Holdings' GP2X F-200 coming in October

You probably started to think that your good buddies over at GamePark Holdings were going to leave you high and dry on a new iteration of their Linux-based, homebrewer's dream -- the GP2X -- seeing as it's been over a year since we've heard any stirrings beyond the recently released Commercial Interface Board. Well, that's all a-changin', as we've just gotten word that the brand-spanking-new GP2X F-200 is on its way out this October, sporting a handsome white finish. The specs don't deviate drastically from the GP2X F-100, utilizing the same dual core ARM920T processors for host and video number crunching, 64MB of RAM, and SD card support. Where the new model does differ, however, is with the addition of a 320 x 240 QVGA touchscreen (with stylus), and a complete redesign of the gamepad, moving away from the previous, mushroom-like protrusion to a more flush, PSP-esque controller. So for all you DIY'ers with a penchant for video gaming, a desperate need to playback video, audio, and check out family photos, and a bizarre fascination with obscure Korean electronics -- it's your lucky day.

[Thanks, Christian]

[Harrison66 @ Aug 24th 2007 3:12PM]

Oh I gotta say it just once....will it Blend? LOL

[Nando @ Aug 24th 2007 3:35PM]

LOL! Oh Harrison, you're such a 'tard.

[Michael Sarge @ Aug 24th 2007 3:17PM]

Man, I've wanted one of these for years. I hope this company keeps going long enough for me to let go of my inhibitions and get one of these.

[JohnTitor @ Aug 24th 2007 3:34PM]

Ugh, I wonder if I can trade mine in for a discounted one of these. The Joystick isn't even a real Joystick, it's an 8 way Digital pad. Touchscreen sounds nice, but Gamepark Holdings, what we really need is a 3D GPU.

[Mr. B @ Aug 24th 2007 3:39PM]

This is awesome news. That damned joystick was probably the biggest complaint with the GP2X. Hopefully with this new version will also come better build quality.

[kai @ Aug 24th 2007 4:01PM]

damn straight. i eventually ended up selling my gp2x f-100 because the joystick was annoying. i longed for a d-pad. now it will be here, and it will be mine.

[producerism @ Aug 24th 2007 3:57PM]

My biggest complaint with the GP2x is how close the damn a/b/x/y/ buttons are. It's impossible to play certain games for me (big fingers), but I never had this problem with any other controller, ever.

Touchscreen is not worth the upgrade to me - the d-pad, maybe.. but if they havent changed the buttons, I will hold off until the next model comes out.

[Montusama @ Aug 24th 2007 5:11PM]

I wanted to get a GP2X before it came out...had no money....and i wanted it for a while then i was like forget it then wanted it now I want it but I was wondering when they would release an "updated" one of it since it did come out in 05....maybe they added extra stuff to it that they didn't announce, maybe better powersaving options or something? or am I hoping for good much?

[n_shakuras @ Aug 24th 2007 6:56PM]

I like how they're bundling lots of homebrew games with it, without the consent of the creators. Way to screw over the community, the only thing that made the original console worth a crap.

[Nate @ Aug 24th 2007 10:07PM]

sweet! must-buy!

[PEZ @ Aug 24th 2007 10:40PM]

IT sort of looks like the top slides up. What a nice surprise that would be.

[Legodude522 @ Aug 25th 2007 12:26AM]

The F-100 has the same body design and looks like that. It does not slide up.

[-Tj- @ Aug 25th 2007 8:06AM]

PSP-esque controller? IMO, the D-pad on the PSP is it's greatest downfall. Thousands, if not millions of players will probably disagree with me on the next one, but I didn't think the PSOne-style control pad was very good, either. Why would anyone want to stick a piece of plastic between the directions anyway? I prefer a clean, continuous area to slide my thumb over for crisp control. The Saturn and SNES pads, on the other hand were quite good. Wish they'd gone one of those routes instead.

Having said that, I think I'd buy one anyway. I've been wanting one of these open-sourcers for years. The touchscreen just seals the deal.

[JMacGill @ Aug 26th 2007 6:15AM]

This could become what the Zodiac should have been, now that is has a touchscreen.

[JJ4life @ Aug 26th 2007 1:01PM]

Looks Nice!

[MasamuneX @ Aug 27th 2007 2:33AM]

Cool!

[paul-engadget @ Sep 3rd 2007 6:37AM]

if u enjoy the software hacking more than playing the games, a zaurus c-1000 might suit - especially since you can run the psx4all emulator and play a reasonable number of ps/1 games at a good speed on it!