GamePark's GP2X F-200 gets a price, release date

We had already heard rumblings that GamePark's updated GP2X F-200 handheld would be coming in October, but it looks like that date is now official, as is the price, which TrustedReviews reports will be £125 (or about $250). The big update with this incarnation of the handheld is a new touchscreen display, which is unfortunately one of the few things we weren't able to test when we got our hands on the device earlier this month. Other upgrades over the existing F-100 model include support for SDHC format memory cards, giving you up to 32GB of storage (though that won't come cheap), as well as a new and improved 16-way d-pad. Otherwise, the device is the same Linux-based, game-emulating handheld that's managed to attract a dedicated following, some of whom have even gone so far as to try to build their own.

[Montusama @ Sep 19th 2007 1:32PM]

190 (no touchscreen) vs 250 (touchscreen) I'm not sure if its really worth it....though It does look nice in a white for some strange reason

[Fox McCloud @ Sep 19th 2007 1:35PM]

I think you forgot to mention the really most important missing feature of the old GP's... the lack of wifi. Does this thing have wifi?

I don't give a flying duck about touchscreen. I've already got an iPhone and a Nintendo DS. If that was the main upgrade of this thing looks like I won't be getting it, again.

The lack of wifi on the previous models pretty much made it a no deal for me.

Bye.

[oGMo @ Sep 19th 2007 1:58PM]

Yeah it looks like still 320x240 screen too. Sadness. And it still takes AAs, too. More sadness. If it did 640x480 I'd be all over it.

[Daniel @ Sep 19th 2007 2:56PM]

I don't think the battery is a problem. They could have put in a charging circuit in though so you could recharge batteries inside the unit. Also, SDIO support could have provided WiFi.

All that said, what is the point of this? The hardware just seems too limited for expansion. It could have been a great learning device if it had a keyboard (or usb keyboard/mouse support) and a higher resolution screen. But $250 for limited hardware and expandability is pretty much worthless.

[Diogo @ Sep 19th 2007 4:22PM]

Isn't it just better to get a FIC Neo 1973 when it comes out in december ? It'll have a VGA touchscreen, wifi, AGPS, 400MHz ARM processor, 256MB of flash, linux and it's a phone too, for around US$ 400, isn't it ? It also says in the site that you can use 3xAA NiMH to power it...

[-Tj- @ Sep 19th 2007 9:02PM]

@Diogo

... with no D-pad, no dedicated game buttons, and $100+ more to the price tag. Not sure where you got 256MB of Flash, either... All sites I've seen quote 128MB RAM and 64MB Flash.

I have a phone with a crap D-pad, no dedicated game buttons, a keyboard, and a 320x240 touch screen, and I STILL want one of these.

[Louis @ Sep 19th 2007 2:42PM]

I'm going to go by what it says about the only internal changes are the SD card slot being upgraded. I'm hoping that it does still have wifi since it mentions multiplayer for the game at the bottom of the page (Blood Cross), I'm assuming that would use wifi. I think I may get this new one for the added capacity and a little for the touch screen action.

[atomicthumbs @ Sep 19th 2007 2:52PM]

I'm going to wait for the new system that CraigIX and EvilDragon are developing. It has a high resolution (800x480) widescreen touchscreen, WiFi, SDHC support, 3D, a real d-pad, and much other stuff.

[Zeek @ Sep 19th 2007 5:31PM]

Good alternative. Why any manufacturer refuses to build a 16:9 ratio screen into any size device this century is amazing.

[-Tj- @ Sep 19th 2007 9:03PM]

Any indication on price or release date on one of those yet? I was too lazy to read through the entire 80+ page post. :p

[TheGZeus @ Oct 31st 2007 2:22PM]

Yeah... this'll never see the light of day.
If it's the EvilDragon I know of, he's a pathological liar with no knowledge of electronics OR computers.

[Nate @ Sep 19th 2007 10:58PM]

$250??!

w...t...f

[mikey81 @ Sep 20th 2007 10:40AM]

I have an GP2X (mkII) . The reason why it doesn't have a a widescreen display is, that as a primarily an emulation machine, this best fits the aspect ratio of old titles. Also I love the fact it runs on 2 AAs. I have 2700ma/h chargies, 4 AAs will last me 10-15 hours, and there will be another 4 waiting in the charger, no waiting, never tied to a cable. I got it for less than £100 of ebay, with a 4GB card loaded with games. With TV out, and usb support for controllers, its practically a console.

[BladeDreams @ May 25th 2008 7:32PM]

I just purchased one. Brand new. Ordered the docking station too. can connect a USB HDD or keyboard or Mouse to it. Been reading...seems there is a USB WiFI dongle as well that works with this!!!
WOW! and this cam out over a year ago?! Why have I not seen till now?
Yes, I have used it with the HDD -a USB encloser it what I have maxtor 250GB it sees it no problem. Same for the keyboard and mouse. (: :) Very much like!