So what would everyone like to see in Microsoft's answer to the Gameboy? Although they haven't said anything about it, does anyone really think they won't do it? I can see it now:

- Custom Pocket PC OS designed specifically for games, but has minimal PDA functionality (contacts and callendar basically)

- Custom Nvidia pocket graphics chip (some type of stripped down version of their GeForce 2 Go chip)

-Strongarm processor running at 400mhz+ (the Ipaq uses a 206mhz version)

-backlit screen

-removable lith-ion rechargable battery giving 3-4 hrs of use per battery (I can see additional packs going for $40)

- A compact Flash card slot for games. (Probably some type of custom CF RAM card to prevent piracy)

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Other features I would like to see include:

- Built in IR for wireless communication between Xbox Pockets. Possibli even Bluetooth

-The ability to connect the handheld with the Xbox to share game info and play mini games

-Cool Flat black or translucent green color options

In a recent article the Playstation US president guy came out and said they'd like to get into the portable market. It'd be nice to see some real competition there. I like my GBA, but there's a lot of room for improvement.

I don't think there's any money to be made in challenging the Gameboy. Anyway, what you just described would be too big, and too expensive. You could buy a game cube, with the snap on screen and power source for slightly more. A game boy type system needs to fit in a jacket pocket. I don't think we'll see a feasible 3D enhanced portable for a couple of years, and even then, we'll be looking at capabilities similar to PSX.

unless microsoft wants to lose a ton of money I think the specs would need to be stripped down a bit. this would cost more than the xbox.

i'd rather see sony do the handheld gaming!

to big and to expensive? I don't think so. We're talking about what essentially is a Compaq Ipaq with faster components. The most expensive part of the system would be the screen. It wouldn't be a touch screen and in the next year or so the price of those little flat screens is really going to drop. I think they could get the thing made for a little over $200 in about 1.5 years. Which means they could sell it for $150-175.

As far as making money. The Gameboy market is huge! I'm sure Microsoft/Sony are looking at Nintendo's cash cow and wondering how to get a piece of it. I don't think Microsoft gets worried about entering a market that is dominated by other companies. They did just release Xbox after all.

-=cysco

if sony made a portable, it should use cartrdiges that fit into the mem slot on the ps2's. then they could upgrade the system to play the portable games on the concole. that would be pretty sweet. xbox could do the same with their mem card system too.

First off, if you think they can get it to $150 to $175, you might as well put it in the grave right now. If you want it to even compete or even survive, you gotta get it down to around the $100 mark. Without that, people will ignore it and just look at the GBA. A Compaq Ipaq without the touch screen would likely still be too expensive.

many have tried and lost against nintendo in this market. Their best best is to join with Nintendo and develop technology for the next generation of Gameboys.

As long as whatever they release is backlit, I'm there! While its ultimately the games that make the system, the GBA's viewing difficulties really hamper the enjoyment of it for me.

"you gotta get it down to around the $100 mark. Without that, people will ignore it and just look at the GBA"

The target market for a Xbox hand held would be the same as the Xbox (21-35). This age group has more disposable income. This is why Microsoft can sell the Xbox for $300 and still do well. I don't think $150 would be to much for a backlit hand held

There's a reason why Bandai, Sega, SNK, NEC, and Atari failed. They either lacked software and/or were higher priced. Pricing yourself above the dominant GBA and GBC at a price tag above $99 will assure yourself a short life. Sure some may hop on the technical marvel, but being higher priced is going to hurt when it comes to the handheld market. The two markets are totally different and you can't draw comparisons between the console and portable market.

Faster components are also larger components, are also more power-consuming components, are also more heat-producing components are also more expensive components.

Plus, the Compaq Ipaq costs $600, and has no video card, or other 3D hardware enhancement. It's not a games machine.

Also, it appears that the Ipaq has a reflective screen, not a backlit one. Backlit screens take up more space and suck up more power, and are easier to break.

The thing about the GBA is that they probally could still sell them for a profit at 50 bucks a pop. No other company will b able to offer the games and the price point that the GBA has. Not to mention you can play all of your old games.

I just don't see it happening...

The Ipaq is back lit, not reflective. You can also buy them for $150 not $600.

At the present time, the technology to make this type of system does not exist. However, that does not mean that if Microsoft decided they wanted to make it, that they couldn't do it. We're talking 1.5-2 years down the road. Do any of you think that Nvidia couldn't design a PDA size graphics chip if they wanted to and were being funded by MS?

The reason why the systems you listed failed is basically because of 2 reasons

- lack of publisher support
- lack of marketing funds from manufacturer

I guarantee that when/if MS makes a hand held system they won't be lacking in either one of those areas

Um...where are you shopping?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...573665-3699316
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...573665-3699316

Unless you're talking about this one
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...573665-3699316

But what you're talking about runs higher than those high-end ones which do go for $600.

Plus, if you'll notice the technical details, the iPaq has a reflective screen, not a backlit one.

But yeah. Lots of people are gonna want $500 handhelds.

Don't forget Tiger. Remember the Game.com. I bought a brand new one last summer with 4 games for $10

It would probably be 18"x12"x6" and weight 10lbs.

That said, Nintendo has a strangle hold on the hand-held market. If Microsoft introduced a handheld it would likely suffer the same fate as the Neo Geo Pocket.