Drunken Gamers will be back next week. This week, GWX is happy to bring you a hands-on report on Tapwave’s new powerhouse handheld, the Zodiac. For those of you looking for another installment of our weekly comic The Real GWX, a surprise awaits at the end of this article.
Over the past year, it seems that every week a new upstart company announces plans to release a new gaming console. We’ve heard of the Phantom, Nokia’s N-Gage, the DISCover, and now, Tapwave’s Zodiac handheld system. So far, the Phantom has yet to be released, the N-Gage seems to be on its way to the video game graveyard or at least replaced by an improved model, and the DISCover technology has morphed into the ApeXtreme. No, the gaming industry is not an easy one to break into, as the otherwise dominant Nokia learned the hard way. It takes a lot to compete with the big boys and your system had better impress immediately to make even the slightest impact.
Last year, Tapwave, a company started by former Palm employees, decided to take the plunge into the handheld gaming business. Dominated by Nintendo for over a decade, and soon to be penetrated by the PlayStation brand behemoth, it’s a big risk for such a small, unknown company to take. Fortunately for Tapwave, the machine they’ve designed is smart, sleek, and beautifully designed.
The Facts
At its core, the Zodiac is a high-end PDA with a gaming focus. It does everything your standard Palm unit can do, and is compatible with in excess of 19,000 Palm programs and games straight out of the box; already an impressive feat. When you’re not gaming, the Zodiac allows you to play MP3 and video files, browse pictures, write Word compatible documents, organize your to-do list, calendar, and address book, solve complex algorithms with the built-in graphing calculator, and instant message other Zodiac users; again straight out of the box.
Technically, the Zodiac’s specs are incredibly impressive. The unit features a large 3.8” (480 x 320) high-resolution screen (and yes, it’s very bright), a Motorola i.MX1 ARM9 processor, and wireless gaming capabilities via Bluetooth functionality. On the graphics end, the Zodiac is equipped with an ATI Imageon graphics accelerator for 2D graphics and a FatHammer X-Forge 3D graphics engine, which gives the Zodiac the ability to kick out PSone-quality graphics. A pair of Lithium Ion batteries also powers the unit.
Interfacing with the Zodiac is a breeze. On screen commands can be chosen either by using the eight-way analog joystick and face buttons (four action buttons, two shoulder buttons, one start and one home button), or simply by touching the screen with the included stylus. The Zodiac has its own launching menu, which is simple and easy to use. Want to listen to some tunes? Simply select “Media” and you’re on your way.
Synching your Zodiac to your PC is also a snap. Once you install the included software, simply connect the USB cable to your PC, start the Palm Desktop program, and you can swap MP3, Word Documents, and video files to and from your PC in an instant.
Software and games come on MMC cards. The Zodiac has a pair card slots, allowing you to keep an SD memory card in one slot and a game card in another and giving you the option to upgrade to up to 1GB of memory. Another option is the support of SDIO peripheral cards. This gives Zodiac owners the option of giving their unit digital camera and WiFi capabilities.
The Zodiac itself is a sleek unit with an anodized aluminum shell. No cheap plastic here. The machine comes in two different models. The Zodiac 1, which carries 32MB of RAM and runs for $299, comes in a slate gray. The model used in this feature, the Zodiac 2, carries 128MB of RAM and runs for $399 comes in charcoal gray. The unit also comes with a removable screen cover that flips to the back when not being used. More accessories for the Zodiac can be viewed by clicking here.
Hands-On Impressions of the Zodiac
Now that we’ve told you the facts about the Zodiac, it’s time to tell you what we really think of the machine. Our resident cynics, Managing Editor John Luedtke and Features Editor Aaron Hilden have spent a load of time with the unit and are now ready to give you their full report, pulling absolutely no punches.
Aaron Hilden: You never know exactly what you’ll get when you take a look at a new console. If that particular console has some preconceived images already in your head, it can take a bit of time to get your bearings. Here’s what I had in mind going into the Zodiac experience:
First off, the N-Gage. I hate to bring it up, but the last upstart handheld we got a hold of had some nice things going for it, but it came packaged with what can only be described as rookie mistakes. While I enjoyed many of these aspects, the gaming public saw fit to flush it down the toilet. With the Zodiac coming from the same field as far as gaming experience, and entering into the same market, you can see why the gaming phono-taco would be on my mind.
The Zodiac won’t make you do this.
Next up, the fact that it’s only available (as of now) via online retail. I knew this thing was on the horizon, but I didn’t even know it had launched until far after the fact. No sign of it in my local Best Buy or GameStop meant that this little guy was off my radar.
And lastly: the gaming PDA in general. I’m familiar with Palm devices. I still use my dinosaur of a Palm IIIe from over four years ago. No, granted, the games then were rough and barely a contest for the Atari 2600. These days, the technology has us gaming on everything from phones to digital audio players. All in all, I have yet to see one that gets me even a little excited. It just seems to me that things have a purpose and trying to cram gaming into one of those devices is just a silly attempt at bringing in more cash.
So, how did the little Zodiac do? Damn, I’m impressed. After all the preconceived notions I had of the thing, it’s managed to make quite an impression on me. I’m happy to say that the folks at Tapwave managed to get more than a few things right. I’d say about perfect. It’s well balanced and the features it touts don’t seem tacked on or half assed. This is one well thought-out device.
The system is your basic high end PDA. It’s got all you need from address book, memo pad, and calendar to HotSync link up with your personal computer. It’s got a great interface, which looks gorgeous and at the same time, familiar to all Palm oriented users. It’s Bluetooth enabled, which you need these days just to be considered legitimate, bringing a ray of hope that a solid gaming connectivity focus could be in the future. The stylus that has become the access tool of choice in our mobile environment is strong, sleek and about what one would expect. For those folks just looking for a PDA, the Zodiac fits the bill to perfection. Just take a look at the specs above and you’ll see that the hardware under the hood is about as powerful as you’re going to get these days from any comparable device.
But I know that’s not why you’re here. How is it as a gaming machine? Well, based on the games I’ve played, the Tapwave does quite well. The Atari classics look identical to their 2600 color counterparts. The unit boasts some impressive 3D-esque graphics and all of the games that I played controlled very well. Gone is the crappy digital pad that clicks when you use it. Replacing that is a nice analogue stick that has free range of motion and a great feel. Controlling the little ship in a game of Centipede is fantastic, as is the control for a classic game of Breakout.
The buttons on the right side of the machine are a little too close together for my taste, and the action on them doesn’t seem all that right to me, but it’s nothing I’d make too much of a fuss over. I’d also have to point out that I’m not a fan of the shoulder buttons, as they seem to be a little too flush with the main body. Sometimes it was hard to realize if you were pushing them down or not. Again, nothing too big, but still a concern worth mentioning. The screen is big and displays beautifully with crystal clear graphics and plenty of room to move. No cramped games on this handheld, my friends. The games load up in a flash thanks to the standard memory card that loads in at the top. Like most PDA’s with memory card use, it functions as a catch all for music, video, and games.
The unit fits comfortably in the hands and seems to be just the right size to take with you and play a few games in the car or waiting in line. Add to that the fact that it just looks damn cool: all in black with a kick ass design, you don’t feel like a dork when you pull it out in line at the supermarket. They even thought of a nice little cover for the screen when you’re not using it. It’s about damn time someone included this, as screen damage has been a concern since the original Game Boy.
There are some neat games to be had on the machine, but I’m still waiting for one that makes me feel like I have to play it. Again, this comes back to my basic feeling that mobile devices that also work for gaming have a tendency to feel like the gaming thing is tacked on. While the Zodiac does a fantastic job with the outside factors that have nearly killed Nokia’s machine, it remains to be seen if they can bring us some games that prove this is a machine for the hardcore gamer. With a steep price tag, they’ll need to do just that.
John Luedtke: I’ll come out and say it: the Zodiac is my new best friend. This thing goes everywhere with me: the grocery store, work, even to bed. Yes, that’s right, while most people snuggle up with a good book before bed, I flick on my Zodiac and read an eBook until I fall asleep. It just does so many things that I can’t express how useful it is to me.
And yes, many gamers might ask, “Why don’t you just get yourself a PDA?” True, a PDA would do perform all of these functions quite nicely, but could I play a respectable version of Tony Hawk 4 on my PDA? Not likely. As where Nokia tried to make a handheld gaming system that performed a number of other functions and did virtually none of them well, the upstarts at Tapwave have given me an all-in-one combo platter that is well designed in every respect. And like Hilden, I hate to have to bring up the N-Gage again, but I’m amazed at how a brand new company can come in and show a multi-national corporation like Nokia how to properly design a multifunctional portable gaming machine.
Being a PDA at heart, I was concerned with how the Zodiac would feel as a gaming machine. I don’t like playing games on phones, PDAs, or other “non-gaming” devices. But luckily, the Zodiac is one multi-functional unit that actually appears to have been made with gaming at the forefront. Go figure!
How the Zodiac compares with other handhelds and a shot glass. In case you were wondering.
The analog stick, the rumble feature, and the button layout all work quite well for me, although I do agree with Hilden that the shoulder buttons could be a bit more pronounced. But that screen. Oh baby! The Zodiac has at this moment the most impressive screen ever to be included on a handheld device. The picture is huge in relation to its competitors and the display is simply brilliant. Games look crisp and gorgeous and it’s tough going back to other portable consoles after experiencing the beauty this thing is capable of.
Each of the Zodiac’s other functions are top notch and nearly flawless, but like Hilden said, there isn’t yet a game that makes me need this machine purely from a gaming standpoint. Sure, Fire Hammer kicks ass, but the Zodiac desperately needs that killer ap. Some might argue that Neverwinter Nights will be the game to do it, but that game is also coming out for standard PDAs and many of the Zodiac’s coolest titles are merely upgrades of current handheld titles. Luckily, hope is on the horizon. One of the coolest and most exciting aspects of the Zodiac that we have thus far failed to mention is that it is an open-source machine; meaning that independent users can concoct their own masterpieces and share them over the internet. Units like the GP32 have a huge underground development community and the Zodiac has the potential to be just as, if not more popular.
The bottom line for me is if you’re a gamer looking to invest in a PDA, you have no reason not to get a Zodiac. Its PDA capabilities are up there with the best of them and it actually feels like a gaming device first, not a PDA that just happens to play a handful of crude games. But for Joe Gamer just looking for the best gaming unit for the best price, the answer still lies with the GBA for the moment. However, it does have the potential to draw in hardcore gamers and enthusiasts. Personally, I love it and can’t wait to see what Tapwave has in store.
The Games Tapwave was kind enough to preload our Zodiac with a handful of PDA and Tapwave-exclusive games. We decided instead of giving you the lowdown on each and every game included, we’d give our impressions on a few of the highlights.
SpyHunter
Midway’s update to the classic arcade hit SpyHunter makes its way to the Zodiac in impressive form. Looking every bit equal to the PSone version, SpyHunter gives Zodiac owners 3D arcade action in the palm of their hands. If you manage to find another Zodiac owner in your area (good luck), connect for two-player action.
Hilden: This game was interesting in that it had a sort of top down perspective happening as opposed to the behind the car look of the new versions currently out for this series. The sense of speed was a stand out feature in that it let a bit of excitement to a rather repetitive game. Seriously, there’s only so many ways you can make a game like this interesting. Drive. Shoot cars. Drive. Shoot motorcycles. Rinse, repeat. Nothing to get me all in a quiver. Graphically, it’s a nice looking game, but I’m tired of this franchise and it fails to deliver on the excitement the original arcade game promised.
John: Like Hilden, this game really isn’t my cup of meat. But the way it’s pulled off on the Zodiac is admirable. Graphically, it’s right on par with the PSone version, and the game controls quite well. Until Tony Hawk, Neverwinter Nights, and Doom II hit, this is the game to showcase the Zodiac’s gaming ability to your friends.
Stuntcar Extreme Packaged free with the Zodiac (along with Acid Solitaire), Stuntcar Extreme is, as the name might suggest, an extreme stunt car game.
Go figure.
A 3D racer, the game gives you a Quick Match mode as well as a Career Mode of sorts. The object, of course, is to win the race, but luckily, the game throws in other objectives to keep things interesting such as collecting letters to spell out various words and performing stunts to raise your point level. The fancier the stunt, the more points earned.
Hilden: Not a bad game, but one that makes me wonder why I need to play it. The graphics are chunky and bland, but for a handheld 3D racer, I’ll give it a break. The races tracks too are bland with the same type of stunts in each one. After my first jump through flaming hoops, I didn’t need another one. The enemy AI is brutal in places and the races just don’t seem to go anywhere. I’m still not sure why I have to jump through/over this stuff when I can just go around it and win the race. It has some ok control, but I found that missing a jump led to some frequent game reset hang-ups that cost me the race. Which then led to me not wanting to perform the stunts, hence defeating the purpose of the game.
John: As an entry-level game goes, Stuntcar Extreme is a modest success. The game is entertaining for a time and does a number of things well. The control is tight and the stunt point system is a nice touch. However, while the controls are nicely done, the camera can be a bit late to catch up with your car after making a tight turn. The game also gets a bit blurry when top speed is reached, which some may say is an effect, but I call sloppy game design. For a freebie, Stuncar Extreme does the job nicely, but won’t win any awards.
Galactic Realms
The Zodiac gets a taste of the first person space shooter with this title from Crimson Fire. The game features fifteen different ships to pilot, multiplayer and bluetooth tournament modes, voiceovers and cut scenes to flesh out the story, and custom missions. While Galactic Realms is an ambitious undertaking, its execution is a bit off.
Hilden: This is one impressive little undertaking for the system. Trying to mimic a game like Colony Wars for the PSone, Galactic Realms attempts to give us 3D space fighter combat. It doesn’t do too poorly of a job. The combat is really slow, so much so that it feels like you’re flying in Jell-O. The ships sort of saunter around in space. There’s no real sense of dog fighting, which I assume is the intended purpose, so I hesitate to give this anything but a “check it out for kicks” rating.
John: Meh, I didn’t care for this one at all. Like Hilden said, the combat is excessively slow and tedious. Ships cruise around you at warp speed while you rotate the camera around in circles trying to get a shot at their tails. The graphics are nice, but who cares when the game is so sluggish and dull?
Atari Retro
Featuring seven classic Atari 2600 titles, Atari Retro is the perfect game for those business types looking to relive their childhood memories in between board meetings. For $29.99, gamers get Adventure, Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, Missile Command, Pong, and Yar’s Revenge. A bit steep? Perhaps. Nevertheless, Atari Retro delivers faithful ports of old classics.
Hilden: One of the best of the games that I’ve played for the Zodiac. It’s got your Asteroids, which ranks high for me, along with Breakout. It has Yar’s Revenge, which is still a game I just don’t freaking get. They each look like a 2600 game should and run fine on the Zodiac hardware. Nothing to get me ready to buy the console, but I enjoy the nod to the old school gamers. It’s a perfect little pick up and play game and one that gives the system just a little more street cred. than it might ordinarily have gotten.
John: This is cool and all, but again, nothing special. I love retro games as much as the next guy, but I would have liked to see a few more games included with the package, especially with the $30 price point. The games are fun and well emulated here, and are all great Atari Classics; even Yar’s Revenge. If you can find this game for a cheaper price, by all means pick it up. But it’s hard for me to recommend shelling out $30 for yet another mediocre retro game package.
Altered Beast
Sega’s Genesis classic is back in this game tailor made for the Zodiac. Morph into one of three different beasts in this mythological arcade side-scroller and fight through five levels to rescue Athena. If you fail, face the wrath of Zeus.
Hilden: John and I agree on this one, I’m sure. This game sucks major ass. I never was a big fan of the arcade game in high school and I’m not a big fan of it now. In fact, I hate it. Graphically, it looks like the Genesis rip off of the arcade game, but I seem to remember the arcade game looking like ass, so it’s a toss up. Shoot, move, shoot. Again, boring as hell. Even the “change into a beast” novelty that made the original a hit just comes off looking bad now. For the love of all that is holy, if you’re going to revive a classic 90’s Sega game, give us Golden Axe!
John: Well my friend, luckily for you Golden Axe is coming for Zodiac this spring. Until then Zodiac-owning Sega fanatics will have to suffer through this piece of junk. I never understood the draw to this game - not at the Genesis launch, and surely not now. And for some reason, the game seems to play even worse on the Zodiac than it did on the Genesis. The controls are sluggish and slow, the hits are cheap, and the graphics just plain stink. No matter how nostalgic you’re feeling, this game is not the answer.
Fire Hammer
Shooting action comes to the Zodiac in fine form with Fire Hammer. Following the pattern of classic shooters before it, Fire Hammer dishes out screen loads of enemies, huge end-level bosses, weapon upgrades, and a chain scoring system. This game is a must-own for Zodiac owners.
Hilden:This game rules. Period. Best game on the system so far. I love shooters, so maybe I’m biased, but this game is just what we need in a hand held system. A cool use of the vertical screen ability of the Zodiac gives this game the view that all shooters need to have. Yes, some control issues result, but it’s worth it in my mind. The game is damn hard and stuff is flying at you from everywhere. Power ups fly by in a flash and the screen is filled with laser fire and cool explosions. Everything I want my shooters to be. Go play this game.
John: This is it. The game for me. Despite the fact that you have to tilt the Zodiac vertically to enjoy it, causing a bit of awkwardness, Fire Hammer is the game that occupied most of my time. No, it won’t rival R-Type, Ikaruga, or Gradius in shooting superiority, but this game does a marvelous job and plays quite a bit like Raiden in space. The graphics are crisp and clean and the chain scoring system is a great feature. Each time you shoot down an enemy, a bonus icon floats off the screen and you must decide whether to chase down that bonus and risk getting shot down yourself. And just like a good shooter should be, this game is tough as nails in even its easiest setting.
Bravo!
So there you have it; everything we currently know about the N-Gage. What do you think? We’re interested in hearing your comments, as is Nokia. Send in your thoughts, impressions, and questions to our mailbag feature and we’ll make sure your comments are heard.
The Drunken Gamers that you know and love will return next week. In the meantime, we present to you the conclusion of the Terrible Super Glue Morning. Enjoy!
