| File:Gizmondo (logo).png | |
| File:Gizmondo.jpg | |
| Manufacturer | Tiger Telematics |
|---|---|
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Seventh generation era |
| Release date | March 19, 2005 |
| Discontinued | February 6, 2006 |
| Units sold | Fewer than 25,000[1] |
| Media | SD, MMC |
| CPU | ARM9 S3C2440 processor at 400 MHz |
| Online services | GPRS |
| Best-selling game | Sticky Balls |
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The Gizmondo is a handheld gaming console developed by Tiger Telematics. It was released in the UK, Sweden and the U.S. starting in March 2005.[2] Its first-party games were developed in studios in Helsingborg, Sweden, and Manchester, England. Gizmondo Europe, Ltd. was based in London, England, and was a subsidiary of Florida-based Tiger Telematics, whose chairman Carl Freer led Gizmondo's development.[3]
Before its launch, the Gizmondo had high expectations by some journalists due to its extensive feature set, and it was aimed to compete against Nintendo and Sony;[4] it ended up as a major sales failure.[5] The company extravagantly spent millions on promotions such as a celebrity party at London's Park Lane Hotel, and taking part at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, despite never making a profit. Its American debut was delayed several times, and a widescreen version was announced shortly before its release – resulting in low sales.[6][7] With fewer than 25,000 units sold, the Gizmondo was named by GamePro as the worst selling handheld console in history.[8]
The Gizmondo was further overshadowed when Swedish press revealed criminal pasts of several executives, causing their resignations including Tiger Telematics CEO Carl Freer. Director of Gizmondo Europe Stefan Eriksson was involved in a Swedish criminal organisation, the "Uppsalamaffian" (the Uppsala mafia).[9] By February 2006, the company was forced into bankruptcy after amassing US$300 million (£160 million) debt, and the Gizmondo stopped production.[10] Weeks thereafter Eriksson crashed a rare Ferrari Enzo driving at 260 km/h (162 mph) in California,[11] and was later jailed and subsequently deported for driving under the influence in connection with the crash and other criminal offenses.
- ↑ Snow, Blake (2007-07-30). "The 10 Worst-Selling Handhelds of All Time". GamePro.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Gizmondo gadget hits the shelves". BBC News Online. 2005-03-19. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4361847.stm.
- ↑ "Gizmondo Launch Brings London's West End to a Standstill - Press Release". Archived from the original on 2016-08-20. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "CEBIT 2005: Gizmondo out this week - Hardware - News". HEXUS.net. 2005-03-16. Archived from the original on 2012-08-01. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Gizmondo price drop - Hardware - News". HEXUS.net. 2005-04-12. Archived from the original on 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Tiger Doesn't Want You to Buy the Gizmondo! - Defunct Games". Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Smith, Tony (5 August 2005). "Gizmondo US launch 'put back to October'". The Register. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Snow, Blake (2011-06-07). "The 10 Worst Selling Handhelds Of All Time". Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Sullivan, Randall. "Gizmondo's Spectacular Crack-up". Wired. https://www.wired.com/2006/10/gizmondo/. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ↑ "Gizmondo Europe goes into liquidation". Pocket-Lint. 2006-02-07. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ {{cite w==External links==
- Gizmondo at the Open Directory Project
eb|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/la-fg-ferrari15may15-story.html%7Ctitle=Life in Fast Lane Long Before Ferrari Crash|first=Jeffrey Fleishman and Richard|last=Winton|website=Los Angeles Times |date=15 May 2006 |access-date=22 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213234652/http://www.latimes.com/local/la-fg-ferrari15may15-story.html%7Carchive-date=2017-02-13%7Curl-status=live}}Handheld game consoles Anbernic RG351 • RG552 • RG35XXSP Bandai LCD Solarpower • Digi Casse • Design Master Senshi • WonderSwan Entex Select-A-Game • Adventure Vision Epoch Epoch Game Pocket Computer • Barcode Battler GamePad Digital GPD XD • GPD Win • GPD Win 2 Game Park/Holdings GP32 • GP2X • XGP • GP2X Wiz • CAANOO LeapFrog Didj • Leapster • Leapster Explorer Nintendo Game Boy family (Game Boy • Color) • Game Boy Advance family (Advance • Advance SP • Micro) • Virtual Boy • Pokémon Pikachu • Pokémon Mini • Nintendo DS family (Nintendo DS • Lite • DSi) • Nintendo 3DS (2DS • New 3DS • New 2DS XL) • Switch (Switch Lite) Nokia N-Gage • N-Gage QD Sega Game Gear • Nomad SNK Neo Geo Pocket • Neo Geo Pocket Color • Neo Geo X Sony PlayStation Portable • Xperia Play • PlayStation Vita Tiger R-Zone • Game.com VTech 3D Gamate • Variety • V.Smile Pocket Other handhelds 1970s Microvision 1980s Children's Discovery System • Palmtex Portable Videogame System / Super Micro • Romtec Colorvision • Nelsonic Industries • Electronika • Atari Lynx 1990s TurboExpress • Game Master • Gamate • Watara Supervision • Mega Duck 2000s Tapwave Zodiac • GameKing • GPANG service • Gizmondo • Coleco Sonic • Dingoo 2010s JXD devices • Pandora • DragonBox Pyra • Shield Portable • GCW Zero 2020s Analogue Pocket • Ayn Odin • Evercade • Playdate • Retroid Pocket 2 • Thumby • Steam Deck Related Early units • List • Comparison