It's clunky. It doesn't have Wi-Fi. It guzzles AA juice. So why is the GP2X gaming-and-media device a must-have among geeks? It's all about the penguin. The $180 handheld, made by an obscure Korean company called Gamepark Holdings, uses a Linux operating system and ships with a software development kit. The GP2X launched in November without any official titles, but devout users are already writing games and other apps. "You can do anything with this device because it's open source," says Sanghooné Park, a Gamepark department manager. "It's a gift from heaven." Take that, Nintendo and Sony! Here's taste of manna in a plastic case.
What the GP2X Can Do
Play Media Files:
This gizmo plays all the ebooks and audio files you can cram onto an SD card (sold separately). It also supports video formats from MPEG-4 to DivX and image formats from BMP to JPEG. Plug the GP2X into a PC via USB to transfer stuff, then connect it to a TV with an S-video cable to screen your latest BitTorrent score.
Run New Games:
Gamepark Holdings has deals with developers to release consumer games like Crazy Kart 2 for the GP2X. The company-promises a dozen titles by next summer, including-dating sims, adventure games, and arcade-actioners. In the meantime, fans are rolling their own, such as puzzlers like LinesX.
Emulate Classics:
Making software that runs vintage games is a popular hobby among GP2X coders. The PC shooter Duke Nukem 3D is playable, and there's an app that handles all of the old Super Nintendo titles like Super Mario World. Emulators of coinop classics, Atari 2600, and Commodore 64 are also on the way.
- James Lee
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