N-Gage 2.0 an Overview

Overview
The new N-Gage, also referred to as N-Gage Next Gen, N-Gage 2.0 or the N-Gage platform/application, saw a change in concept as Nokia explained to the world during E3 2005 that they were planning on putting N-Gage inside several of their smartphone devices - rather than releasing a specific device (although their N81 model with its two dedicated gaming-buttons next to the screen is being marketed as a phone built for gaming). Working behind closed doors, it took a little more than a year before Nokia actually started showing off next-gen titles such as System Rush: Evolution and Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep, with the fighting game ONE perhaps being the most visually impressive - even making use of motion capture.
A public beta test of the N-Gage application took place from February 4, 2008 to March 27, 2008[1] and the client was then released on April 3rd the same year for the Nokia N81, N81 8GB, N82, N95 and N95 8GB.

Compatibility
Because N-Gage is a software based solution, the first generation MMC games are not compatible with the new platform[2], though some games are making a comeback in form of a sequel (e.g. System Rush: Evolution) or a remake/port (e.g. Mile High Pinball). Similarly, games developed for this next-gen N-Gage platform do not work on the original N-Gage nor N-Gage QD.

Devices
So far, the N-Gage website lists the following devices as compatible with the new N-Gage platform: Nokia N79, N81, N81 8GB, N82-1, N85, N95-1, N95-2 8GB, N96, and Nokia 5320 XpressMusic.[3] Future support is indicated for Nokia N73, N78, N93 and N93i.[4][5] Memory issues were hinted at for compatible client delays in an interview.[6]

First Access
On February 4th 2008, after several delays ever since the beginning of 2007, the new N-Gage platform was released to the public - though limited only to users of Nokia’s N81 device. This period of time was referred to as "First Access" and only a public test of the client which could be downloaded for free from the N-Gage website. While not the final version, the user had access to most of the features that the new application had to offer along with three games to try out: Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep, System Rush: Evolution and Space Impact Kappa Base. Eventually, Nokia also released Tetris, Block Breaker Deluxe and World Series of Poker: Pro Challenge for the users to try out. None of the games are entirely free but all offers a limited trial for testing purposes. In order to experience the full game - it has to be either purchased or rented.
Shortly after being released to the public, the N-Gage installation file was unpacked into components, which can be then installed separately, thus removing N81-only limitation. N-Gage has since been reported working on other Nokia N-series devices , such as N73 and N95. In response, Nokia released an advisory asking users not to install this unsupported version as it could cause errors or other issues.
On March 20th, the N-Gage blog reported that First Access would come to an end on March 27th, though all downloaded games at that time would still be playable through the application until the updated version was released - which occurred on April 3rd.

Reception
There have been a lot of hands-on articles with the First Access client and they all generally reflect both the positive and negative feedback of the official First Access forum, where N81 users shared their thoughts on what was good and what could've been made better - regarding both the launcher itself and the games currently available. The biggest issues at that point was that of players not being able to "activate" a purchased game but still having only the trial version to play. A lot of players have also been reporting connection issues.
Head of New Experience, Nokia Play, Jaakko Kaidesoja had this to say to Pocket Gamer in an interview on February 21st 2008 when asked about what early feedback they had received[7]:
"The feedback has been positive and well received within the company and some critical comments were well received as well. We know it's not perfect yet and there are some features people want more of. Those are the things we want to check and get on the roadmap."

Game Reviews
The games themselves have received an overall good reception all over the Internet ever since the First Access beta, with Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep standing out as the most successive title.
Asphalt 3: Street Rules
Pocket Gamer - 8/10
All About N-Gage - 80/100
Block Breaker Deluxe
Pocket Gamer - 7/10
All About N-Gage - 78/100
Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep
Pocket Gamer - 9/10
All About N-Gage - 86/100
Mobile Game FAQs - 92/100
Space Impact Kappa Base
Pocket Gamer - 8/10
System Rush: Evolution
Pocket Gamer - 8/10
All About N-Gage - 85/100
Tetris
Pocket Gamer - 8/10
World Series of Poker: Pro Challenge
Pocket Gamer - 5/10

Launch
After numerous delays and many vague release dates, the N-Gage platform was finally (and also quite suddenly) released to the public on April 3rd 2008 through the N-Gage official website, though only five phone models are compatible to begin with. This probably has to do with the older models being less powerful as was pointed out in an interview earlier the same year whereas an N-Gage representative mentioned some memory issues with the N73[8]. The launch titles also changed from six to only five: Asphalt 3: Street Rules, Brain Challenge, Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep System Rush: Evolution, and World Series of Poker: Pro Challenge. The first two weren't even on the original list but Block Breaker Deluxe and Tetris instead. The sixth game that was postponed was Space Impact Kappa Base. Some hours after the launch, Ikona (the man behind the official N-Gage blog) had this to say about the delay:
"We are currently ensuring Block Breaker Deluxe, Space Impact Kappa Base, and Tetris are running smoothly with our new application. These should be available in the showroom next week or two."
Four days later, on April 7th - Nokia posted their official press release[9] commenting on the release of their new mobile service, and at which point FIFA 08 also became available for purchase.
With this release, the website also saw a small change in appearance with price tags added to all games available for download, an event calendar, a tab for support on both the application itself and N-Gage compatible devices and much more. Players logged onto the website could now also see their Reputation level, N-Gage level, and gathered N-Gage points.
There was also a release party held at the N-Gage chat room shortly after the release, with several members from the N-Gage team attending to answer any questions asked. A few t-shirts were randomly handed out during the three hour long event and everyone was also promised a few N-Gage points for coming to the "party".
As expected, the launch was not problem-free but numerous people reported having trouble downloading, purchasing and activating games, installing the application and logging on to the N-Gage Arena.