Failed handheld Gizmondo is set for a comeback by Christmas 2008. 

If you thought the N-Gage was a bit of a let down, the Gizmondo was an example of how not to launch a console; terrible games, pitiful sales and serious mismanagement of company finances. 

 Well just like ants at a picnic, the Gizmondo will not go away. Original boss Carl Freer is back at the helm and recently took part on a short interview in the Gizmondo forums.

When asked if Gizmondo is old hat he said, “Not at all… there is still incredible value in the Gizmondo.  “And with the enhancements we’re adding (i.e. Open Platform, etc) we feel it’s only the beginning of where we can go with the product.” Freer adds that the re-launch will include, “new products, suites of new games, enhancements to both the hardware and software components.” The new enhancements are set to include a new graphic chip and use of Windows Embedded CE operating system, Version 6. Despite the collapse of the business, the original device was well designed, featuring an Nvidia 3D chip, as well as inbuilt GPS technology. 

The new Gizmondo website will re-launch its website, which will act as a place to buy the console, download the SDK and sell new games. Freer also said that the company will continue to support first-generation Gizmondo’s and will re-release the original games.  With a ‘massive’ 5000 UK owners of the console, Gizmondo well and truly missed the boat when it came to competing with the likes of Sony PSP and Nintendo DS. But it looks like they still live in a magical world when technical director Ian Murphy came out with this;

 “It’s fair to say that much of DS’s content is not exactly spectacular but it’s still a very successful machine because it has a point of difference. There’s no reason we can’t compete. An open platform will offer something that other handhelds can’t.”  All I can say to Gizmondo is, ‘good luck’, your going to need a hell of a lot of it.