Fascinating Look Back at the Gizmondo, the Failed Handheld Game Console from 2005

Photo credit: OldBerries | ZadocPaet
Back in 2005, the SEGA Dreamcast VMU turned handheld just wasn’t plausible, yet, but the Gizmondo is an entirely different story. Developed by UK-based Tiger Telematics, this handheld game console hit the market on March 19, 2005, packing features that many considered ahead of its time.

This included a built-in GPS, 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, SMS / MMS messaging, and even GPRS for internet connectivity, alongside its core gaming capabilities. It’s powered by a 400 MHz ARM9 processor from Samsung, complete with a 2.8-inch TFT screen displaying 320×240 resolution and an NVIDIA GoForce 4500 graphics chip, all running Windows CE.

The device aimed to compete with heavyweights like the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, but Gizmondo was more than just a simple gaming device—it was marketed as a multi-purpose gadget, capable of playing MP3s, videos (WMA + MP4), as well as doubling as a navigation tool with its GPS. It came in two pricing tiers in the UK: £229 ($483.39 in 2025) for the standard version, or £129 ($272.31 in 2025) for a “Smart Ads” version that subsidized the cost with GPS-targeted ads (though the ad system never fully launched due to the company’s collapse). Speaking of collapse, it sold fewer than 25,000 units worldwide, earning it the title of the worst-selling handheld console in history. Only 14 games were released for it, with just 8 making it to the US, and titles like Sticky Balls and Trailblazer being among the more notable ones.