Snakes (N-Gage game)
Bluetooth-viral Snake update for N-Gage with multiplayer.
Snakes, a modernized version of Nokia's classic Snake game, was created by IOMO and offered as a free download for the N-Gage phone. The game could spread to other N-Gage devices via Bluetooth through a viral distribution system. In single-player mode, there are 42 levels, using either square or hexagonal grids. On higher levels, players can climb around the edges and play on both sides of the playfield. Multiplayer supports up to four players, each on their own N-Gage, connected via Bluetooth. Nokia hosted a global leaderboard through the N-Gage Arena service, which allowed any N-Gage with a data plan to upload scores; this service was discontinued in 2009.
Though built for the N-Gage, Snakes was also available for the Nokia N95. Other devices, such as the Nokia E65, could run the game at nearly full speed, similar to the N95. However, some phones that were compatible would crash immediately after launching.
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, the game received "favorable" reviews.
A sequel, Snakes Subsonic, was released on May 22, 2008 for the second-generation N-Gage platform, developed by Barking Lizards.
- Levels
- 42
Quick Facts
- Title
- Snakes
- Developer
- IOMO
- Publisher
- Nokia
- Designer
- J. Dan Scott, IOMO
- Released
- WW · January 25, 2005
- Genre
- Arcade
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- N-Gage, S60 platform
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Snakes was developed by IOMO as an update to the classic Snake game from Nokia. It was released as a freely downloadable game for the N-Gage phone. The game featured viral distribution, allowing it to copy itself to another N-Gage using Bluetooth as the carrier. Single-player mode offered 42 levels, with both square and hex grids available. Higher levels allowed the player to climb around the edges and play on both surfaces of the playfield. Up to four players could play in a multiplayer game using four N-Gage devices and Bluetooth. Nokia maintained a worldwide leaderboard of scores, accessible through the N-Gage Arena service, which was closed in 2009.
Reader's Guide
Snakes is significant as a modernized take on the iconic Snake game, leveraging the N-Gage platform's connectivity features. Its viral Bluetooth distribution was a novel approach to game sharing, and the multiplayer mode for up to four players demonstrated the potential of mobile ad-hoc gaming. The game received 'favorable' reviews according to Metacritic. Although primarily designed for N-Gage, it was also available for the Nokia N95 and supported on devices like the Nokia E65, though some phones crashed after launching. The sequel, Snakes Subsonic, was released on May 22, 2008 for the second generation N-Gage platform, developed by Barking Lizards. The closure of N-Gage Arena in 2010 ended online leaderboard access, marking the end of an era for this connected mobile game.
Did You Know?
- Snakes could copy itself to another N-Gage using Bluetooth as the carrier.
- The game has 42 levels total.
- Up to four players could play multiplayer using four N-Gage devices and Bluetooth.
- Nokia's N-Gage Arena service, which hosted the worldwide leaderboard, was discontinued in 2009.
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