Snakes Subsonic

Lore & Background

Snakes Subsonic was developed by Ideaworks3D, with Hannu Korhonen contributing to the game's playability. The soundtrack was composed by Jussi Kärkkäinen. The game was released in 2007 for N-Gage 2.0, and in June 2008, Nokia released it for Symbian cellphones.

Gameplay involves collecting green pellets to grow, with collision with the player's own tail resulting in death. Unlike the original Snake, colliding with the scenario reduces the life bar instead of ending the game. The game includes 40 levels themed around the four elements, 20 levels from N-Gage Arena, and secret levels unlocked by collecting the letters from 'SNAKES'. To advance, players must empty a blue 'evolver bar' by following glowing blue pellets that appear after eating a certain number of green pellets. The soundtrack accelerates as the snake eats pellets, and missing a pellet resets the progress. Players solve puzzles, navigate a 3D environment, and collect power-ups such as shields and missiles to use against enemy snakes and obstacles. Red floor squares slow the snake, while blue squares speed it up.

Multiplayer mode allows up to four players to compete for a set number of points, and high scores can be posted on the platform.

Reader's Guide

Snakes Subsonic holds significance as the final entry in Nokia's Snake series, a franchise that began with simple mobile phone games. Its release on N-Gage 2.0 and later Symbian cellphones marked an attempt to modernize the classic formula with 3D environments, puzzle elements, and power-ups. The game introduced mechanics such as a life bar for scenario collisions, an evolver bar system, and secret levels, distinguishing it from its predecessor. Reception from Pocket Gamer was middling, with a score of three out of five stars, noting that while the game was 'fine,' it was not as good as Snakes or even the original Snake. The game's legacy is tied to the decline of the N-Gage platform and the end of the Snake series, making it a niche title for collectors and mobile gaming historians. Its multiplayer mode and high-score posting reflect early mobile social gaming features.

Did You Know?

• The game includes secret levels unlocked by collecting the letters from 'SNAKES'.
• Colliding with the scenario reduces the life bar instead of causing instant death.
• The soundtrack accelerates as the snake eats pellets, and missing a pellet resets the progress.
• Red floor squares slow the snake down, while blue squares speed it up.