Multiplay Choice: N-Gage QD

Multiplay Choice N-Gage QD
Playing against a computer program can be fun, but pitting your skills against a human is infinitely more satisfying provided you're the one with the highest score when "Game Over" flashes on the screen.

Until now multiplayer gamers have been limited to playing from home PCs, consoles or internet cafes. This is set to change, because this rapidly growing form of entertainment has found a home nestled in your pocket, with both Nokia and 3 delivering multiplayer games via their mobile phones.

To take on fellow Nokia owners, you and your opponents will need to be armed with the silicon taco known as the N-Gage QD, which has more in common with a GameBoy than a mobile phone. All players must also own a copy of the chosen game. The approach by 3 doesn't have these limitations, because most of its handsets support online gaming.

Its games can also be downloaded free in minutes, although there's a catch: 3's online game charges players 50 cents for every seven lives. Considering it took us just three minutes to see these lives blasted into oblivion by our ruthless foes, suddenly the 3 service doesn't look quite so cheap.

These two companies also use different methods to send your virtual bullets over their networks. Obviously 3 uses its speedy, but limited coverage, 3G service, while the N-Gage has to make do with the s