The amusingly named Ministry of Affairs - a specialist mobile gaming start-up, last week introduced their very own handheld debutant set to rival the from and the from (in theory). Whilst it may look rather clunky, this retro-styled unit, titled 'Eve' at this stage, actually boasts a sliding screen section which can be removed from the controller unit for better portability. Eve includes Wi-Fi technology not only for wireless gaming, but also for wireless internet access, and - as you may have guessed already - is based on x86 technology for game compatibility.

Indeed, the PC comparisons don't end with the architecture as an imbedded version of Windows XP is included within the Eve. A 4inch, 640x480 LCD screen will be included with a 533MHz VIA processor, a VIA CN400 chipset supporting 266MHz DDR SDRAM, not to mention six-channel audio, and a VIA 200MHz S3 UniChrome Pro graphics 'core'. Said graphical unit can deliver a 200m pixel per second fill rate, with two textures per pixel, and a triangle fill rate of 4.5m polygons per second.

RAM totalling 128mb is also in the petite box, as well as a 20gb HDD, 802.11b wireless support, TV-out, two USB ports, and a Flash slot. The GameDweller On-Demand service will provide downloadable games as desired, and players will also be able transfer their own PC-compatible titles onto the Eve via the USB port - we're told.

It is expected that Moma's games on-demand service may be based on a subscription service a la Infinium's console, which provides a set number of games for a monthly subscription fee - and even offers the actual console free in return for a two year commitment to the service. The Eve may well boast a similar pricing structure when it launches, though all this is yet to be confirmed. A Q1 2005 debut is tentatively tabled. More as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge