Panasonic Unveils New Handheld the Jungle

Seventeen years after its first attempt at entering the gaming console arena with the ill-fated 3DO, Japanese electronics giant Panasonic is trying again with its new handheld system called Jungle.

The company has unveiled a new website promoting their new product, which seems to be aimed at the online gaming crowd. Very little information is available on the Jungle at this time. Panasonic writes, “All we can say for now is that this mean little machine features a kick ass display, touch pad, keyboard, and other gaming controls that we’ll be saying more about soon.” Since it’s an online mobile device, it’s pretty safe to assume that it will include some form of Wi-Fi as well.

Panasonic says that browser-based MMO Battlestar Galactica Online will be available on the Jungle, and that it will feature space combat, exploration and mission-based gameplay. The company has also entered into a partnership with Machinima to produce Online Underground, a news program that will focus on online gaming. Any other titles or shows that might launch with the new system are a mystery at this time.

With Nintendo’s new 3DS handheld coming next year, and rumors of the PSP2 floating about the ‘net, it’ll be interesting to see if Panasonic’s latest contribution can go toe-to-toe with the big boys, or if it’ll go the way of the 3DO.