Nokia has officially announced that preorders for its upcoming N-Gage handheld gaming platform will be accepted starting July 19. Electronics Boutique, GameStop, and the official N-Gage Web site will be participating in the preorder campaign. The Nokia N-Gage not only includes the ability to play games, but it also plays MP3s and features mobile phone functionality. The device has been priced at $299, and it will hit stores in North America on October 7. Games are expected to cost between $30 and $40.

"The consumer interest and excitement for N-Gage is growing daily," said Nada Usina, general manager of entertainment of media at Nokia Mobile Phones Americas. "True gaming trendsetters can place their preorders now to be one of the first to own N-Gage."