Nokia is gearing up to bring its N-Gage gaming device to American retail stores in early October.

Nokia N-Gage/Nokia Photo

The Finnish mobile phone maker on Tuesday said the N-Gage game deck will have a suggested retail price of $299. Accompanying game cards, which will be sold separately, are expected to range from $30 to $40. Based on the Symbian operating system, N-Gage combines mobile phone functionality with MP3 playback capabilities, an FM radio and Internet connectivity through GPRS.

The game cards and the Nokia N-Gage game deck will initially be available at Best Buy, Circuit City, Electronics Boutique, GameStop and Target.

Nokia said it will announce the availability of the Nokia N-Gage game deck and game cards at additional major retail outlets, game specialty stores, other retail outlets, and wireless carrier delivery channels in the coming months.

Previously announced in February 2003, N-Gage allows for online, mobile, multiplayer (Bluetooth technology and GPRS) game play. Features include high-quality, 3D color graphics with backlight and eight-way directional controller.