Nokia Snake: The Mobile Game That Became an Icon

Do you remember playing Snake on your old Nokia phone? If you do, you are not alone. Snake is one of the most iconic and influential games in mobile history. It is a simple yet addictive game that involves controlling a snake that grows longer as it eats dots on the screen. The game was preloaded on millions of Nokia phones in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and became a global phenomenon. But how did Snake come to be and what makes it so popular? In this article, we will explore the history, features, popularity, legacy, and trivia of Nokia Snake.

History of Nokia Snake

Snake is not a new concept. The game belongs to a genre of video games where the player maneuvers a line that grows in length. The first game of this type was Blockade, an arcade game released by Gremlin Industries in 1976[^2]. Blockade was a two-player game where each player controlled a snake that left a trail behind. The goal was to avoid colliding with the walls, the opponent’s snake, or one’s own snake. Blockade inspired many clones and variations for different platforms over the years.

The first version of Snake for Nokia phones was programmed by Taneli Armanto, a design engineer at Nokia, in 1997[^1]. He adapted the game for the monochrome display and keypad of the Nokia 6110 phone. The game was simple but addictive: the player had to guide a snake that moved constantly across the screen and ate dots that appeared randomly. The snake grew longer with each dot eaten, making it harder to avoid hitting the walls or itself. The game had three difficulty levels and a high score table.

The game became more popular with the release of Snake II in 2000[^2]. Snake II was preloaded on the Nokia 3310 phone, which sold over 126 million units worldwide[^4]. Snake II added new features such as mazes, bonus items, cyclic levels (where the snake could go through one edge of the screen and reappear on the opposite edge), and different snake shapes. The game also had nine difficulty levels and two-player mode via infrared connection.

Snake continued to evolve with new versions and variants for different Nokia phones over the years. Some examples are Snake Xenzia (2003), which introduced color graphics and different game modes; Snake EX (2003), which had improved graphics and sound effects; Snakes (2005), which was a multiplayer version with 3D graphics; Snake III (2005), which had a more realistic snake design; and Snake Subsonic (2008), which had fast-paced gameplay and music tracks[^2].

Features of Nokia Snake

Nokia Snake is a game that is easy to learn but hard to master. The game has a simple premise: control a snake that moves across the screen and eat dots that appear randomly. The snake grows longer with each dot eaten, making it harder to avoid hitting the walls or itself. The game ends when the snake crashes into something.

The game has several features that make it fun and challenging. Some of these features are:

• Different difficulty levels: The game has different difficulty levels that affect the speed of the snake and the size of the screen. The higher the difficulty level, the faster the snake moves and the smaller the screen becomes.
• Different gameplay modes: The game has different gameplay modes that add variety to the game. Some of these modes are:
• Classic mode: This is the original mode where there are no obstacles or bonuses on the screen.
• Maze mode: This mode adds walls or obstacles on the screen that the snake has to avoid.Adventure mode: This mode adds bonus items on the screen that the snake can eat to gain extra points or abilities. Some of these items are:
• Star: This item gives the snake an extra life.
• Heart: This item restores the snake’s health.
• Lightning: This item makes the snake move faster for a short time.
• Skull: This item makes the snake move slower for a short time.
• Bomb: This item clears the screen of all dots and obstacles.
• Cyclic mode: This mode allows the snake to go through one edge of the screen and reappear on the opposite edge.
• Different snake shapes: The game has different snake shapes that affect the appearance and behavior of the snake. Some of these shapes are:
• Line: This is the default shape where the snake is a straight line.
• Corner: This shape makes the snake turn at 90-degree angles.
• Rotating: This shape makes the snake rotate around its center.
• Zigzag: This shape makes the snake zigzag across the screen.
• Spiral: This shape makes the snake spiral inward or outward.

Popularity of Nokia Snake

Nokia Snake is one of the most popular and influential games in mobile history. The game was preloaded on millions of Nokia phones in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and became a global phenomenon. According to Nokia, more than 400 million people have played Snake on their phones. The game was also featured in various media and events, such as:

• The Guinness World Records, where it holds the record for being the most played mobile game ever.
• The Museum of Modern Art in New York, where it was exhibited as part of a design collection.
• The London Design Festival, where it was projected on a giant screen at Trafalgar Square and played by thousands of people.
• The Nokia 3310 relaunch, where it was included as a nostalgic feature on the new version of the phone.

Legacy of Nokia Snake

Nokia Snake has influenced many other games and media over the years. Some examples are:

• Slither.io, a multiplayer online game where players control worms that grow longer as they eat pellets and other worms.
• Nimble Quest, a game where players control a line of heroes that fight enemies and collect power-ups.
• Sneak King, a game where players control the Burger King mascot who sneaks around and delivers burgers to hungry people.
• Metal Gear Solid, a game series where players control a spy who uses stealth and gadgets to complete missions. The main character is named Solid Snake, which is a homage to Nokia Snake.
• The Matrix, a movie where the protagonist sees code that resembles Nokia Snake on a computer screen.

Conclusion

Nokia Snake is a game that has captivated millions of people around the world. It is a simple yet addictive game that involves controlling a snake that grows longer as it eats dots on the screen. The game has evolved over time with new features, modes, and versions. The game has also impacted mobile gaming and culture in various ways. Nokia Snake is a game that deserves its status as an icon.

FAQs

What is the highest score possible in Nokia Snake?

The highest score possible in Nokia Snake depends on the version and difficulty level of the game. In general, the score is calculated by multiplying the number of dots eaten by 10. The maximum number of dots that can appear on the screen is limited by the size of the screen and the length of the snake. For example, on a Nokia 3310 phone with a 5×15 pixel screen, the maximum number of dots that can appear is 75. Therefore, the highest score possible on this phone is 750 points.

How can I play Nokia Snake on my smartphone?

There are several ways to play Nokia Snake on your smartphone. One way is to download an emulator app that simulates an old Nokia phone and allows you to play Snake and other classic games. Another way is to download an official or unofficial remake of Snake that is compatible with your smartphone’s operating system. A third way is to visit a website that hosts an online version of Snake that you can play on your browser.

What are some tips and tricks for playing Nokia Snake?

Some tips and tricks for playing Nokia Snake are:

• Practice: The best way to improve your skills and reflexes is to practice playing the game regularly. You will learn how to control the snake better and anticipate its movements.
• Plan ahead: Try to plan your moves ahead and avoid getting trapped by the walls, obstacles, or your own snake. Look for open spaces and avoid corners and dead ends.
• Use the cyclic mode: If the game has a cyclic mode, you can use it to your advantage by going through one edge of the screen and reappearing on the opposite edge. This can help you escape from tight situations or reach dots faster.
• Use the bonus items: If the game has bonus items, you can use them to boost your score or abilities. For example, you can use the bomb to clear the screen of all dots and obstacles, or the lightning to speed up your snake for a short time.
• Have fun: The most important tip is to have fun and enjoy the game. Don’t get frustrated if you lose or make mistakes. Remember that Snake is a game that is meant to be fun and challenging.

Who holds the world record for Nokia Snake?

The world record for Nokia Snake is held by Nick Baxter, a British man who scored 1,041 points on a Nokia 3310 phone in 2012. He achieved this feat by playing on the highest difficulty level and using the cyclic mode. He also recorded his gameplay and uploaded it to YouTube for verification.

Is Nokia Snake still available on new Nokia phones?

Yes, Nokia Snake is still available on some new Nokia phones. For example, the Nokia 2720 Flip, which was released in 2019, has a preloaded version of Snake that can be played on its external screen. The game has been updated with color graphics and sound effects, but retains the classic gameplay and controls.

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