8.  Panasonic Jungle

I’m afraid there isn’t a wealth of public information regarding Panasonic’s “Jungle” device, but being conceived so recently made it a unique candidate for this list.  Announced in October of 2010, it was intended as a handheld for playing MMOs (massive multiplayer online).  The Jungle was envisioned as a lighter and less bulky alternative to carrying around a laptop since it was wholly devoted to gaming.  Confirmed features were a full keyboard, directional pad, touch pad, and ports for USB and HDMI.  Only 3 titles were announced; RuneScape, Stellar Dawn, and Battlestar Galactica Online.

It would appear that had the Jungle seen the light of day it would’ve been pitted against Nintendo’s 3DS and the Sony PS Vita, though it lacked the touch screen present in its would-be counterparts.  Despite an expected release in mid-2011, Panasonic came forward in March of the same year to announce the Jungle’s cancellation “due to changes in the market.”  Changes = touchscreens, if you ask me.  But seriously, how hard could it have been to revamp the machine a little and include one?

Hell, I might’ve bought one just to see what all the fuss is about when it comes to MMOs.

It is worth mentioning that the Jungle wasn’t Panasonic’s first failed attempt at a console.  More than 10 years prior, they tried their hand at a successor to the unpopular 3DO, leading us right into Number 7 on our list…

 Written by The Cubist

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