Oldies Java games on BlackBerry bold/curve

[Nikokaro]

Hi all.
Lately I've been feeling nostalgia for old Java games, and would like to play them again on real hardware. Of course, I know very well that you can also play them, via emulator, on PC, tablet, smartphone and even PSP/PS Vita. I would like to use this phone model because I have always liked it, and in my country they are easily found cheap and in good condition.

In particular, I would like to know:
1) Can these games also be played on BlackBerry bold/curve model?
2) If yes, can you use only those specific to this brand, those suitable for its screen, or also those with lower graphics resolution?
3) Since this phone has a full QWERTY keyboard, what buttons are used to play them?

Does anyone have experience with these models? Are they comfortable for playing puzzle/arcade Java games? Can anyone tell me anything about them?
Thank you.

 

[Nikokaro]

Hello everyone. For those who want to know, I won an auction on eBay (only participant) and now own a BlackBerry Bold in excellent cosmetic and functional condition for the modest expense of 12€, and with an old battery that still lasts 2 weeks on standby.

But unfortunately I must note that it is not the ideal device for playing Java games. I have installed almost forty of them, mostly of the 480x360 format, but it is very uncomfortable to play them, because instead of the classic dpad there is an overly sensitive and inaccurate trackpad, and the game buttons are too small and close together. So I also decided to buy a Nokia model (240x360) from the Asha series, which is perhaps among the most suitable for playing Java games, with the convenience of the classic keypad and dpad, and with an infinite number of titles available.

 

[FormulaFanboy]

Heya I'm getting my BlackBerry Curve 8330 in the mail tomorrow. It's a lot like yours but older; it has a trackball instead of a trackpad, which will probably work much better for playing games.

Would you mind telling me how you installed the Java games to your BlackBerry?

 

[Nikokaro]

Hi. Unfortunately, I have to tell you that I have now sold this small device, mainly because I was disappointed with its performance regarding games. Aside from the fact that there are very few compatible titles, it is very inconvenient to use the trackball (which I erroneously called trackpad) because it lacks precision; too sensitive.
However maybe you will be more comfortable using it, who knows.

As for the installation, you have to download from internet (with other device of course) Java games (.jar files) compatible by screen resolution, then copy them to micro SD that you will insert in the BlackBerry. Finally you select the .jar file with the trackball and select "installation". I don't remember perfectly, but roughly it goes like this.

Today for Java games I prefer to use a Nokia 202 or Nokia 301: with micro joypad I get along better. I've talked about it a little bit here:
https://gbatemp.net/threads/old-nokia-phones-series40-java-games-and-sound-issues.631060/

Anyway then let me know how you feel about playing with that micro phone.

 

[FormulaFanboy]

Thank you for the help that sounds rather easy
I already have a Samsung Rugby II that I use as my main phone but unfortunately it's pretty much impossible to just load games on it like that
I will update tomorrow on if it works or not

Post automatically merged: Mar 6, 2024

Well, I promised to update you today, so here's my update:

It arrived today. It won't turn on. I think something's wrong with the battery? It keeps giving me a red light, and the screen will turn on and show a charging icon forever. I tried charging it all day and it won't turn on.

I'm looking into a refund, a new battery, etc. But mark my words, I *will* get this thing to turn on and work eventually. And when I do, I will come back here, and give an update on if I got the games to work.

I managed to find and download a ton. I'm especially excited to try The Sims 2 and a few Spider-Man games!