Orange and HMV to launch mobile games download store

Orange has teamed up with high street music retailer HMV to create an online games store which is due to launch next week.

The store, which Orange claims is the first of its kind amongst UK mobile operators, will offer around 400 games downloads for Java-enabled handsets, with more choice due to be added weekly. And although the store, dubbed HMV Mobile Games is 'powered by Orange'; games are available for users of all networks.

Mobile games lovers can download games from as little as £1, with more popular titles costing up to £5. At the higher end of that range are some fairly current games from other platforms - games which if you're a gaming afficionado you might actually have heard of, tweaked to run on handsets. These include Fifa Manger 10 and Call of Duty MW2; while the cheaper options are likely to be old classics like Tetris and Pac Man. And in addition to downloads, the site will also offer reviews, previews and demos.

Due to launch next Friday, March 26, the store application can be pushed to handsets via SMS if you text "hmv" to 87010. Orange customers will have the cost of downloads added to their bills, while users from other networks can pay using a pay-now billing system.