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N-Gage is no longer a taco-shaped standalone device, but is now the gaming section of Nokia's group of Ovi online services. Through it, users can try out, buy and download games, as well as access community services on supported smartphones.

Ovi means "door" in Finnish. Nokia wants Ovi to be a door to a variety of online applications. In addition to N-Gage, Ovi includes a music service, online maps, and other social networking services, including one we saw at CTIA Wireless show this week called Share.

The handset maker's been showing N-Gage off all week at CTIA Wireless show in Las Vegas. Representatives told SmartPhoneToday the long-expected re-launch was imminent. They didn't say it was this imminent, though.

While the official announcement of the launch will come on Monday, Nokia's already posted the application on its Web site to give "N-Gage faithful" early access, according to a company blog.

Right now, N-Gage is compatible with a few different NSeries smartphone models, including the standard and 8GB versions of the N81 and N95, the N82, and the N95. Support for additional models, including the N73, N93i and N93 should come soon.

For more on N-Gage, including directions on how to download and install it, see here.

[via engadget]