Sony Ericsson said Thursday it launched a trial version of its own online gaming service for users of some of its phones, joining others in the bid to bring gaming to cell users. But unlike Finland's Nokia, which released its much-hyped gaming deck N-Gage, Sony Ericsson's service is usable on most of its higher end phones and doesn't use Bluetooth to let gamers play each other head to head.

The games, the London-based company said, are online, not stored in a multimedia card inserted into the phone.

The first games available include a Rally racer (a four-player game) and RC Battle (an eight-player game).

The trial service will let users download the game and then play other users via the online service.

The phones that are using the service include the company's T-series and high-end Z600 and Z608.