[Is it possible to play a visual novel on a basic mobile phone that is NOT a smartphone?]

Something like this? http://blog.hylamobile.com/basic-cell-phones-still-rule-in-developing-countries

[How much does an average visual novel cost to make?]

What are the degrees of cost in creating a visual novel?

[Can someone describe in their own words how visual novels work (for us newbies)?]

A simple description of the characteristics of visual novels, how they very, and the elements that are involved in making them?

[Is it possible to create a low bandwidth, 15 minute visual novel under 5MB?]

Wow - thanks for all of the great recommendations, everyone! Super helpful.

[Is it possible to create a low bandwidth, 15 minute visual novel under 5MB?]

Thanks for the helpful information! Excuse my ignorance - is the DOS version something one can download onto their computers or mobile devices? Thanks!

[Can anyone refer me to educational visual novels?]

(ie, for classroom settings) that teach students through storytelling? 

[Is it possible to create a low bandwidth, 15 minute visual novel under 5MB?]

I'm wondering if it's possible to create visual novels with super low band width (ie, 5MB or less) and what sort of capacity (art and tech) is possible within that limitation?