Resentment towards handheld gaming devices

[treismac]

Warning: Cranky post. Take with a grain of salt.

Let me explain this properly. I don't have a problem with the existence of handheld gaming devices. If people want to crink their necks looking at small screens to play games, more power to them. My problem is that there are some really great games that come out for these systems that their developers should have released on a proper system!! Am I the only one who gets irritated by this? I do give credit to Nintendo, however, for their SNES and GameCube Gameboy adapters though.

End of rant/bitch.

[Emperor Megas]

I can't think of many handheld games that would have been successful as (modern) console releases. Handheld games tend to have 'pick up and play' appeal, and significantly lower production 'value'. A lot of games that are released on handhelds that can turn a profit would most probably lose money if released on a console.

[Aussie2B]

I've always been rather perplexed that some gamers are so turned off by handhelds. I just don't get it myself. I'll happily take it all, home console and portable (and the in-between, like the Virtual Boy, haha). There's a time and place for everything, I'd say. Playing a game on a TV feels like a much bigger commitment, for some reason, and of course that set-up can't go anywhere with you easily. There were definitely some major inconveniences with handheld gaming in the past, which is why I barely even touch any Game Boy system other than the SP these days (best application of backwards compatibility in a system ever), but now that we have recharging batteries and backlit screens, I really can't complain.

[Kevincal]

I agree with the OP, handhelds are a waste. I hate the small dark and blurry screens and pathetic audio. I like huge tv crystal clear picture with cranking sound and bass for my video games. It's a pity I have never played so many great handheld games. I actually have the perfect thing though, a modded XBOX with LOADS of handheld game roms I can play in full screen in RGB :) It's perty awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-UQ-qZFQKo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTZHu_deQwc

I will admit though that as a young kid it was kinda fun playing a game boy (og puke green screen) on the long drive to grandmas house. Ah yes, mario land, tetris, and simpsons. ;)

[j_factor]

Yeah, I can't play on handhelds for very long, it always hurts my neck. I usually play GBA games on a Game Boy Player, and I barely touch my DS.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I didn't like handhelds for a while. I got flipped with the NGPC and GBA though. Been looking at smartphones recently. My next computer is going to be a handheld too apparently. I can potentially become nomadic! :D

Add a solar recharge station to my buy list...

Edit: Got a Motorola Photon 4G today. Time to see what this superphone gaming hubbub is all about. :)

[Ryudo]

Your loss my gain.

[Emperor Megas]

I agree with the OP, handhelds are a waste. I hate the small dark and blurry screens and pathetic audio.It sounds like you haven't played any handhelds since the original Gameboy Advance, and don't use head phones (or good ones, anyway).

[Rickstilwell1]

Heck I plug an audio cord into my handheld and crank up the volume on the big speakers!

[substantial_snake]

I am sorry if you have any problem towards portable gaming weather its a physical buttons, screen size, its just for kids, etc. The GB, GBC, GBA, PSP, and DS all have some of my favorite games of all time on them and if you missed out on those for whatever reason it sucks and I really do feel sorry for you. I love handheld consoles and the ways they force game devs to think differently around the limitations and/or design considerations for making a game that is in easily digestible bites.

I can understand if its not your thing but it does make me a bit sad when I know someone is going to like X or Y game says "Wow, that looks, sounds, and plays great too bad its on X portable console". I encourage you get over whatever issues you may have with it because ever since my first GameGear I've been hooked to the portable side of the industry. :)

Edit:

I am surprised that Sony hasn't added some sort of PSP emulation mode to the PS3. I'm sure the console is powerful enough and the PSP control scheme is basically a cutdown Playstation controller layout. These things along with the PSN linked accounts and download service would make it really simple to simply download digital copies of PSP games to play on your PS3..not really sure why they never did that for those who can't deal with portable consoles.

[Rickstilwell1]

I am sorry if you have any problem towards portable gaming weather its a physical buttons, screen size, its just for kids, etc. The GB, GBC, GBA, PSP, and DS all have some of my favorite games of all time on them and if you missed out on those for whatever reason it sucks and I really do feel sorry for you. I love handheld consoles and the ways they force game devs to think differently around the limitations and/or design considerations for making a game that is in easily digestible bites.

I can understand if its not your thing but it does make me a bit sad when I know someone is going to like X or Y game says "Wow, that looks, sounds, and plays great too bad its on X portable console". I encourage you get over whatever issues you may have with it because ever since my first GameGear I've been hooked to the portable side of the industry. :)

Edit:

I am surprised that Sony hasn't added some sort of PSP emulation mode to the PS3. I'm sure the console is powerful enough and the PSP control scheme is basically a cutdown Playstation controller layout. These things along with the PSN linked accounts and download service would make it really simple to simply download digital copies of PSP games to play on your PS3..not really sure why they never did that for those who can't deal with portable consoles.

Because they made a cord that already lets you connect your PSP 2000 and higher to the TV anyway? I also think the reason they don't just let the PS3 run PSP games is because they want to make sure they sell the handheld systems. If all PSP games could be run on PS3 and cost less than PS3 titles, nobody would even buy the handheld to play them. They would just get a PS3 and call it a day.

[TRM]

I used to play handheld gaming devices while growing up, as they were a great way to occupy my time during long car rides; when I became the driver, the need entertain myself on the long journeys ended, and at that point I stopped playing the handheld systems.

Although I have not played any of the newer handhelds (with the exception of borrowing my brother's DS from time to time), I find some of the functions to look very...eh, not comfortable to operate. For those times that I want to play a game, I would much prefer just to sit down in front of a big screen with controller in hand, as it just provides a better experience when not on the go.

[leatherrebel5150]

I still don't see why they have never made a pokemon game on a console like the ones they have made for handhelds...thats what really annoys me.

[jonebone]

I hated handhelds and never played a single one up until about 2.5 years ago when I finally bought a DS Lite. Totally worth the purchase IMO.

Of course I still play console games the majority of the time, but the DS has produced several games that I've gotten at least 5-10 hours of gameplay out of. The perfect handheld game is one that you can play for about 10-15 minutes and save your progress. But sometimes you wind up playing for much longer than that simply because it's addictive.

For me, the woman usually complains if I'm gaming too long on the basement TV. But if I let her watch lifetime while I'm playing my DS, it's a perfect win-win situation.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I believe that historically speaking, if means to play the game software/hardware on a console or TV are not available, just about any handheld game that has been a major critical and/or financial success has found its way to consoles either in a port/literal 1:1 conversion or in an "HD" or iterative sequel.

Angry Birds, Tetris, Peggle, Bejeweled, Plants Vs. Zombies, etc. or "portable exclusive" games featuring Kirby, Sonic, God of War, etc. have all been brought to modern consoles ... so, while I'm sure you can cherry pick any portable library for specific titles that have never made it to a full console, when it's warranted via consumer demand and viable to make some money they bring portable games/franchises over.

[XYXZYZ]

I made a thread about this same subject earlier this year-

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151278

[treismac]

I can understand if its not your thing but it does make me a bit sad when I know someone is going to like X or Y game says "Wow, that looks, sounds, and plays great too bad its on X portable console". I encourage you get over whatever issues you may have with it...

It makes me a bit sad too, Substantial Snake, but I have not totally forsaken portable gaming devices, just so you know. Last portable I purchased was the DS, which I bought because I wanted the new Advanced Wars (I love the damn series. It is the reason I bought a GBA). I also justified the purchase because of the dual screen/ stylus screen novelty. When I did strain my eyes to play it, I did enjoy the lil' bastard- it disappeared in my travels. Every morning use to begin with me drinking coffee and playing Brain Age to knock the dust off my brain. I also have an iPod Touch, which I buy app games for every now and again (Space Invaders Evolution rocked!!!). In regards to novelty and puzzle games, I think they are well suited for portable devices. I just don't like serious games that would have been better suited- in my estimation, of course- on a home system. I'd love to have the new Mario on the 3DS, but I just don't want to torture my poor near sighted eyes. Nintendo should wait a while and release the game on the Wii.

[treismac]

Angry Birds, Tetris, Peggle, Bejeweled, Plants Vs. Zombies, etc. or "portable exclusive" games featuring Kirby, Sonic, God of War, etc. have all been brought to modern consoles ... so, while I'm sure you can cherry pick any portable library for specific titles that have never made it to a full console, when it's warranted via consumer demand and viable to make some money they bring portable games/franchises over.

Tetris existed on PCs before it came to the Gameboy, but thank God Nintendo decided (i.e. wanted more $) to bring Kirby on over!

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Tetris existed on PCs before it came to the Gameboy...

Indeed it did.

But I think that it's arguable that the GameBoy version was its steppingstone to super-stardom. It being a pack-in with Nintendo's new, popular and ground-breaking portable system was a perfect storm.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Warning: Cranky post. Take with a grain of salt.My problem is that there are some really great games that come out for these systems that their developers should have released on a proper system!!

Maybe its because I've always had handhelds since the original GameBoy back in '89, but I don't understand this line of thought at all. Handhelds ARE proper systems. They're self contained and have the benefit of being able to be played anywhere, from on the bus to on the couch to on the crapper. (oh like you don't)

I have no desire to ever really sit down and play handheld games on a tv, but there are solutions for that too, most notably the Super GameBoy, GameBoy Player and PSP 2000-Go. But while I agree with you on some points, I think portables have an advantage over consoles that need to be tethered to a tv. I'm not sure I'd sit through a random encounter RPG or play a dungeon crawler on a console game ever again, but I love those kinds of games on handhelds.

[skaar]

I've been playing through Crono Trigger again on my DSiXL, and I'm wishing I was doing it on an emulator or something so I could move my save between devices.... and the TV.

[tom]

Because all you guys above playing the wrong handhelds.

Here's the best:
http://roomofdoom.powweb.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=342924&g2_serialNumber=2

[Bojay1997]

I think "resentment" is the wrong word, but I do have to agree with several others who have expressed that handhelds were more interesting to me when I was younger and not driving and therefore had time to kill in a car or on a plane or just sitting and waiting. I think handhelds have made great strides in recent years, with better screens and faster processors and graphics chips, but it doesn't change the fact for me that the controller is still built into the unit, the screens are far smaller than any TV I have ever owned and handheld games just can't do the same things that console games can because they simply don't have the same kind of screen real estate available. That's not to say that handheld games are bad or shallow, just that they tell stories in a different way and it's just not a way that I enjoy as much as an adult.

[Sunnyvale]

The OP has a valid point. Like the Pokemon games leatherrebel5150 mentioned; why doesn't some of this end up on a home console? Sure, making SMB3 15 years later for a handheld is cool, but there games that are handheld exclusives always did make me scratch my head, at least since the Game Gear came out.

As for actual use, the only handheld I put any real play into at all is my Nomad. It neatly dodges the OP's gripe :)

[treismac]

Indeed it did.

But I think that it's arguable that the GameBoy version was its steppingstone to super-stardom. It being a pack-in with Nintendo's new, popular and ground-breaking portable system was a perfect storm.

I would confer the status of "fact" to this assertion, Frankie Says Relax. You have to wonder how successful the Gameboy would have been if ol' Tetris wasn't packed in with it.

[Griking]

I can't think of many handheld games that would have been successful as (modern) console releases. Handheld games tend to have 'pick up and play' appeal, and significantly lower production 'value'. A lot of games that are released on handhelds that can turn a profit would most probably lose money if released on a console.

Wasn't one of the Dragon Warrior games only available on the DS?

[treismac]

They're self contained and have the benefit of being able to be played anywhere, from on the bus to on the couch to on the crapper. (oh like you don't)

What else was Brain Age's Sudoku for the DS made for?

[treismac]

Because all you guys above playing the wrong handhelds.

Here's the best:
http://roomofdoom.powweb.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=342924&g2_serialNumber=2

I thought the Lynx was awesome as a kid. So bright and colorful compared to the dreary greens and blacks of the Game Boy. Plus, it was the only system that had an arcade port of the REAL Ninja Gaiden- not that I didn't enjoy Tecmo's home adaptations.

[jb143]

I feel the exact opposite. If there is a portable system exclusive, then good for it. It's something that makes the system even more unique. I do have a soft spot for handhelds though.

I also don't understand the resentment I see from some people toward any aspect of the hobby(hating on Nintendo, Sega, handhelds, PC games, or whatever). Respect things for what they are. If you enjoy the games...play them. If not, don't and let others enjoy them. If it strains your eyes, well, see an eye doctor I guess.

[substantial_snake]

Because they made a cord that already lets you connect your PSP 2000 and higher to the TV anyway? I also think the reason they don't just let the PS3 run PSP games is because they want to make sure they sell the handheld systems. If all PSP games could be run on PS3 and cost less than PS3 titles, nobody would even buy the handheld to play them. They would just get a PS3 and call it a day.

They did similar things through the PSP life span such as releasing the GTA X City Stories games as a PS2 release and now especially the God of War Origins Collection and MGS Peace Walker HD. I think it would of made a lot of sense earlier in its life span to have PSP emulation capability for pretty much anyone in this thread who weren't interested in picking up the portable console, now I think its time has passed. Sony's business model doesn't hinge on making a profit from hardware and with the upcoming release of vita games for both PS3 and Vita I don't think Sony is splitting hairs about it this time either.


It makes me a bit sad too, Substantial Snake, but I have not totally forsaken portable gaming devices, just so you know. Last portable I purchased was the DS, which I bought because I wanted the new Advanced Wars (I love the damn series. It is the reason I bought a GBA). I also justified the purchase because of the dual screen/ stylus screen novelty. When I did strain my eyes to play it, I did enjoy the lil' bastard- it disappeared in my travels. Every morning use to begin with me drinking coffee and playing Brain Age to knock the dust off my brain. I also have an iPod Touch, which I buy app games for every now and again (Space Invaders Evolution rocked!!!). In regards to novelty and puzzle games, I think they are well suited for portable devices. I just don't like serious games that would have been better suited- in my estimation, of course- on a home system. I'd love to have the new Mario on the 3DS, but I just don't want to torture my poor near sighted eyes. Nintendo should wait a while and release the game on the Wii.

I bought a DS for that exact reason, Advance Wars since the GBA Days has sold me Nintendo portable consoles. I played both Dual Strike and Days of Ruin but perfered Days of Ruin by far, even with the drastic shift in tone. The game was simply super-balanced and the best playing AW game IMO. I just love it and it sat in my DS for months at a time. :D

I really see the "serious game" complaint levied against the PSP far more then the DS and in that arena you do have options. The PSP 2000 and up has a TV output that when paired with component cables let you play your games on the TV. I ended up using this feature a lot for a ton of the systems late releases like the Dissidia games and Peace Walker with both games having great sound when put through a proper sound system and damn good graphics for a portable game. On the flip side the GB Gamecube player allowed you to play GB, GBC, and GBA games all on a TV using the Gamecube which I hear is how many people play those games now. Its unfornatunate that the DS and 3DS will probably never have a proper TV out method but that's also part of Nintendo's strategy of making portable games for portable consoles.

I guess I don't really have a point to this semi-rant other then I find it frustrating given the example I had given in my previous post for those without some physical issue and just don't like playing on portable systems. I've probably put equal amounts of time in both portable and console/PC gaming over the years and missing out on those great portable games just seems wrong to me.

[BlastProcessing402]

I would confer the status of "fact" to this assertion, Frankie Says Relax. You have to wonder how successful the Gameboy would have been if ol' Tetris wasn't packed in with it.

I think it still would've done well. I got mine for Super Mario Land. Primitive as it was even compared to later GB games, it was still MORE MARIO! and that was a way to move systems. I'm really glad it wasn't the pack-in, though, or I might never have even got GB Tetris, and while Mario got me in the door, Tetris kept bringing me back. I still think that's the best version of Tetris around.


Wasn't one of the Dragon Warrior games only available on the DS?

Dragon Quest 9 is a DS game. There are also remakes of 4-6, and various spinoffs (Monsters, Rocket Slime, etc) on the DS.

[treismac]

I bought a DS for that exact reason, Advance Wars since the GBA Days has sold me Nintendo portable consoles. I played both Dual Strike and Days of Ruin but perfered Days of Ruin by far, even with the drastic shift in tone. The game was simply super-balanced and the best playing AW game IMO. I just love it and it sat in my DS for months at a time. :D

I know this is a retro gaming forum, so this might be like me asking a Republican if they've heard of Ronald Reagan, but have you ever played Military Madness on the Turbografx-16? While I am not certain if it is the grandfather of turn-based military games or not, it deserves a good look by any and all fans of Advance Wars. I don't care for the remakes, but the original rocks. It is a Virtual Console game for the Wii, and I also downloaded it for an old work cell phone I had. Oh, did I mention it that one of my favorite developers made it?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T2oB7GDXTDY/Tdp0ZsEtmpI/AAAAAAAAAM4/4FPdmXiR-qM/s1600/Hudson_logo_200.jpg

I know Hudson made some crap games, but when they were on, they were on. :)

[Aussie2B]

If there is a portable system exclusive, then good for it. It's something that makes the system even more unique.

I also don't understand the resentment I see from some people toward any aspect of the hobby(hating on Nintendo, Sega, handhelds, PC games, or whatever). Respect things for what they are. If you enjoy the games...play them. If not, don't and let others enjoy them.

Yeah, I agree. Complaining about games being on a portable system is akin to people whining that so-and-so is exclusive to 360 or PS3 or whatever the person complaining doesn't own. It's a tad selfish, I think. If every good handheld exclusive is ported to a home console, then what's the point of the handheld even existing? That would be pretty crappy for the people that are interested in the handheld if there are no good exclusives. If you can't appreciate a system for whatever reason, then either get over your hang-up or leave it be. Don't wish for the system's library to be crappier just because it would make you feel better about it.

Also, in terms of porting over handheld games, there's another problem with that. Handhelds play an invaluable role in the current market. They're preserving styles of design that are mostly gone from home consoles. There are many fantastic games, both 2D and 3D, on the current handhelds that feel like they could've fit right in with the best games of the PS1 and N64. These types of games would almost never be developed for the home consoles, and if they were, they'd certainly have to be different (or perhaps sold as a cheap digital release that the developer couldn't profit on). I think a lot of games are handheld exclusive because that's the only place they could be, to be honest, and I'm very glad the handhelds exist to give developers this outlet. Personally, I'm enjoying the libraries of the DS and PSP more than any of the current home consoles. If you like 90s gaming, they're great.

[Emperor Megas]

Yeah, I agree. Complaining about games being on a portable system is akin to people whining that so-and-so is exclusive to 360 or PS3 or whatever the person complaining doesn't own. It's a tad selfish, I think. If every good handheld exclusive is ported to a home console, then what's the point of the handheld even existing?Because they're portable. That's like the whole thing, isn't it?


That would be pretty crappy for the people that are interested in the handheld if there are no good exclusives.Wait, why? I don't understand why it would matter if they were exclusive or not. Good games are good games.


Handhelds play an invaluable role in the current market. They're preserving styles of design that are mostly gone from home consoles. There are many fantastic games, both 2D and 3D, on the current handhelds that feel like they could've fit right in with the best games of the PS1 and N64. These types of games would almost never be developed for the home consoles, and if they were, they'd certainly have to be different (or perhaps sold as a cheap digital release that the developer couldn't profit on). I think a lot of games are handheld exclusive because that's the only place they could be, to be honest, and I'm very glad the handhelds exist to give developers this outlet. Personally, I'm enjoying the libraries of the DS and PSP more than any of the current home consoles. If you like 90s gaming, they're great.Real talk. I'd expand and say they'd fit in best with the 32 and 16-bit generation of games. A lot of DS games remind me of SNES titles than N64 or PS1 titles.

[Aussie2B]

Because they're portable. That's like the whole thing, isn't it?

Wait, why? I don't understand why it would matter if they were exclusive or not. Good games are good games.

The portability factor doesn't matter that much to me, and not to many handheld players. Even as a kid, almost all of my handheld gaming was at home. I buy handhelds, first and foremost, because they offer a different selection of games that I want to play. I don't think my PSP has ever even left my house.

Every system I've ever purchased was bought for exclusives. If I can get every game I want on another system, one that I may potentially already own, I'm not going to bother to get a new system. If I bought a handheld for an exclusive and then all following interesting games were multiplatform, I'd feel gypped. Although it's only been this current generation in which this stuff is even a factor since the vast majority of games I'm interested in weren't multiplatform in the past (that was more of a Western game thing back then).

[Emperor Megas]

The portability factor doesn't matter that much to me, and not to many handheld players. Even as a kid, almost all of my handheld gaming was at home. I buy handhelds, first and foremost, because they offer a different selection of games that I want to play. I don't think my PSP has ever even left my house.That makes sense I guess. Do you feel portability isn't a factor for most (or a significant amount of) handheld owners though? I'm not contesting, I'm really not sure. I just assumed the portability factor was the main appeal of handhelds.

[Ryudo]

I just love gaming to much to limit myself.
Often find me playing Ys on my PSP. Or Xenoblade on my Wii or SOTC on PS2 or whatever on Genesis or whatever. I just can't limit myself.
I never take my handhelds away from home really tho

[Aussie2B]

No clue. I would guess that it's a big factor for parents purchasing handhelds for their kids since they're probably thinking "This'll keep him/her occupied and shut him/her up during errands and trips", haha. Kids usually don't have a ton of games, though, and they get so excited to play them that I can't picture them "saving" a game for a trip out. They'll play when and wherever they can. And adults lose opportunities for outdoor gaming as they get older, like how people already mentioned that they're the driver now and such. Plus some adults may want to avoid the stigma of playing a "child's toy" in public. (Your mileage may vary with that depending on what handheld you're playing, how old you are/look, and what your gender is. I feel more judged as an adult female gamer since I'm seen as more of an oddity than an adult male gamer.)

While I guess it's an aspect of the portability, I more so love the comfort of not being tethered to anything. Even playing a home console with a wireless controller isn't quite the same. I can sit or lay in just about any position I want and still get a good view and play. I can also have the TV going at the same time or whatever. It's much more relaxed, comfortable gaming, and it's works better for spending time around others than being absorbed in the screen of a home console game (outside of multiplayer gaming, that is).

[Leo_A]

I don't understand why anyone would've played one of these things as a kid in a car. You have a whole world of interesting things going by outside your window, why would you have ever kept your head stuck to the screens of a handheld instead of the show going on outside the car windows?


Let me explain this properly. I don't have a problem with the existence of handheld gaming devices. If people want to crink their necks looking at small screens to play games, more power to them.

When I'm playing a handheld, I'm not holding it three feet away from my face. The screens are plenty big enough and probably compare well to sitting 5 or 6 feet away from something like a 20" tv.


Because they're portable. That's like the whole thing, isn't it?


A good game is a good game. Enjoying those games is the entire point of them. I don't care if it's being played on my tv or the screen of a handheld. I don't even buy handhelds for their portable nature, I buy them to enjoy the great games that are released on them. They rarely if ever leave the house and 99% of the time, they're played within sight of a television and game consoles.


I agree with the OP, handhelds are a waste. I hate the small dark and blurry screens and pathetic audio. I like huge tv crystal clear picture with cranking sound and bass for my video games.

Handheld screens were never to my standards for many years, which is ashame where the Game Gear, Lynx, and NGPC are concerned (I'll have to hack my PSP1000 someday so I can better enjoy those systems). Nintendo's screens were so poor that I completely avoided their handhelds for years and stuck with my Super Game Boy and later, the Game Boy Player to enjoy their handheld software.

It wasn't until around the time the Nintendo DS was released that they were good enough quality for my satisfaction and I bought one. And quickly afterwards with the PSP, the backlit revision of the SP, the GBA Micro, and the DS Lite, they became more than just satisfactory.

Beyond a bit of motion blur, I'd be hard pressed with brightness fully on my backlit SP to find any deficient areas with the screen. That's when I finally had a screen that really seemed like a small television on a handheld.

It isn't 1995 now, your complaints about handheld screens are long out of date.


I am surprised that Sony hasn't added some sort of PSP emulation mode to the PS3. I'm sure the console is powerful enough and the PSP control scheme is basically a cutdown Playstation controller layout.

They have a PSP emulator on the PS3. But it's not very good and is only compatible with PSP Minis (With significant issues sometimes, and a couple which are completely incompatible with the emulator). It's no where close enough to run a top of the line PSP game.


Because they made a cord that already lets you connect your PSP 2000 and higher to the TV anyway? I also think the reason they don't just let the PS3 run PSP games is because they want to make sure they sell the handheld systems. If all PSP games could be run on PS3 and cost less than PS3 titles, nobody would even buy the handheld to play them. They would just get a PS3 and call it a day.

They make the vast majority of their money on software sales, not hardware sales. And with how easy piracy is on the PSP, I'm sure Sony would love to sell lots of PSP software for use on the more secure PS3.

[Gameguy]

That makes sense I guess. Do you feel portability isn't a factor for most (or a significant amount of) handheld owners though? I'm not contesting, I'm really not sure. I just assumed the portability factor was the main appeal of handhelds.
I rarely take portables anywhere, but I tend to play those the most. I don't need to use the TV which is a plus as we only have one set up for use, if I'm using it nobody else can. Plus I don't feel like having to set up systems to play something so I just use the portable systems instead, I don't have the space to just leave everything hooked up.

It helps that the portable systems are basically getting the types of games I want to play, most are sticking close to older style games instead of modern full 3D games so I like the portable stuff more.

[Emperor Megas]

Plus some adults may want to avoid the stigma of playing a "child's toy" in public. (Your mileage may vary with that depending on what handheld you're playing, how old you are/look, and what your gender is. I feel more judged as an adult female gamer since I'm seen as more of an oddity than an adult male gamer.)Damn, you know I never even considered that people (outside of Japan) were actually insecure about playing hand held games. :|

If anything I figured the opposite. I can't imagine anyone being insecure about playing Mario Kart 7 or Angry Birds within eye shot. We Cheer or Just Dance however...

[treismac]

I don't understand why anyone would've played one of these things as a kid in a car. You have a whole world of interesting things going by outside your window, why would you have ever kept your head stuck to the screens of a handheld instead of the show going on outside the car windows?

You have evidently never rode on the straight shoot of asphalt that is I-16 for hours upon hours as hordes of identical pine trees stare at you dully from the side of the interstate. It is one continuous loop apart from the changing signs. On a long car trip up to Atlanta in the back seat of my parents' car when I was a kid, believe me, I had no complaints about the GameBoy back then. None.

[Gameguy]

There needs to be a portable version of Desert Bus made for roadtrips.

[Leo_A]

You have evidently never rode on the straight shoot of asphalt that is I-16 for hours upon hours as hordes of identical pine trees stare at you dully from the side of the interstate. It is one continuous loop apart from the changing signs.

I'll grant you that I've never routinely done hours upon hours of interstate travel, just for that very reason.

[Aussie2B]

Damn, you know I never even considered that people (outside of Japan) were actually insecure about playing hand held games. :|

Well, I wouldn't say I'm insecure myself, more like I just don't want to invite commentary and funny looks from stupid people. Plus, there's also the opposite problem for women. There are a lot of creepy nerds out there, and they'll act like they hit the lottery to find an adult woman playing a handheld. They see it as the perfect opening for their feeble attempts at hitting on me.

But, regardless, I do still play handhelds in public from time to time, especially on flights.

[Emperor Megas]

Well, I wouldn't say I'm insecure myself, more like I just don't want to invite commentary and funny looks from stupid people. Plus, there's also the opposite problem for women. There are a lot of creepy nerds out there, and they'll act like they hit the lottery to find an adult woman playing a handheld. They see it as the perfect opening for their feeble attempts at hitting on me.

But, regardless, I do still play handhelds in public from time to time, especially on flights.I can see how that would be annoying, but is it really worse when you're in public and aren't playing a hand held? I'd imagine the only thing that would change would be the type of guy hitting on you.

I mean if I were a girl I'd probably be a little more tolerant of socially awkward geek boy than greasy Gino, sleazy 'Carl' guy, amped up MMA fan, etc.. :)

[Emperor Megas]

I don't understand why anyone would've played one of these things as a kid in a car. You have a whole world of interesting things going by outside your window, why would you have ever kept your head stuck to the screens of a handheld instead of the show going on outside the car windows?Wow, I didn't see this comment before. Honestly, I don't understand how it's possible that you don't understand why a child would want to blow shit up, eat dots and ghosts, arrange colourful puzzle pieces, slay dragons, beat people up, etc., than see cars go in a straight line at various speeds (maybe), or watch the 100th building or 54 thousandth tree go by much the same as the last before it.

The world is an interesting place, however the interstate or inner city by car isn't the best way to experience it.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

"Small" is a style. Small systems, small games, etc. There are a lot of people who enjoy these things. Just like the people who enjoy small restaurants, small theaters, small cars, small houses. There's a coziness to it.

Maybe handheld gamers don't enjoy having their eyes burned out of their head by a 45" TV. Maybe they don't want to spend time in the living room where 50% of their time is already spent watching TV. Maybe they just want to retire to a quiet corner of the house, pop in a tiny cartridge, and kick back and relax.

Besides, does an already oversaturated gaming market really need to start bringing over portable games? Aren't there already about 20,000 games out there to play on the consoles? Is there a genre that's not sufficiently covered? Is there really something missing? It doesn't seem like it.

It's two gaming worlds: one handheld and one made of consoles. Keep them separate. Don't port the large games over to the handhelds, and don't port handheld games to the consoles. Sometimes letting two things develop in their own separate ways is a good thing to do.

[treismac]

The world is an interesting place, however the interstate or inner city by car isn't the best way to experience it.

Yeah... there were scenic country roads my parents could have taken to our vacation destinations, but they took the more bland, direct route every time.

[jammajup]

I have never really been interested in the hand helds to be honest as i like to play games on a large screen and even though i love gaming i have no interest in gaming on the move,on holiday or on public transport (never a good idea in my opinion).I have played a DS of course and was quite impressed by its power,its a good system but i do not think there is any game i have not seen before or better than a tv system.

[Leo_A]

Wow, I didn't see this comment before. Honestly, I don't understand how it's possible that you don't understand why a child would want to blow shit up, eat dots and ghosts, arrange colourful puzzle pieces, slay dragons, beat people up, etc., than see cars go in a straight line at various speeds (maybe), or watch the 100th building or 54 thousandth tree go by much the same as the last before it.

The world is an interesting place, however the interstate or inner city by car isn't the best way to experience it.

See post #44. I grew up in rural NY and we rarely used interstates.

[Rickstilwell1]

You know how I said before I've been recording all my game footage? Recording the footage from handhelds takes a lot of extra work but the videos are cool and unusual when they are mixed with perfect line-out audio rather than the camera audio. DS footage is hard to do but worth it, while PSP footage is made easier with the component cables. Almost anything older than those two can be played on a modded Xbox or in the case of the Game Boy line had a way to be displayed on TV.

[Emperor Megas]

See post #44. I grew up in rural NY and we rarely used interstates.I get that, I just don't understand how you "don't understand" why a(nother) kid would rather play video games than look at boring shit out the window.

[Rickstilwell1]

Here we go. Check out this method of recording Nintendo DS videos. Synchronized! And the lighting didn't turn out too bad either. Here's some Mario Kart DS footage. Try full screen mode to see it more easily:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-asweSo588

[old man]

I'm glad that so many great games are coming out for hand-helds, but I agree with the OP in that I would prefer to play them on a big screen.

[jb143]

How close do you people usually sit to your TV when you play games? Try this experiment. Sit where you usually sit to play games on a TV. Take a handheld and hold it at the normal distance you would to play it, but have its screen appear next to the TV screen. Compare the 2 relative sizes from your point of view. Now tell me that hand held screens are really that much smaller. It's all relative...unless you sit as close to your TV as you hold a handheld that is.

[djshok]

I don't really have anything against handhelds, but I do find that my gaming performance is a lot better on a big screen than on a handheld when I play the same games. Ie: the GBA Mario rereleases or the Sonic games that are available for both SMS and GG. I always do a lot better when playing on a TV.

[kedawa]

To be honest, I'm more likely to ditch console gaming than I am to stop playing my GB micro. My PC doesn't fit in my pocket, after all.

I'm not a fan of the 3DS or PS Vita because of their pathetic batteries and large size, but there are some interesting handhelds coming out of China these days, and I'm tempted to pick up a Dingoo or something like it for portable emulation.

[The Dord]

I wish metroid fusion was a proper console game.

I've played it on the GBA and I know it's on the Virtual Console, but this would've been a great gamecube retro game or a hacked rom so it could fit the proper resoultion of a snes and become reprocarted for the snes.

[Pedro Lambrini]

I wish metroid fusion was a proper console game.

I've played it on the GBA and I know it's on the Virtual Console, but this would've been a great gamecube retro game or a hacked rom so it could fit the proper resoultion of a snes and become reprocarted for the snes.

I know it's easier (and cheaper!) said than done but you should try to get hold of a GBA Player and 'Cube. You can play Fusion and Zero Mission on the big screen as well as all the other GBA classics out there (Ninja Cop, Mario Super Circuit, F-Zero MV blah, blah, blah).

To me, a GBA SP and a GBA Player is pretty much the perfect set up. I can play my games on the big screen through my stereo and then take them on the road too.

If you can get an older 'Cube and a component cable the GBA games look unbelievably good in a chunky pixelly kinda way.

[Leo_A]

I get that, I just don't understand how you "don't understand" why a(nother) kid would rather play video games than look at boring shit out the window.

You apparently didn't...

Again, I didn't have interstate highway travel in mind when I made my original post. Hence post #44 that granted the fact that most of America's interstates are dull and featureless (Albeit with several spectacular exceptions) with me fully understanding why a kid would play a handheld under such circumstances.

[GameNinja]

I still don't see why they have never made a pokemon game on a console like the ones they have made for handhelds...thats what really annoys me.


I have been wondering this since 1997. I guess the market and profitability is just better for handhelds, and I think part of the appeal of pokemon is that you can just take it on the go with you all the time.

[Sabz5150]

I have been wondering this since 1997. I guess the market and profitability is just better for handhelds, and I think part of the appeal of pokemon is that you can just take it on the go with you all the time.

Pocket Monsters.

Portability is the point of Pokemon. It attempts to include community in the game as you cannot capture all the pokemans(!!!) without finding other players out there.

[Rickstilwell1]

Pocket Monsters.

Portability is the point of Pokemon. It attempts to include community in the game as you cannot capture all the pokemans(!!!) without finding other players out there.

lol except for the majority of people who just bought both/all three versions and traded with themselves because they also wanted all the starter pokemon as well.

[Sabz5150]

lol except for the majority of people who just bought both/all three versions and traded with themselves because they also wanted all the starter pokemon as well.

I had a Bung Doctor GB (wish I still did) and what I did is completed the Red version and ripped & dumped my save to the Blue one. Worked perfectly :)

[LimitedEditionMuseum]

Wow, some of you sound just like the adults over at the Transformers collector site. I dont understand when adults complain about things mainly aimed at Kids. You have 30 consoles connected to 8 60 inch flat screens with surround sound, 1000 games and 2000 accessories but you complain that you cant play the 2 games made for the Game gear.:roll:

[DDCecil]

My brother didn't play handhelds for a long time (at least since the late 90s).

He just wanted to play the Castlevanias on DS, but for some strange reason, didn't think he could look at a small screen for such a long time.

A couple of months ago, out of the blue, he wanted to try and play Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, finally. I helped him get going on it, and he has now played all of my DS Castlevanias and Dragon Quests.

He was even playing FF4CC on PSP, until he dropped my system. Now the memory card stick slot doesn't work! Yay! He says he is going to replace it. I guess I'll know this Christmas...

[kedawa]

Wow, some of you sound just like the adults over at the Transformers collector site. I dont understand when adults complain about things mainly aimed at Kids. You have 30 consoles connected to 8 60 inch flat screens with surround sound, 1000 games and 2000 accessories but you complain that you cant play the 2 games made for the Game gear.:roll:
Video games are 'mainly aimed' at males in their twenties.
Your soccer mom mentality isn't going to do you any favors around here.

[Emperor Megas]

Video games are 'mainly aimed' at males in their twenties.
Your soccer mom mentality isn't going to do you any favors around here.That's probably true for most handheld devices, but I'm not sure Nintendo handhelds (or consoles for that matter) are mainly aimed at twenty something males.

Nintendo seems to be pretty kid centric.

[LimitedEditionMuseum]

Video games are 'mainly aimed' at males in their twenties.
Your soccer mom mentality isn't going to do you any favors around here.

Not looking for any favors and Im talking about hand held systems. I do believe they are targeted more for kids. "video games" in general are aimed at ALL ages that's why they have games for all ages and the rating system.

[Sunnyvale]

Wow, some of you sound just like the adults over at the Transformers collector site. I dont understand when adults complain about things mainly aimed at Kids. You have 30 consoles connected to 8 60 inch flat screens with surround sound, 1000 games and 2000 accessories but you complain that you cant play the 2 games made for the Game gear.:roll:

*grabs popcorn and asbestos overalls*

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n629/ConneticutLeatherCompany/1635898-flame_on_super.jpg

[LimitedEditionMuseum]

Im not trying to start a war. I just dont understand why people would say they "hate" hand consoles instead of respecting them for what they are.

[Rickstilwell1]

I think handhelds are for adults just as much as they are for kids. A lot of people buy handhelds just to play the exclusives that are parts of their favorite series and ignore the rest of the library though.

[Sunnyvale]

I think handhelds are for adults just as much as they are for kids. A lot of people buy handhelds just to play the exclusives that are parts of their favorite series and ignore the rest of the library though.

This. I find it hard to believe the Classic NES series was aimed at kids, or Namco Museum, or GBC Space Invaders, or...

[treismac]

This. I find it hard to believe the Classic NES series was aimed at kids, or Namco Museum, or GBC Space Invaders, or...

Last I checked, all the kiddies were going crazy over Space Invaders, Sunnyvale420. It's gotten so bad, in fact, that I've heard that trying to play Halo or Call or Duty online is more like walking through a ghost town than an actual battle field. It really saddens me to see first-person shooters going to waste like that but what can you do? The kids these day, eh?