With the 3DS recently having its one year anniversary and the PS Vita being just over a month old it is quite clear that portable gaming is here for the long haul. Throw into the mix tablet devices and newer smartphones and gaming on the go has never been more accessible. Most of us here at G3AR still enjoy our portable gaming, perhaps even more than before with recent game releases, but what does the future hold?
Portable gaming in terms of the major consoles has been hit hard by tablet devices and phone games. At a far reduced price the games available on devices such as the iPhone are often hard to resist and the fact that your phone is constantly at hand makes it a convenient option but what about the type of games available?
When playing games on the move do gamers have a preference for games that can be played in short bursts rather than long winded ‘console type’ games? How about graphics and sound? Do they matter as much or is it all about gameplay and convenience?
Moving away from the tablet and cellphone titles,very innovative games can befound on the 3DS (and the DS before that). The Vita is loaded with potential and games like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, which offers a full console experience, is something that almost all gamers will find appealing. The online capabilities of the 3DS and Vita also swing in their favour with game sharing a viable option, resulting in only one person needing to own the game for others to enjoy the multiplayer.
The clear answer is that there is space for both platforms. With the 3DS selling so well the incentive for the big names in gaming to make great handheld titles is still there despite the pressure from tablets and their cheap games. Gamers tend to want the best of everything and whilst that isn’t always possible it is comforting knowing that we have so many choices with far too many good games to play. The future of mobile gaming is bright.
We would love your views on portable gaming, your preferences in terms of platform as well as type of games and how you see the area of mobile gaming going in the future.
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iPhone takes the cake. No need to carry around another system.
Yeah it really is the issue man… my iPhone’s games aren’t even necessarily the best out there, especially when compared to some of the games you can get on the proper handhelds, but I’ll be damned if the best game you can play just happens to be the one that’s always in your pocket.
Not only that, but I find that when I’m in need of some handheld love, I only really need a few minutes. Its not very often that I am somewhere away from home for long periods of time where I want gaming.
Either I am home playing games, or I am away specifically for some activities that I don’t do at home and hence, wouldn’t want to sit and play games.
Should the weather take a turn for the worse and you can’t do what you wanted to, there’s always some bonehead $1 in your pocket waiting to distract you.
If however, I was on a lot of public transport everyday, like some US folks that are on busses and trains, or like us with the Gautrain, sure I would rather then have a 3DS or PSV with something staunch on it.
BUT LETS NOT FORGET ONE THING… I realize that a lot of my time that would have gone to things like gaming now goes to apps like Facebook and Twitter instead.
Sitting on the bus, play a quick game… or go read through twitter and facebook… its becoming a realistic contender for our time now that not enough people are realizing.
Yeah, the social media stuff being so accessible does cause an extra contender.
But how do you feel about ‘portable’ gaming as an alternative console? I mean it is raining, you don’t go out so you play games. Now atm you choose between the PS3 and Xbox (for example), if you have a Vita and 3DS you just have more options, with the games being different. Not too different to just having multiple games when you think of it?
I personally prefer a PSP/PS Vita type of console when not at home. It’s definitely the best way to kill time but Smartphones are just as good to play Angry birds etc.
I had a psp when it first came out and really enjoyed it then after a year or so i just stopped completly as the title’s weren’t that great. But now with the Vita out i really want to get it and the titles seem really awesome
PSP titles not that great ? :O What world are you living in O_O ?
i would love to get my paws on a 3ds, the nintendo titles lure me in. of course i have an xbox not a ps3 so…. the vita doesnt have the same allure to me
Zhameer got his wish. O_o
I dont own an I-Phone nor a PSP, always wanted to, but……i will own a PS Vita when G3AR gives me the prize:D…..then i will play PS Vita till the hands bleed!
Well I own a 3DS and to be really honest the games start to bore me after a few minutes. But I do prefer to play short bursts of a casual game rather than a full sitting of an hour or two with a more serious game.
I think handhelds are a bit of a waste for me personally. But on the move they are useful yes. But really if we can’t live our lives without a weekend of gaming there is something seriously wrong with us.
Welcome to the future. Where being online is a NEED and we can’t go a weekend without technology. .___.
By the end of this year I hope to have both the 3DS and Vita
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I enjoy gaming on the go with the iPhone, I love my 3DS but I mainly play it chilling at home on the couch, not on the go.
Two words dedicated buttons
Portable gaming should be left to phones, lets face it if you want to play something hardcore you need a computer or a console. So buy a gaming laptop if you want it to be portable intel’s new ultra books are pretty awesome