Are Handhelds an Anachronism?

[Stall]

In an era of technology when the phones are smart and tablets are skyrocketing in adoption and popularity, do we really need handhelds? The advent and rise of iOS and Android have transformed cellphone games into a serious and respectable platform, as opposed to the crude jokes as they were in the mid 00s. The catch here is that iOS and Android are not only capable of playing games, but of fulfilling thousands upon thousands of other functions as well. Handhelds are finally facing competition: more powerful and utilitarian competition at that. And the worst part? Adoption for smartphones is <url=http://pewresearch.org/pubs/2054/smartphone-ownership-demographics-iphone-blackberry-android>INSANE.

To be honest, you really can't deny that the existence of handhelds are INCREDIBLY threatened by the mobile market. It's outright wrong to say that handhelds are "fine" and will always continue to exist, because there is a very real possibility that they will become an anachronism. Nintendo (and Sony) are faced with the very real possibility that there just isn't a need for handhelds anymore, since mobile devices that can play games and do so much more have met such common adoption. So, how can handhelds still remain relevant? How do handhelds have to change and evolve to justify someone buying in addition to their phone or tablet... assuming they even can?

 

[StriderShinryu]

I'd say you're quite right in theory, but in reality there is definitely still a need for a more traditional hand held gaming device. If you look at the available software for something like the iPhone or Android device you don't see anything of the quality you see in the libraries for, say, the PSP or DS. The PSP/DS offer you full games that are much nearer in quality to what you see on a home gaming device; the games aren't just 5 minute distractions. Of course, you must also consider that it's tough to find a use for a traditional gaming experience on the go when you're no longer a child unless you happen to be a major user of public transportation (hence why the traditional handheld is still in such demand in Japan).

Basically, until you can get a full fledged Pokemon, Monster Hunter, Dissidia, Dragon Quest, etc. on an iPhone, they are going to occupying different spaces in the gaming world even if they could potentially be sharing the same one.

 

[Smooth Operator]

I'm actually really surprised mobile phones haven't taken over yet, there are some big problems still to consider:
- battery life as mentioned before, phones are something we rely on for beyond game machines so there is a huge fear of playing games when your phone might choke at a critical moment

- control scheme, phones are not designed for games and their controls are always shite in that area, the touch screens might be neat and flexible but they are inaccurate, laggy and have zero feedback as to what you are doing, these are crucial components to any good gaming system

- developer scare, the phone market is a dangerous one, there is no lasting platform, no steady machine, people switch between phones faster then knickers, and for a developer to spend a year or even two developing a quality product that may be completely obsolete by the time it comes out... that is a nasty gamble

First two can probably be solved with an after market controller, let's say it's something like a playstation controller that you attach your phone too, good grip, good controls, and with a built in battery pack you get alot more game time, also removing the phone killing fear.
And the last will haveto be Google and Apple writing some fat checks to game developers, but I can't see them thinking along the gaming industry lines.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I don't see a problem. Since all I want is a system that just plays games and not all that other crap, I'm glad there still a system available that suits my needs.

 

[thespyisdead]

- control scheme, phones are not designed for games and their controls are always shite in that area, the touch screens might be neat and flexible but they are inaccurate, laggy and have zero feedback as to what you are doing, these are crucial components to any good gaming system

gameloft has actually "perfected" onscreen control scheme, in such a manor, that there is a virtual game pad onscreen. i actually found this surprising, thus making the need to plug in a controller bulky at the most


to name a game, that has shown me, that no controller is needed, would be Dungeon Hunter 2

 

[Something Amyss]

In an era of technology when the phones are smart and tablets are skyrocketing in adoption and popularity, do we really need handhelds? The advent and rise of iOS and Android have transformed cellphone games into a serious and respectable platform, as opposed to the crude jokes as they were in the mid 00s. The catch here is that iOS and Android are not only capable of playing games, but of fulfilling thousands upon thousands of other functions as well. Handhelds are finally facing competition: more powerful and utilitarian competition at that. And the worst part? Adoption for smartphones is <url=http://pewresearch.org/pubs/2054/smartphone-ownership-demographics-iphone-blackberry-android>INSANE.

To be honest, you really can't deny that the existence of handhelds are INCREDIBLY threatened by the mobile market. It's outright wrong to say that handhelds are "fine" and will always continue to exist, because there is a very real possibility that they will become an anachronism. Nintendo (and Sony) are faced with the very real possibility that there just isn't a need for handhelds anymore, since mobile devices that can play games and do so much more have met such common adoption. So, how can handhelds still remain relevant? How do handhelds have to change and evolve to justify someone buying in addition to their phone or tablet... assuming they even can?

I don't think they're yet an anachronism, but they probably eventually will be. While iOS and Android play games, they don't yet have the functionality to simulate most handheld games, and there's still a child market that's less saturated with phones.

Though I'm not entirely sure the market for dedicated gaming devices will ever go away. It may greatly diminish in its current form, however.

 

[Smooth Operator]

gameloft has actually "perfected" onscreen control scheme, in such a manor, that there is a virtual game pad onscreen. i actually found this surprising, thus making the need to plug in a controller bulky at the most


to name a game, that has shown me, that no controller is needed, would be Dungeon Hunter 2

Those controls work for the kind of game it is, but there is a very noticeable delay and inaccuracy in the controls, not to mention half the screen is covered in fingers.

Reading through the comments it seems I forgot the issue of platform fanboy wars, maybe that gap needs to be bridged first before we can convince developers phones are viable gaming platforms.

 

[Souplex]

That's like asking do we really need consoles. They're essentially the same thing, but with less horsepower in exchange for being portable.