licensedgames
Virtue Wing
"I'm Bartholomew Mashingspoon.'
Posts: 180 
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Post by licensedgames on Apr 23, 2017 20:11:55 GMT
Going back to the early 90s, it seems that portable systems have always been seen as either disposable or not legitimate in comparison to console games. Why is that, do you think?
Honestly, I've come to prefer handheld games to console games. Not only are they shorter, and more practical to complete, but genres that used to flourish on consoles like rpgs and platforms are going strong on handhelds.
The Switch's success sort of makes me feel like this stigma may be going away, but I'm curious. If you dislike handheld games, what's your motivation?
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lukefonfabre388
Zero Wing
Move like a shadow, sting like a nuke.
Posts: 481
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Post by lukefonfabre388 on Apr 23, 2017 20:24:00 GMT
I'd take today's handhelds over today's consoles easily.
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Post by Peanut Butter on Apr 23, 2017 22:40:09 GMT
-less power than consoles, which results in some terrible, lazy ports traditionally
-people prefer to kick back on a couch in front of a big screen.
-in the case of Nintendo handhelds they're mostly marketed towards kids so you see a lot of shovelware. Back in the day it was really frustrating to go to the store to browse for games only to see mostly Bratz and Barbie games. It also makes collecting for older portables irritating today when you want to find the more obscure gems, it's disheartening to be quite honest. Every system has weird niche titles and crap you don't want, but Gameboy, GBA and DS have an insane amount of it. Nintendo tried to nickel and dime consumers by selling 'NES classics' for $30-40 a pop, right next to the much better value GBA compilations of 8bit and 16 bit games. For instance, the original Metroid was ported and sold by itself when GBA already had the remake Metroid Zero Mission (which contains the original NES version). They would never have pulled this with the home console market for the Gamecube.
specifically, cons per system:
-the Vita has ridiculous proprietary memory cards
-PSP discs were annoying and just one analog stick
-DS/3DS has some serious aliasing issues and in the case of 3DS just one analog stick. It doesn't even try to create realistic looking games outside of maybe Resident Evil and Monster Hunter. Stylus controls can be hit or miss depending on how they're implemented.
-Game Boy Advance had no backlighting until the SP, which is inexcusable. It also should have had 6 buttons.
-Wonderswan makes some crazy off-key music. Like a dying robot.
And of course with the cons there must also be pros of portable consoles. Just because a game is designed for all ages does not make it a waste of time.
pros per system:
-the new 3DS has great 3d effects and the games focus more on fun, well designed games
-the DS has some fantastic pixel art and isometric 2d games as well as unique titles like Phoenix Wright
-PSP has possibly the best RPG/SRPG library of any system and its resolution is perfect for PS1 games
-Vita is a well rounded system that has a growing JRPG library
-GBA is the 32 bit system that is the spiritual successor to the SNES
-Neo Geo Pocket Color had a ton of potential.
And above all, you can play these systems while having a bubble bath (just don't drop it!)
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Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,832
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Post by Cervantes on Apr 24, 2017 2:16:21 GMT
While in the 90s consoles had the advantage (as portables were just too underpowered and only a few games were comnparable to their console competitors), in the 2000/2010s that underpower became an advantage: 1. Less space on cartridge meant less cutscenes, so there's usually focus on gameplay; 2. As games are meant to be played in shorter sections, most games lose no time on long tutorials or padding in general; 3. Less capable 3d meant portables were still getting important 2d series that were forgotten on consoles (like how the GBA and DS were still getting a lot of new Mega Man and Castlevania entries); 4. Controllers with fewer buttons also meant the games couldn't be overcomplicated, which, again, drove developers towards 2d.
Let's see how this will change with the Switch, since it has the same controller as a standard console and no problems with 3d games.
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Post by spidershinobi on Apr 24, 2017 2:18:02 GMT
Wow! What an in-depth reasoning!
I'd like to add that traditionally you can't play handheld games on your tv while sitting on the sofa looking at the screen. While I'd love to take a few of the games I play to other rooms and play on the bed or something like that, I'm sure that if I could, I'd have played every handheld game I own on the TV at least once.
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Balder
Supreme Overlord
Trying to cut down the amount of movies I watch
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Post by Balder on Apr 24, 2017 5:34:36 GMT
When I'm out of the house I should do other things instead of playing games. It's nice to have a break and experience other things. And when I'm home, why shouldn't I just be playing on a home console? The only I will use my handhelds is when I'm on vacation. Then playing my Lynx or 3DS is apart of the experience.
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fsfsxii
Space Striker
What to believe...
Posts: 916
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Post by fsfsxii on Apr 24, 2017 5:46:33 GMT
My hands are kinda big, 3ds gives me hand cramps, vita has small buttons.
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Balder
Supreme Overlord
Trying to cut down the amount of movies I watch
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Post by Balder on Apr 24, 2017 6:04:10 GMT
3ds gives me hand cramps. My number one problem with that thing. |
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scipioafricanus
Cartoon Pony Wrangler
Sega Does What Nintendon't... except the 32X
Posts: 3,585
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Post by scipioafricanus on Apr 24, 2017 10:23:47 GMT
My hands are kinda big, 3ds gives me hand cramps, vita has small buttons.  |
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stratogustav
Supreme Overlord
Warrior with Bandana
Posts: 7,501
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Post by stratogustav on Apr 24, 2017 18:59:18 GMT
I would say handhelds add something to the game experience that consoles don't provide. Maybe it is a level of immersion that you can only achive by adjusting the distance between your eyes and the screen. With big screens you can only do this by rearranging the furniture, so often people passes on that. I had always preferred console gaming, but I also recognize some of the best gaming experiences have been designed for handhelds.
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Cervantes
Off-Brand Transformable Robot
A former Incompetent Evil Commander (XP: 2423)
Posts: 2,832
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Post by Cervantes on Apr 24, 2017 19:56:57 GMT
I would say handhelds add something to the game experience that consoles don't provide. Maybe it is a level of immersion that you can only achive by adjusting the distance between your eyes and the screen. With big screens you can only do this by rearranging the furniture, so often people passes on that. I had always preferred console gaming, but I also recognize some of the best gaming experiences have been designed for handhelds. Maybe that's why I like pc gaming? |
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Dan E. Kool
Walking Trash Can Robot
Now With Extra Pulp!
Posts: 3,325
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Post by Dan E. Kool on Apr 24, 2017 20:49:04 GMT
Shhh, licensedgames! I'm trying to keep this portable gaming scene quiet. With the way the home console prices are going, it's my wallets last refuge. |
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fsfsxii
Space Striker
What to believe...
Posts: 916
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Post by fsfsxii on Apr 25, 2017 16:35:08 GMT
My hands are kinda big, 3ds gives me hand cramps, vita has small buttons. Wow!! she's pretty hot... until i saw the shrek hands. |
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Post by Handheld Games on Apr 25, 2017 19:49:36 GMT
W-who's been talking shit about me? I know Handheld isn't a conventional name, used to get teased a lot in school. But I can't help that.
I know when I'm not wanted...
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Balder
Supreme Overlord
Trying to cut down the amount of movies I watch
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Post by Balder on Apr 25, 2017 19:57:24 GMT
W-who's been talking shit about me? I know Handheld isn't a conventional name, used to get teased a lot in school. But I can't help that. I know when I'm not wanted... It's scipioafricanus that's been making these posts, isn't it Dan E. Kool. |
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