PS Vita
The origins of the question this week stem from a comment I received on my photography site. The question posed was this: In these times of iOS and Android based devices, can a handheld console, that pretty much does gaming only, really compete? This continues to be a growing question, and it seems to creep up more and more as of late.
The Nintendo DS, 3DS, and Sony PSP are great gaming devices. They offer experiences that are yet to be fully realized on platforms like iOS or Android. Yes, iOS/Android is seeing great growth when it comes to the variety of games they offer, including even some MMOs seeing the light of day. However, there is a deeper level of enjoyment that I would argue is still only available on the dedicated handheld.
First off, my iPhone/iPad does plenty of tasks. I can watch movies, write emails, surf the web, listen to music, and even use these devices as a flashlight. However, when it comes to gaming, I find there to be very limited quantities of games that are truly enjoyable. The App Stores are chock full of games that are fun for about five minutes. Essentially, this is bite-sized gaming where you play in small bursts to fulfill your entertainment needs. Unless I am reviewing a game, I will rarely sit on my iOS device and game for extended periods of time. Yes, there are a select handful of games that will grab my attention by the balls and drag me down into the never-ending pit of productivity loss (looking at you Orions/Peggle/Shadow Era), but for the most part these experiences are far and few between.
Next are the games themselves. My PSP, and DS for that matter, has some great and in-depth games. Some of these will provide me with 20+ hours of play time, and it is engaging the every step of the way. Once you dig through all the shovelware on the DS, you will find some truly unique games that are fun, enjoyable, and immensely entertaining. The Castlevania and Lego games immediately come to mind here. These games, to me, offer a deeper experience that iOS/Android rarely ever approach. Yes, iOS/Android developers are finding new ways to entertain, but how many actually offer you something vastly deeper than some quick fix before you are looking for something new?
Finally, I have to say that I prefer physical controls to any touchscreen. Just as I am a touch typist, I feel at home with tactile buttons under my fingers. Virtual d-pads don’t cause me blisters during an intense gaming session, let alone offer me a physical feeling to remind me where the d-pad is. Yes, some iOS/Android games offer controls that move around the screen, but they get in the way of what is going on. Let’s face it, the iPhone/Android screens are only so big, and controls take up a third of the screen, while obstructing the experience. Plus, using a virtual d-pad on something like the iPad is downright uncomfortable.
I will always have my DS or PSP with me when I travel, just as I will have my iPhone. I will also admit that I have gigs worth of games on my iPhone, just as I have a growing library of PSP and DS games. All of these devices offer great gaming experiences, but what varies is the type of entertainment each provides. However, this is not just about me, and so we want to know what you think. Are dedicated devices like the 3DS and PlayStation Vita a last ditch effort to fight against iOS and Android? Are these even relevant in a growing tablet scene? What say you community?
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