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State, Future Of Portable Gaming Probed

Posted by simoniker on from the gp32-plus-plus dept.

Thanks to Boomtown for completing their earlier article on the history of portable gaming with a second and third, final part, in which they check out the Sega Game Gear ("...one of the finest handhelds ever crafted, but also one of the most problematic") and Neo Geo Pocket Color ("caught by the same thing that killed the Lynx - lack of third-party support"), before moving on to the all-conquering, frontlit Game Boy Advance SP ("so much better, it's uncanny"), the GP32 ("...an amazing idea"), and into the future with Sony's "bulkier, multifunctional" PSP.

31 comments

  1. well ... by Dreadlord · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I used to have a GameBoy when it was released several years back, it was lots of fun to play Tetris, a Mario game (don't actually remember its name), and some other games.
    Right now, I just prefer my laptop, it's true that it's huge when compared with protable consoles, but on the other hand, I always have it anyway, so I don't need to carry anything else arround, and it supports the same games I get for the PC, with all their features (multiplayer, save/load PC saved games ...)
    Bottom line: after getting a laptop, I'm not interested in portable consoles anymore.

    --
    The IT section color scheme sucks.
    1. Re:well ... by StocDred · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Congratufrickinlations. Unfortunately, this isn't an article about Users Who Prefer Laptops To Portable Consoles.

    2. Re:well ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      actually it's an article about portable consoles, and some how laptops are protable, and can run games, so laptops are some sort of portable consoles.
      Laptops with advanced CPUs and graphic cards can easily drop sales of portable consoles IMO, doesn't everyone use a computer nowadays?

    3. Re:well ... by StocDred · · Score: 1
      Except for the market that drives portable consoles: kids.

      I just get incredibly annoyed when a news article gets posted and some high-and-mighty dork has to immediately chime in with "well, that's all very nice, but MY opinion completely discounts this article's intent."

    4. Re:well ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      doesn't everyone use a computer nowadays?

      Nope. I don't have a computer. In fact, I've never used a computer before.

      Maybe some day I will...

  2. GP32 by exick · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I have a GP32. Right now, it isn't quite as nice as having something like Gameboy (which I also have) but the community development is starting to pick up some steam and there are games available for it. It's a pretty neat little toy and there are some unique games available for it, though maybe not always as polished as for other consoles and handhelds. There are also a ton of emulators available and in development.

  3. Ok....and while you're developing on the GP32 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ...the development community for the GBA is blooming as well now that you can learn to develop for the price of a flash cart and loader (not to mention all the other "benefits" of the cart and loader).

    So when a good community app comes to fruitition, it's more likely to come to greatness on a platform many people are already using.

    1. Re:Ok....and while you're developing on the GP32 by Swiss_Cheeseman · · Score: 1

      I also own one. The GBA dev scene has many disadvantages, such as: - Limit storage space, even with a 512mbit card, you cant store an entire 2 hour movie like you can on a cheap 128mb smart media card. - Gamepark ENCOURAGES home development, unlike nintendo who are trying to make it illegal! - The GP32 is much faster, and is capable of emulating more machines and running more ports. Compare the GBA version of Doom/Doom 2 to the GP32 version to see what I mean, the GBA version pales in comparison, and doesnt even support external wad files, which the GP32 version does. - A popular option for all of those vorbis fans, is that the GP32 is now capable of playing OGG Vorbis files with bitrates of 320 and above. - PocketNES, the GBA nes emulator, although quite a feat (and many congrats to the author) has now been outdone by Little John, a NES emulator for the GP32, which doesnt need to squash the screen, instead, theres an option to stretch it horizontally to fit the whole screen. So sure, you can be a part of the GBA dev scene, using a platform whose company wants you to go to jail or pay massive fines, or you can join the GP32 community where gamepark openly supports the home development community, and even takes part in game development competitions.

  4. what no Ngage? by darkmayo · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think todays penny-arcade gives insight on this...

    http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php3

    --
    "I am a kernel in the linux army"
  5. Tomorrow on Slashdot: by Thedalek · · Score: 1

    N-Gage! It's still stupid!

    --
    Happiness is relative, Based upon the way we live.
    1. Re:Tomorrow on Slashdot: by Conspiracy_Of_Doves · · Score: 1

      N-Gage: 3 out of 5 gamers agree...

      It's a better cell phone than the Game Boy Advance

      --

      Technoli
    2. Re:Tomorrow on Slashdot: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The part that people (including Nokia) are not understanding is that the NGage is NOT a game console!

      It's a DAMN GOOD electronics device. It's a pretty sweet cell phone. So far, I'm quite impressed with the MP3/radio features. It also plays some games, with some mixed results. As a gaming console, there's no question that the GBA or even a NGPC (at this point) would be the obvious over an NGage. While it has some very powerful hardware under the hood (Tomb Raider, while controls are as fickle as ever, looks like a pretty damn sweet port of the original), it still shouldn't be stacked up next to the GBA for comparisons.

      Think of the NGage as an electronics deivce that plays games, not as a gaming machine that you can use to call your friends. Unfortunately, Nokia and any gaming stores selling it as a gaming device (ie, EB Games or Gamestop) seems to have missed that little detail.

  6. Other Portable Gaming Left out.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Lets see the Lynx and Lynx II were highly superior to the GameGear.

    The TurboExpress is a great game system that had the gretest idea...uses the same turbochip games on the TG-16 as it did on the turbo Express....Of course no company would do that nowadays cause thats potential revune loss

    1. Re:Other Portable Gaming Left out.. by 31+Flavas · · Score: 1
      But they were all too large in size, had too high of a purchase price, and ate *6* AA sized batteries in under 3 hours. Nintendo's Gameboy would have flopped as well if it had any of these problems as well.

      But instead of praising Nintendo for avoiding these pitfalls, people blast them for it. Go figure.

      Is it any wonder why N-Gadge and PSP will fail as well?

    2. Re:Other Portable Gaming Left out.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I had the Lynx and the Lynx II and both were good, but both broke just after the warranty expired. However, I was using a third party AC power adapter, so that may have caused them to break (or so I hear).

    3. Re:Other Portable Gaming Left out.. by h0mer · · Score: 1

      potential revune loss

      Think about this for a moment. Putting aside technical problems such as screen formatting and control, what if GameCube and GameBoy Advance used the same games? You see, it's all about market share. You get more developers and it's easier to get exclusivity to key games. Which in turn, makes a sound not unlike KA-CHING! I don't think that would happen for the next few generations of console, but when the technology is there, it'll be the standard.

      It would be a most great revenue increase.

      --


      I'm on top of my game like I'm standin' on Xbox.
  7. Probing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Future Of Portable Gaming Probed

    That's odd, I always thought that probing was the future of portable gaming.

  8. Umm.. by Conspiracy_Of_Doves · · Score: 2, Informative

    the all-conquering, backlit Game Boy Advance SP

    GBA SP isn't backlit, it's frontlit

    --

    Technoli
    1. Re:Umm.. by simoniker · · Score: 1

      Woops, thanks for that, now fixed - I foolishly Googled for 'backlit GBA SP' to doublecheck, and got lots of people who don't know what they're talking about :)

    2. Re:Umm.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I foolishly Googled for 'backlit GBA SP' to doublecheck, and got lots of people who don't know what they're talking about :)

      Welcome to the internet. ;)

      It's probably the nicest a front-lit screen has ever looked, even with colors being somewhat washed out, but it still isn't backlit.

      Now if only people would tell that to the idiots at the local GameStop...

  9. Tapwave Zodiac by aliens · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The Zodiac is poised to become the next big homebrew device. Many GP32 programmers are already looking at it as it is also based on an ARM9 CPU, but has many more features.

    It costs a little more up front but its ability to act as a PDA and its design out do the GP32 on all fronts.

    Give it a look see and check out Zodiac Gamer for a good deal of info.

    I myself just got a GBA SP, and am loving it. Haven't had this much fun since the original SNES (DC comes close). Just wish it was a lil bigger, too small for my hands.

    --
    -- taking over the world, we are.
    1. Re:Tapwave Zodiac by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Haven't had this much fun since the original SNES

      That's because you're playing the same games.

    2. Re:Tapwave Zodiac by aliens · · Score: 1

      This is true, Metroid Fusion really is just Super Metroid 2.

      But Final Fantasy Tactics Advance is totally new to me, Advance Wars 2 will probably be my next purchase. Supernifty hardware still doesn't make good games.

      --
      -- taking over the world, we are.
    3. Re:Tapwave Zodiac by Swiss_Cheeseman · · Score: 1

      I may buy it when the price comes down, its pretty damn expensive at the moment. But like gamepark, they support open development, that makes me happy.

    4. Re:Tapwave Zodiac by aliens · · Score: 1

      I am currently in a discussion with some people over what tapwave plans for the next year.

      Some sources say they will be releasing a new Zodiac next year around the time of the PSP. This strikes me as amazingly stupid.

      I to will wait, and I pray that tapwave wouldn't be so moronic as to release another handheld just a year after the first.

      --
      -- taking over the world, we are.
  10. Image is everything by August_zero · · Score: 1

    Well, judging by the way that the device is getting marketed, i would say that Nokia fully expects people to take it as a portable games console. Now it may very well have a butt-load of nice features like the aforementioned MP3 playability, phone service and so on, but thats not what you here about on the comercials and its certainly not what you see in the paper adverts either.

    maybe they have created a nifty electronic device, but the public is never going to know that. All most of us see is a large company trying to look hip and nose into an already very well established market with a sub-par game system. Maybe they need to change the angle of their pitch if they want this thing not to take the nose dive its already in position for.

    --
    On Wall Street they say "buy low, sell high" On the pad we say, "buy high, sell high" Isn't that somehow better?
    1. Re:Image is everything by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hency my saying that even Nokia seems to have missed the picture. ;)

      They're targeting the wrong crowd, and no amount of Splinter Cell or Tony Hawk ads are going to change it.

  11. PSP Flaws by M3wThr33 · · Score: 1

    I find it odd they commented heavily equally on all handhelds except the PSP. They failed to mention any inherent flaws with its design, ignoring battery life, moving parts, and numerous other problems altogether.

    They also failed to focus on a lot of handhelds like the Game Boy Light, Turbo Express(Hardly mentioned) or the Game.com/Game.com Pocket Pro.

  12. N-Gage by Drakker · · Score: 1

    I always wondered... what use is the phone and pda options of the n-gage if you drained the battery after 2 hours of playing some fancy 3d game? I mean, the phone cant work with no battery... and with a punny 3 hours of battery life (less when playing intensive 3d games)...

  13. bring it on... by UltimaL337Star · · Score: 0

    I don't care what anyone says, my game & watch is the best at what it does, distracting blondes without more than black lcd for hours at a time.