Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the Yankees possibly picking up Cliff Lee, Harry Potter vs. Twilight, or the wrath of Dan Gilbert, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
There are a bunch of you that don’t like playing games on portable systems. I’ve never really understood this position. To me, a great game is a great game — it doesn’t matter if it’s on a PC, home console, or portable console. I’ve spent hundreds of hours on Pokemon games and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is one of my favorite games this generation. I love that I can play a portable gaming system in bed, on an airplane, in the dentist’s office, etc. I feel like a lot of you are missing out.
So explain it to me! Tell me why you love or hate portable gaming. It’s totally cool if you don’t dig it. I’m just trying to understand why. While you’re typing your answers, imagine “Getting to Know You” from The King and I playing in the background. Ha!
The reason why I don't own a handheld system is because I have yet to be BLOWN away by one and they are kind of pricey. I think of other things that I can use that money with and a handheld isn't a necessity, it would be more of an impulse purchase (getting to know you, la la la la la ). I cant justify spending $100+ on something I wouldn't use all that often. And they are getting smaller and smaller and my hands tend to cramp up on the smaller devices. I would love to have an open PsP to play FFVII and FFIII on. Other than that I can't think of any other reasons to have one.
I can't stand cell phone gaming. None of the games have ever been fun and they just drain my battery.
I love games on my PSP. I just bought 4 new tables this morning for Pinball Heroes. Pinball on the PSP just works well with the shoulder buttons. Some of the Minis are okay but mos of them feel like cell phone games. I can't play full games on a portable system though because it hurts my hands and eyes. I love God of War Chains of Olympus but it killed me to play it for very long. MGS for the PSP sucked because of the 30 minute tutorial and inability to skip cutscenes. Seriously if you are portable gaming you need to be able to jump in and out at the drop of a hat.
I like spending money. I also like portable games. Before smartphones what else was there in the can?
@Ray
My favorite anthropology professor sings that song a little mockingly at the beginning of semester when everyone is supposed to be signing in for the first time, introducing themselves, etc.
@Portable games
I love the Game Boy line, and now the DS line of systems. I am looking forward to one day owning another one of these systems to play some of the stellar games that are out for it. I love that I can play the games anywhere I can take the system, which when I owned a DS before was everywhere I went practically.
@bsukenyan Sweet. I wasn't sure if anyone would get that joke.
I'm not a fan of handhelds. But my issue is that I have trouble seeing the screen. I have nothing against handhelds in general.
I love my DS lite. I use to play Zelda and mario games on the go. I can't get enough of them. My interest on pokemon kind of wavered over the years.
@yankees
If they get Cliff Lee, just hand them the trophy again. This guys is lights out! i don't see how Cleveland didn't win anything with these two guys in the rotation.
@HP vs. Twilight
Wizards over lame vamps anytime, anywhere.
@wrath of Dan Gilbert
It was fun to read the letter and hear the interview but i don't see them winning a championship with old man Shaw, mo williams, jamison and varajao.
Would an iPad be considered a handheld? I want one real bad but am thinking of waiting for the refresh so the screen will be a Retuna Display. Sorry for the Apple tangent.
@ Smartguy
It depends on if Apple releases more games that hit the core gamers.
(see what I did there, Apple… core… get it?)
@smartguy Sure it's a handheld. I'm also loving the idea of an iPad with Retina Display.
@ Ray
Either way, it's not in Apple's nature to fall to far from the tree.
(Damn, I did it again.)
Retina**
I don't care for handheld games. I just like my controller in my hand, my eyes on my big HDTV, and my ears hearing 7.1 surround sound to enhance my gaming experience. You can't get any of that with handheld gaming. My son has a PSP and it hurts my eyes trying to look at that tiny screen. I would love to play MGS Peace Walker, but not on a tiny handheld.
@Big Blak Batista was actually training in California with the Gracies. God he's stupid. A middle-aged asthmatic should not be competing in MMA.
@ Rpad
Wow, I guess he's really serious about competing because you don't go to the Gracies for small pointers. If his asthma is really that bad why on earth is he doing BJJ!? Craziness. I guess the success of Lesner made him think twice about wrestling. Didn't Bobby Lashley join Strikeforce a few years ago, what happened to him? Since we are on the topic of MMA I'm getting ready to return UFC 2010, I think 2009 is a better game overall.
Ech. Cliff Lee to the Rangers.
What games use 7.1 surround? I only use 5.1 since most things seem to only use 5.1. Maybe in a few more years I'll invest in new tech.
@Ray: good to see Seattle do right by their fans by not trading their #1 pitcher within the division. Oh, wait……
I've probably had every iteration of Game Boy and have a DS Lite. I like the fact that I can play the game anywhere, but I hate the small screen, limited controls, and the drought of great games. I feel that there are only a limited amount of genres that are good for portable gaming (RPGs, 2D Platformers). I probably enjoyed the portable game units more when I was younger, because now I think that the iPhone has spoiled me. The quick, 5-minute games I play are conveniently located on my phone. I turn the volume down and I can play at my desk at work when I'm bored without anyone knowing. I really wouldn't be very subtle if I had a DS with earphones.
-M