iPhone Update
April 19th, 2009Technically, an iPod touch update, but the software is more or less the same.
My DS and PSP are basically defunct - I have little to no interest in Chinatown Wars, mainly because the entire GTA style leaves me cold. But I’ve been surprised at how entertaining a few random iPhone apps can be at keeping me amused for a few minutes here and there; particular notice should go to Oregon Trail, Galcon, iDracula, and Flight Control (I assume I’ll be paying for Zen Bound soon enough). The collective cost is under $15 for all of these games combined. I say this not to try to make some silly argument that handheld gaming is fundamentally changed somehow, but rather to wonder if a lot of creative energy previously focused on AAA Game Boy titles is being focused on the iPhone platform instead right now. (The microtransaction format also makes it much easier to spend $15 in bits and pieces, which is sort of the point.)
Posted in DS, Geoff, Mobile, PSP |
April 20th, 2009 at 2:14 am
I’ve still got loads to play on my DS… most recently Chrono Trigger. But, I also agree that I’ve had some fun with iPhone games… though I have yet to purchase anything… It’s amazing that there’s so much free content.
April 20th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I’m not cool enough to have an iphone. I think it’s cool as a platform though, that’s for sure. I think the iphone games are to handheld games what hendheld games are to console games. They are generally smaller, simpler and even more easily digested. It’s like twitter to blogging. It’s almost created another gaming niche that can be filled. Hopefully this comment isn’t trying to “make some silly argument that handheld gaming is fundamentally changed somehow”.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Neither am I… I have an iPod touch… which is less cool but far more affordable for me.
Re: the silly argument, I meant something along the lines of “no one likes X any more, we’ve moved on to the Y Era!”
April 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
The great advantage of iPhone/iPod Touch gaming is that if you own one you’ll pretty much always have it with you. There have been a number of worthwhile DS releases, however, and mine is far from inactive.
I concede I haven’t played my PSP in a while.