Handheld gaming consoles have seen a rise in popularity as the internet has become more and more popular, with devices like the PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch developing a loyal following.
Mobile gaming continues to grow in popularity when it comes to smartphones and tablets because of them being so readily available to consumers, and because just about everyone has a smartphone in their pocket these days. Despite that, handheld gaming consoles have carved out a niche for themselves and, in some cases, become more popular than a typical console gaming experience.
Handheld Gaming Consoles Give Gamers Something Different
One of the reasons that handheld gaming consoles are more popular than ever is because of the unique gaming experiences that they offer. Handheld consoles like the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita offer experiences that gamers can't find anywhere else. The 3DS has a literal 3D screen built into it, and with the flip of a switch, you can go from playing games normally to playing them in 3D and having a higher level of immersion that makes you quite literally feel like you’re in the action.
The PlayStation Vita has a rear touchpad that is used in games like Uncharted Golden Abyss during its treasure excavation mini-game that sees you wiping sand off of objects by brushing your finger against the touchpad. And built-in sensors that detect movement and feed that data to the game to help it decide what combat challenges to throw at the player next.
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For example, the Nintendo 3DS uses its 3D display to add tension to jumping puzzles by making you feel like you’re actually the one making the jump instead of just pressing a button. That’s an experience that can’t be had on a smartphone.
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Benefits of Gaming on a Portable Console
Another reason that handheld gaming consoles are so popular is the fact that you can take them anywhere. Traditional consoles won’t even turn on unless they’re plugged into a power outlet. Handhelds like the Steam Deck, on the other hand, are designed to be played anywhere. The portability of handheld consoles means that gamers can take their favorite games with them wherever they go. There’s nothing worse than being stuck on a long commute with nothing to do and having to think about the game you wish you could be playing when you’re a gamer. Handheld consoles remove the hassle of being separated from your favorite games because if you have your handheld console with you, your games go wherever you do.
The Nintendo Switch changed the gaming landscape forever by offering a hybrid design that allows for both portable and typical couch-style gaming. The Switch can be placed inside its dock and hooked up to a screen for a traditional console gaming experience so you can play on a big-screen TV from your couch or your bed. Or it can be pulled out of its dock and played as a portable console. That kind of versatility was unheard of before the Switch.
Rose-Tinted Glasses of Nostalgia
Handheld gaming consoles like the Game Boy and Game Gear laid the groundwork for the current generation of handhelds we’re experiencing now, like the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and the Ayn Odin. Decades of Nintendo and Sony handhelds have led to a sense of nostalgia among gamers who grew up playing these devices and have fond memories of the games they used to play. There are so many men and women in their mid to late 20s and 30s that can share memories of things like riding in a car with their parents on a road trip and trying to use the light from a streetlight to continue playing their game or save it before their batteries died because handheld consoles back then didn’t have backlights like a Nintendo Switch does now.
Handheld Gaming vs. Smartphone Gaming
Handheld gaming consoles are devices designed specifically for gaming. While smartphones and tablets can also be used for gaming, they aren’t built for gaming, they’re built for general, everyday use and for work. This means that they can play games, but they aren’t powerful enough to play games very well. Handheld consoles being specifically designed for gaming means that they can provide a better gaming experience than a general-use device like a phone can.
Final Thoughts on Handheld Gaming Consoles
Handheld gaming consoles have become more popular than ever because they offer unique gaming experiences and portability that can’t be found anywhere else. Portability is the biggest selling point of handheld consoles, and they allow gamers to take their favorite experiences on the go and never have to miss out on the action of their favorite games just because of a commute to work. But they also provide nostalgia and allow the men and women who grew up with Nintendo GameBoys and 3DS’ to relive their childhoods every day.
Those memories are important to keep and maintain, especially as you grow into adulthood and learn to deal with both the pressures and challenges that come with taking on more responsibility. Handheld gaming consoles give those busy adults that may not have much time in front of the TV the opportunity to still be able to play games, even if it’s only for a few minutes here and there. There is so much that handheld consoles offer to consumers in terms of quality gaming experiences, and those experiences make handheld consoles worth investing in.