Before I begin, it's worth noting that I don't currently own a handheld as I don't have a lot of use for one. I use my commute to and from work to listen to podcasts and catch up on RSS feeds and Twitter, so the only time I play games is when I'm at home, where the more attractive options of PS3 and PC gaming are available. That said, I used to own a DS and I occasionally miss lounging around in bed/on the sofa and being able to pick up and play a few levels of a 2D platformer, complete a mission of a strategy RPG or level some Pokemon. With two new handheld systems entering the fray, I'm keeping an eye out for anything that'll convince me to get back into portable gaming.
We're entering a familiar phase in handheld gaming that mirrors the rivalry between the original DS and PSP, with the recent release of the 3DS and the upcoming PS Vita. Both got a lot of attention in their respective press conferences at this year's E3, and it's clear that they're both still shooting for completely different audiences.
PS Vita - HD Gaming, But Smaller
In the months leading up to E3, there was a lot of news and speculation floating around the web about Sony's new handheld, previously code-named NGP. Officially announced in Sony's press conference as the PS Vita, this looks a lot like a modern version of the original PSP. Remember the PSP? It didn't do quite as well as Sony was perhaps hoping it would and was heavily overshadowed by the widely successful Nintendo DS. Its successor is going to need some changes in its approach to competing in the handheld market.
So, what is the Vita doing differently? Looking at the types of games announced, not a lot. Some of the games shown at E3 do look pretty good, but not at all suited to portable gaming. Uncharted is a fantastic franchise, but one of things that made Uncharted 2 so brilliant was how cinematic and epic it was. Picture in your mind some of those helicopter chases or the scene where Drake is leaping from jeep to jeep, and imagine it shrunk down to the small screen of the Vita. Something tells me it'll lose some of that cinematic quality.
It's the same deal with Wipeout, which will also be getting a release on the Vita. Wipeout is best played on a decently sized screen in 1080p, with a good sub-woofer blasting out its bass heavy soundtrack.
And how about Bioshock, characterised by its captivating atmosphere? Playing it in a public place is going to ruin everything that makes Bioshock immersive. I can hardly see Rapture being quite as creepy when you're sat on a bus behind two old ladies complaining about the price of tinned fruit. On the other hand, the crazy guy that shiftily looks around the bus and randomly yells at other passengers may add to Rapture experience, if you look at him as a potential splicer. Of course, that's a very situational occurrence.
These are the wrong types of games for a portable system. They're the games you want to play on a big HD screen for a couple of hours at a time and become completely immersed in, not when you want something more 'pick up and play' that you can dive into for as little or as much time as you have free.
It's not all bad though, as a few titles did pique my interest. Specifically, Little Big Planet looks very promising. Not only does it have that low-commitment, short burst style gameplay that's well suited to a handheld, but the Vita version brings something new in the form of touch controls. There's already so much the community has been able to do with the tools in Little Big Planet 2 on the PS3. Touch controls are going to add a whole new level to the game, and I can't wait to see what the creative minds of the LBP community can do with them.
As a final note, it looks like we're already heading into social networking integration, as the Vita's "Near" functionality will apparently allow gamers to comment on games that friends and other Vita users in your area are playing, as well as connect with each other to unlock extra items. That, at least, is something that you may find interesting if you're roaming around a lot with your Vita in your pocket, but again, that's very situational.
Nintendo 3DS - Déjà Vu, But In 3D
Nintendo is sticking to its usual strategy; more of the same. That's not always necessarily a bad thing, as some of the games shown off in Nintendo's press conference looked invitingly fresh, despite being part of extremely long running franchises. The Super Mario title for the 3DS looks like an excellent mix of the 2D and 3D elements of the best Mario games, and Luigi's Mansion 2 was a nice surprise as I really enjoyed the original game.
Unlike Sony, Nintendo is still focusing on games that rely less on production values and more on solid gameplay. They're going with what made the original DS sell so well; games that every member of the family can enjoy, as opposed to Sony who are still shooting purely for core gamers. You're not going to find epics such as Uncharted or God of War on the 3DS (the exception being Snake Eater, which seems a little out of place), but as I said, these aren't the sort of games you want to play when you're in a situation that warrants you reaching for your portable system.
Unfortunately, I personally haven't seen enough to be swayed. So far I haven't seen the 3D graphics as anything but a cool novelty that'll quickly wear thin. The new games in the usual Nintendo franchises are always fun, but are they enough to justify the purchase of yet another system?
With titles such as Resident Evil, Snake Eater and Tekken popping up, it seems Nintendo is going for more third-party support this time round, so perhaps we will get something other than just more Zelda and more Mario.
So with Sony slightly missing the point of a portable system and Nintendo playing it safe with what they've known to sell in the past, one can probably assume that handheld gaming isn't going to be making any giant leaps forward in the next few years. The handheld war quietly continues...
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