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[Speevy]

Let's assume that someone is both a console and handheld gamer, and prefers neither option over the other. This person's lifestyle affords him or her the opportunity to play games on the subway just as well as at home on the weekends. The problem is not gaming habits, but rather budget.

There's a $300 console and a $200 handheld sitting on the shelves.

Both play music and movies in their own way, and feature ways to affordably and/or conveniently play online. One features current generation graphics, while the other features last generation graphics.

Currently there are about 75 million+ handheld gamers and around 100 million console owners. (taking into account multiconsole owners)

Let's say this handheld belongs to Nintendo so no one thinks I'm singling out the PSP. If handheld gaming has truly reached a reasonable approximation of our console experience in the same way that consoles reached a reasonable approximation of the PC experience, under what circumstances would this cross-platform gamer be inclined to choose the handheld over the console given a limited budget? If not, why?

 

[Ninja Scooter]

eh, if i became homeless.

 

[GDGF]

I would if the handheld in question allowed you to easily hook it up (well, multiple instances of it) to a television or monitor whenever you wanted to. Couldn't give up multiplay on the big screen.

 

[monchi-kun]

Time...well, how much free time you have to play games that is.

 

[GaimeGuy]

If one has more games that you want.

 

[android]

If handheld game prices remain the same and console games go up another $10+. I'd play the majority of my games on a handheld and only buy the big releases on consoles. But i'm buying them all regardless. Damn i'm a nerd.

 

[nubbe]

You can't play a console while in the bathroom, can you?
Mini-games are the best toilet entertainment there is.
Handhelds are also far more convenient since you can play it anywhere any time… Even at work!

Graphics sucks

 

[iapetus]

It's all about the games - mostly, anyway. I'd buy the handheld in a flash if the games were more to my liking. Having plenty of travel time during the day, handhelds are great for me. Last generation graphics are fine for the sort of game I tend to like, so that side of things is fine.

 

[Suikoguy]

I think someone who has a long commute on a bus or rail or sub could easily choose something like the PSP or DS over a home console.

 

[Foobar]

Well, I've decided that for most of this year, I'm a handheld gamer, there's really only a handful on console titles between now and the end of the year that I'm actually interested in - DDS, DDS2, FFXII, Kingdom Hearts II, Fire Emblem and Zelda, to be exact. Okay, maybe Dragon Quest VIII, too.

Then you have Meteos, Lumines, Yoshi, Kirby, Metal Gear Acid, Ys, Pac Pix, Baten Kaitos DS, Xenosaga DS, Ridge Racers, Polarium, FFVII Core Crisis, Puyo Pop, Vandel Hearts, Makai Wars, Advance Wars, Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, Riviera, Nanostray, Another Code...

I could really easily see myself handheld-only next gen. Gimme a PSP to go with my DS and I'll be set.

 

[Stinkles]

If I became incontinent.

 

[CoryCubed]

Since I'm going to college and I work...both full time...portable gaming has done wonders for me. Of course I study and what not but I do get free time at work to play and between classes (sometimes you get a freak gap so you can get the classes you need ya know).

 

[Bristow]

If I were on the go constantly, with hardly any free time at home. Otherwise, no chance.

 

[mrklaw]

People with two children and a wife who never get time to use their own bloody TV!

 

[ZombieSupaStar]

nah the screens to small on handhelds psp included

 

[gollumsluvslave]

I prefer my games to be a social experience, get the guys round, a few beers etc.

Console + Friends >>>>>>>> Handheld

 

[mrklaw]

nah the screens to small on handhelds psp included

If I sit on my sofa, and hold it at a normal distance, the PSP screen is about the same size as my 30" LCD TV about 10ft away. So the size is effectively the same as when I'm playing PS2 games.

 

[mrklaw]

I prefer my games to be a social experience, get the guys round, a few beers etc.

Console + Friends >>>>>>>> Handheld

A screen to yourself + wifi multiplayer and no multitap needed? social multiplayer heaven. All I need now is Mashed on PSP

 

[Blackace]

What's this thing "friends" that I keep hearing about?

 

[8bit]

What's this thing "friends" that I keep hearing about?

It's a TV show.

 

[Ah Beng]

I think they would pick the console definitely unless you are talking about gameboy. everyone seems to have one or 2 in their house, even people who don't seem to play any games!

 

[thorns]

I would never choose a handheld over a console. I can't see any place where I would rather have a handheld, and in those cases a GBA is more than enough for at least 10 years for me, since there are so many games for it. I have no need for advanced graphics in a handheld. I only use a handheld to pass time where I would be bored otherwise. Damn, even the crappy snake game on my phone is more than enough for most occasions I need to pass some time. On the other hand consoles offer 5.1 sound, big screen, more comfortable pads, better graphics and more immersive gameplay experiences for me and is reserved for entertainment time, not to just pass time.