Best small handheld video game unit?

bongomania · #1 12-12-2010, 10:05 PM

My wife got an iPhone, and is having a blast playing all the games on it, and I'd like that too, for when I have to sit around waiting somewhere... I just don't want an iPhone or the accompanying AT&T bills. What are some of the better small handheld videogame units these days?

warwick.hoy · #2 12-12-2010, 10:29 PM

Well a jail broken I phone can work on any carrier. I'm not very savvy with that, but there may be some differences in functionality.

I just picked up an iPod Touch for myself for xmas,...currently updating. I'm sure there are some fun games on it.

I have a first generation PSP and aside from the easily broken (and replaced) analog knob,...it's a great handheld system. Hopefully the new ones have the switch figured out.

Simo98 · #3 12-12-2010, 10:32 PM

Yeah, an iPod touch could work for you. All sorts of games and stuff, and you can also get handy utilities on it too.

Though I have heard good things about the Nintendo DS.

Strat-Mangler · #4 12-12-2010, 10:35 PM

The Nintendo DS easily is unchallenged in that area. Smartphones can't even touch it.

warwick.boy, Angry Birds apparently is *the* game to have. And yes, if you jailbreak it, you'd be able to get any app for free. It's pretty simple to do, too. Take your time to research this for an hour or so and you'll see it's quite simple.

Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

MJ5150 · #5 12-12-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Mangler

Angry Birds apparently is *the* game to have.

Indeed.

-Mike

Kwesi · #6 12-12-2010, 11:02 PM

As for dedicated gaming systems I wouldn't yet count the iphone/ipod touch just yet. I'd call those "casual gaming consoles." The only handheld systems out there that are pretty much meant for gaming are the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP. To me, the PSP is far a better system once hacked. You can play PS1, GameBoy, some N64 games, some computer games, and there is a very active homebrew community. In addition there are loads of things that you can to thanks to it's removable memory. The DS has some nice games but I much prefer the PSP.

Linas · #7 12-12-2010, 11:11 PM

In all seriousness, my brother has a Nintendo DS and he likes it a lot.

Kyon` · #8 12-12-2010, 11:38 PM

There is also a new ds model coming up that might be worth waiting for. 3ds, psp jailbroken though offers a lot of games, but the ds touch screen is just plain fun and you can also hack the ds to open more options.

warwick.hoy · #9 12-12-2010, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Mangler

The Nintendo DS easily is unchallenged in that area. Smartphones can't even touch it.

warwick.boy, Angry Birds apparently is *the* game to have. And yes, if you jailbreak it, you'd be able to get any app for free. It's pretty simple to do, too. Take your time to research this for an hour or so and you'll see it's quite simple.

Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

Well I would have done the research if I hadn't taken two hours to respond to your post in the NHL thread,...

Kwesi · #10 12-13-2010, 12:03 AM

I've always had a question about owning a firearm and it's usage but I dont' want to start my own thread so allow me to derail this one slightly for a minute

. If you own a firearm for the explicit purpose of self-defense wouldn't you want it easily accessible in case it has to be used? How do you keep a gun secure (out of the way and not easily gotten to by children) but available if necessary?

warwick.hoy · #11 12-13-2010, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I've always had a question about owning a firearm and it's usage but I dont' want to start my own thread so allow me to derail this one slightly for a minute

. If you own a firearm for the explicit purpose of self-defense wouldn't you want it easily accessible in case it has to be used? How do you keep a gun secure (out of the way and not easily gotten to by children) but available if necessary?

And this is related to video game systems how?

And to answer your question,...you don't. Self/home defense is the wrong reason to own a firearm. The safest place to keep a firearm is in unloaded in a firearm safe. What do you think most criminals breaking into a home are looking for. Valuables,...personal information,...and firearms. Do you think legally registered firearms are used in the committing of crimes? No,...firearms used in committing crimes are most often stolen from law abiding citizens.

I love guns and would own one if I could keep it at a firing range and bust it out when I want to shoot it,...but keep a firearm in the house for defense is akin to driving a thumbtack with a sledgehammer. Get a noisey dog if you concerned about someone breaking into your home,...or removing yourselves from the activities that make you an attractive target.

Strat-Mangler · #12 12-13-2010, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Well I would have done the research if I hadn't taken two hours to respond to your post in the NHL thread,...

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Touché.

Strat-Mangler · #13 12-13-2010, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyon`

(...) you can also hack the ds to open more options.

Not only that, but minus the hacking, you can get a blank cartridge, download plenty of games and put them all there.

When you turn on the DS, you get a menu with all the games you added to your mega cartridge and you can play them all right there instead of carrying dozens of games with you wherever you go.

Strat-Mangler · #14 12-13-2010, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

And this is related to video game systems how?

+1

Kwesi · #15 12-13-2010, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

And this is related to video game systems how?

And to answer your question,...you don't. Self/home defense is the wrong reason to own a firearm. The safest place to keep a firearm is in unloaded in a firearm safe. What do you think most criminals breaking into a home are looking for. Valuables,...personal information,...and firearms. Do you think legally registered firearms are used in the committing of crimes? No,...firearms used in committing crimes are most often stolen from law abiding citizens.

I love guns and would own one if I could keep it at a firing range and bust it out when I want to shoot it,...but keep a firearm in the house for defense is akin to driving a thumbtack with a sledgehammer. Get a noisey dog if you concerned about someone breaking into your home,...or removing yourselves from the activities that make you an attractive target.

Thanks for the input. My post was actually intended for another thread.

**SoComSurfing** · #16 12-13-2010, 06:30 AM

I keep a PSP in my desk for when things are a bit slow at work. I honestly haven't touched it in about 8 months, and probably haven't bought a new game in at least a year. The iPhone does all I need for my time-wasting gaming. I'll give a +1 to the suggestion of an iPod Touch.

Buslady7803 · #17 12-13-2010, 09:11 AM

Something that is solely made FOR games Nintendo DSxl...the big one. It rocks and the games are great.

nbw · #18 12-13-2010, 09:28 AM

Nintendo DS. though the apple mobile devices are getting some better games.. But nothing touches the DS. (btw Okami is coming out on the DS, that alone is epic!).

Or if you have an android, the less then legal but easy thing to do is download NESoid/gensoid/snesoid/psx4droid emo's and roms for them. Playing some of the SuperScope games on my phone is a.. blast!

btw angry birds is free on android. But I still dont understand the hype about it, its no different then many many browser games I've played years ago. *shrugs.

bongomania · #19 12-13-2010, 09:53 AM

So what's the difference between the DS and the DS "Lite"?

Absentia · #20 12-14-2010, 06:08 AM

DS is big and clunky DS lite is smaller, brighter screen and a bit more comfortable, the DSi has a camera, and the DSXL is much larger with much larger screens, hardly pocket size though.

Right now the DS dominates the handheld market I carry mine almost everywhere I go (mmmmm dragon warrior crack). If you're looking to get one though wait till spring the new 3DS (glasses less 3-D platform) is coming out and looks just great. Graphics actually look somewhere between the PSP and Wii and the current slated game lineup is killer (if your a nintendo fanboy that is).

The PSP is great too the older fat ones you can mod to play roms, the newer slim versions are great and durable and you can download games for them and never have to actually go to the store to buy games which is a plus.
Beware of the PSP "Go" it's tiny (hand cramps), doesn't play game discs and you can't mod it.