Is the handheld gaming landscape better now or then?

[mαrkαsscoρ]

After the 3ds ended production, that was basically it for dedicated handheld systems. The handheld systems now are just variants of bringing your existing library of games on the go (Steam Deck, PS Portal, ROG Ally). There's smaller variants of dedicated handheld systems but nothing on the level of Nintendo or Sony handhelds.

So what do you think about the current state of handheld gaming? Are we better off now w/ these devices that can bring nearly any game you want on the go or do you miss having a dedicated handheld system w/ its own exclusive games designed for it?

 

[A Link In Time]

I miss the old dedicated handhelds we had a lot. Limitation bred creativity, and it felt like we had a second SNES era with the GBA, and the 3DS was basically another N64 era/early Gamecube era. The PSP already offered console quality gaming on the go, but I preferred its form factor to modern systems that aren't pocketable at all.

 

[mαrkαsscoρ]

I miss the old dedicated handhelds we had a lot. Limitation bred creativity, and it felt like we had a second SNES era with the GBA, and the 3DS was basically another N64 era/early Gamecube era.

actually I'd say 3ds felt like a Wii continuation w/ stuff like DKC Returns and even Xenoblade, plus Pilot Wings Resort and Mario Kart 7 carried that Wii vibe
and I'd say to an extent limitation is still present w/ the Switch but overall yeah, not the same extent like how it was w/ actual handhelds

 

[Bowsette Plus-Ultra]

It's both better and worse, but the things that are worse are comparatively small to me.

I do miss the dedicated handhelds purely for the form factor. I've no hope of bringing my Steam Deck anywhere without a dedicated carrying case or backpack, but I still slip my Vita into my pocket for the occasional playthrough of MGS3. That being said, I think it's overall in a better place. There's much less of a separation between gaming portably and at home. If I want to play Cyberpunk 2077 on the go then I no longer need make do with some compromised port or weird mobile exclusive version of the game, I just play Cyberpunk on the go.

I think there's a lot to be said for the gradual melding of the home console/PC and handheld libraries. It's nice not having to make as many compromises when choosing which platform you game on.

 

[A Link In Time]

actually I'd say 3ds felt like a Wii continuation w/ stuff like DKC Returns and even Xenoblade, plus Pilot Wings Resort and Mario Kart 7 carried that Wii vibe
and I'd say to an extent limitation is still present w/ the Switch but overall yeah, not the same extent like how it was w/ actual handhelds

That's fair. The 3DS had less N64 remakes than I remember. I think it was just the Zelda games and Star Fox 64. Nintendo still really leaned into the Wii inspiration with Mii Maker and Streetpass felt like a natural continuation of that with the Mii plaza.

 

[LongHairedFreakyGuy]

actually I'd say 3ds felt like a Wii continuation w/ stuff like DKC Returns and even Xenoblade, plus Pilot Wings Resort and Mario Kart 7 carried that Wii vibe
and I'd say to an extent limitation is still present w/ the Switch but overall yeah, not the same extent like how it was w/ actual handhelds

Mixed bag when it comes to the Switch. Don't get me wrong, it's by far one of my favourite consoles, and currently has the biggest physical collection of games out of the big 3 at the moment, but I'm not going to lie, I feel some of the games could have benefited from having some extra power behind them, and the limitations in power hindered them in some ways. But on the flip side, the limitations I believe have helped breed creativity and originality, especially in the modern gaming landscape where graphics seem to be the main focus, and often times forget what it means to be a video game.

With my situation, handhelds are by far the best option for me, so much so this year I went out and got the ROG Ally and the Portal, so I could game whilst the TV is taken by other people in the house. The problem is, that's all they really are, just a second screen for games I could otherwise be playing on the main TV or on a laptop, and there's nothing that I'd be missing out on if I didn't own them. As said though, I'm majorly grateful that I can play a fully fledged game, albeit maybe trading in some quality, sitting back on the sofa, or on a balcony in a hotel when my kids in bed.

Saying that, and it's sad to say, but I feel like gone are the days of dedicated handhelds with their own personal releases, such as the PSP and DS etc. Modern gaming development is just too expensive these days, with bigger teams needed to make the mainline titles, and I don't think any company is willing to risk putting manpower and funds into making dedicated games for a handheld.

 

[Daku Rinku]

I would say back in the day, Gameboy and Gameboy Color had such good games! I miss dedicated hardware and games made just for them like Link’s Awakening, Wario Land II, and etc.

 

[mαrkαsscoρ]

With my situation, handhelds are by far the best option for me, so much so this year I went out and got the ROG Ally and the Portal, so I could game whilst the TV is taken by other people in the house. The problem is, that's all they really are, just a second screen for games I could otherwise be playing on the main TV or on a laptop, and there's nothing that I'd be missing out on if I didn't own them. As said though, I'm majorly grateful that I can play a fully fledged game, albeit maybe trading in some quality, sitting back on the sofa, or on a balcony in a hotel when my kids in bed.

Saying that, and it's sad to say, but I feel like gone are the days of dedicated handhelds with their own personal releases, such as the PSP and DS etc. Modern gaming development is just too expensive these days, with bigger teams needed to make the mainline titles, and I don't think any company is willing to risk putting manpower and funds into making dedicated games for a handheld.

I think an addition question here is if that "handheld game essence" is truly lost? I'm thinking that would games like Link's Awakening remake, Mario vs Donkey Kong remake, Super Mario RPG remake, Echoes of Wisdom, and Mario & Luigi Brothership have release on a portable console instead if they decided to keep going that route w/ separate consoles for home and handheld? I would imagine so, especially Pokemon

and at that point, how much more powerful would a handheld 3ds successor be? PS Vita maybe? and the Vita was already at least a little bit comparable to the PS3 levels of power, though of course not all the way, and that's not even to mention the plethora of other smaller games like from indie studios that might also work well for being on a handheld

basically aside from the Switch just obviously being portable, I think some of that handheld game essence still lingers in it, it's just of course being overshadowed by larger games and the fact Nintendo typically prices them the same across the board