Nintendo DS - The first non-portable portable system

Yes I know the title is a bit confusing, but I was thinking about it as I was playing Bleach DS and a couple of rounds of Meteos.

I was never big into portables because I never traveled much, so there was not as much of a need for one, and the fact that most portable games were copies of much better games on home systems. Now, while there are many great Gameboy games that are exclusive to the old Gameboy, the portable idea was more of "Well, you can't play the real deal on the road, so here's a watered down version". So I never really needed a portable. I had bought an old Gameboy, but never played it much.

So, out comes Gameboy Color, same story. Then comes the GBA, and while it had many stellar games (Gunstar Super Heroes, Castlevanias, etc.) it just wasn't enough and I still felt that, for the most part, the superior games were on the home consoles. I again felt like I was getting watered down versions of the real thing (Final Fight and others), so I never really had to have one.

Now we have the DS, and I play the crap out of this thing. One thing I always remember about my old handhelds was that I never had to change the batteries out. Not because they had long battery life, I just never played them much. Now my DS gets a weekly recharge from all I'm playing on it. From Mario Kart, Meteos, Tetris DS, Bleach DS, Castlevania DOS, and so many more, the system isn't a watered down version of anything. It's great in its' own respect. That and I'm playing it more then any of my home consoles which has never happened. Has anyone else had this kind of experience?

Portables are not for playing video games while on the go.

The are for playing video games while on the crapper.

I agree it has games which rival or exceed the big console versions. But I disagree that DS is the first system worthy compared to the consoles. GBA was easily equal to the consoles.

I play it so often at home it requires a recharge every 2 or 3 days. It definately gets more play than all my consoles combined. Not surprising though because of how easy it is to just start and stop play. Just close the system and open it back up when you're ready to play again.

I've always been more a portable-player than home systems actually. I like to play at home on my sofa and portable games always appealed me. But I guess we're not a majority at all.

I do this currently with the ds

And did it with the NGPC.

Only two amazing handhelds out!

I play the hell out of it too. Statictially most handhelds are played at home anyways.

I'm the same way but as Tristesse said, I think it's just that portable games appeal to me. Maybe it's because they still cling to 2D or because they can usually be played in short bursts like arcade games.

norton9478 said:

Portables are not for playing video games while on the go.

The are for playing video games while on the crapper.

Click to expand...

LOL, bump for the truth.

I can't tell you how many times I've had a red imprint of a toilet seat on my ass from playing Tetris DS wifi.

norton9478 said:

Portables are not for playing video games while on the go.

The are for playing video games while on the crapper.

Click to expand...

Quoted for truth.

At least that's what I always do with my Lite and PSP.

Too 'scared' to take them on the go, might scratch them and therefore decreasing their resale value.

I played my GBA a lot (castlevania games mostly). But yeah, I defenitely play the shit outta my DS. With games like Tetris, MarioKart, Trauma Center, Castlevania, and the new Super Mario Bros game that comes out in a few days, it's hard not to play the hell out of the handheld.

Even if Nintendo fuck things up really bad with the Wii, the company will more than likely still continue owning the handheld market.

Ah yes Alex "what is the virtual boy?"

Yeah, I play my DS while at work or while chillin' on the couch watching TV. Though its always quick pick up and play sessions... never anything that requires my full attention for hours on end.