jawa asks... What is your all-time favourite handheld games console?

The main downside to the Switch's form factor as a portable console is that it needs to go in a bag. The PSP and DS used to fit in my blazer pocket at school, so while that isn't a use case I need to worry about any more I feel a bit sad thinking it's not really an option these days!

OrangeRKN wrote:The main downside to the Switch's form factor as a portable console is that it needs to go in a bag. The PSP and DS used to fit in my blazer pocket at school, so while that isn't a use case I need to worry about any more I feel a bit sad thinking it's not really an option these days!

The price you pay for graphics and screen quality

Not necessarily though, Vita looks great and that was still just about pocket size. Screen and battery are the main two components that dictate a handheld's size afaik.

If they can make a jacket pocket for the iPad then we should damn well be able to get a Switch compatible suit!

I'm gonna keep an eye out for the PS5 concealer coat.

Sleek!

Ah I missed the poll. I think I got the most use out of my Gameboy SP. It was probably an age thing as I was at uni and spent a lot of time travelling on trains.

Loved being about to revisit old 16bit games like final fight, street fighter, Mario, sonic and even FIFA was great on it.

Nothing is beating the GBA era for me. Just pure bliss from start to end and came at a time I needed it most. So I hold many fond memories of that little thing helping me through a lot.

Can't believe you didn't include the Pokémon Mini in the poll

I missed the poll while it was active, but I'd have struggled to decide between DS (Lite) and 3DS, both have great games libraries.

I am quite surprised to see the GBA chart so highly, especially in relation to the DS. My memories of it are for the most part pretty mediocre - or in some cases, have in the light of the modern day been shown up. (See Ruby/Sapphire's endless oceans.) I also remember the inordinate number of SNES ports. Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy...

Then again, I have an anecdotal theory that it's the consoles you play at a certain age that become the most important ones to you. GRcade is on average a bit older than me, and I picked the DS, so the theory checks out! (I'm not sure if the 3DS' popularity is the younger SONM contingent or just the theory going wrong.)

I'm definitely one of the older ones here and I preferred the GBA to DS. I was in my mind 20s when the GBA was out.

That's an interesting notion, Balla, and I suspect that many folk may well have leaned towards their younger/childhood consoles. Like Victor, though, I've collected a few years now and I found myself using my head rather than my heart when selecting my favourite handheld (DS, 3DS) and home (PS4, 360) console systems.

I never owned a GBA - it just never appealed and I stuck with my GBC - but I loved the DS (Lite); such a terrific range of games, the dual screens were innovative and I enjoyed using the stylus.

I played FF Tactics on GBA for a countless number of hours. It's actually better than the main FF tactics games. :wub:

There's plenty of great games on the GBA beyond SNES ports - for every ALTTP there is a Minish Cap. I am surprised though that the 3DS is so preferred to the DS.

GBA also had Mario kart super circuit which was the best Mario kart until 7 & 8 came along.

The best Mario Kart was the very next one. :lol:

Minish Cap and Superstar Saga are my GBA standouts.

I couldn't get on with Superstar Saga's art style :dread:

and I never really gave Minish Cap a chance, might get it on Wii U.

There's a version on 3DS that looks somewhat different. (Worse IMO, but the soundtrack improvement makes up for it. Bowser's Castle becomes an absolute banger.)

Minish Cap is excellent.

Balladeer wrote:There's a version on 3DS that looks somewhat different. (Worse IMO, but the soundtrack improvement makes up for it. Bowser's Castle becomes an absolute banger.)

Minish Cap is excellent.

I googled it and it does indeed look even worse, it's that weird 3D sprite they used for a small time. :dread:

I bought FF Tactics Advance on Wii U and apart from the absurdity of it being on a 62" TV it still holds up so well, the music, omg. They had to make the game from scratch for GBA as it couldn't do the PS version (obviously) but Square really put so much effort into how it looks and plays.

Photek wrote:
Balladeer wrote:There's a version on 3DS that looks somewhat different. (Worse IMO, but the soundtrack improvement makes up for it. Bowser's Castle becomes an absolute banger.)

Minish Cap is excellent.

I googled it and it does indeed look even worse, it's that weird 3D sprite they used for a small time.

I bought FF Tactics Advance on Wii U and apart from the absurdity of it being on a 62" TV it still holds up so well, the music, omg. They had to make the game from scratch for GBA as it couldn't do the PS version (obviously) but Square really put so much effort into how it looks and plays.

I know what I'm playing after I finish my (emulated) Pokemon Fire Red run.

There's so many awesome JRPGs on the GBA, and PSP for that matter.

jawa asks... What is your all-time favourite handheld games console?

What is your all-time favourite handheld games console?

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