Why the iPhone might one day replace the DS and PSP

Gamer Limit writes "Until recently, I thought the idea of the iPhone as a portable gaming platform was a laughable matter at best. Without any type of real control scheme, a weak processor, and a poor selection of games, how would it ever be able to compete with the likes of the DS or the PSP? As far as I was concerned, it would never be popular enough for it to make any type of significant impact on the gaming industry.

Then something completely unexpected happened that changed everything and caused me to question all of the previous reservations I had about the iPhone as a portable gaming device. Read on to find out more about this major break-through I had, and why I'm starting to change my mind."

[syvergy]

I'm really starting to get into my iphone gaming - there are some fantastic casual titles like Doodle Jump as well as some decent RPGs as well.

[Ziriux]

Dont you there forget Peggle, I mean it's the master of casual games and most addictive I must say.

[Raf1k1]

I'm not too keen on using the iphone for games since Apple keeps improving it year on year which pretty much makes the previous one obsolete (if the games make use of the new features that is).

[wiggles]

I agree with you...but like look at 5 years ago...we wouldn't have our entire music catalog and our Cell phone on the same device...I don't like using my iPhone for games either...but I think this article is right..this is where the industry of handhelds will go.

[gamingisnotacrime]

"but I think this article is right..this is where the industry of handhelds will go. "

What do you mean?, yearly release of improve handhelds while previous owners are left out is just absurd. For me the PSP 2 will improve on the PSP shortcomings and beyond. iPhone is great for games apparently, and the PSP is getting a whole new life with the great line up of upcoming games. Apple may compete for a sahre of the gaming industry, is very unlikely thet will take over as the article implies specially with annual upgrades

[wiggles]

I wasn't talking about a company...I was talking about handhelds in general...that one day we will have mobile devices that will make calls, store our music, and play games that aren't ports...but are specifically designed for that device such as the current games for PSP/ DSi. That will be an industry standard. I'm not saying Sony/Nintendo/Microsoft wouldn't be in on that...just that is what will probably happen.

[Ziriux]

It def. will the innovation for the iPhone is there, the technology allows for some wild ideas. Right now there are many games that are getting media attention and many video game journalism sites have been doing reviews and covering iPhone games. It is only the beginning.

[chrisjc]

One day, we'll have one portable device for just about everything (Pip Boys aren't that far off!)

[GrahameG]

Sorry but when I play the iPhone I want to punch myself in the face. I just can't get away from a d-pad and buttons set up.

I need something tangible. I love the DS controls, yet I love that familiarity that exists there in the d-pad and buttons.

I think there will always be a place for gaming handhelds in the traditional sense. Being a jack of all trades yet a master of none is not what I desire in a gaming device.

[JQ]

Love me some GeoDefence.

[mjolliffe]

If its going to jump the PSP and DS it need better games, and a bigger screen

[Jhun]

iPhones nice but in terms of the mobile world, I'll still stick to my Android thnx.

However, the new phones these days are really catching up, like the iPhone 3GS actually has a 833mhz processor (clocked down to 600Mhz for battery life)

and there are a ton of other ones that have 1ghz processors too. plus with Open GL support, you can bet they are going to be big on gaming.

[-Mezzo-]

I have the latest Iphone and i had no i dea that i would enjoy it more as a gaming handheld then as a cellphone or ipod.

But it will never replace DS or PSP.

[jag_stilvecchio]

usually involve using the tilt feature or some sort of screen tapping - Doodle Jump, Galcon, etc. Outside of that I've found games on the iPhone to be lacking due to the controls. Assassin's Creed control interface was interesting but frustrating and not as well implemented as a standard controller interface. I think iPhone mobile gaming and PSP/DS mobile gaming can coexist due to the control differences. The iPhone for a more light fare and the PSP/DS for a more serious gaming session.

[Quadrix]

A great article, but I don't think the iPhone can actually 'replace' the DS or PSP.

[kingme71]

How many parents are spending a $100.00/month for a kid's iPhone? I know in this recession I won't be getting my kids an iPhone. The PSPGo is expensive at $250.00, but that is nothing when you look at how much an iPhone costs over the span of its lifetime.

The kid said games are cheaper on the iPhone, did he factor in that the iPhone costs $3.00/day?

[Jack Bauer]

ipod touch for children who dont have cell phones... and kids old enough to have cell phones are gonna have one anyway....so with a regular phone you're spending for that phone and the psp/ds

[Crystallis]

It will never replace the portables, especially the DS. Japan=portable heaven and the iphone is no where near as big as it is here in the states then in Japan. Believe it or not I had a friend visit Japan recently and he said their phones makes the iphone look 10 years old.

[PS360PCROCKS]

"poor selection of games" oh man if the I phone has a poor selection my blackberry storm I wouldn't know what to call it. Because my friends I phone has a ton of cool games and apps and I truly have NONE

[iceman06]

IMO I don't see the Iphone completely taking over the handheld market. However, it will probably carve it's own niche in the gaming industry. Simple games, simple interface, great mainstream penetration for the device itself make it attractive. Plus, it has to be pretty cheap to develop a game for it. If anything, the DS and PSP will probably try to emulate the business model seen on Iphone by focusing on simpler, cheaper (yet still fun) properties for their various devices.

[Jack Bauer]

it already has for me and my friends... instead of a ds and psp we have ipod touches... not only are the games a lot cheaper, but they are actually pretty good... games like resident evil (8 bucks) and tiger woods (5 bucks) are on par with ps2 graphics and handle very well... and games like zenonia (3 bucks) are of zelda quality.

[PotNoodle]

I love my iPhone, but it needs good controls before it gets anywhere near DS and PSP level.

[Close_Second]

...the PSP Go still does not have that "got to have it" feel about it. Put a PSP Go and an ITouch or IPhone in a display case next to each other and the Apple product will win for style and desirability.

When my PSP-3000 packs in or I tire of it I will probably go Apple and not to the PSP Go. Especially when you look at the potential price of the PSP Go in New Zealand.

[SilverDragon1979]

I approve of this article!