A handheld console is a portable, lightweight gaming device used to play electronic game cartridges or discs. Unlike home entertainment console systems such as the ‘Xbox’, ‘Nintendo Gamecube’ or ‘Playstation’, the speakers, controls and screen are built into the device, enhancing the portable capabilities of the console.
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The first true handheld console to appear on the market was the ‘Microvision’ by ‘Milton Bradley’, in 1979. Before then companies such as ‘Coleco’ developed handheld devices which only played a single game per unit, but due to their limited game play did not become so successful (Wikipedia, 2005). In 1989 ‘Nintendo’ released its first handheld gaming console(Game Boy), which proved to become the most popular handheld console ever, selling over 150 million units worldwide (Nintendo Australia, 2005). This console has been altered extensively since its release, including the ‘Game Boy pocket’ (1996), ‘Game Boy Colour’ (1998), ‘Game Boy Advance’ (2001) and the ‘Game Boy advance SP’(2003) (Nintendo Land, 1997). During that time many other devices were released, but none became as popular as the ‘Game Boy’.
Handheld consoles that are currently on the market include the Nokia ‘N-Gage’ (2003), ‘Nintendo DS’ (2004) and the ‘Playstation Station Portable’ or the ‘PSP’ (2005).
N-Gage: The ‘N-Gage’ is manufactured by ‘Nokia’, a company which deals primarily within the mobile phone market. They designed a handheld which combined both mobile phone and gaming technologies, converging both to add the usefulness of the mobile phone together with the entertainment of the console gaming. The ‘N-Gage’ was upgraded to the ‘N-Gage QD’ in 2004 due to a few problems the original product contained, although many of the changes are cosmetic, further functionality of the QD has been developed (Mobiledia, 2004).
Nintendo DS: The Nintendo DS (Dual Screen) is the successor of the popular ‘Game Boy’. Nintendo have created inventive functions for the DS such as Dual Screens, one having the ability of touch sensitivity, along with a build in microphone and WIFI technology for wireless multiplayer gaming (Nintendo DS, 2005).
PSP: This is Sony’s first product on the handheld gaming market, and is a convergence of many technologies. The device contains a hard drive useful for storing and transferring music and images (JPEG file format) and can play games and movies stored on UMD (universal media disc). The ‘PSP’ has the technology to allow the user to access the internet, provided there is an internet connection in the location (Playstation, 2005).
The future of handheld gaming will have a focus on connectivity between devices and the connection to the internet and its services. With advancements in mobile internet technologies it will be seen that game distribution methods could change, instead of purchasing the latest games from retail stores it has been mentioned that the future could hold a completely electronic transaction. The distribution companies will allow gamers to purchase their games over the internet, downloading the game while also paying for it online (Smith, D. 2004).
Yarron Frauenfelder 08:40, 28 Oct 2005 (EST)
Wikipedia (2005) “Handheld game consoles�?, retrieved 26 October, 2005 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handheld_gaming#See_also
Nintendo Land (1997) “the history of the most successful handheld console ever�?, retrieved 26 October, 2005 from http://www.nintendoland.com/home2.htm?history/
Nintendo Australia (2005). “Classic systems�?, retrieved 09 October, 2005 from http://www.nintendo.com.au/systems/classicsystems.php
Mobiledia (2004) “Nokia N-Gage QD review,�? retrieved 09 october, 2005 from http://www.mobiledia.com/reviews/nokia/n-gage-qd/page1.html
Nintendo DS (2004) “Touching is Good: experience the future of online Gaming�?, retrieved 26 October, 2005 from http://www.nintendo.com.au/ds/index.jsp?lang=en
Playstation (2005) “PSP: About PSP�?, retrieved 27 October, 2005 from http://www.us.playstation.com/psp.aspx?id=abouthightlight
Wired News(2004) “Handheld gaming goes wireless�?, retrived 28 October, 2005 from http://www.wired.com/news/games/0,2101,65984,00.html?tw=wn_story_related
Smith, D (2004) “The Future of handheld gaming�?, PC magizine, retrieved 28 october, 2005 from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdpcm/is_200401/ai_ziff115821
