Does anyone else miss when handhelds were their own thing instead of just shrunken-down PCs? It feels like we’ve traded actual innovation for raw power.
Back in the day, developers had to work around hardware limits, which gave us unique experiences like the DS dual screens. Now, everything is about "cramming" a AAA living room experience into a portable shell. While the Switch 2 is amazing, playing an inferior, battery-draining version of a PC game on the go feels like it defeats the purpose if you already own a rig or a living room console.
We’ve also lost that "pick up and play" spirit. Swapping 5-minute sessions and instant boot times for massive loading screens and batteries that die on the daily. It feels like we’ve traded bespoke, unique games for the "portability of the familiar".
Are we actually better off with more power, or do you miss the days of weird, experimental handheld exclusives? Also WHY DO THEY KEEP GETTING BIGGER ;v;
Posted by scsonicshadow
12 Comments
Nah.
Switch gives us more options. These quirky innovative handheld games still exist and on top of that we can have more ambitious games.
I never put any handheld in my pockets and always carried it in a bag Anyway.
Meh, the only point I agree with is the handhelds being too big to actually take with me most places. I say Nintendo should make the Switch 3 a MINOR upgrade in power, and focus on making it as small as a DS. And then bring back Street Pass.
Switch is a hybrid.
While I think the DS/3DS XL’s were the best size, the Switch Lite is pretty good as well.
If Nintendo can shrink the Switch 2 down to the Switch Lite form factor and put on an OLED screen it would be an instant purchase.
I love love love my Switch 2 but it’s definitely quite the device to lug around.
Nostalgia is a hell of a drug, my friend.
The GBASP was by far my favorite form factor. Just felt super sleek and could actually fit in a normal pants pocket.
I can fit a Switch in my pocket.
To be fair, this still exists. It’s called a smartphone
Gaming handhelds are the best of both worlds, portable enough to take anywhere you want and supports triple A experiences, but can still support quirky stuff too
Get bigger pockets 🤷♀️
or, get bigger pockets!
Smartphones overtook the competition. Most smartphones have enough power to run games from 2010s handheld consoles, even some of the more powerful ones could run games that run on the switch.
I actually agree. It would be great to have a GB pocket size device that I could take with me without the feeling of slepping around a mini-laptop.
I can imagine a Switch pocket in yhe future maybe.