Cell phone gaming: In search of good mobile games
Tetris, one of the best selling games of all time is also massively successful on the cell phone. And its appeal is understandable: The game is easy to learn, easy to jump into, and also takes a different path every time you play it. But if I just spent $300 some odd dollars for a new technology, I would be extremely disappointed to find that the most enjoyable game available is one from the 1980s.
Gaming on a phone is a natural evolution from the Nintendo Gameboy. From the first time I played Tetris on my Gameboy I thought, "wouldn't it be a nice idea just to install a phone into this device? That way I could carry around one piece of hardware rather than two." Yes indeedy. If, at E3 2009, Sony announced an exclusive partnership with Verizon Wireless for their new PSP Go!, who wouldn't step over their own mother to get one? Actually, to be fair, my mother would kick my butt for a Circus Atari app on her phone.
At E3 this year, most mobile developers focused on handheld gaming, like the PSP. Even the iPhone developers gave this show a miss. The very cool looking Gran Turismo mobile game will definitely be available ...for the PSP Go! Sigh.
So, what is a gamer with a nice phone supposed to do? Well, until the announcement of Gameboyphone, you can still find reviews of good mobile games to help you spend your hard earned money wisely. Nothing will blow your doors off, though. Mobile phone gaming is still, essentially, convenience gaming.
In my next article, I will take a look at some of the best available mobile games. Stay tuned!
» posted by mulderjoe
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But IGN don´t do mobile games reviews
Sorry, but just had to correct your comment above about locations for mobile games.IGN only used to review a very small number of mobile (i.e. cell phone not iPhone) games in the first place and most recently they´ve reduced this to zero in favour of total iPhone coverage. Although the latter is fine, it pales besides the more specialist mobile sites such as:
PocketGamer.co.uk
WGworld.com
modojo.com
TouchArcade.com
I appreciate IGN may be the biggest games site in the world, but size doesn´t necessarily mean it´s the best specifically not for specialist areas like mobile/handheld gaming. Don´t get me wrong, I´m a fan of the site, but like most hardcore sites (Gamespot and Future´s sites) it´s focused upon the big consoles (Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii).