What Handheld Do You Want To See Next Generation?

[zurich]

Voted for PSP.

I would still bet money that the GBA successor wont be GC based, but rather n64 based. See the iQue for more information

 

[see colon]

".yet somehow people haven't stopped buying high-tech cell phones or PDAs, and HD-based MP3 players only get more and more popular... "
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that's why i said "i". some people would be perfectly fine with an expensive handheld, but i'm not. i have a reasonibly expensive phone, and a rather expensive pda (for it's time, it's getting a bit old now), and i don't really have a problem carrying them around, but then again i'm less likely to wip either of those out when i'm waiting in line somewhere, or in a public area where i could drop, leave or forget it.

plus, cost doesn't always mean a better product. look at the n-gage. a handheld's technical prowess also does not mean the console will have a god selection of games or that the product will succeeed. in the handheld space nintendo has consistantly had the "inferior" product in terms of paper stats, but has driven it's competition into obscurity. in the home console market, it's been proven as well. for every generation from the begining the most powerfull hardware was not the most popular.
c:

-edit-
i'd also like to say, if anyone was to break the "rules" of console success (like the one i've stated above) it would be sony. they are the only comany that has maintained undisputed dominace in the home console market for 2 generations.

 

[Clashman]

But there's a huge discrepancy in power between an N64 based GB and PSP or a GC GB. It's like comparing a Sony Playstation to a Sega Genesis. It's not simply a matter of an "edge" here or there. It would be a colossal mismatch.

 

[Clashman]

that's why i said "i". some people would be perfectly fine with an expensive handheld, but i'm not. i have a reasonibly expensive phone, and a rather expensive pda (for it's time, it's getting a bit old now), and i don't really have a problem carrying them around, but then again i'm less likely to wip either of those out when i'm waiting in line somewhere, or in a public area where i could drop, leave or forget it.

So how come nobody, (including yourself), has thus far marked the GB64 as their choice? I'm actually surprised more people thus far have chosen the PSP over the GCP. In terms of gaming, I don't see how a PSP would be able to beat it, although I guess if you're looking at the extras it could be worth it.

 

[Clashman]

By the way, I think it's quite possible that Nintendo could do 2 handhelds, one a GB64 compatible with the older cartridges, as well as a GCP that would compete with the PSP, extend the GCs life, start a new line of optical storage based GameBoys, (because it has to happen sooner or later), and have the ability to migrate down into the mainstream price-range as time went on. That way they could have their cake and eat it too.

 

[see colon]

"So how come nobody, (including yourself), has thus far marked the GB64 as their choice? I'm actually surprised more people thus far have chosen the PSP over the GCP. In terms of gaming, I don't see how a PSP would be able to beat it, although I guess if you're looking at the extras it could be worth it."
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given the fantasy setting this poll is staged in (since none of the handhelds in question currently exist as far as consumers are concerned), why would anyone choose the iq/gb64 choice when the gcp is available? if there was a ps1 based portable in the choices (that did not actualy play the same discs as the full ps1) would anyone choose it over the psp or a fantasy ps2 portable?
c:

 

[Clashman]

But you said you're taking cost considerations into account. And a GB64 would in fact be significantly cheaper than either a PSP or a theoretical GCP. When I created the poll, I didn't mean it in terms of a fantasy buy. I meant it as "if these came out, this is the one I would throw my money towards". Sorry if that wasn't clear.

 

[Fox5]

By the way, I think it's quite possible that Nintendo could do 2 handhelds, one a GB64 compatible with the older cartridges, as well as a GCP that would compete with the PSP, extend the GCs life, start a new line of optical storage based GameBoys, (because it has to happen sooner or later), and have the ability to migrate down into the mainstream price-range as time went on. That way they could have their cake and eat it too.

So like game gear and nomad? Those didn't do too well, and companies don't like splitting the market. Why is there very little overlap in software between the gba and gamecube? Certainly similar ideas could work on both, yet they don't have that.(which actually is a little confusing, you think a 3d pokemon game would have been one of the first things they would have worked on after the success of the originals)

Anyhow, I would want a dreamcast based portable, it would be powerful enough to compete, yet cheap and small. I also think nintendo should invest in a 640x480(progressive) screen, since the higher res alone would help give nintendo's games an edge over the PSP's in graphics. Having more memory than it would also help without having to have a system equal in power.

 

[Clashman]

So like game gear and nomad? Those didn't do too well, and companies don't like splitting the market.

They didn't do well because they didn't get marketed properly. They really weren't even in the same category, either. By the time Nomad was released, both Gamegear and Genesis were already on their last legs. And the Nomad itself didn't get much more than a kick out the door, either. Sega had no intentions to back up the Nomad with new Genesis software, or any real television spots, instore displays, etc. It was marketed and sold as a niche product, and so it became one. A GCP marketed as "The Next Gameboy" with games being promoted "For Gamecube and Gamecube Portable" would have a much better chance, IMO.

Also, I'd like to point out that with regards to splitting the market, Nintendo doesn't have a choice. Sony, with their PSP, has already split the market. And they have the power, resources, and patience to stick with it until the market is reunified under their control unless they are seriously opposed right off the bat. And that is something Nintendo hasn't really ever had to face. Sega were never the competitor that Sony is now, and Nintendo can't afford to rest on it's laurels on the GB franchise.

 

[see colon]

"I want something else, dammit!!!"

i think that sums up my position.
c:

 

[Clashman]

What do you want, out of curiousity?

 

[see colon]

"Sega were never the competitor that Sony is now, and Nintendo can't afford to rest on it's laurels on the GB franchise."
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when the gamegear and gameboy (the very first one) we out sega was the gib boy on the block. the genesis was the dominant 16bit console for much of the 16bit generation, and is in much the same situation that sony is now. sega was very much so what sony is now. the market was different back then, though. gaming was a smaller niche market that mainly complemented the toy industry, and now it's a money making powerhouse that rivals hollywood.

as much as i'd like to bet against sony, like i said they are an impressive company and the only one thus far to have a comanding lead 2 consoles generations in a row. they definatly know how to do things right. as a matter of fact i think they did so much right in one generation that they were forgiven for the second. having no real competition for a year didn't hurt either.

back to the original topic...
if i had pick a handheld from the fantasy list i'd have to base it more on the games than the hardware. form factor must also be taken into account, inclusing screen size. battery life is important to me, as well. a perfect example of this is the nomad. hardware stats are great, backlit screen, huge library of great games, and extra features like tv-out, 2nd player controller port, ect were all great, but the unit is too bulkey and the batery life so poor (plus the fact you have to have a battery pack hanging off the back) that the thing is less a portable gaming system to me and more a portable home system. i'll lug it to my friends house to play on his tv, but when i'm on the go i'm much happier with my gba or ngpc.
c:

 

[see colon]

"What do you want, out of curiousity?"
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"the dream handheld for me would be fully backwards compatable with previous gameby games (i NEED tetris, and i prefer not to buy it again), have built in support for e-reader, wireless conectivity, and a feature set similar to that of the dc. but hardware specs are honestly less important to me than connectivity and features. for handhelds the point of diminishing returns is met much sooner than for home consoles because of screen size. battery life, size/weight, and fun games are more important to me. if nintendo's next handheld wad every feature i wish for, but is only as powerfull as a ps1/n64 i'd still be onboard for it. "

so basicly:

-wireless connectivity
-backwards compatability
-long battery life
-at least ps1/n64 hardware ability
-screen as good as or better than gbasp
-comfortable to hold (shape and weight)
-don't have to dismantle to change games
-reasonable price (about $100)
-as a bonus, built in e-reader support
c:

 

[Dave Baumann]

IMO, Its Nintendo that is in the most likely position to bring the equivelent of the handheld DC.

 

[Clashman]

when the gamegear and gameboy (the very first one) we out sega was the gib boy on the block. the genesis was the dominant 16bit console for much of the 16bit generation, and is in much the same situation that sony is now. sega was very much so what sony is now.

I would disagree. Sega was *one* of 2 big boys on the block, the other being Nintendo. I also think Nintendo was in fact the *bigger* boy on the block. They had just gotten done with the most successful console in console history up until that point, and GB beat GG to the market by 2 years, and Nintendo was much more competetive with SNES than it is with GC relative to it's main competition. Nintendo also had the killer apps for their handheld, in Tetris and Dr. Mario. I think Nintendo's position vis a vis Sega then is much different than it is with Sony now.

the market was different back then, though. gaming was a smaller niche market that mainly complemented the toy industry, and now it's a money making powerhouse that rivals hollywood.

I can agree with that.

as much as i'd like to bet against sony, like i said they are an impressive company and the only one thus far to have a comanding lead 2 consoles generations in a row. they definatly know how to do things right. as a matter of fact i think they did so much right in one generation that they were forgiven for the second. having no real competition for a year didn't hurt either.

Which is why Nintendo needs to execute with their next handheld. And there is no better way to pull it off than with a Portable GC, IMO.

form factor must also be taken into account, inclusing screen size. battery life is important to me, as well. a perfect example of this is the nomad. hardware stats are great, backlit screen, huge library of great games, and extra features like tv-out, 2nd player controller port, ect were all great, but the unit is too bulkey and the batery life so poor (plus the fact you have to have a battery pack hanging off the back) that the thing is less a portable gaming system to me and more a portable home system.

I agree on that.

 

[Almasy]

I picked Sony PSP because of its potential as a piece of hardware, it´s multifunctional and the kind of games that it´s going to offer I´m sure will appeal to my demographic.

I didn´t pick a DCP or GCP because frankly, the great mayority of DC´s and GCN´s software isn´t too exciting for me. I also envision a new Nintendo handheld to be between N64 and DC, if only because of cost concerns, not a portable GCN.

 

[Tagrineth]

By the way, I think it's quite possible that Nintendo could do 2 handhelds, one a GB64 compatible with the older cartridges, as well as a GCP that would compete with the PSP, extend the GCs life, start a new line of optical storage based GameBoys, (because it has to happen sooner or later), and have the ability to migrate down into the mainstream price-range as time went on. That way they could have their cake and eat it too.

First rule about capitalist market: Compete with your rivals, not with yourself.

 

[Clashman]

First rule about capitalist market: Compete with your rivals, not with yourself.

I think I'll refer to myself on this one.

As I mentioned before, it doesn't have to be. In fact, I think the main thing proponents of a GB64 are forgetting that I doubt Nintendo is, is that sooner or later the PSP will be a 99 dollar product. If they don't have anything to combat that from the start, by the time PSP becomes a 99 dollar product it will be too late to launch a GCP. PSP will most likely have reached critical mass by then, and the market will already be theirs. A GCP is really the only chance I see Nintendo having of nipping Sony in the bud, ie stopping them before they take the last market Nintendo has effective control over.

The point of a GCP would not be for Nintendo to compete with itself. It would be to head off a rival before the rival became too large and powerful to be dealt with. A GB64 could simply be there to maintain a presence in the 99 dollar handheld arena before the GCP and PSP migrate down to that pricepoint.

 

[mkillio]

I just want to see an update to the GBA. I absolutley, 100% do not want a 3D handheld system and I hate Sony for doing so because now it forces Nintendo to do the same. Where am I going to get my 2-D gaming at?

 

[Fox5]

Or nintendo could just keep the gba as its low end handheld, why release something new that is way behind in power when you already have a proven one out?(because you are talking about giving it a lifespan of only 2 or 3 years) This way nintendo could have the rock bottom market, and have gameboy competing against those tiger electronic toys and whatever else kids might buy, with the GCP going head to head with PSP for the big boys.(though that's not something nintendo has every reall done)

The point of a GCP would not be for Nintendo to compete with itself. It would be to head off a rival before the rival became too large and powerful to be dealt with. A GB64 could simply be there to maintain a presence in the 99 dollar handheld arena before the GCP and PSP migrate down to that pricepoint.