With updates, no game is ever really complete. I don't judge MiniGore as it is, but what it can be. But I agree that most of these games can pass as flash games, but such is the nature of the medium that these sorts of games work on it wonderfully. I'm not a fanboy by any means. There is no game on the iPhone that comes close to a Chains of Olympus or Chinatown Wars, but with an external controller we may soon have titles like these. God knows the processing power is there.
I'd say roughly half of the games he listed are arguably better than the DSiWare stuff. I mean, honestly now...I've played both those DSiWare games, and while really good, they ain't making me rush out to buy my own DSi (very happy with my DS lite, and it's ability to play GBA games, which is the reason DS lite >>> DSi right now). As I stated, roughly half of the iPhone/touch games he listed, however, can "sell" people on this platform being viable for gaming. Regardless, again I must chime in that it really is an apples to oranges comparison. iPhone/touch is a mobile platform in which there really is no one dedicated focus in terms of software. It's a "do anything" device and marketed as such. It is in competition not with portable game systems (where the primary focus is game software), but with other mobile platforms like Android, Windows Mobile (which will be merged with Zune and XNA later this year when ZuneHD is released), etc. Comparing this platform to dedicated gaming devices is a bit like comparing PC gaming to home console gaming. You could make a comparison, of course, but it's a faulty one as they are in wholly different markets. Not only is the product focus quite different, but so too are consumer tastes.
Games are games are games. Some more pick up and play than others, some more in depth than others, but all as "real" as the next one. Again, mobile platform. Different type of consumer audience, different interface, different style of gaming. Mobile gaming is, for the most part, minute gaming. Not many games, and not many consumers, play for longer than minutes at a time on such platforms, hence the gameplay of the titles echo that need. Portable game systems like DS and PSP, however, err to the side of longer games because that's what that particular market dictates. Half hour to hour long playthroughs. Home consoles longer still for obvious reasons. Arcades even shorter burst gaming due to the focus of that particular market on having consumers pump quarters (dollars now, I guess) into the machines (and this is why arcade gaming is home to, for the most part, the most "in your face" type of games - get the consumer so excited that they feel they MUST keep pumping money into the machine). What I'm getting at is that it's really a different standard because it's a different market of the overall game industry. Direct comparisons are faulty at best due to that alone.
That in my opinion would be the worst thing ever for the iPhone platform. Some of my posts probably are making me look like if I hate the system but I don't -- I love it, but I love it because of the cool experiences that I have found like Spider (which has a fantastic gameplay), not because I want to have a mini-controller in my hand and play "console-like" games like that Call of Duty clone by Gameloft. No. This platform is not for that type of games. As long as the app store keeps getting stuff like Spider, or Zenbound, the future for the iPhone / Touch platform is extremely promising. But if we keep getting the Gangstars or watered-down Resident Evil games and similar stuff, then it's not.
4.5/5 is the same as 9/10 which is the same as 90%! Thats pretty basic maths. And if 85% is the cut point for "excellent", I could include the 4's from ipgn, which would total over 150! Hell, even their editors choice section has over 100 games.
Don't get me wrong, I love my iPhone to bits, but I would never choose it over my PSP and DS for one reason... CONTROL!!! One of the most important aspects of a game for me is being able to play it... if the controls are frustrating, I'll likely retire it to the bottom of the pile. I will always favour the PSP/DS's physical buttons over the iDevice's virtual equivalents. Sure, there are some iDevice games that do implement a control system that benefits the individual game, but it can be so disheartening when a game you really want to like has been virtually ruined by awkward controls. I'm not going to list them as I don't see the point (it's all down to individual opinions really). Even when the controls are responsive I can sometimes find the nature of it still awkward... Rolando being and example. I admired the Devs attempt at creating an unique control method but I just didn't like having to constantly rotate the entire device just to navage levels (it felt like I was using a steering wheel to control a platformer ). I know that console games can also have bad controls but thats more often than not down to lazy programming, not an awkward controller. The iDevice's lack of any physical buttons is what holds it back in gaming terms for me. Even the DS could've suffered a similar fate for me had Nintendo not included actual buttons too. Touch screen can be fun (iDevice/DS) and also motion controllers (Wii and the upcoming Natal), but I think my problem is that I'm too much of a 'hardcore' gamer and as such will always favour an actual joypad or implemented buttons. The truth is, the iDevice doesn't have an ideal 'games controller' interface for one main reason... in Apples eye's, the gaming element was more of an after thought. Spiffyone has mentioned several times in this thread alone that it's still basically a mobile platform, and he's correct. The huge success of the AppStore has caught even Apple by surprise. Again, it's just my views and likely a one most won't share, but I do still enjoying wasting a few minutes here and there on my iPhone
I also love the iPhone for gaming but I also think that it will never be a "true" gaming platform without tactile controls. What brought me to this realization was when I just tried out the free version of Subhunt. It's a great came but when you're playing it your hands cover up the bottom third of the screen!! That may not be a problem for most games but for a shooter like that it's a killer. I know they've implemented a work around to show you the general location of your sub but I don't find it very intuitive and i still can't see any enemies who happen to be hiding behind my thumbs. The iPhone is a fantastic casual gaming platform but it is mainly and foremost a music player and phone.
Seriously? Some replies in this thread bother me... For one stop with the updates nonsense, iPod games are not ever lasting because of updates, if that's the case then DS PsP games are infinte because of DLC. Also, an extra controller would be stupid there are people who still haven't bought 3.0,and who wants that extra luggage?
I was never trying to say which platforms get the most updates, but iPod games rarely get updates with content, and that usually comes because the game isn't complete or episodic. Compare Alive 4 Ever to Minigore, both twin stick shooters, Alive 4 Ever came out with content. But what are we doing with Minigore, waiting for Apple to approve an update... The DS and PSP games don't always need DLC because they are complete when they come out, DLC should be a bonus. Also for your other question... DS: Professor Layton ( I think there is 3 games now) Pokemon has User Made Content Online, and Download new Pokemon Picross Quendan 2( Sequel to Elete Beat Agents) Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, dl new missions Dragon Quest IX Phantasy Star Zero Adavance Wars, DL User Created Levels That game with the drums.. can't remember to save my life... PSP: Little Big Planet Burnout Wipeout Killzone Tekken Yugioh Tag Force GX 1 and 2 Exit Monster Hunter Series (2 out of 3 has it) Megaman Rockband Prinny Yes all is free except Rockband. I know there is more, especially DS. Also I know iPod gets updates but some times you are buying games based on text of "UPDATE COMING SOON" and the game is really shallow, I'm not a fan for the whole episode thing. I'm not hating on the iPod I play as much as everyone else here. I could blame Apple too, games like Minigore are ruined because their process which needs improvements... Honestly I just wish Minigore would have a hard mode already so I'm not bored waiting for the tension to start. No offense to the Devs I know you are working hard on it.
why are you all arguing with iDevice vs PSP/DS? this thread is not about that!!! hahahahahaha let's end this damn thing PSP and DS is greater for gaming iDevices are only great for gaming......for now.
Are you mad? Professor Layton has DLC? Ouendan 2 has DLC? What is the nature of this DLC? What, the Little Big Planet that isn't even out yet? Er, it does. It has Expert mode.
That is kinda right but few adults that have iphone are gaming on it and i think very few adult has psp. But to be honest i think the dsi is in the adult and kids section
I have beta testing and it's the last 2 weeks of the summer, so I'm having fun really. What is there to be mad about? Professor Layton you can dl puzzles, Quendan 2 has costumes. Everyone knows LBP has dlc, it's what makes the game(Costumes and level packs not user created levels), the only thing not on the PSP from the PS3 version is multiplayer. Haha, I know, but not until a few updates, which is my problem, I don't like these episodic games.
Most pointless post in this thread. DS isn't 'for' kids, just as the PSP isn't 'for' adults. None of the devices are made 'for' a specific audience, they just tend to be played by one audience more than the others. I'm 27 and I prefer my DS over both my PSP and iPhone. The reason the DS specifically is regarded as a 'casual' system is because it's enjoyed by a wide range of ages.
