Portable gaming has radically changed over the past 25-years. No surprise, I suppose. Both tablets and smartphones have really contributed to this swing and has even influenced a change in how games are marketed, priced and designed. We’ve shifted from games that are developed to be played for hours and hours with no updates, to games that are played in smaller time fragments and have regular updates that enhance, change and fix gameplay.
What was your first handheld gaming system?
My kids will remember playing on their Amazon tablets, while I remember playing on a monochrome screen.
Such a contrast.
Watch these kids react to the original Nintendo Game Boy — it’s hillarious:
Kids React to Game Boy
LOL!
The Game Boy evolution may be coming to an end, as mobile gaming threatens to eclipse it.
I wish Nintendo would release their retro games for iOS and Android! Wouldn’t that be EPIC!?!
Now for me to answer the question I asked before, What was your first handheld gaming system?
Mine was this:
While I suppose technically the Nintendo Game Boy was my first ‘system,’ this was my first portable gaming experience. I spent hours playing this — LOL! And unlike my Game Boy memories, it looks like I can re-live my Mattel Football 2 days on iOS!
So tell me…
Andrew Fallows says
When I was in kindergarten, my life was sucked into a vortex made of LCDs, d-pads, and ninjas.
http://i.imgur.com/cBdIL2W.jpg
Now, I own a Game Boy (big and bulky), a Game Boy Color, a Game Bod Advance, and a Nintendo DS.
One of these days I’ll have a 3DS XL, but probably not until the next 2-3 improved models have come out.
Eric Dye says
Dude. Great first handheld ‘system’!
Jennifer Gross says
I had a “Little Professor”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Professor 😉 Then Merlin & an electronic Pinball game. Like you I spent HOURS on these before I got my Atari 2600. Good times – thanks for the flashback. I agree about the decline in handheld gaming systems – my kids have kindles and play games on those plus watch movies. So why would they need another system?
Eric Dye says
Exactly. My kids use their Kindles a bunch, too. I wish Nintendo would jump on the ‘app train’ like SEGA did. It would be #EPIC!
KC says
The original Gameboy was my first handheld gaming device. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
Eric Dye says
Classic!
Tom Dye says
Son, I just downloaded the iOS version to my iPhone. I won’t be getting much sleep tonight. Hours of fun await. Great memories too.
Eric Dye says
🙂