Handheld Game Consoles: Then and Now   by Paul Buchanan

These days, it seems every new gadget on the market is striving to deliver greater convenience – whether with regard to the mobile phone that performs like a computer, or the car navigation system that will get you to your desired destination without a single wrong turn. Of course, it comes as no surprise. After all, an increasing number of people are seeking that convenience, whether in their personal lives or for work purposes. What’s more, many prefer convenience on the go – which means compact gadgets are currently among the most popular on the market.

Interestingly enough, however, this trend isn’t limited solely to adults and business people. The younger generation, growing up amid fast-paced technological advancements, also prefer convenience fuelled by innovation – a development that’s particularly apparent in the popularity of portable game consoles.

Handheld game consoles – while highly popular today – actually originated in the 1970s. Of course, they were different then; original designs were capable of playing only a single game, and it wasn’t until a few years after their release that they began using interchangeable game cartridges. Through the 80s and 90s, a long list of consoles emerged, ranging from Game Boy and Atari Lynx, to Sega Game Gear and Turbo Express. Towards the end of the 90s, more advanced, colour variations were developed, such as Game Boy Colour, Wonderswan Colour, and Neo Geo Pocket Colour.

However, the development of handheld game consoles had a long way to go in terms of convenience and innovation. Aside from portability, users of these products began seeking multi-functionality – not unlike that found in mobile phones, which function as navigation devices, music players, organisers, and more. Consumers simply wanted to be able to do more with their handheld consoles – and the market listened closely. It wasn’t long before gaming companies started to release handheld consoles – such as the Nintendo DSi console – supporting photos, music, internet, and documents, not to mention a longer battery life. Many newer designs also now feature double screens – which are usually touch screen – multiplayer games (for more than a dozen players via wireless networking) and storage for downloaded games. Simply put, handheld game consoles have evolved over the years to offer more than just gaming capabilities. They’re now all-in-one devices that can be applied to a variety of needs, and which cater to an extensive consumer base – from younger, tech-savvy kids, to university students and older gaming fans.

About the Author

Paul Buchanan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
GAME BOY MUSIC (but not the kind you’re thinking of)

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Nintendo Game Boy Advance, 2003) $13.50