Handheld Gametime

[Glockstar]

A recent poll by Sony (http:///#) asked how my time spent with my PSP affected my time spent with other systems and things.

Did anyone else participate in this poll or get polled on this?

I thought it pretty interesting - especially in light of my answer. I mean, I hadn't really thought about it before, but it made me realize that ever since I got my PSP - and then later my DS - I have not been doing a lot of the things I used to do. Or a lot of the things I had intended to do. Or finish a lot of things that I've started. And so on. And so on. And too much. Which is exactly what I didn't want to have happen when I bought into these new handhelds. :( Dang it!

I've tried to recreate their question and answers as closely as possible... but I am intentionally altering it a bit to include any and all handheld (http:///#) gaming devices etc - PSP, NDS, GameBoy, NGage, PDA (http:///#), cellphone... whatever. So the question then becomes,
(Has the total time you've spent with your handheld (#) device(s) detracted from time spent doing other things?)

[Glockstar]

I just found out that I'm limited to 10 responses... the poll I took had more so unfortunately I had to leave a few off. And of course, they would be the obligatory "No" answers, like...

* No bearing whatsoever
* No, I really hardly game on my handhelds
* No, I actually watch MORE movies

Of course, if you've got "other" answers, please share. (Tho' I realize that might be asking for trouble...I mean that's just asking for Beer to start up with the innuendo, isn't it? :p )

OH YEAH, YOU'RE NOT LIMITED TO ONE RESPONSE... CHECK ALL THAT APPLY!

[Fivespot]

Hey Glock. I might be the last one left, but I'm unaffected by handheld gaming. I used to own a GBA-SP but it soaked up way too much of my time. Especially when I was supposed to be working hence why I traded 'er in for some other gaming stuff.

I've been very tempted to pick-up a DS but probably won't until they are a bit cheaper - plus I can barely keep up with all the console gaming as it is.

Good thread. Go Pack!

[Gadfly2317]

No shock that the DS, and the PsP to a lesser extent, have cut into my console gaming time. However, I actually go out more now than before. Probably a LOT more going out once wi-fi games like Animal Crossing and Mario Kart come out. . .I'm not wi-fi at home yet as planned, and there are plenty of free hotspots where I live. There's a bar/art gallery I really enjoy, and I'd rather hang out having a few brews at a bar and kill all you all with turtle shells then to hang out at home. That's the point of a portable system, right, to take it somewhere?

More movies, too. There's this great arthouse theater that's really cool. It kinda works out that I get there early, and I get gaming in there too. I'm a gaming addict, and getting my fix in smaller doses throughout the day has actually freed me up somewhat. I do more reading at home now.

DS RULES!!!!

[Brendon]

Damn, a bar/art gallery/wifi hub sounds totally awesome.

Stupid backwoods country.

[Glockstar]

Hey Glock. I might be the last one left, but I'm unaffected by handheld gaming. I used to own a GBA-SP but it soaked up way too much of my time. Especially when I was supposed to be working hence why I traded 'er in for some other gaming stuff.

I've been very tempted to pick-up a DS but probably won't until they are a bit cheaper - plus I can barely keep up with all the console gaming as it is.

Good thread. Go Pack!

Go! You know it!

With the way handheld games are now - particularly with the PSP games - I strongly believe that handheld gametime will definitely, inevitably, cut into a gamers console gametime. You are wise to wait.

-

No shock that the DS, and the PsP to a lesser extent, have cut into my console gaming time. However, I actually go out more now than before. Probably a LOT more going out once wi-fi games like Animal Crossing and Mario Kart come out. . .I'm not wi-fi at home yet as planned, and there are plenty of free hotspots where I live. There's a bar/art gallery I really enjoy, and I'd rather hang out having a few brews at a bar and kill all you all with turtle shells then to hang out at home. That's the point of a portable system, right, to take it somewhere?

More movies, too. There's this great arthouse theater that's really cool. It kinda works out that I get there early, and I get gaming in there too. I'm a gaming addict, and getting my fix in smaller doses throughout the day has actually freed me up somewhat. I do more reading at home now.

I haven't forsaken any of my responsibilities but I checked every box that had to do with gaming and entertainment. It's too easy to start up a quick game. So inbetween, or immediately after, chores or acitivities or whathaveyou I find myself running to and flopping down on the bed. With the press of a single button I'm off and gaming! Unlike with my console games, where I have to turn on the tv, turn on the speaker system, turn on the console, load up a game, get the lighting right... I don't know, if I've only got a few minutes it just seems like such a bother. But at the same I only have so much time, you know. So whatever few minutes I took squeezing in a little gaming is time lost at the end of the night to get into a big big, or uber-involved, game.

Plus these handheld games I've got are so addicting. They call to me!

Your underhanded knocks on the PSP are funny tho', Gadfly. I've taken my PSP with me more often, and to more places, than I have my DS.

I think some of that has to do with the fact that I'm ashamed of my DS. I probably wouldn't feel as bad if I'da bought the silver one, but this electric blue one... it looks like someone dumped nailpolish on it.

Of course, it's got a lot to do with the fact that I've only, really, got Meteos to play on it right now.

Anyways, the biggest bummer about my new toys is that they've cut into my reading time. Bigtime. Since buying my PSP I haven't read a thing; I was right in the middle of a great book too. I barely even look at my gaming mags! I had resolved myself to read more this year and was doing so well too. :(

[trebor]

The option which would have applied to me the closest would be...

I get less sleep then I used to.


Being as that I really only play my GBA-SP before I go to sleep, so if I'm particularly enthralled and play longer then I should I get less sleep.

[Cuddly Knife]

It only affects my TV watching time. I used to watch but now I just listen to the news and such while playing my handhelds.

[Glockstar]

The option which would have applied to me the closest would be...

I get less sleep then I used to.


Being as that I really only play my GBA-SP before I go to sleep, so if I'm particularly enthralled and play longer then I should I get less sleep.

Ooh, good one.

#@$%ing Meteos, man. I have got to stop playing this game before I go to bed. For not only do I play it too long, but it images of falling and rocketing multi-colored blocks permeate my rem sleep. The night is filled with tension and anxiety... it's terrible.

[Gadfly2317]

Your underhanded knocks on the PSP are funny tho', Gadfly. I've taken my PSP with me more often, and to more places, than I have my DS.

I think some of that has to do with the fact that I'm ashamed of my DS. I probably wouldn't feel as bad if I'da bought the silver one, but this electric blue one... it looks like someone dumped nailpolish on it.

You will be secure in your manhood someday. I'm sure of it. ;)

[Cuddly Knife]

Uh-oh. I might've spoke too soon. I just got Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance and Iridion 2 GBA to play on my DS, and I haven't even thought about playing on my consoles, nor will I do so until 'vania is beaten to the max. I underestimated the power of the GBA. I have Astro Boy and Minish Cap, and while those games are very good, I didn't get a wow from either of them like I just got with 'vania and Iridion 2.

Castlevania: HoD is friggin great. Everything I expect from the series is here. Great castle layout, decent whip control, fair enough music(could've been better), and graphics that are on par if not better than SotN, and there's Aria of Sorrow that is even better than this one! This is making me all the more pumped to get my grubbies on DoS.

Iridion 2 should've been called Axelay 2, they are so damn similar, it's not even funny. From the weapons to the music and graphics, and I just can't get enough! I beat it on gotten close to beating it on NORMAL, and I can definitely see myself playing this one until I've mastered HARD mode. I will be getting Nanostray based on how much I'm impressed with this game, fuggit if it has semi-iffy touch screen controls.

Anyone have any recommendations for other shmups and adventure games on the GBA?