GTA III is On iPad, and It Really Works

[Lazybones]

http://kotaku.com/5868430/wow-gta-iii-is-on-my-ipad-and-it-really-works

So you know that gaming is taking off on iPhone and tablets when you get a full port of GTA III and it actually works... O and it is only $5 and works on both tablet and iPhone in one version.

Now how much does Nintendo or Sony charge  for those mobile versions of old games they have been releasing for their portables again?

[Mr. Analog]

Well, first issue would be control, there's no tactile feedback. For GTA III it's not a huge deal but for future iterations a sensitive joystick is gonna be absolutely mandatory. It was a big deal last year when Capcom ported Mega Man 2 to iOS, it just didn't have the precision control required for arguably one of the tougher MM games leading to poor reviews and frustrated gamers (this is something Capcom has apparently addressed in the upcoming iOS port of Mega Man X but who knows without a real hands on). I think this is where Nintendo / Sony still have the advantage when it comes to games.

3DS titles range from $2 to $12, the least expensive are generally apps (like guitar tuners, productivity tools, postcard makers, etc). The mid range is dominated by ports of existing games (usually around $4 or $5, mostly console ports). The upper range $8-$12 are indie games like Plants vs Zombies ($8) or Shantae: Risky's Revenge ($12) but that kind of makes sense I guess.

There are currently more than 400 downloadable titles available for the 3DS (mostly because it shares many titles already available on the DSi).

PSP I'm not sure about what their pricing looks like, though given that it's Sony it's either going to be comparable or higher.

[Lazybones]

Well, first issue would be control, there's no tactile feedback.

This is true to a degree, but I have seen the same argument from Blackberry users about keyboards... however I found I could imediatly type faster on my first iPhone than on any of the sliding keyboard or Blackberry devices I had ever used. To this day on the new Blackberry units I have a hard time typing on them since my thumbs tend to touch about 3 keys at a time.

[Mr. Analog]

I'm actually really glad that things like voice recognition work on touch interfaces, it comes in handy sometimes. For games though nothing beats an analog stick (particularly for driving or movement speed control)

[Melbosa]

Well, first issue would be control, there's no tactile feedback.

This is true to a degree, but I have seen the same argument from Blackberry users about keyboards... however I found I could imediatly type faster on my first iPhone than on any of the sliding keyboard or Blackberry devices I had ever used. To this day on the new Blackberry units I have a hard time typing on them since my thumbs tend to touch about 3 keys at a time.

I would say the controls are really focused on your background in such devices or others of similar nature.  I for one need the Blackberry keyboards to text or email.  The on-screen ones on Androids or iPhones (or even my BB OS7 device) have me fat fingering all the time... and I do not understand why - its like I can't make out properly where to put my finger on the small touch screen devices.  Tablets I have no trouble with, but when it comes to phones I need that tactile keyboard.  The on-screen touch keyboards always screw me up!

So this could be very much from playing with such small controllers in games where thumb movements were precise, but also you could "feel" when you were on the right location.  Maybe that is my problem, the lack of tactile response on my thumbs with on-screen keyboards on new phones... or then again I am just weird.

[Mr. Analog]

Just as an aside the best mobile keyboard I've used is the HTC Touch Pro slide out, the way the buttons are raised and the little raised guides on the latters "F" and "J" really help, very rarely do I fat finger with it. Heck, I've used that sucker in the dark without problems. I've played with a friend's Crackberry and I found the smaller keyboard to be a problem but still better than no tactile response, then again you tend to get proficient at any input device if you use it long enough I guess.

On the plus side for mobile / tablet gaming there are plenty of controllers starting to emerge out there, though not so handy if you are commuting or just want to pick up a game and play without carrying a second device.

[Lazybones]

For games though nothing beats an analog stick (particularly for driving or movement speed control)

iCADE - iPad Arcade Cabinet
http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/retro-gaming/e762/

[Mr. Analog]

For games though nothing beats an analog stick (particularly for driving or movement speed control)

iCADE - iPad Arcade Cabinet
http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/retro-gaming/e762/

Yup

On the plus side for mobile / tablet gaming there are plenty of controllers starting to emerge out there, though not so handy if you are commuting or just want to pick up a game and play without carrying a second device.

[Lazybones]

On the plus side for mobile / tablet gaming there are plenty of controllers starting to emerge out there, though not so handy if you are commuting or just want to pick up a game and play without carrying a second device.

This one isn't too hard to bring along
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JuUG_DP0OA

[Mr. Analog]

That one looks pretty good, most of the others I've seen were pretty bulky