PS Vita, 3DS, you’re screwed

I don’t think the Nintendo 3DS or Sony Playstation Vita are going to be very successful.

Poor sales for the 3DS forced a global price cut to try keep consumers interested, and aside from the launch week in Japan, the Sony PS Vita is struggling to move significant amounts units in the region.

Meanwhile, smartphone and tablet device sales are through the roof. Record sales prove that everyone wants to own one, despite their seemingly high cost.

Once consumers realise that the smartphone in their pocket is a capable gaming device, will they really consider investing in a mobile console?

3DS, PS Vita are bulky, expensive

The first problem with the dedicated handheld consoles, the price. The 3DS costs around R1,800 locally, while the PS Vita will demand R2,999 for the Wi-Fi only version, and R3,599 for the 3G version.

High-end smartphones such as the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S 2 are more expensive – but they’re multi-purpose devices capable of doing far more than just playing games. With the advent of iOS and Android ecosystems, if you want your smartphone to do something beyond the standard features, all you need to do is download an application.

One should also note that while smartphones are more expensive, most customers who would consider a 3DS or PS Vita already have a smartphone device. So instead of buying a dedicated gaming console, they’re actually saving money by just using their smartphone.

How do you carry a PS Vita or 3DS around? Unless you’ve got an affinity for cargo pants, you’ll find one of these handhelds cumbersome. Smartphones are designed to fit comfortably into a pocket (we’ll pretend the Samsung Galaxy Note doesn’t exist for a while), and the above point remains – people already have smartphones.

They’re already carrying around a device capable of gaming, why would they want another one?

Well what about carrying a bag for your device, I hear you ask. If you’re going to carry a bag, you might as well carry a tablet PC.

Not only can the tablet do more, the larger screen and easier controls bright the fight to the consoles in a bigger way than smartphones. And once you bring tablets into the equation, the consoles come up against far more competition in terms of devices sold.

Instead of just competing against the 487.7 million smartphones that shipped last year, you’re also competing against the 63.2 million tablets too.

Do you want a 3DS? Me neither

Cost of games

3DS and PS Vita games also cost far more than iOS games. AAA titles games such as Mario Kart 7 for the 3DS sell locally for around R450 a pop. The PS Vita is even more expensive, with Uncharted: Golden Abyss expected to retail locally for R549.

Both Android and iOS devices offer a host of entertaining games for free, which is a major plus. No, they’re not as “good” as Mario Cart 7 or Uncharted, but they don’t need to be. They are entertaining enough to keep you busy while you’re on the go, considering how much you paid for them.

GTA 3 makes picking on old people fun

Then we get into the paid apps on iOS and Android, which are far higher quality than the free versions.

While they don’t quite stand up to games on a 3DS or PS Vita, we’re talking Playstation 2-level (and sometimes even better) graphics on a phone or tablet. Grand Theft Auto 3 is a great example of an immersive, entertaining game that is great to look at on a tablet. Real Racing 2 and Infinity Blade II are two other games that really demonstrate the graphical power of these devices.

One also needs to remember, graphics aren’t everything. Take Scribblenauts Remix for example; or Plants vs. Zombies; or World of Goo. The best part about all of this is that they’re much cheaper than console games.

Scribblenauts Remix is $1, GTA is $5. Even the more expensive games, such as Soul Calibur, are only $11.99.

Big foot, meet Kraken.Scribblenauts makes this possible

Why would you need mobile gaming?

The benefit of a mobile gaming console is that you can play on the move. The two hours spent on the train every morning; waiting in line at the licensing department etc. Very seldom will you sit down at home and game on your handheld when your PS3, PC, and Xbox 360 are there, providing you with a much better gaming experience.

With that in mind, do you really need a console as powerful as a 3DS or a PS Vita? I’m not totally convinced.

Bottom line

Can mobile gaming consoles stick up to the assault of smartphones and tablets? I don’t think so.

They used to be an integral part of gaming culture – the Nintendo Gameboy will bring back many happy memories for those of you older than 15.

Back then simple games were enough to keep us entertained on the go, and that hasn’t changed. I’ve invested countless hours of queue time on the Android Drag racing game, and that isn’t much more complicated that pressing the screen every time you need to change gear, you don’t even need to steer.

It’s basic, it’s fun, and importantly it’s enough to pass the time.