There was a time when we scoffed at someone who tried to argue the case of mobile phones for gaming pleasure.
It's just, when you're used to harnessing the power of the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 and (even more so) a top-end PC rig, it's hard to see why you'd want to lower yourself to over-used, basic gaming rip-offs shoved onto a device that's meant for something completely different.
That's all changed now, however. Now you'll find some of the most enjoyable, addictive and innovative gaming experiences on your pocket dog and bone.
It's for that reason that we as hardcore gamers need to prick up our ears when it comes to gaming on your mobile. Here are five of the best handsets.
MOTOROLA DEXT
The DEXT isn't the prettiest phone in the world. It doesn't pack much of a punch in terms of power either, but those who are still a bit iffy when it comes to touching a screen will find the Motorola DEXT one of the nicest handsets out there as far as handling is concerned.
Why? Because it has its own d-pad, that's why, and a pretty nice one at that. As far as us gamers are concerned, we'll leave the bolt-ons thanks, you can keep your free minutes. No bars? No problem, we've got a nice little d-pad going on here.
The DEXT will run all your Android games, and if you don't mind sacrificing the power of the Nexus One for some proper thumb action, this one might well be for you.
In terms of visual quality the Google Nexus One made by HTC was billed as one of Android's biggest challengers to the iPhone.
Like Apple's offering, it's all about the screen on this beauty. The 1GHz processor channels its power to a responsive 3.7-inch AMOLED offering your beady little eyes a resolution of 480x800.
The problem is that the Android Market is horrendously limited when placed next to the App Store (but then what isn't?). That's ok though because it's gaining ground and you'll find more and more coming to the platform in the near future because of that. Developers are starting to take note, so should you.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S
Thinking of going with Google then? Hold the phone (zing), it's been pipped by a fellow Android handset more recently.
The Samsung Galaxy S has a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen, a 1GHz Hummingbird processor and is considered the best Android handset on the market at the moment..
It also packs a might powerful PowerVR SGX 540 graphics processor for those 3D escapades is the fastest graphics processing unit in an Android device, handling complex 3D graphics with ease. The two processors combine to give three times more power than Qualcomm's Snapdragon used by the Google Nexus One.
As with the Nexus, the amount of software available to you via the Android Marketplace is still stunted, but have patience child and this could be one that will see you come up trumps in the future.
HTC HD 7
The HTC HD 7 rocks a 4.3 inch screen with its own kickstand, so it's clearly geared towards life as a multimedia machine.
Although it doesn't have an OLED screen - which means it struggles to even come close to the visual output of the Galaxy S' Super AMOLED screen - it does have one very important feature for us gamers.
The HTC HD 7 is one of the best phones on the market that runs Windows Phone 7, a new OS that Microsoft describes as "a new and major games platform". That'll do nicely then.
Comments
10 comments so far...
T4ln0y on 19 Nov '10 said:
What's a phone?
nathar on 19 Nov '10 said:
a handheld gaming device that includes a real time chat facility i think.
Kenjirus on 19 Nov '10 said:
some low tech mobile VOIP machine then? pft, will never catch on...
(yes i know VoIP prob didnt work in that but meh)
one problem with the galaxy s is the battery goes from 100 % to 0 in 60 seconds while playing games it seems ( from playing on a relatives one)
lordirongut on 19 Nov '10 said:
I think that mobile gaming became awesome with the advent of Android and hacked iPhones. Screw the 'official' games - I'm talking about emulators! Anything from the 16-bit era or before works great on just about any Android phone or iPhone, as long as the device has multi-touch. Annoyingly, I have neither, though... that will soon change however, when I upgrade early next year.
T4ln0y on 19 Nov '10 said:
Oh okay. What a peculiar idea, why would I want to talk to people in real time? That's why there's a lock on my door..?
grimlock047 on 19 Nov '10 said:
mobile phones for gaming? what year you live on?
Welcome to the Internet tablet and multimedia portable device age.
Fr33Kye on 19 Nov '10 said:
AND THAT.....is why i want a psp phone..
sibear on 20 Nov '10 said:
Why do they always tout Angry Birds on the iPhone? It's on Android too. From the specs shown for the PSP phone it's going to be miles behind other phones by the time it launches. I'm hoping the specs change a lot.
richard99 on 20 Nov '10 said:
I don't think it's worth looking at which smart-phone is the best for gaming when there's a new generation of handhelds and possibly a PSphone due out in the next year or so (which will hopefully play PSP2 games).
It makes more sense to wait or to get a phone for other things and accept you'll end up buying a handheld later.
a.d on 22 Nov '10 said:
I've had the Iphone 4 since release and i love some of the games, It is best for games such as angry birds but proper games like Assasins creed ain't that bad either. Much more crisper graphics than a PSP too. I wouldn't play it over a proper handheld but i don't take my handhelds out of the house anyway only if i go on holiday.