I always find Hot Topics like this one tricky, but after probably too much thought I’d have to go with a selection of original Game Boy games which I bought at the time and still play to this day. The titles I still play are Operation C (Contra), R-Type (a pretty stunning conversion given the limitations of the monochrome screen and hardware), and Monster Max – an isometric adventure game in a similar vein to Head Over Heels. Which if I remember rightly was also designed by Jon Ritman and was developed by Rare.
No emulation just original hardware and cartridges.
Honourable mentions to the 3DS version of OutRun, the best conversion on any format. Might not have the original car of the Sega Saturn version but the tilting effect of the screen and the sound effects from the original hydraulic cabinet seal its position for me and you can play it in 3D too. Playing Zelda: Ocarina Of Time on the 3DS actually allowed me to complete it without having to compete for use of the family television. These two games alone equate to more than 100 hours of play.
I’m currently playing and enjoying Bomb Jack on the Nintendo switch. This is such an easy game to pick up and play. However, really hard not to have just one more go. It was only released a few weeks ago and it has been my go-to game ever since.
I haven’t been without a handheld console since the very first Game Boy and without fail have taken a handheld console with me on every holiday I’ve been on, with exception to my honeymoon! I enjoy retro compilations on handhelds as they provide a quick gaming fix when you have a few minutes of downtime, but there are much bigger games you can get into without the time commitment of the more epic titles on a home console. Although with Nintendo’s switch that line is becoming increasingly blurred with the likes of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild to name just one example.
I’m not sure what the future holds for portable consoles, what I do know is I have several Nintendo handheld consoles, a Sony PSP, and more games than I’ll honestly get round to playing, which will keep me busy for years to come.
BADMAFiA1972
