Handheld Consoles: The End of an Era?
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Could Handheld Consoles Go Extinct Soon?

As technology changes and trends within the gaming industry come and go, could we possibly see the end of separate handheld consoles?

9
Could Handheld Consoles Go Extinct Soon?

Ever since the original Nintendo GameBoy hit the scene in the late 80s, the handheld gaming market has enjoyed a long and mostly healthy lifespan. However, as time has gone by and technology has changed rapidly before my very eyes, I've started to question whether the handheld market could possibly disappear or transform into something different within the next decade or two. Could handheld consoles, as we know them, possibly vanish?

I'm not saying that mobile games are at risk of disappearing; far from it. In fact, the rise and popularity of the mobile phone gaming market are why I feel traditional handheld consoles may fall to the wayside. With games being available on your phones, similar to the music on iPods, what reason is there for most people to buy a separate just for handheld games?

While Nintendo has enjoyed near-universal domination within the handheld market, other companies haven't been so lucky. Sony's PSP had slight success, but later handheld consoles such as the PSP Go and the PS Vita weren't that successful. Other companies, such as SEGA and Atari, tried to compete with their own handheld systems, all of them failed to even come close to chipping away Nintendo's stranglehold on the handheld market.

As of now, Nintendo is the only company still competing in the traditional handheld market. They even released the Nintendo Switch, a home console that can double as a handheld. We are witnessing home and handheld becoming one in the same. Within the next few decades, we might even witness the end of home consoles as a separate technology and just become another option built into most televisions.

Gaming on the go is not a concept that's really going away any time soon. However, we might be witnessing the end of them as unique consoles built solely for gaming. Almost all forms of recreational technology are moving toward this image of a unified multimedia hub. You don't just get games from your game console and you don't just get cable channels from your television. Gaming, in general, will become another option on televisions and phones, and I believe we are seeing the beginning of that trend with mobile gaming.

This is not an inherently bad thing. It's always interesting to watch how technology changes over time to meet the demands of a new generation that are unique to that generation. However, it does seem a little sad because we could be witnessing the end of an era in technological gaming over the next few decades. The ways we played games as kids will one day be no more and it tugs a little at your nostalgic heartstrings unless you're a child who's wondering what all those 20 or 30 somethings are getting slightly sad about.

Certain technologies come and go in the blink of an eye, and it's always good to see technology move forward. This, however, doesn't change the fact that sometimes you feel a little sadly nostalgic when you witness a piece of technology you grew up with suddenly be discontinued. It reminds us of our youth (I can't believe I'm saying that at 26) and that certain technologies aren't as disposable as we think.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

47912
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30381
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954378
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

173037
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments