Photo by Rohit Tandon on Unsplash
When it comes to gaming, it’s hard to pick a favourite console. Whether you prefer to play on your PC or you love using your PlayStation or XBOX, each console has its own benefits. Whether it’s the incredible graphics on your PC or the ability to use XBOX live with your friends, there are many different reasons to use each and every console there is.
One of the most underrated forms of consoles, however, is handheld games. Whilst you may not be able to play games that are as cinematically impressive, handheld games are actually pretty incredible. To help even the toughest sceptic see why here is a guide to the benefits of handheld games and 5 ways to make playing them easier.
What Is Handheld Gaming?
Before we get started, let’s look at what handheld gaming is.
As the name suggests, a handheld game console is a lightweight, portable device that has a built-in screen, game controls, and speakers. Handheld consoles are much smaller than home video game consoles yet they still contain the console itself, the screen, the speakers, and the controls in one unit. Their compact design allows people to carry them and play them, no matter where they are. Popular handheld consoles include mobile phones, a Nintendo Switch and a Nintendo DS.
Although they may not be every gamers favourite form of console, there are some incredible benefits to using handheld consoles.
The Benefits Of Handheld Games
- You Can Play Them Wherever You Are
One of the main benefits of using handheld games and consoles is that you can play them no matter where you are. Whether you’re on the plane to an exciting new destination or you are sat in the garden in the sunshine, you can play your favourite games on the go. If you love to game and find that you have a lot of time travelling from one place to another, a handheld console is the best possible way to give yourself a way to game as you travel. It may not be the same as the games you play at home, but it’s definitely a great way to keep you occupied. For a guide to gaming whilst you travel, you can visit this site here.
- You Can Use Your Phone To Play
If you can’t afford to buy a handheld console, you can just use the phone that you carry around with you each and every day. Although you won’t be able to get full-feature games for your phone, you will be able to download mobile game applications. These are often small games that don’t require a lot of skill, however, they often end up being some of the most addictive games out there. If you do want to purchase games that require a little bit more skill and attention to detail, you may find that there is a small cost associated with the download. If it’s a free game, you may find that you need to pay for certain packs or coins within the game.
- They Don’t Take Up Much Space
Another great benefit when it comes to handheld games is that they don’t take up a lot of space in your bag or your packet. Most handheld consoles just a little bigger than the size of a phone, making them incredibly easy to carry around with you where ever you go. If you are going to be taking your console out and about with you when you travel, you may want to consider getting a case for it. Although these consoles can be pretty sturdy, having a separate case for it will not only protect it as you travel, but it will give you a place to store all of your games and accessories. With lots of cool designs, you can get a case that suits you and your personality. For Nintendo DS and Nintendo Switch cases, you can visit this site here.
- They Can Be Played Without Internet Connection
Although you may need the internet to access some features within handheld games, most of them can be played when you’re not connected to the internet. This means that no matter where you are in the world, you will be able to access the games that you’re playing. Whether you’re going through a tunnel or you enter a bad storm, you’ll be able to continue playing whether you lose your signal or not. You won’t lose your data and you won’t experience any lag.
- You Can Buy Exclusive Games
When it comes to handheld games, you will find that there are a lot of exclusive games that you can only buy for a handheld console. Whilst the games you purchase for the PlayStation or XBOX may have better cinematics, certain things are only available for Nintendo consoles. Not only should this encourage you to have at least one handheld console, but it should encourage you to widen the genre of game that you’re playing. Moving out of your comfort zone may allow you to discover a new genre that you really like.
- You Can Still Connect To The Internet And Play Against Your Friends
If you do have the opportunity to connect to the internet using a handheld console, you will be able to play games with your friends (or random opponents). Whilst most handheld consoles will have this option, the most popular way to connect to the internet to play is by using your phones data. For more information when it comes to data, you can visit this site here: https://smarty.co.uk/unlimited-sim.
How To Make Playing Them Easier
- Make Sure You Always Have A Charger With You
One of the best tips you can have when it comes to ensuring you can use your handheld consoles is to make sure you always have your charger with you. Although most consoles have a pretty long battery life, you never know when you’re going to be caught short.
- Ensure You’re Always Connected To The Internet
Of course, this isn’t always possible but where it is, connecting to the internet will allow you to play the handheld games to their fullest potential. If you can’t connect to WiFi, you always have the option of hotspotting your phone. Just be cautious of how much data you’re using to do this.
- Only Play When You Can Give Them 100% Of Your Attention
Although it may be tempting to play your handheld consoles as soon as you get a free second, the format of the games often requires a lot more attention than those that would be played on a larger screen. Because of this, it is important you are only playing them when you are sure you can give them 100% of your attention. Whether it’s for a long journey or on your lunch break, you need to be able to give it your all.
- Find Games That Are Better Suited To Handheld Consoles
Finally, you may want to consider finding games that are better suited to handheld consoles. Sometimes games that are designed for larger consoles are brought out on either the DS or Switch, but often they’re not quite compatible or they’re difficult to follow. Do your research and find out which ones are best when it comes to handheld consoles, ensuring you stick to playing those. If you’re unsure which games are best, you can visit this site here.
Do you love handheld games? What are you favourite things about playing them? Let me know in the comments section below.
