The Future of Handheld Gaming

Ever since Nintendo launched the original gameboy handheld gaming has sparked a huge market.  People love the ability to play their games without being tied to a big bulky device and a television.  Handheld gaming has evolved immensely since the launch of the gameboy however, which supported black and white 2d sprite based games.  Now with 3DS and PS Vita you can have the full console quality in the palm of your hand which was previously unheard of.  However, sales figures have shown that these handheld consoles are not selling as good as the original DS and PSP.  Why is that?  The answer simply put is do to 3 more handheld consoles that people sometimes don't think about.  Of course I'm speaking of Android, Windows Phone, and IOS.  Microsoft has stated that it's reason for not building an exclusive handheld gaming device is because of Windows Phone.  They have advanced it and made it possible to play XBOX live arcade games from the phones running this OS.  Smart move on their part seeing as how these 3 are taking over handheld gaming.  For many years people have played games on Ipod Touch and Iphone which have been rapidly evolving.  A huge change has taken place however.  Android is now offering games that rival console quality for price ranges far less than IOS and Windows Phone.  

The interesting part of this is that many game available on consoles are becoming available on Android.  Examples being Asphalt 5 and Sonic 4.  Asphalt 5 costs less than $5 on Android, but on handheld consoles at launch cost $35-$40.  Sonic 4 was not available on regular handheld consoles, but on Wiiware cost $10 each, and only $5 each on Android.  New Prince of Persia games cost $50-$60, but on Android only cost $3.  These trends are explaining why Android is a superior handheld console than the actual consoles.  Many games on Android are free or range less than $5 where as all quality games on 3DS and PS Vita are $40.  If things remain the way they are then in a matter of time Android will overtake all markets for handheld consoles.  You even have devices like Nexus 4 and Galaxy player that still fit in your pocket and do not require a service agreement.  Great for giving your kids or yourself an affordable portable gaming experience.  3DS is still putting up a fight because of Mario games, and upcoming Zelda, pokemon, and Smash Bros. games, but this won't be enough to get all portable gamers to shell out the $170 for the console and the $40 for each game.