Loose Threads: Are iPod games worth the time?

Before the DS, before the PSP, even before mobile games really got off the ground there was the iPod. Granted, the device wasn't able to play games until it had been through a good few revisions but in the gadget stakes the iPod was, is and probably will continue to be, the king.

Though it is never likely to be a core aspect of the device, there is every reason to expect that the world's favorite gadget will continue to be home to a steady stream of casual titles. Of course, the convergence nature of devices like the iPod touch and the iPhone could have a profound effect on Apple's strategy in the games department (and it's certainly a sector too lucrative for the company to ignore), particularly in light of the forthcoming iPod touch/iPhone SDK.

Even so, the iPod's credentials as a gaming device are far from proven and though some of the early titles have show promise and polish, whether or not the iPod even needs this kind of content is a contentious issue amongst users.

Last week we threw that issue to the wolves (you lot), which you relished in tearing to pieces. Launching straight into the latter half of the argument (i.e. the iPod touch/iPhone), Sri Lanka-based oshada4763 piped up with:

"As an iPod touch owner, I've been really disappointed with the lack of native games for the touch. The surfeit of web-games doesn't really make up for it. But it'll be interesting to see how game developers, especially Activision (now Activision Blizzard), face the challenge of developing original games for the multi-touch screen. The prospect of Guitar Hero on the touch… "All I can do is wait, and dream."

As we mentioned in the forum, oshada4763 won't have long to wait what with third parties about to get the keys to the iPod touch/iPhone. Games are sure to follow this but the way in which they will be delivered is still unconfirmed, although we reckon via iTunes is an obvious safe bet. In response to this, oshada4763 informed us that iTunes is not officially supported in Sri Lanka, so get to it Apple!

Moving on, SetsFireToPoshHammer steered the discussion back around to more traditional iPod games:

"I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised. Granted the click-wheel isn't ideal for some games (Sonic The Hedgehog being one of the most notable examples) but for titles like Zuma and iQuiz, it's perfect. "What's even better is that despite annoying control niggles, the games always seem to be polished to the max. If Apple maintains a tight hold on what appears on the iPod via iTunes, it might really be a good thing. The last thing we want is the platform becoming a shovelware repository."

A good point and perhaps the drip-feed release schedule is indicative of Apple's understanding that the iPod is not likely to become anyone's first choice handheld gaming solution. New member Accelorata Jengold, who scores a ten out of ten for her username and avatar (take note, people), echoed these sentiments:

"I don't know. I mean, I understand why people want games on something like the iPhone. It has the scope for some decent controls, it has wi-fi and some pretty powerful guts. More importantly is is something that you are likely to have with you all of the time. I am less convinced however about the nano and the classic. "If I am out and about I don't always have my iPod with me and even if I did, the first place I turn to game when I haven't thought to bring my DS is my phone. It's not like I am against iPod gaming but I just don't know if it's worth shoehorning titles onto a platform that just isn't suited to most genres, especially when chances are you have a better gaming solution in your pocket most of the time anyway (i.e. your phone)."

That's some fierce logic right there folks. It seems that until the iPod touch/iPhone get some native games, the iPod's credentials as a gaming platform will remain up in the air.

Elsewhere on the forum, a topic we have covered before – next-gen handhelds – flared up again thanks to a thought-tickling thread posted by regular danskmacabre called 'Time for a DS 2 or something':

"I'd love to see a new DS with: 1. The signature dual screens (but bigger).
2. Both screens being touch sensitive.
3. Capable of rendering 3D on both screens.
4. A faster processor and much better graphics.
5. An official removable storage option and the ability to buy/download games onto the media via the WFC/Wii shop or internet via a PC.
6. More memory, a lot more. "I was pretty disappointed with Warhammer 40k, I haven't really seen any decent western style RPGs like, say, Baldur's Gate on the DS (although I enjoyed Phantom Hourglass, it was a very Japanese style RPG). "In general, I feel that the more complex games just aren't doable on the DS. The PSP is powerful enough but I hate that it doesn't have a touchscreen."

In response, some dashing stallion of a poster ventured:

"I think you are right about the download thing, in my view that should really be how the DS evolves. If Nintendo was to release an official storage option for the current models and then maybe a revised model with inbuilt storage they could really go nuts with the whole download thing and as long as the quality bar remained high, the formula would be perfect. Basically, what I want is a virtual console on the current DS I suppose."

Then Accelorata Jengold jumped in with:

"It was interesting what [Nintendo president Satoru] Iwata was saying at the tail end of last year about how Nintendo wants to add a bunch of practical connected functions to the DS in Japan, such as train time tables, weather and suchlike. "It all sounds a bit like the Wii's channels to me and I wouldn't be surprised if that is the direction in which the DS is headed. Surely some sort of branded storage is only a matter of time (I hope anyway)."

Lastly, SetsFireToPoshHammer just couldn't resist digging his oar in:

"Don't know about the PSP getting a touchscreen. I think it would be cool and everything but I don't know if Sony will be keen to go head to head with Nintendo on that front. "I think that Nintendo has proven that for a touchscreen to work you really need another screen where your fingers aren't getting in the way of the action and I just don't see Sony going for a clamshell design, it just isn't its style."

We'd tend to agree with SetsFireToPoshHammer there, but wouldn't it be interesting if we were wrong?

After all of that discussion, there was little else going on forum-wise besides this repeated request from the very complimentary scarypharaoh:

"Hi there, I was just wondering, if Sony are going to start giving better updates to the PC/PSP Store – any chance of reviewing some of the PSone games that get released? Thanks for a great website!"

All we will say is flattery will get you most things in life. Watch this space scarypharaoh, the hour is nigh.

And so on with next week's topic: Is Gizmondo doomed to fail a second time?

As ever, more details can be found over on our forum, so get posting and click 'Track It!' to be sure not to miss the ensuing discussion.

ps – Some of you may have noticed that in this week's Loose Threads we have ascribed avatars for you (you lazy bunch). Feel free to save these (or something else of your choosing) and use them in the actual forum. Go on, you know it makes sense.