Loose Threads: Which genres are lacking on handhelds?

Handheld consoles and mobiles are responsible for one of the biggest sea changes in gaming's history with the arrival of casual gaming.

But whereas games like Tower Bloxx, Puzzle Quest and LocoRoco have rightfully earned precious mindshare among casual and hardcore gamers alike, there's a downside to one genre having such clear dominance at the expense of others.

Where are all the 2D platformers for the DS? Where are all the beat-'em-ups for the PSP and why is there still no hint of a real time strategy game on the iPhone? Last week we asked you which genres you think are under-subscribed on handhelds, and your response went a little something like this...

First to the debate was Fenrir with a relevant, if somewhat histrionic, response:

"There's a rather disgusting lack of RPGs - especially JRPGs - on the PSP if you ask me!"

There is indeed, though it might be more accurate to say that there's a 'disgusting lack' of localized Japanese RPGs on the PSP in the west. Mind you, Kingdom of Hearts: Birth by Sleep should go some way to rectifying the deficit.

Next up, one of our forum's newest members, Gideon B, chimed in with:

"I personally think the portables have no shooters, except Medal of Honor Heroes, on the PSP and a few third person ones on the DS. Mostly the portable front is over-saturated with casual games (especially the DS) and racers (especially the PSP) and such. But we do need a few shooters.

"The thing is, all I see is shooters on homebrew, but no developers are making any good shooters, Metroid was the only good shooter on the DS, and on the PSP there is Medal of Honor Heroes 1 & 2, yet we need more shooters. Does anyone agree with me on this?"

Yes, it's true - up to this point both the DS and the PSP have felt a lack of some good old-fashioned run and gun mischief. Having said that, Resistance: Retribution on the PSP as well as both C.O.R.E. and Moon on the DS are shaping up very nicely indeed. Let's hope they all succeed as prime examples of the shooter genre so that some other developers are encouraged to tool up with some more handheld digital ballistics.

Following on from this was Splat, with a request for something of a more measured pace:

"Definitely less puzzle and match-three games please. More strategy games - I'd like a more in-depth Tower Defense that you can play against other people."

Good call there, where are all the strategy games anyway? We can look forward to Robocalypse on the DS and Mytran Wars on the PSP looks pretty exciting, but that still leaves mobiles thoroughly out in the cold.

Taking off on Splat's point, hunter_alien delivered a typically thorough summation of the topic:

"Real time strategy games. Actually the only quality hand-held RTS game I have seen on current-gen handhelds is not even out yet... yes, I'm talking about Galaxy's End. Besides that game, I don't even know if I have seen any, except some niche Japanese ones.

"Shooters are lacking too. Yes, the PSP has two each of the Syphon Filter, Medal of Honor and SOCOM franchises (well actually three SOCOM and Syphon Filter games but one is a turn-based tactics game and the other is download only). The DS has Metroid Prime: Hunters and Dementium: The Ward and both systems have at least a half dozen mediocre shooters too, but it's still not enough in my opinion.

"For beat-em-ups, God of War: Chains of Olympus was great for the PSP, and I'm certain that Capcom wouldn't disappoint with a Devil May Cry game either (Dance of Sparda anyone?), but again, I definitely want more. Ninja GaidenDS was great, but I want one for the PSP to, because it just fits the system. For the DS I would like to see more 3D platformers - it's more then capable of handling them (as Super Mario 64 DS proved).

"And as a final idea I would like to add horror/survivor games too. Resident Evil DS, Silent Hill Origins and Dementium proved that both systems can handle games that are capable of spooking us out, so why don't we see more of them"

Good lord hunter_alien, is there anything you don't want more of? Your pocket gaming appetites are insatiable - truly you are a man after our own hearts. To respond quickly, we'd say, yes we need more strategy games, ditto beat-'em-ups and shooters. As for 3D platformers, would it not be better to focus on making some gorgeous 2D efforts? Anyone for a resurrection of Zool/Bubsy the Bobcat/Dizzy? Anyone?

Oh and as for survival horror games, we just have to seize this opportunity to say, Konami, if you are listening, please release both of your excellent Silent Hill Mobile point and click adventure games on the DS and the iPhone, pleeeeease!

And with that wrapped up (for now), there's just enough time to look at what else has been going on in our splendid forum. On our topic from a couple of weeks back, 'Is there space for another handheld?', Gideon B used his first post to make some very good points concerning where homebrew handhelds fit into the equation:

"...all we need for another handheld is a small price tag, controls that work with pretty much everything, and support for homebrew games without any of the DSi Store, or PSP Store malarky. More like Steam on the PC for releasing games, which can boost it, but I would like to see Valve make a console or a handheld…"

There's plenty more to go along with that so be sure to give the thread another look to see what else Gideon B has to say on the topic.

And before we post next week's topic, there's just time enough time to draw attention to Ahri's growing thread in the Suggestions & Feedback section concerning the animated icon we use for open tabs, so do make sure to drop by and dig your oar in on that one.

As for next week…

Loose Threads: Should iPhone games have a minimum charge?

Inspired by Tracy Erickson's cracking article earlier this week, this one should really get the forum fires burning. As ever, there are more details in the usual place.

That's it for now, as ever it's never too late to join the forum and get involved with Loose Threads (as evidenced by newbie Gideon B this week) so if you haven't already, go here to register and make your thoughts known.

As for the rest of you, don't forget to click 'Track It!' to be sure not to miss next week's Loose Threads.