The worst of Mobile World Congress 2011: Weedy 3D, ports a-plenty, games too pricey

Gaming was big, big, big at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where a number of notable announcements set the mobile gaming industry abuzz.

No question about it - Sony Ericsson dominated the spotlight with its unveiling of the Xperia Play handset and a pledge to push hard in the gaming space. There were plenty of other noteworthy developers - good and bad - that defined our MWC experience.

If you want to read about the best MWC 2011 had to offer, go here. Otherwise, stick around for the stinkers.

3D graphics are all the rage right now - cinema-goers want to don plastic glasses to watch movies in 3D, Nintendo is preparing the launch of its 3DS this spring, and LG is trying to make a convincing argument that 3D mobile gaming is the way to go. Unfortunately, after a thorough hands-on the LG Optimus 3D just didn't impress.

Pocket Gamer's own Will Wilson took three top-notch Gameloft games for a spin on the 3D-enabled handset - N.O.V.A. 2, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, and Let's Golf! 2 - and walked away underwhelmed. To be fair, part of the disappointing showing is due to the games being mere ports of 2D titles.

But that's the problem. It's unlikely developers will design games specifically for the device. As Will put it, "[W]hile 3D videos look great and the idea of taking images of your loved ones in three dimensions is appealing, for gamers looking to get in on the third dimension the outlook is less obviously positive."

Despite the excitement we feel for Android - in particular the Xperia Play - the games themselves are fairly underwhelming. Dead Space and Crash Bandicoot are great, but we've already played these titles.

Ports of iPhone and PS1 titles don't exactly make for a thriving mobile platform. iOS gaming has been a phenomenal success because developers are keen to craft titles specifically for iPhone and iPod touch. There are some Android-exclusive games, though not nearly enough to make it as compelling as iOS.

Xperia Play could encourage some developers to craft unique games, but MWC was notably silent on that front. It could be several more months before we start seeing a healthy line up of original Android titles - if at all.

We've been spoiled by cheap iPhone games. If prices of games for Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play are any indication of where the industry is heading, then expect rising rates.

Fishlabs plans on selling its good-looking space epic Galaxy on Fire 2 for £5.99/$9.99 - the same price for the iOS version. However, developer Trendy Entertainment expects to sell sequel Dungeon Defenders: Second Wave for "under $10." Considering that the iPhone original sells for a mere 59p/99c, that's quite the possible price range.

While many games are worth higher prices (Real Racing 2 is undervalued at £3.99/$6.99, for instance), generally raising game prices has the effect of overvaluing bad games.

Will casual time-fillers go up in price too? Does Fruit Ninja, for example, deserve a price hike? Time will tell if prices go up and if gamers stand for it.