Loose Threads: Do you buy multi-platform games on handheld?

[Fraser]

The PSP, DS, iPhone, N-Gage and Mobile have a rich library of exclusive titles, but where do loyalties lie when it comes to multi-platform titles?

Will you buy Star Wars: The Force Unleashed on the PSP if you have a PS3 sitting under your TV? Is it worth getting Lego Indiana Jones for the DS when you know you are more likely to play the Wii version more? And what about mobile? Will the release of Reset Generation or Brain Challenge on platforms such as PC or XBLA deter you from getting the games on their original platforms, i.e. mobile?

It's a thorny one this, but what do you lot think?

[daab.orion]

Normally I don't bother to get multi-platform games on the mobile instead of the console unless I don't have the console that the better version is out on. For instance, I bought the PSP version of Sega Rally because I don't own a 360. Ironically enough, the PSP version ended up being the better build, so I guess I lucked out.

There are rare exceptions to the rule, however. Star Wars Unleashed is an instant purchase for me on the Wii, but considering how much time I spend on my new iPhone 3G, and how much dust my PSP and DS have collected since the iPhone 3G's launch, I'm going to be buying two versions of the same game for the first time in my life (iPhone and Wii). At least both versions have drastically different types of control, so it probably won't feel like a waste to buy two versions of the same title.

These type of exceptions aside, the console versions usually get more development time, and are handled by the better team within the studio, so you're likely to get the better bang for your buck buying the game for the console rather than your handheld for now. Mobile gaming is getting much more popular in the last couple years, so hopefully this trend will change for the better soon.

[hunter_alien]

Yes, for my PSP. I dont buy actually any multiplatform games for my PS2/PC since I have my PSP mostly because I like games on the go. Often the quality is lower, thats true but I forgive a lot if the portable version is at least playable. I bought tons of multiplatform games for my PSP like Lego Star Wars 2, Lego Indiana Jones 2, Burnout Dominator, Tomb Raider Legend, Star wars Battlefront 2, Peter Jacksons King Kong, Ecochrome and many more and I have to say that most of them are pretty faithfull recreations of the consoles versions. Hell soemtiomes I do bealive that the PSP games are actually better in many ways ( value, graphics, playability ), like X-men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse or Burnout Dominator.

In the near future the only multiplatform games Im planning to purchase are Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Lego batman and Midnight Club LA Remix. Judging from previews all three are looking to be quality games.

[danskmacabre]

TBH, I don't really think about whether a game is multiplatform or not.

When I am considering buying a game, I ask some friends about it, read some reviews and then search youtube for videos of the gameplay.

If that all checks out, I'll buy it.

[Accelorata Jengold]

To be honest when it comes to the PSP at least, I stick to exclusive titles. Though I'm sure I'd enjoy lots of the third party multi-platform games out there, I just can't bring myself to play a paired down version of something once I've experienced the showroom build.

There's just no way that I'll be buying The Force Unleashed on the PSP, because I'll definitely be getting the 360 version. Often the PSP does do a great job of condensing the original title into a smaller package, the GTA games are a great example. But then, those sorts of games are landmark on such a small console by definition of their genre.

When it comes to that necessary gaming junk food, (i.e. mostly all of EA's multi-platform output) I want a gallon of coke and a skip full of fries with that burger - a happy meal just won't cut it if you get my meaning.

[SetsFireToPoshHammer]

I often buy the DS version of multi-platform games, mostly because the line isn't so clear with that console. The hardware necessitates a completely different approach and games ultimately bear little relevance to the 'showroom builds' as you put it Accelorata (for example with the forthcoming Prince of Persia DS game).

I get your point on PSP though, often the titles come across like pale imitations as opposed to a thoughtful sidestep to the under the console TV version. I think Star Wars Battlefront II has to be the worst offender on PSP, though Lego Star Wars II on the DS is a particularly memorable stinker too I'd say.

Hey maybe this is a Star Wars thing...? I should probably make a poor joke now about the Force being strong/weak with this one or something but I just can't be arsed.

[daab.orion]

I often buy the DS version of multi-platform games, mostly because the line isn't so clear with that console. The hardware necessitates a completely different approach and games ultimately bear little relevance to the 'showroom builds' as you put it Accelorata (for example with the forthcoming Prince of Persia DS game).

I get your point on PSP though, often the titles come across like pale imitations as opposed to a thoughtful sidestep to the under the console TV version. I think Star Wars Battlefront II has to be the worst offender on PSP, though Lego Star Wars II on the DS is a particularly memorable stinker too I'd say.

Hey maybe this is a Star Wars thing...? I should probably make a poor joke now about the Force being strong/weak with this one or something but I just can't be arsed.

I totally agree with your comment regarding Battlefront II. Something I laughed about when Hunter_Alien mentioned it as one of the better titles (then again, I think you could take a crap in his UMD drive and he's swear it was the best game in the world because it's on PSP lol).

I got the PSP actually FOR that game because i was so addicted to it on the PS2 and XBOX, I figured it would be heavenly to have it on the go as well. I got renegade squadron with the bundle, but it wasn't the one i was looking forward too. ironically though, RS is the one that gets the play time as the lock on mode is really the best way to play the game. Don't get me wrong, with hours upon hours upon hours of playing Battlefront II you can do fairly well... but it still isn't as easy as the consoles, and hoenstly you shoudln't need that long to adjust to a control scheme. most people who don't care about games as much as I do for instance would have probably sold that off to gamestop after an hour of play.

First person shooters are one genre actually that i would always buy on a console vs a handheld. Even Metroid Hunters was a bit odd to me. I can play Metroid Prime 3 for instance for hours on end, but I get horrible hand cramps when I play Hunters. So while i know SOCOM and the like are always tooted as awesome handheld games, I always pass them up.

While I think PSP does a lot of things right, as does the DS, I find myself personally buying mostly console games because neither of the before mentioned handhelds seem to be terribly practical for long play sessions. That, and like you said, handheld games often suffer from the poor immitation syndrom.