Loose Threads: Which is the best handheld console of all time?

Gamers are a choosy lot. Browse the forums and you're not unlikely to come across someone stating something along the lines of, "But the metrosexual in this RPG doesn't have spiky enough hair", or, "But I wanted a gun that shoots uranium-tipped shuriken, not white hot carpentry nails", and even "Where are the Goomba-powered helicopters upholstered in real Bowser hide? This kart piloted by an Italian plumber simply will not do".

Yes, we're hard to please and never more so than when it comes to our hardware of choice. Being somewhat niche and proud as it is in the handheld realm, us pocket gamers are an especially selective bunch so we thought we'd put the big question to you lot last week: Which is the best handheld console of all time?

First in as usual was danskmacabre, our resident DS fanatic:

"Hmmm, my first handheld was the Merlin. It had about six games on it and was really fun (at the time, being the 1980s). Not sure if it was the first handheld console, but it must have been out there with the first."

Released in 1978 by an inventor called Parker Brothers of ex-NASA acclaim, the Merlin was a massive success selling over five million units in its initial run alone, before enjoying sustained popularity throughout the '80s. Just in case any of you fact fans wanted to know. Anyway, dansk continued:

"Other than that, well the Original Game Boy was a classic of its time too. I played it to death. "Still, if I had to choose just one, at the end of the day, for the things that are important for a handheld as follows: battery life, portability, well protected, lots of good games, a decent backlight. For me, it has to be the DS Lite. The touchscreen really swings it for me, though. If the PSP had a touchscreen and, say, ten games I really liked I would have said that instead."

Well, that's one up for the DS Lite. Another forum member, hunter_alien, who we're happy to say is fast becoming a regular fixture in the comments and posts, had some PSP love to counter danskmacabre's DS devotion, though:

"As much as I liked the GB, GBA and N-Gage (yes, I liked it) I have to go with the PSP. It's the first handheld that can offer console-quality gaming on the go and that's the thing I was always looking for. "Also, some of my all-time favorites are on it: God of War, WipEout, Twisted Metal, Syphon Filter, Crash Bandicoot (yes, I know the new ones aren't the best, but nostalgia wins over this one) and many more. And the fact that it's also the best portable media player just adds to its greatness."

Wow, the last console we expected to get a mention in this thread was the original N-Gage.

Still, it's a fair point about the PSP in that it certainly does offer games comparable to relatively recent home consoles. Is that what it's really all about, though? Mandark then took the stage and showed his sense of heritage:

"It has to be the original Game Boy. When future historians look back at handheld consoles, I'm sure the Game Boy will be regarded as the one that really created the market sector."

SetsFireToPoshHammer was similarly old-skool in his tastes:

"I agree that the Game Boy was the handheld that started it all, but for me the Game Boy Advance Micro is still the absolute zenith of pocket gaming. Sure I like what the DS and PSP are doing now, but if you want purity, the Micro's where it's at, if you ask me."

The Micro is a beautiful little device and no mistake, certainly a great send off for the Game Boy brand. Although we wouldn't be surprised to see it rise again – the brand, not the Micro.

While we drifted off thinking about that dreamy scenario, Accelorata Jengold used the topic as an opportunity to grind his favourite axe:

"What I have always wanted is a game that I can play on a home console, that I can then continue playing on my handheld when I leave the house. Is this possible with the PSP and the PS3 with emulated PSone titles? I'd rather it was possible with the DS and the Wii's Virtual Console but, hey, if I can have it any which way, I'll take it. "Back on topic, I always wanted a Sega Nomad for obvious reasons, but it's hard to knock the Game Boy Advance; I still play mine from time to time."

Well, it seems that judging by this lot that the Game Boy, in one form or another, is handheld gaming's crowning achievement so far. Disagree? You know where to let us see the error in our thinking.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the forum one of our most pro-active members, HiddenAway, has an Everybody's Golf 2 proposition for you all:

"Right! The game is finally out, it's fully online. So the big question is, who's able to go online and who wants a game at some point? "For those using the advanced search to find my hosted games, look for group name Haway. Organize first though. I might be waiting for someone else!"

Organizing online tourneys for our pocket gaming brethren is something we have been thinking about for a while, but it seems one of our readers has beaten us to it. So help HiddenAway get the ball rolling and get in touch via this thread here.

And now, for next week's topic:

How much is too much for an iPhone game?

As ever, there are more details in the forum where you will find countless other threads all just waiting for your pocket gaming wisdom. And remember to click 'Track It!' to be sure not to miss next week's edition.