SupPORT or DisapPORT?
Have you ever wanted to play an old game and couldnt find it anymore and saw that it was available on the mobile marketplace? The App Store and Google Play has plenty of classic ports already available. But with more and more games getting the mobile treatment, we started wondering what were some of the benefits and drawbacks of having older games available on smartphones and tablets. Not every port is perfect, but theyre sure to bring in fans of the games and introduce younger gamers to a series if theyre more readily accessible. But they can do more harm than good, too.
In with the old...
The good:: Playing an old game you havent played in a while hits you right in the nostalgia. And if youre one of those people whose parents threw away their old gaming collection or lost a few gems throughout the years, playing an old favorite just makes you feel good--even on a mobile device. Plus, chances are you may not have played every classic game out there, so getting to experience a whole new game regardless of how old it is gives these relics a second chance to shine and reconnect with fans and make new ones.
Improvements in progress
The good:: Some old games look really good on your iPads Retina display and many even feature upgraded visuals, better lighting, and a whole new and improved look. The WiiWare game The Conduit, for instance, was completely revamped when it was ported and re-released on Android. Others like Final Fantasy VI keep their traditional look, but include a few modified textures to give you a fresh taste of an old favorite. Visuals arent everything, but if its done right, whos to argue?
Controlling, much?
The good:: Mobile phones dont come with a handy set of shoulder buttons and joysticks, but they do offer touch controls that work with many games coming from other platforms. DS games, for example, have no trouble finding a home on your Nexus or Galaxy since all you need to do is replace the stylus with your finger. Having a second screen is only beneficial to some of these games, and even ports like The World Ends With You manage to tweak their gameplay to accommodate their new mobile format. Other console ports like Bastion and XCOM also make their transition work without taking away anything from the original experience.
Dying battery zones
The good:: If your favorite game required you to play it in front of a TV before, a mobile port gives you the freedom of taking it with you wherever you go. And since almost everyone and their mother has a smartphone nowadays, this makes playing those games a lot easier and more accessible. Not to mention, a lot less expensive if you consider your phone can do so much more than just play games. Saving is also never an issue since many current mobile games come with auto-save features that keep your data safe even if your phone happens to die if youre in the middle of a boss battle.
Everything comes with a price
The good:: Depending on the type of game, youll find ports ranging from as little as nothing to the average of $15 on the App Store or Google Play. Some of these ports even cost a lot less than if you were to buy the originals, making them a great buy if youre on a budget. Phoenix Wright Trilogy, for example, gives you three games for the price of one DS game. Others like Baldurs Gate II offer extras or DLC pack with your purchase, making them more complete and a better value.
TelePORTing to the future
Nothings going to stop publishers from porting games to mobile, but some good can also come if they come up with new games using already-established IPs that are designed specifically with mobile in mind. Of course, gamers still buy classic games on Virtual Console and PlayStation Network, so mobile ports arent such a bad thing after all. Let us know how you feel about playing older games on your mobile device.
