Video games are one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world and they can bring endless hours of enjoyment. Whether you’re exploring a new world, fighting opponents, racing, competing in major sports events, saving the Earth or whatever, there are always games to play that you will have fun with. One of the great things about video games is the ability to play at home or on the go. Many major franchises and series will have both console and portable games, allowing for different takes and a lot of flexibility.
Nintendo have long been the kings of portable gaming. Their Gameboy or DS consoles stood at atop of any other challenger to the handheld crown. This has been furthered with the introduction of the Switch this year, as now portable and console games are united. While before you would choose to play the latest Legend of Zelda games at home or check out the latest handheld spin-off, you now have both in one. Breath of the Wild has been a huge success, both critically and commercially and fans have been loving the game since it launched with the Switch. You can enjoy it at home docked and hooked up to your TV or you can play wherever you are with the joycons attached to the screen.
Mobile gaming has opened many options with portable gaming. Now new games are being launched for Android and iOS devices every day, with some from the top names in the business. While many of these franchises are exclusive to your phone, some are spin-offs to popular console and PC games, such as Hitman, Final Fantasy, Sonic and Pokémon. Some games can be made with both at home and portable in the mind. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft has become one the most successful games of all time and this is part in thanks to being able to play on your PC, laptop or whatever, giving you freedom to play whenever you like.
Some games aren’t based on their own game series but based on licensed properties and this can lead to more flexibility. Instead of a developer making a game for something they are comfortable with, the owner of a franchise will want maximum coverage and will try different types of game. The Transformers have been in many games over the years, with Transformers; Devastation being the latest console game, but you can also try a Transformers slot machine from Ladylucks online UK casino. Injustice 2 just launched for PS4 and Xbox One with a mobile game to go along with it. Injustice 2 on smartphones has different gameplay and simpler graphics but still provides a fun way to play and it can link with your console version.
Handheld games can also be used to relaunch a game that was previously console exclusive. Old console games can be released for handhelds now that the technology has become more powerful, with some notable examples being Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2 to 3DS) and Persona 4 (PS2 to PlayStation Vita). This has become a staple for the Dragon Quest franchise, with the first eight games in their main series being re-released (and remade in some cases) for portable consoles and smartphones. Embracing mobile for the franchise resulted in the ninth instalment, Dragon Quest IX: The Sentinels of the Starry Sky, to be released first and only on a portable console, with Dragon Quest XI: In Search of Departed Time to have a simultaneous launch for PS4 and 3DS.
