Gamer's Corner: ...And The Winner Is?

The iPhone...well, depending on how you look at it. Let's look at the facts first. After only a year, give or take, The App Store has made the iPhone one of the hottest handheld gaming platforms around. How exactly does that make all of you gamers out there feel?

For me, it's a very exciting thing to be a part of. Personally, I have been an avid "gamer" since the Atari 2600 hit the market in 1982 (well officially it hit in '77, but I had one in '82). Since then I really have seen the gaming industry take a lot of different turns and directions over the years. What am I seeing now?

Right now I'm noticing that casual games have become the trend. And what device offers the most product in said category? Well, that would be the iPhone/iPod Touch. Love it or hate it, the iPhone has quickly made a name for itself in the gaming industry. What really surprises me is that the iPhone is... well, just a phone! I mean what other phone out there can do what the iPhone can do? On top of that what other phone offers as many games as the iPhone? Nobody does! And that's my point. Whether you agree or disagree with this article, (and I encourage people to disagree with me) the fact is that over 15,000 developers have made software for the iPhone in the last year. And now everyone from Nintendo to Playstation are attempting to replicate Apple's business model. Has any other platform had such a rush of developer and consumer growth in such a short amount of time? The answer is, no. Again, whether you agree that the iPhone is the future of gaming or not, it's clear this "phone" has made a significant mark over the competition. In the end, competition always leads to better product. In the end that just makes the Devs and major companies try harder to get your attention. And in the end it ultimately will lead to better games. So my overall point, and I've had many in this article, is this: How do you guys feel about this? Again, I like having a device that can do everything. I have a DS, but I never have it on me. My iPhone never leaves my side and to have it play games as well as do everything else it can do is a huge plus. I mean who wants to carry around multiple devices? More importantly, who has the pocket space? So let's here your comments. Are you excited by this surge of interest in not only the iPhone, but causal games in general. Because let's face it, the iPhone is really only a platform that delivers good causal games. If you want games more involving, the PSP Go or DSi is a much better choice for sure. Let's not also forget the price of the games. Even though the PSP Go and DSi have more "involving" games, their games range from $30-$50 a piece. The most expensive game on the iPhone is $9.99. Not to mention the convenience of buying a game instantly on the iPhone from your home as opposed to having to leave the house and go to your local game store for a DSi or PSP Go game (and yes, I am aware the PSP Go isn't currently out yet). Either way, I believe the iPhone is here to stay as far as games go. It might not be around for the long haul and it might not knock Nintendo or Sony out of the race, but it sure has been a major force in only a year. Nobody else can say the same thing. The most important question I have is this: Where will Apple go from here?

My Game Pick Of The Week

This week is tough for me. I have played a lot of new games in the last week and it really was a tough choice as to what game to recommend to you guys. However, after careful consideration, I have chosen "Bed Bugs." If you want a fun and entertaining casual game, Bed Bugs is it. In the game, you are sleepwalking and you must fend off the "bugs" that are trying to wake you up. It sounds easy, but trust me when I say it can get quite chaotic at times. Try it out and let me know what you think. As always, see you next week...

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