iPhone casts a hex on games consoles...

[theRepublic]

First, the iTouch does not cost the same as the DS or PSP. It is quite a bit more expensive.

Second, the iPhone will always be seen as a phone first and foremost. That gives it a bit of a problem. People like single use devices because they do their function so much better than multipurpose devices. The question is if the games on the iPhone have become good enough for most people. I have my doubts. I also doubt that there is software with the type of draw that Nintendogs, Brain Training, NSMW, and MK DS have. Without extremely popular software, the iPhone just isn't going to have a large, dedicated gaming audience.

Third, the dedicated portable gaming devices I have had experience with have all been very well built. This is especially true for Nintendo. They take abuse from kids and just keep on working for years and years and years. I don't have much experience with the iPhone or iTouch, but cell phones in general are not as well built. I've seen data that says that cell phones are replaced every 1.5 to 2.5 years, depending on the age of the user. The younger they are, the shorter they last. On top of that, cell phones seem to undergo big swings in popularity every few years. Gaming devices stick around for years on the market.

I think both business strategies have a place in the market. I'm sure we will continue to see growth in cell phone games. However, I just don't see cell phone games taking a big chunk out of the more traditional game market anytime soon.