I think this demonstrates my point though ...

In its lifetime the Nintendo DS had 258 games that sold more than 500,000 units (the 3DS already has 10) and a rare exception on the iPhone is able to generate similar revenues primarily by increasing the price of their product far beyond what most games can sell for. If the market changes and most consumers demonstrate willingness to pay $10 to $20 for games regularly on their smartphone it is possible that the dedicated handheld gaming devices will be threatened by these smartphones but, being that the main argument for these devices is that "games only cost $1", I'm not convinced this will happen on a wide enough scale.

I don't know. I do know ND looks about 20 in that picture.

I really don't see it happening. A game like Mario Kart would be unplayable on a touch screen, I wouldn't even want to play the original Super Mario Bros. with a touchscreen phone.

This is similar to the motion control debate, some type of games are perfect for touchscreen controls while others will always require classic controllers just like certain genres greatly benefit from motion controls while others just don't work with them.

So u perdict that Nintendo will publish games outside of their own hardware that soon?

Why March 2016?

No, I actually think the idea is preposterous.

i think it is vita dying not the handheld market all together.

nintendo is king in that market gamespot should know better by now

who didn't see this coming , sony was lucky enough last gen to get what it got it still got out sold 2 to 1 by the end ,

and w 3ds outselling vita 5 to 1 in japan there is no doubt in my mind sony better start getting games or else the same happens here

You don't think phones and tablets will completely take over?

It was when I got my Galaxy S2 that I realised smart phones in their current state offer no real competition to the handheld market. The game don't compare, in any possible way. If you try to incite that smart phones are a threat to the 3DS and Vita then you have to concede they're also a threat to home consoles - but no one does that, cause we get that it doesn't make any sense.

Yes there might be people who played the DS tetris on their commute to work and now don't need a 3DS to do that, but I don't think that's ever been an integral part to Nintendo or Sony's software sales model. Conversely I think they could quick play on the psychology that people play these games on their phones, then Sony come and market to them "Hey we have better handheld games" and they 'upgrade' from the Smart phone to Vita, or something.

I just don't believe anyone who plays a lot of PS3, or Wii, or DS, or whatever can play iPhone games and not just want to get a dedicated handheld. It's the whole casual market that things maybe become a bit more blurry, but give how they too to the Wii and DS I don't see any worries.

Long live the Vita and handheld gaming in general!

Hmm I doubt it man. In five years (or less) what will handhelds be able to do that a phone or tablet can't do? 

I'm willing to make a very long bet with you. :)