I'm curious. I've heard the term "console quality" being used to describe handheld games before, but I don't know what "console quality" implies. Console quality graphics? Then that should be specified. But if it's a broader term, covering the whole game, then what exactly makes a game "console quality"? Is there "handheld quality", too?

To compund my confusion, I've played a litany of handheld games in the past seven years (especially the last three) which seemed like better games than the majorty of console games I've played in my lifetime. And I've missed out on most notable PSP games, too. :P Does this make them "console quality", because of my subjective measurements of quality?

There are also a litany of console games that have been remade or re-released on handhelds. Are they "console quality" since these classics originate from consoles? Or are they too old to count anymore?

All I can think of is this: "console quality" is a term used in lieu of "cutting edge". Possibly because some people think that home consoles are the most "cutting edge" experience available, and they also believe that game quality is heavily dependant on hardware capability. More likely because the gamers who have an extreme preference for home console games... have an urge to belittle handheld experiences because they cannot be played on the gamer's platform of choice.

/rant

if it was cutting edge the term should have been PC quality

Well, at least that would make some measure of sense.

It's just a catch phrase, really. I don't really care much about advertising speak. I don't understand why people get caught up in it, either, where they get mad at what commercials and PR personnel say.

I agree with your post. I think people think of high production values akin to what a AAA home console game would have when they say "Console quality". Personally, that's not what I shoot for when I buy a portable game.

Damn. I was hoping for someone to tell me that I'm wrong. (

Console quality means that the graffix and gameplay mechanics/scale are comparable to what games from the past two generations are putting out. It doesn't have anything to do with how good a game is. That's how I see it, anyway.

Using the PSP as an example, I would consider Daxter "console quality," whereas LocoRoco is " handheld quality."

It made perfect sense

When you see games like Super street fighter 4 on the 3ds and Umvc3 on the vita to say that there aren't console level of games on those platforms.... I mean you might as well try to argue there isn't sand in a desert.

I made this thread because I saw a VGC user employ this term in order to make his argument, and that just flat-out boggled my mind. Apparently there are people who don't treat the term as meaningless PR speak. :O