Is iPad the Ultimate Portable Gaming Machine?

No doubt I like gaming though I am not mad about it since I haven’t upgraded from my phat PSP. The new PSP NGP sounds promising and features packed. However, the price might put off average gamers even me unless I have extra cash to spare or receiving it as a gift. Before the first iPad existed, iPod touch has already impressed people around the world with its touch capability, gaming power as well as a mini music station. Essentially, it is the all in one machine excluding the ability to make phone calls which of course, Apple has sorted it out with iPhone.

I was quite surprised when The Gadget Show (a UK TV show which tests gadgets and gives them rating) included iPod touch in its list of portable gaming machine along with Sony PSP and Nintendo DSi. I was even more surprised when iPod touch won that category. What started out as a MP3/4 player has become the best portable gaming machine? If that is true, it truly put Sony and Nintendo to shame but I didn’t agree with the verdict and I still don’t.

A 3.5” iPod touch was considered as the best portable gaming machine due to its touch control capability and smooth in game performance. So, I imagine that since iPad is already out now, its 9.7” screen should make it the best of the best portable gaming machine?

Truthfully, being able to play games on a screen as big as 9.7” is a bonus. The control is great but it sometimes depends on the game itself as the control can be quite unresponsive in some games. I have to say, ever since I start playing games on my iPad2, I never pick up my phat PSP. But still, I disagree that iPad is the ultimate gaming machine.

The Unit

As mentioned, the huge screen size is great and impressive. HD games look the best with good quality graphics. No matter how fast pace the games is, iPad can still render the frames without noticeable delays. You may have already known the most significant differences between iPad and iPad2 are the weight and processor. I am not sure about iPad but the games’ loading time on iPad2 is as quick as you would like any gaming machine to be. Most games launch immediately just like running applications.

Game Control

iPad2 is light but it strains the wrists when hold for a long time. Most games allow the option to choose either touch control or tilt capability. I have no problem with touch control as it is my preferred way and for some games that have no touch control option; I will just have to adjust myself to playing the games by tilting iPad from left to right and vice versa.

I believe that most users prefer the touch control. However, when touch control is being used, the iPad is most probably being placed on a flat surface and you will soon find yourselves looking down on your iPad for hours which can seriously stressed the neck.

On the other hand, if you were to hold up the iPad, it could stress your wrists and fingers.

Game Selections

With iPad App Store went past the 100,000 mark, you can quite easily imagine the number of games you can get on your iPad. It is also very easy to download and install games. No more cartridges or UMD or CDs and you can have dozen of games ready to be played on your iPad. With multitasking capability, you can even switch between games. Well, most game titles that you can find on Sony PSP or Nintendo DSi will be available on iPad. However, the gameplay will be slightly different in some games.

Most games are quite cheap or even free. The best of all, once you own the games, you get free updates. The updates could range from fixing minor bugs to adding more functions and longer play time. For example, when Need for Speed Hot Pursuit HD came out; it only gave users the option to play as a cop. The most recent update has added the capability to play as a racer.

Gameplay

I wish the gameplay could have been longer and with more varieties. I own Fifa 11 and it is nothing like Fifa 11 on Sony PSP. If a team is chosen, you have to stick with the players. There are no transfers or career development as a manager. While playing a match, the graphic looks good but it lacks of interaction. There is no mention when a player scores a hat trick and there is no leaderboard to show the top scorer not to mention top assist.

I do believe that most games can be finished in just a day or two.

The touch screen has opened up many possibilities. The whole screen is available to touch and interact. In Fifa 11, you can touch and swipe a player to indicate player switch or attack. However, it doesn’t always work as moving away from your touch control means you will have no control over your current player.

Finally…

A game controller for iPad will certainly be welcomed by millions of Apple users but I doubt Apple will make one since iPad focus has never been gaming. Nevertheless, we should see one in the future by third party manufacturer.

Even though I don’t regard my iPad2 as a better gaming machine compared to my PSP, I can’t really take my hands off it. I believe that it is down to the quick start and short loading time. Indeed, the gameplay is short but the variety of games can easily keep you occupied for hours.

I always believe that the price we pay for an item somehow represents the value of it. Most iPad games are cheap and it has kind of explain why the lack of game hours. However, it is still very impressive considering that iPad has only been around for a couple of years. I am quite sure that iPad games will improve and it’s just a matter of time when iDevices will be crowned as the ultimate gaming machine.