It used to be in the past that if you wanted to get a gaming fix on the go you needed to buy a handheld gaming system such as a Nintendo DS or Playstation Portable. Now though, smartphones and tablets seem to be replacing them for most consumers, which begs the question, is it worth to buy a portable gaming device or should you stick to an all-in-one device? The answer is both yes and no.

Read on for more.

Even if you say that your smartphone is enough, the truth is that most phone based games don’t have much depth to them and also for some, the lack of physical controls is a deal breaker. Handheld systems themselves have come a long way, you’re not paying for something that just does games. For example, the Nintendo 3DS also has support for Netflix, takes Pictures (even if they’re mediocre), and has light web browsing capabilities. Also they’re pretty well equipped, for example the upcoming PS Vita has a quad-core processor, 5″ OLED Touch screen, and dual analog sticks. The main reason however, is the games themselves.  Say what you want about carrying only one device, but the amount of fun and depth in the games for dedicated systems is far beyond that of smartphone games. Titles like Legend of Zelda on the 3DS, and Uncharted on the upcoming PS Vita are what will truly offer a console-like experience on the road. So if you’re the type of person who takes gaming seriously, or you demand more than what smartphones or tablets offer, a handheld gaming system is worth the purchase.

Some consumers might argue that they really don’t need a dedicated game system because their phone does the job fine. There’s definitely some validity behind this argument as well. First of all, not everybody wants to carry around another device just to play games on, it’s just an extra item to carry around. The second factor is price.  Getting a handheld system and games for it can become costly, especially if its not something you’ll use very often. For example, most new release iOS/Android games will run you $6.99-$9.99 whereas a new release on the DS or 3DS will cost $34.99-$39.99. Lastly, there’s simply the value to the person. If you’re not one who games often or you find that whatever you play on your phone is good enough, then a handheld system is not worth the purchase. Overall, if games are just a way to kill time for you, you’ll find that a dedicated system is not for you.

So here’s the verdict.  While the demand for handheld gaming devices is down, there’s still a market for it. I do think that for the time being, handhelds should stay in the market. Yes it’s an extra thing to carry around and it can get expensive, but the truth is that there’s still plenty of people out there who demand a more in-depth gaming experience than what they get on a smartphone. Although, if you decide that a dedicated game system isn’t worth the purchase, no one’s going to blame you.

Which way do you prefer to get your gaming fix on?  Your smartphone or your handheld system?  Leave us a comment below.