Is Gaming on the Go Right for You?

There are so many different possibilities and options for people who enjoy gaming in the modern world.

03:08 25 January 2025

There are so many different possibilities and options for people who enjoy gaming in the modern world. Not only do you have multiple consoles with a myriad of exclusives that even extend to cloud gaming possibilities, but you can also take many of these consoles on the go. The Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck will come to mind first for many, but even those candidates neglect the most obvious route – your smartphone.

Mobile gaming is as popular as ever, but before you jump into it, you might want to know what people get out of it. 

On Mobile

The first port of call for many people will be to simply pull out their phone and start exploring whatever games are available through the app store. If what appeals to you most about the smartphone is the fact that you already have one ready to go, you might be perhaps looking for games that you can access just as easily – maybe without paying. That can lead you to a whole host of freemium games, which can feel like the right approach, but it’s worth being aware of how payments might be included later as fairly unavoidable microtransactions.

While a similar model in theory, online slots can also appeal to you for a similar reason, especially if you’re familiar with these types of games. However, it’s also worth perhaps thinking of any up-front payment for a new game as a small investment.

On Other Handhelds

The core appeal of mobile, the fact that you already have access to it, likely isn’t as present with the other consoles. Both the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck are fairly large, meaning that it’s something you’re likely going to have to pack around. While the upside of this is that you’re granted a much bigger screen, more controller space, and perhaps even access to a wider library of games, that convenience is impacted. 

If you are hoping to truly take your hobby on the go, however, exactly as it is, these two are pretty direct ways of doing that without impacting your library.

How Much is Too Much?

In theory, it might sound great. Being able to pick up where you left off and engage with your hobby no matter where you are has an automatic, immediate appeal. However, in practice, you might find that you’re potentially oversaturating yourself with video games. If you’re playing games absolutely wherever you go, when you come home and want to relax with your hobby, playing yet more games might not be as appealing.

There is value in restraint, and if you feel as though you’re starting to become addicted to video games, that’s especially true. Taking some time away can help the time that you do spend with games to be more fun, and it also encourages you to expand your horizons to develop hobbies elsewhere – potentially getting you out of the house and away from a screen more at the same time.