Are handheld games consoles going to get shorter lifespans now?

[CM30]

As in, become like smartphones where new models are released every year or two?

Because as someone said on another site, there's quite a bit of potential for constant money making to be had with New Nintendo 3DS style hardware revisions, and Nintendo could keep iterating on their games without ever having a major generation jump ever again.

But what do you think about the idea? Is it possible? Is it a good or a terrible idea?

 

[Aensland]

Definitely is possible. The PS Vita is already on its third version, for example. The DS had the DS and the DSi. GBA had the GBA and SP... And each alternate had new features specific to it (and some features removed in some cases, such as GBA access on the DSi)

 

[Raith]

It's quite possible. I for one wouldn't mind it too much, even if there are games exclusive to the new console.

Constantly updating your hardware is pretty much a win-win for everybody. You can update whenever you feel like and still get good games. Getting the newest hardware means you get access to the cool new games that only the new hardware could handle. But if you stay with your old hardware it is still fine as you will still be getting like 95% of the games Look at iPhone / iPad games for example. You can get the newest model (iPad air for example) and have a lighter, faster tablet that has a few apps that are only for the newest iPads. Or you can stick with your older iPad model and still get most of the games / entertainment that you would get from the new model.

 

[Brunn]

It's just following the same trend that cell phones have, new releases every couple months. I don't particularly like the diea with game consoles though, as backwards compatibility is an issue, and I'd much rather not keep a ton of extraneous systems around that I'd likely only use on rare occasions. The box full of PS2, N64, SNES and Gamecube consoles and controllers already takes up enough room in the clsoet, not even counting the box full of game cartridges....

 

[nintendyagmr]

It would be pretty annoying imo, I just don't like how a smartphone comes out every few months and less if handhelds are going to be like that, I would understand if a new handheld (or upgrade) came out in a year or two. Unless they give you good credit when you turn in your older handheld.