Gaming on the Go

JudoChinX

July 16, 2010

'm typically not one to spend a lot of time with mobile games. Most of the time, I prefer the fuller experience of a console, but I can't deny there are times when a handheld comes in handy. This week I'm making a journey from Provo, Utah to the great Pacific Northwest for some family time. Though I'm sure conversations will be entertaining, I plan on being prepared just in case I need a quick fix for my socially disabling addiction. Here are my top five tips to remember when gaming on the go.

portable_gaming (9K) 5. Don't forget your charger! No matter what you do, you don't want to find yourself in a strange and lonely place without the proper means to juice up your system of choice. When packing, make sure one of the first things to go into your suitcase is an AC adapter. If you want to be extra wise, consider packing a car adapter too. Both the iPhone and PSP can be charged via USB right out of the box, so I purchased a car adapter that accepts USB connections for a little more bang for my buck. If you're really into gadgets, check out one of those portables USB chargers.

4. If traveling by air, make sure to leave electronic equipment turned off during any takeoffs and landings. I can recall a time while on vacation where I was on a plane only a few hundred feet above the runway. As we prepared for our landing, a fellow passenger whipped out their cell phone and began chatting it up with a friend. Thankfully, it didn't seem to cause any problems, but come on people, let's be a little bit mindful of others. And before you ask, no, I'm not a plane doctor, but still, even if using electronics isn't likely to cause issue, at least be courteous of those less comfortable with flying.

3. If possible, bring a fellow gamer along. This isn't always possible. Some of us have to attend to professional matters all by our lonesomes, but if going to travel, you might as well travel with another gamer. This probably makes me look like a child, but on a trip with a friend, we both picked up a copy of Pokemon, and played that together. That was a total blast. If that doesn't do it for you, check any number of other games that support some form of multiplayer. Mario Kart, Diddy Kong Racing, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops; the sky's the limit.

2. Bring games that you can pick up and put down. Traveling includes tons of little breaks where you can either stare blankly at a wall, watch an eldery person eat something awful looking (I know. It's a strangely specific example), or squeeze in a few minutes of entertainment. The iPhone is a great choice for such games, as you can pick up Tetris, Plants vs. Zombies, or any number of inexpensive or cheap games, and put them down as you need. Come back to them when you find another short break, rinse, repeat. This is bound to help you keep sane during your adventures.

1. Bring headphones. If I've learned anything from my time on Earth, it's that I can get annoyed by others pretty easily, and chances are, if you're in a public place, you're not going to want to crank the volume on your music, video, or game anyways. Bring headphones, and transport yourself to a traquil place where everyone else is muted. If you forget, many airlines will provide you with crappy handouts that are bound to give you inferior sound quality, but still, it's better than nothing.

And that's it. Follow these simple guidelines and you should be safe, and more importantly, entertained during your travels. Anything I left out? Be sure to leave a comment and share.