I agree with you CS_TBL but I think they also tend to be made with retro-level gameplay. I would much rather see a classic platformer level of detail, with advanced features. These seem to get made and do alright too. Look at the newer platformers from nintendo on the DS... Most of them would work without the graphical advances.
I don't think that people would -rather- play handheld games with better graphics. I think the size of the handheld market, and the popularity of the DS and even the GBA still, are more due to people prefering those games. Or at least wanting to be able to play them sometimes.
Personally. I do play my GBA when I am out. But at least half the time I am playing it -instead- of other games. Right here at home, often in bed.
Why? Because RPGs and Metroid/Castlevania Platformers on the GBA out-play the like games in 3D on the consoles. The only reason they are 3D on the consoles is because no one thinks they will sell if they are 2D. Better to have a flawed 3D game which is harder to control but looks better than to have a 2D game that is great fun.
I think there are enough people who understand that you can't translate some genres into 3D without losing playability. If for no reason other than they are super-abstracted already and the lack of depth and foreshortening makes it easier to tell what the heck is going on.
See. Bomberman.
I don't think that people would -rather- play handheld games with better graphics. I think the size of the handheld market, and the popularity of the DS and even the GBA still, are more due to people prefering those games. Or at least wanting to be able to play them sometimes.
Personally. I do play my GBA when I am out. But at least half the time I am playing it -instead- of other games. Right here at home, often in bed.
Why? Because RPGs and Metroid/Castlevania Platformers on the GBA out-play the like games in 3D on the consoles. The only reason they are 3D on the consoles is because no one thinks they will sell if they are 2D. Better to have a flawed 3D game which is harder to control but looks better than to have a 2D game that is great fun.
I think there are enough people who understand that you can't translate some genres into 3D without losing playability. If for no reason other than they are super-abstracted already and the lack of depth and foreshortening makes it easier to tell what the heck is going on.
See. Bomberman.