Do you actually play handheld consoles in public places?

[Prowler]

Obviously the main point of a handheld system is so that you can play it anywhere, not just in your home but outside as well. Thing is, do you actually do that, and if you do then how often do you do it?

When I was a kid my parents never allowed me toi take my Game Boys to school because she feared I'd either lose them or someone would steal them from me. It's fair, because they're the ones who paid for them :lol:. My brother lost his original Game Boy(the grey brick) one day when he was like 11-12 years old and I think that also contributed to our parents never letting us take our toys and handheld systems to school.

Since my tube and bus rides are never long enough for me to get into a game before my stop comes, it's pointless for me to take my 3DS outside. Supermarket lines and such don't give me much time to get into a game either. When I pick up a game to play I want to spend at least a decent amount of time on it. Less than 10 minutes isn't enough for me to have an enjoyable time. Might as well just take out my mobile phone and browse the net with 4G or listen to a couple of songs on Spotify's mobile app while I'm waiting for something or for my destination.

Ofc, if I go on a plane trip again someday or go on a long distance train trip I'll definitely bring something to entertain myself with.

As for the Switch, when I eventually get one, I don'r think I'll play it in public at all. That console is pricey and it'd suck to have an accident or me forgetting it somewhere or someone robbing it from me.

So yeah, I mostly play portables at home while lying in bed. What about you?

[Powder]

Yes. Libraries, flights, waiting rooms, post office lines, you name it. I bring my 3DS and/or Caanoo (handheld emulator) out fairly often.

[CyberCubed]

Not since I was a kid/teen, no. I never take anything videogame related outside the house. Sometimes I honestly forget my Switch is even a portable. I think I used handheld mode like twice in the 2 years I've owned it.

[Prowler]

Yes. Libraries, flights, waiting rooms, post office lines, you name it. I bring my 3DS and/or Caanoo (handheld emulator) out fairly often.

Libraries? I've only been to those to use the computers and to check out books or study. Never saw anyone playing a handheld at a library in my life nor have I ever considered doing it myself. Am I missing something here? Are the lines at the libraries you go to big enough for you to whip out your 3DS and play on it while you wait?

Had never heard of the Caanoo until you mentioned it.

[Ninjinister]

Not really public, but work breaks have been good handheld and Switch time.

Flights and being stuck in an airport that one time were also convenient.

[Prowler]

Not really public, but work breaks have been good handheld and Switch time.

Flights and being stuck in an airport that one time were also convenient.
Funny enough, I didn't play on my 3DS in the two flights I took earlier this year. Tbh they were both about one hour and a half each only(hint: lots of short flights in Europe). And I travelled with soem people I know so I spent sometime talking to them during the flight and the rest of the time I played a bit on my mobile phone. Think it was Turtles in Time on a SNES emulator for phones.

If I ever end up on a flight longer than 3-4 hours I'll definitely bring along both a phone and a portable console fully charged with me.

Like I've said, the only time I really could get some good gaming time outside of home was at uni, especially if I arrived a long time before my class or if I didn't have a class between 2 others.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Never as a kid. Bed was always the best place to play handheld consoles, and there's no paranoia of the system being broken by that jerk in school or getting lost.

As an adult however, I've been on inter city bus rides that can take up to 6 hours. Luckily, the buses had tables and power outlets so that was a perfect opportunity to plug in my laptop and play some Melee and Counter-Strike.

[Wesley]

No. I’d be paranoid that they’ll get damaged or stolen.

[AT-Man]

Yes, sometimes I play 3DS or PSP on the train/bus.

[Prowler]

No. I’d be paranoid that they’ll get damaged or stolen.

Yeah. And tbh it's a normal fear. You can never be too careful.

[Storm Eagle]

I would, if I had a new game to work on and wanted something to keep myself occupied while doing something that has a long wait, whether it be the doctor's office, plane rides, etc. I've even done it when I was waiting to be called for potential jury duty.

There are mentions here about not doing it out of concern of it getting lost or stolen, but I remember someone talking about not doing it in public out of fear of being judged. Especially in the presence of females. I thought that was silly, since I never thought it should be that big a deal. If a woman is going to judge me on that alone, she's an idiot and not worth my time. I know my interests aren't limited to just video games. I took my 3DS with me for when I was taking the car to get inspected once, and I was using it to kill time in the waiting area. This man sitting next to me asked me how I can play video games for an hour. I told him that it hasn't been an hour (it was more like half an hour), and that even an hour of playing is nothing. The inspection even took less than an hour. He just seemed to assume that I put in endless hours of playing video games just because his son does, but I was only trying to kill time. I might even have a book with me for long waits sometimes, but that time, I had a video game. People ought to just stop judging each other and mind their own business. Still, the only time I wouldn't recommend doing this is if I went for a job interview and was waiting for it to start.

[Wildcat]

Nope. Afraid of accidents/getting lost too. I don’t like the idea of needing to take care of an electronic device that I don’t actually need to carry around. I only play them at home. Same goes for tablets.

A vacation would be the only exception since you’re away and you’d have a hotel or a place to stay.

My parents didn’t let me take games to school either but honestly I did not want to anyway for the reasons above. Plus like you said how can you really get into a game in such a short time? Not worth the effort.

Mobile games are different since they’re designed to play in spurts but even then I prefer to play at home.

[Prowler]

I would, if I had a new game to work on and wanted something to keep myself occupied while doing something that has a long wait, whether it be the doctor's office, plane rides, etc. I've even done it when I was waiting to be called for potential jury duty.

There are mentions here about not doing it out of concern of it getting lost or stolen, but I remember someone talking about not doing it in public out of fear of being judged. Especially in the presence of females. I thought that was silly, since I never thought it should be that big a deal. If a woman is going to judge me on that alone, she's an idiot and not worth my time. I know my interests aren't limited to just video games. I took my 3DS with me for when I was taking the car to get inspected once, and I was using it to kill time in the waiting area. This man sitting next to me asked me how I can play video games for an hour. I told him that it hasn't been an hour (it was more like half an hour), and that even an hour of playing is nothing. The inspection even took less than an hour. He just seemed to assume that I put in endless hours of playing video games just because his son does, but I was only trying to kill time. I might even have a book with me for long waits sometimes, but that time, I had a video game. People ought to just stop judging each other and mind their own business. Still, the only time I wouldn't recommend doing this is if I went for a job interview and was waiting for it to start.

How old is this person you've mentioned? Because I don't think many people over the age of 20 would be afraid of getting judged for playing a 3DS in public.

Nope. Afraid of accidents/getting lost too. I don’t like the idea of needing to take care of an electronic device that I don’t actually need to carry around. I only play them at home. Same goes for tablets.

A vacation would be the only exception since you’re away and you’d have a hotel or a place to stay.

My parents didn’t let me take games to school either but honestly I did not want to anyway for the reasons above. Plus like you said how can you really get into a game in such a short time? Not worth the effort.

Mobile games are different since they’re designed to play in spurts but even then I prefer to play at home.
I also don't know how some people can take books and read them on short bus rides and supermarket lines. When I pick up a book I don't want to put it down 5 minutes later. I usually spend 30 minutes to one hour when I decide to pick up a book and read it.

[Andrew NDB]

Not since I was a kid/teen, no. I never take anything videogame related outside the house. Sometimes I honestly forget my Switch is even a portable. I think I used handheld mode like twice in the 2 years I've owned it.

This. And if/when I get a Switch, I guesstimate the precise number of times I will take it portable will be 0.

[Storm Eagle]

How old is this person you've mentioned? Because I don't think many people over the age of 20 would be afraid of getting judged for playing a 3DS in public.



The guy I mentioned was 25. I myself was 30 at the time, and he figured that I was at an age where I shouldn't feel any shame about it anyway. I never felt any shame about it at his age either, and not even when I was a teenager. He thought girls fear guys who play video games.

In his country, which if I remember correctly is the Netherlands, there was this dating show where one guy had a choice of thirty women. He said about twenty of those women lost interest in the guy upon his mention of being a fan of World of Warcraft. That's a shame, since I heard of a couple who met through that game, and have since gotten married. A man and a woman. I told him that to help him understand that there's no shame in playing video games in public. He was also afraid that people might think he's a video game addict if he were seen playing a video game in public.

This was all from a discussion at another message board where the subject of playing video games in public was brought up. The topic starter said that he had a friend who said that although he isn't afraid to play his DS in public, he just wouldn't use it in the presence of women. Another person in the discussion mentioned feeling more comfortable using his PSP in public than his DS, since the PSP looks like an iPhone.

It just amazes and sickens me how people with how people find fault in the littlest things.

[Prowler]

This. And if/when I get a Switch, I guesstimate the precise number of times I will take it portable will be 0.
It's funny you guys mention that. My brother is the complete opposite. He's only played his Switch in portable mode so far since he doesn't have a TV at his place atm.

The guy I mentioned was 25. I myself was 30 at the time, and he figured that I was at an age where I shouldn't feel any shame about it anyway. I never felt any shame about it at his age either, and not even when I was a teenager. He thought girls fear guys who play video games.

In his country, which if I remember correctly is the Netherlands, there was this dating show where one guy had a choice of thirty women. He said about twenty of those women lost interest in the guy upon his mention of being a fan of World of Warcraft. That's a shame, since I heard of a couple who met through that game, and have since gotten married. A man and a woman. I told him that to help him understand that there's no shame in playing video games in public. He was also afraid that people might think he's a video game addict if he were seen playing a video game in public.

This was all from a discussion at another message board where the subject of playing video games in public was brought up. The topic starter said that he had a friend who said that although he isn't afraid to play his DS in public, he just wouldn't use it in the presence of women. Another person in the discussion mentioned feeling more comfortable using his PSP in public than his DS, since the PSP looks like an iPhone.

It just amazes and sickens me how people with how people find fault in the littlest things.

I see. Honestly, if I went out and asked a bunch of random women around my age(I'm 27) if they knew what World of Warcraft is... I doubt most would even know what it is. So if I ever told one I was a fan of the game I bet they'd just ask "what is that?"

[TigerClaw]

Obviously the main point of a handheld system is so that you can play it anywhere, not just in your home but outside as well. Thing is, do you actually do that, and if you do then how often do you do it?

When I was a kid my parents never allowed me toi take my Game Boys to school because she feared I'd either lose them or someone would steal them from me. It's fair, because they're the ones who paid for them :lol:. My brother lost his original Game Boy(the grey brick) one day when he was like 11-12 years old and I think that also contributed to our parents never letting us take our toys and handheld systems to school.

Since my tube and bus rides are never long enough for me to get into a game before my stop comes, it's pointless for me to take my 3DS outside. Supermarket lines and such don't give me much time to get into a game either. When I pick up a game to play I want to spend at least a decent amount of time on it. Less than 10 minutes isn't enough for me to have an enjoyable time. Might as well just take out my mobile phone and browse the net with 4G or listen to a couple of songs on Spotify's mobile app while I'm waiting for something or for my destination.

Ofc, if I go on a plane trip again someday or go on a long distance train trip I'll definitely bring something to entertain myself with.

As for the Switch, when I eventually get one, I don'r think I'll play it in public at all. That console is pricey and it'd suck to have an accident or me forgetting it somewhere or someone robbing it from me.

So yeah, I mostly play portables at home while lying in bed. What about you?
Not really. Due to fear that you might get robbed of your portable handheld device.

Its ok for Phones however. Since you can make emergency calls. But if you were carrying a 3DS or some portable gaming device. You would become a target of someone who wants to rob you.

So no. I would never play any handheld consoles in public places. It would become a distraction and you have to be alert at the place around you.

[Storm Eagle]

I see. Honestly, if I went out and asked a bunch of random women around my age(I'm 27) if they knew what World of Warcraft is... I doubt most would even know what it is. So if I ever told one I was a fan of the game I bet they'd just ask "what is that?"

If I were an avid player of WOW, I wouldn't make it one of the first things known to a woman when I meet her the first time.

By the way, keep in mind that the discussion dates back to 2010. It was a bigger deal back then.

Not really. Due to fear that you might get robbed of your portable handheld device.

Its ok for Phones however. Since you can make emergency calls. But if you were carrying a 3DS or some portable gaming device. You would become a target of someone who wants to rob you.

So no. I would never play any handheld consoles in public places. It would become a distraction and you have to be alert at the place around you.

I still don't have a problem using my 3DS in public, but I'm not sure about my Switch. That's something I'd rather save for trips that involve flying. I'd just use it on the plane and at the hotel where I'm staying.

I actually did take my Switch with me on a trip last year, but I didn't use it once.

[Prowler]

If I were an avid player of WOW, I wouldn't make it one of the first things known to a woman when I meet her the first time.

By the way, keep in mind that the discussion dates back to 2010. It was a bigger deal back then.



I still don't have a problem using my 3DS in public, but I'm not sure about my Switch. That's something I'd rather save for trips that involve flying. I'd just use it on the plane and at the hotel where I'm staying.

I actually did take my Switch with me on a trip last year, but I didn't use it once.
Well I don't know much about WoW or MMOs tbh. Never really cared about those type of games. I think WoW was mostly a big deal in the mid-late 2000s tho? Most people seem to play MOBAs like Legue of Legends and Dota 2 nowadays. Not to mention games like Path of Exile, Rocket League, Hearthstone, etc.

The Switch is quite pricey. I'm not sure I'd even take it with me if I were to fly somewhere again. I'd take the 3DS tho. But tbh, like I've said already, the last time I travelled by air plane to stay at a hotel for 4 days I barely played on my 3DS at all. I'd get up early in the morning, explore the island and only go back to my hotel past dinner time to sleep. I basically only slept, showered and had breakfast at the hotel I stayed at. I was there ot enjoy the vacation with the small group I went with.

[TigerClaw]

If I were an avid player of WOW, I wouldn't make it one of the first things known to a woman when I meet her the first time.

By the way, keep in mind that the discussion dates back to 2010. It was a bigger deal back then.



I still don't have a problem using my 3DS in public, but I'm not sure about my Switch. That's something I'd rather save for trips that involve flying. I'd just use it on the plane and at the hotel where I'm staying.

I actually did take my Switch with me on a trip last year, but I didn't use it once.
I went to a trip to Cuba once and took my 3DS. But i never really got around to playing it. Just wasn't in a gaming mood. But I took my tablet and was playing the android version of Duck Tales Remastered. Never got around to finishing it though.

[Prowler]

I went to a trip to Cuba once and took my 3DS. But i never really got around to playing it. Just wasn't in a gaming mood. But I took my tablet and was playing the android version of Duck Tales Remastered. Never got around to finishing it though.

Yeah, similar story here. I went to Madeira Island (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeira) and, despite bringing my 3DS along with me, I think I've only played on it about 35 minutes in total in the 3-4 days I was there.

[TigerClaw]

Yeah, similar story here. I went to Madeira Island (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeira) and, despite bringing my 3DS along with me, I think I've only played on it about 35 minutes in total in the 3-4 days I was there.
I guess its just that I was bored and just wanted to chill the whole time. Its difficult to find someone to play video games with. So you end up not being in a gaming mode the whole time. Playing video games alone kinda sucks.

[oldmanwinters]

I do pull out my Nintendo handhelds in various places if I know I'm going to be sitting around a while waiting for something, but I admit I do feel a little juvenile doing it, so at some point I'll probably start reading a book and then maybe alternate back and forth.

[Prowler]

I do pull out my Nintendo handhelds in various places if I know I'm going to be sitting around a while waiting for something, but I admit I do feel a little juvenile doing it, so at some point I'll probably start reading a book and then maybe alternate back and forth.

I once saw a guy playing Street Fighter at an electronics store who must have been about 45-50 years old. Not that common to see that, but older gamers are out there.

As for Nintendo handhelds, never saw anyone that old playing it in public, but I think I'd find it surprising yet kinda cool.

[neatoman]

Not that often but only because it's easier to browse the internet on the phone.

[Storm Eagle]

The Switch is quite pricey. I'm not sure I'd even take it with me if I were to fly somewhere again. I'd take the 3DS tho. But tbh, like I've said already, the last time I travelled by air plane to stay at a hotel for 4 days I barely played on my 3DS at all. I'd get up early in the morning, explore the island and only go back to my hotel past dinner time to sleep. I basically only slept, showered and had breakfast at the hotel I stayed at. I was there ot enjoy the vacation with the small group I went with.

I went to a trip to Cuba once and took my 3DS. But i never really got around to playing it. Just wasn't in a gaming mood. But I took my tablet and was playing the android version of Duck Tales Remastered. Never got around to finishing it though.

Well it wasn't just my Switch I took with me. I took my 3DS with me as well. I worked on Mega Man X and Earthbound, but I didn't get very far. They were both just hard, although I've finished Mega Man X once before when playing it on GameCube through the Mega Man X Collection.

I do pull out my Nintendo handhelds in various places if I know I'm going to be sitting around a while waiting for something, but I admit I do feel a little juvenile doing it, so at some point I'll probably start reading a book and then maybe alternate back and forth.

I once saw a guy playing Street Fighter at an electronics store who must have been about 45-50 years old. Not that common to see that, but older gamers are out there.

As for Nintendo handhelds, never saw anyone that old playing it in public, but I think I'd find it surprising yet kinda cool.

It's sad to feel juvenile playing a 3DS in public, but I'll admit that perhaps it does feel weird doing that sort of thing now that I'll be 40 next year. I mentioned the guy who felt self-conscious playing video games in the presence of women in particular, but I remember seeing a girl who might have been in her early 20s or mid-20s playing a GBA some years ago.

Now this is back in the summer of 1990. When I was going to Florida, I saw a man at the airport who looked to be in his late 40s or early 50s playing a Game Boy and he looked like he was on a business trip since he was wearing a suit. He must have been playing Tetris.

When I brought up the discussion about feeling embarrassed playing video games in public, this one guy gave a response that I thought was interesting.

I feel more ashamed when dumb people killing other people and blaming it on video games for the crime; then playing handheld video games out in public.

[Prowler]

Well it wasn't just my Switch I took with me. I took my 3DS with me as well. I worked on Mega Man X and Earthbound, but I didn't get very far. They were both just hard, although I've finished Mega Man X once before when playing it on GameCube through the Mega Man X Collection.





It's sad to feel juvenile playing a 3DS in public, but I'll admit that perhaps it does feel weird doing that sort of thing now that I'll be 40 next year. I mentioned the guy who felt self-conscious playing video games in the presence of women in particular, but I remember seeing a girl who might have been in her early 20s or mid-20s playing a GBA some years ago.

Now this is back in the summer of 1990. When I was going to Florida, I saw a man at the airport who looked to be in his late 40s or early 50s playing a Game Boy and he looked like he was on a business trip since he was wearing a suit. He must have been playing Tetris.

When I brought up the discussion about feeling embarrassed playing video games in public, this one guy gave a response that I thought was interesting.

I feel more ashamed when dumb people killing other people and blaming it on video games for the crime; then playing handheld video games out in public.
I bought Mega Man X last summer on the 3DS eShop. beaten it about 10 times or close to it already. Got nearly 30 hours in it. Am yet to beat X2 and X3 though. The latter stages of those games are harder.

I'm starting to think I'm better at MM than the average person since a lot of people I see online complain about the games being very hard and never being able to beat any of them or just one or tow at best. So far I've beaten:

Mega Man 1: I don't even know HOW
Mega man 2: Countless times
Mega Man 3: Beat it countless times on the GC AC version but never on the 3DS MM Legacy Version. For some reason the game is a lot tougher than I had remembered it.
Mega Man 5: A couple of times.
Mega Man X: Several times.


Played but never beat MM4, MM6, MMX2 and MMX3. Also, I've played a bit of Mega man 7 and Mega Man 8 way back in 2007, but couldn't go very far in either, so I don't really count those.

In this football forum I post on, there is a massive video game thread where two users once claimed their dads(both around 70-72 years old) are big gamers and have been since the Atari days or so. I thought that was kinda cool but also kind of mindblowing. I've NEVER met anyone that old that loves games.

[Storm Eagle]

I bought Mega Man X last summer on the 3DS eShop. beaten it about 10 times or close to it already. Got nearly 30 hours in it. Am yet to beat X2 and X3 though. The latter stages of those games are harder.

I'm starting to think I'm better at MM than the average person since a lot of people I see online complain about the games being very hard and never being able to beat any of them or just one or tow at best. So far I've beaten:

Mega Man 1: I don't even know HOW
Mega man 2: Countless times
Mega Man 3: Beat it countless times on the GC AC version but never on the 3DS MM Legacy Version. For some reason the game is a lot tougher than I had remembered it.
Mega Man 5: A couple of times.
Mega Man X: Several times.


Played but never beat MM4, MM6, MMX2 and MMX3. Also, I've played a bit of Mega man 7 and Mega Man 8 way back in 2007, but couldn't go very far in either, so I don't really count those.

In this football forum I post on, there is a massive video game thread where two users once claimed their dads(both around 70-72 years old) are big gamers and have been since the Atari days or so. I thought that was kinda cool but also kind of mindblowing. I've NEVER met anyone that old that loves games.

Well I might want to get Mega Man and Mega Man X Legacy Collections to be able to play the games on those sets that weren't able to be played on the go before.

[Prowler]

Well I might want to get Mega Man and Mega Man X Legacy Collections to be able to play the games on those sets that weren't able to be played on the go before.

I only grew up with MM2. Didn't get a chance to try the other 7 of the original series until I got the Anniversary Collection for the GameCube in Christmas 2007.

I played MMX for the 1st time in 2017 and loved it.

[Donatello19]

I've really been wanting to take advantage of the Switch's portability, but I'm just so darn paranoid I'll drop it/it'll get badly scratched, etc. I have used it on long car rides/road trips and around the house in handheld mode, though

[Icebot]

I used to play the game boy advance and DS in public, now I play the 3DS.

Sometimes I play the switch but I usually stick with consoles that fit in my pocket.

[Adwan]

I've been playing my portable consoles in public since my first Atari Lynx back in the 80s. I have almost the complete collection of Lynx games and keep my favourite carts in the pouch I take it around in. The old arcade-style games on the Lynx are great for short bouts, nowhere near as involved as your typical console or home computer games so I can get a decent amount of gaming done in short intervals.

I also have a Gameboy Advance SP which I mainly play King of Fighters on, which I can finish a whole game of in under 20 minutes. But the Lynx will always be my mainstay because it's just badass and you make friends with these things. Here's a photo my girlfriend took of me playing California Games on my Lynx at the airport in California, about to fly home to Australia after having spent the weekend with the creators of the Lynx.

[Andrew NDB]

I really wish the Switch was available in a non-portable version. It's already gotten knocked or pulled off the mantle (by the USB cable charging the pro controller) a couple of times and both times I feared the worst.

[Voltron]

Sure do! I love my 3DS. Mostly because it's the only gaming system I can afford at the moment. :cry:

[Prowler]

I've been playing my portable consoles in public since my first Atari Lynx back in the 80s. I have almost the complete collection of Lynx games and keep my favourite carts in the pouch I take it around in. The old arcade-style games on the Lynx are great for short bouts, nowhere near as involved as your typical console or home computer games so I can get a decent amount of gaming done in short intervals.

I also have a Gameboy Advance SP which I mainly play King of Fighters on, which I can finish a whole game of in under 20 minutes. But the Lynx will always be my mainstay because it's just badass and you make friends with these things. Here's a photo my girlfriend took of me playing California Games on my Lynx at the airport in California, about to fly home to Australia after having spent the weekend with the creators of the Lynx.
Wow someone actually owned an Atari Lynx?! :o

I really wish the Switch was available in a non-portable version. It's already gotten knocked or pulled off the mantle (by the USB cable charging the pro controller) a couple of times and both times I feared the worst.
Yeah, the Switch is a bit too pricey and big for me to have the guts to take it outside with me.

Whenever my brother comes over he always brings his Switch along with him, and I notice how he lets it lie on the bed or near the edge on the top of a drawer. Sometimes I don't notice at first what it is and assume it's a book or something and almost knock it down or almost drop some water on it. My heart has definitely skipped a bit a few times.

[Leo656]

I've only ever had a Game Boy Advance, and I never played it outside my house. I've always generally operated under the philosophy, "Never leave the house with anything you'd be devastated to lose." Especially after I got mugged once when I was 9, by some older kids. I "luckily" didn't have anything of value on me, not even any money, so I "just" got roughed up a bit, but after that I definitely made it a point not to take anything of value with me when I left the house, outside of essentials. Just seemed like common sense.

Of course, that GBA I had was later stolen from inside my own house, by a "friend" while I was in the bathroom. So in the end it's not like my endeavors to not get robbed did me much good anyway. :lol: I have a Game Boy Advance Player hooked up to my GameCube so I just never bothered replacing the GBA, although I might one day.

[Prowler]

I've only ever had a Game Boy Advance, and I never played it outside my house. I've always generally operated under the philosophy, "Never leave the house with anything you'd be devastated to lose." Especially after I got mugged once when I was 9, by some older kids. I "luckily" didn't have anything of value on me, not even any money, so I "just" got roughed up a bit, but after that I definitely made it a point not to take anything of value with me when I left the house, outside of essentials. Just seemed like common sense.

Of course, that GBA I had was later stolen from inside my own house, by a "friend" while I was in the bathroom. So in the end it's not like my endeavors to not get robbed did me much good anyway. :lol: I have a Game Boy Advance Player hooked up to my GameCube so I just never bothered replacing the GBA, although I might one day.

Exactly. Like I said, my brother somehow lost his original Game Boy outside when he was a kid. I never understood how he did that but my mother was clearly upset at him for losing it, so she never let me take any toys or handhelds to school. And tbh, I was a kid at a time where there weren't that many handheld games with multiplayer. If anything it sucked not being able to trade Pokémon or battle with other kids in school, but it wasn't a big deal for me either.

Yeah, that's why I never buy expensive phones. Wouldn't wanna risk losing it or getting ti stolen from me.

I was robbed once when I was 14 back in 9th grade. At a bus stop nonetheless. I was stolen about 40 cents. The guys who robbed me asked me for my cell phone but I leid and said I didn't have one. Lucky for me, they believed it.

[Leo656]

Ahh, the days when you could tell someone "I don't have a cell phone" and there was at least a 30% chance it was true. :lol: If that happened today they'd probably have pistol-whipped your ass for telling such a blatant lie. :trazz: Glad it didn't go worse, though. Seriously.

The worst when I was a kid, were the kids who'd bring their Game Boy to school and put on a big display of playing with it at recess, making sure everyone noticed it, and of course were like "NO, you can't try it out!" :lol: They were insufferable with such a transparent grab for attention. It's not like they were gonna get much game-time within ten minutes or whatever; they pretty clearly only brought the damn thing to school in the first place to try and make people jealous and/or notice them.

[Prowler]

Ahh, the days when you could tell someone "I don't have a cell phone" and there was at least a 30% chance it was true. :lol: If that happened today they'd probably have pistol-whipped your ass for telling such a blatant lie. :trazz: Glad it didn't go worse, though. Seriously.

The worst when I was a kid, were the kids who'd bring their Game Boy to school and put on a big display of playing with it at recess, making sure everyone noticed it, and of course were like "NO, you can't try it out!" :lol: They were insufferable with such a transparent grab for attention. It's not like they were gonna get much game-time within ten minutes or whatever; they pretty clearly only brought the damn thing to school in the first place to try and make people jealous and/or notice them.
Actually, it was already in 2005. Pretty sure all people aged 50 and below had cell phones by then.

Nah, I doubt I'd have been shot. It's not very common for thieves to carry firearms in my country. But I might have risked a stabbing.

Tbh, it's odd how back in the day people gathered around someone playing the Game Boy. Depending on the angle you probably couldn't even see what was happening. And the screen was so small and needed to be played in a well-lit room.

[Leo656]

I honestly don't think I had a cell phone until around 2007-ish. I do know I was one of the last people in the civilized world to get one and resisted it for as long as possible. It might not even have been until 2009. I can't remember.

[Prowler]

I honestly don't think I had a cell phone until around 2007-ish. I do know I was one of the last people in the civilized world to get one and resisted it for as long as possible. It might not even have been until 2009. I can't remember.
Well I got my first one in 5th grade. Nokia 3210. Then a couple of years lter got a Nokia 3310.

Up until I got my first ever smartphone in 2012 I only used my cellphones to play snake or to call/send texts to my mum and a few other people. I can understand why nowadays people are addicted to their phones since you can do so much on them, but I dunno why teenagers were so addicted to them back in 2006-2008 already. I think that's when the "free text messages to anyone who has the same operator as you" thing started, so maybe that's why.

However, I did know a decent amount of people who did not have internet at home up until like 2008-2009. Nowadays that'd be UNTHINKABLE.

[Leo656]

Holy sh*t, I don't know what kind of phone I have NOW. :lol: A Motorola something-or-other, I think? I honestly have no idea, my wife bought it.

I don't remember what my first cell phone was, either. I just know it was one of those ones you bought at 7-11.

[Prowler]

Holy sh*t, I don't know what kind of phone I have NOW. :lol: A Motorola something-or-other, I think? I honestly have no idea, my wife bought it.

I don't remember what my first cell phone was, either. I just know it was one of those ones you bought at 7-11.

I sometimes forget the modle of my current one as well. It's a Samsung Galaxy something. The'res been so many different Samsung Galaxy models with different number and letter combinations that I can't keep track anymore.

I do miss the days where you didn't have to recharge your phone every damn day. And also when the phones wer a lot sturdier. My current phone is my longest lasting smartphone and I've only had it for like 2 years.

Meanwhile, the last non-smart phone I had was a gift from my mother to me back in mid-2007 or so and only died in mid-2012.

[Storm Eagle]

Wow someone actually owned an Atari Lynx?! :o



I've only known a couple of people who did. Around the time it came out, Game Boy had also come out, and I remember when there almost wasn't a day where I didn't see anyone without one. I think Game Gear might have put an end to all of that, even though the Game Boy still won out in the end.

I've only ever had a Game Boy Advance, and I never played it outside my house. I've always generally operated under the philosophy, "Never leave the house with anything you'd be devastated to lose."

That reminds me of when I heard the opposite. It was back in early 1991 and I was in sixth grade, and I was taking the train to school. This group of teenage girls got on at one stop, and one of them pulled out her Game Boy. One of the other girls laughed at that, but she just said "don't leave home without it". She had a point, even though I guess it is kind of risky to take such things with you.

Exactly. Like I said, my brother somehow lost his original Game Boy outside when he was a kid. I never understood how he did that but my mother was clearly upset at him for losing it, so she never let me take any toys or handhelds to school.

On the last day of school when I was in seventh grade, one of my friends brought his Game Gear to school, and then it got stolen. Thankfully he got it back, although he had gotten another one during the summer.

I once actually let a girl borrow my Game Boy in sixth grade against my better judgement, and my mother wasn't too happy about that. I got it back safe and sound though. All I had at the time was Tetris, and she told me her mother was the one playing the hell out of it.

I honestly don't think I had a cell phone until around 2007-ish. I do know I was one of the last people in the civilized world to get one and resisted it for as long as possible. It might not even have been until 2009. I can't remember.

I didn't have one until 2002. My mother got it for me for Christmas, saying I'd need it, even though I didn't really have a desire to have one. In my high school days, it was all about the beepers, and I never wanted one of those either.



Up until I got my first ever smartphone in 2012 I only used my cellphones to play snake or to call/send texts to my mum and a few other people. I can understand why nowadays people are addicted to their phones since you can do so much on them, but I dunno why teenagers were so addicted to them back in 2006-2008 already. I think that's when the "free text messages to anyone who has the same operator as you" thing started, so maybe that's why.

However, I did know a decent amount of people who did not have internet at home up until like 2008-2009. Nowadays that'd be UNTHINKABLE.

I got my first smartphone in 2017, courtesy of my mother. I still have it. I'm glad smartphones weren't a thing when I was in high school, and maybe I should be glad not as many kids in my school had internet access. I had AOL from 11th to 12th grade from January to October of 1996, and my mother cancelled it. It was expensive back then, and I can't say I blame her, and I'm sorry I ran the bill up with it. Especially since the things I was using it for were a waste of time to her. We didn't have internet access in the home again until late 2001, and it was DSL. So we didn't have to worry about it running up our phone bill. When I did have the internet in the 90s though, I watched this show where it was talking about internet access, and mentioned a prediction that everyone would have it in the future, although I don't remember just when the prediction said it would happen. I guess it wasn't too far off, since pretty much everyone seems to have it in one way or another.



I do miss the days where you didn't have to recharge your phone every damn day.

No kidding.

[Stephen]

I didn't have one until 2002. My mother got it for me for Christmas, saying I'd need it, even though I didn't really have a desire to have one.

Same. I didn't bother using one for quite a while. Did you get friends pestering you to get one?

I had AOL from 11th to 12th grade from January to October of 1996, and my mother cancelled it. It was expensive back then, and I can't say I blame her, and I'm sorry I ran the bill up with it.

We had quasi-free dial-up Internet in the UK, such as X-Stream Network, but it would sometimes take dozens of attempts to get a connection. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Stream_Network

[Storm Eagle]

Same. I didn't bother using one for quite a while. Did you get friends pestering you to get one?



Nobody was pestering me to get one.

[Roseangelo]

I play Pokemon GO. It's a phone app, so not exactly what I believe is the intention of this question, but when we've got a large group of people together in a public spot for a raid or other reason, we can get a lot of weird looks and people asking us if we're some sort of "phone convention."

Otherwise, I have no problem bringing my 3DS or Switch out in public, if I have reason to. I will bring the Switch out when I'm playing Pokemon GO to help other players acquire a Mystery Box from Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee. And I also brought it on a plane with me for a recent trip. I've honestly only ever used it in handheld mode anyways (plugging in the dock means trying to organize a bunch of cables, which I haven't dedicated myself to doing yet).

[TigerClaw]

I don't know about using handheld devices in public is a good idea. Especially if its in places where you'll potentially get mugged and your 3DS stolen.

Phones are OK however with games like Pokemon Go.

[Prowler]

@Storm Eagle

My brother and I had a Game Gear when we were kids. I only recall having like 2 games for it. A sonic game and a Shinobi game. The GG sucked. It took 6 batteries.

I play Pokemon GO. It's a phone app, so not exactly what I believe is the intention of this question, but when we've got a large group of people together in a public spot for a raid or other reason, we can get a lot of weird looks and people asking us if we're some sort of "phone convention."

Otherwise, I have no problem bringing my 3DS or Switch out in public, if I have reason to. I will bring the Switch out when I'm playing Pokemon GO to help other players acquire a Mystery Box from Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee. And I also brought it on a plane with me for a recent trip. I've honestly only ever used it in handheld mode anyways (plugging in the dock means trying to organize a bunch of cables, which I haven't dedicated myself to doing yet).
Well, hard to leave the house without a phone nowadays, tbh. We live in a time where we rely a lot on our phones. Plus, everyone carries around a phone nowadays, while not everyone carries around a handheld video game system. And if you're playing Pokémon Go in large groups then it's more unlikely someone will come up to you and snatch your phone, anyway.

I don't know about using handheld devices in public is a good idea. Especially if its in places where you'll potentially get mugged and your 3DS stolen.

Phones are OK however with games like Pokemon Go.
Well I don't go to dangerous places, but you can never be careful enough. Playing it on the bus or metro could be risky if you're close to the door and some opportunistic thieve jus snatches it from your hands and runs out of the train/bus with your handheld system. Not saying it's something that happens often out there, but it's still a potential risk. On an air plane it's safer since you can't just get out when you please.

I just find it a bit unpractical to play the 3DS in public tbh. Especially in a more crowded area. I did bring my 3DS to university and play it after having lunch and waiting like 30 minutes for my class next to the door, but that's a much more familiar place and there wasn't really any fear someone would snatch it from my hands. I also did play a few Smash matches on my 3DS during class without the professors noticing. I sat in the back, put the backpack on my desk, opened the backpack, pretended I was going through its inside looking for something when I was actually playing a quick Smash match :trazz:. None of the professors seems to have noticed it ever. And tbh, I don't think they'd care as long as you didn't pull it out and played it right in their faces.

[Stephen]

I just find it a bit unpractical to play the 3DS in public tbh.

Did you ever use the StreetPass service, since that seem to be designed to encourage people to use their 3DS in public?

[Prowler]

Did you ever use the StreetPass service, since that seem to be designed to encourage people to use their 3DS in public?

I certainly have, but you don't need to whip it out and walk around with it in your hands for the feature to work. I just kept it on in rest mode inside my backpack as I rode public transit, walked outside and went to uni. That was 2016 in a nutshell to me. I didn't get a 3DS until way late in game. Got it around April 3 years ago.