The Video Game Critic

I included a poll with some of the more popular options, but it is no way inclusive of all the options so let's post them and why.

Most comfortable: For extended play, I think I'll have to say the good old Game Gear. It's large, and has a nicely curved back for grip while still not actually weighing very much. I've never had my hand cramp up playing this one even if it's not quite "portable" in size. Runner up: Neo Geo Pocket Color. I like how this system also has an actual grip to it with my middle fingers fitting into the notch in the back. The clicky stick is awesome and extremely comfortable, especially for fighting games where a D-Pad can start to rub your fingers raw.

Least comfortable: Nintendo DS Lite. I hate that the buttons and D-Pad are like 66% normal size. I have to contort my hand to hold down both A and B at the same time. It's also to thin and flat to get a good comfortable grip. My hands cramp after about a half hour. Runner up: My PSP-2000. I'd probably like the original model better. It's pretty comfortable at first but it's still to thin and has a completely flat backside. I can play a good 2-3 hours before major cramps start setting in. I should buy one of those cases that adds the dual shock hand grips to it.

This is out of the portables I actually own.GB,GBC,GBA,NGPC,NGP,SwanCrystal,DS,DS Lite,PSP, Game Gear and my little sisters 3DS. There are a bunch I haven't even tried yet.

So what do you think?

I've always found the DS systems to be very uncomfortable for adult hands unless it is a stylus-only game, like Poker. I remember how my right hand used to cramp like crazy playing Mario Kart DS on the phat but I'd just deal through the pain. From the phatty to the new 3DS XL it is just not a comfortable system for long play, at least for games like Kart that require you to consistently hold down a button. They build them for child sized hands ignoring that there are a lot of adult fans of Nintendo games that would appreciate a more ergonomic handheld.

Not that it really counts but I would rank the Wii U Gamepad amongst the most comfortable. Why doesn't Nintendo make a 3DS like that, with grips and contoured corners? Who slips a handheld into their pocket anymore anyway? Everyone I know with a handheld keeps it in a case designed for it, along with several games and then places the case in their bag or just keeps the whole thing at home.

The Game Gear and the original Lynx were pretty good, as was the original bulky GameBoy and the GameBoy Color but maybe I just feel that way because I had smaller hands back then. I suspect even today I would like the feel of the original Lynx, I wish I still had mine. The Wii U Gamepad reminds me a lot of it, so overall I would vote for the original Lynx but it isn't an option on this poll.

I really liked the Game boy Advance SP. I always thought that it was the perfect size for a portable console and was fairly comfortable. The bigger screens are nice on a lot of the newer handhelds but they are all bigger as a result.

Im going to say the Vita, mainly because in addition to the regular buttons you have to use a pressure pad on the back and the L/R trigger buttons are usually done by pushing on screen prompts. Plus the analog stick isnt a button, so that usually adds to more on screen prompts.When all of those need to be used it can get a little awkward. That system was such a letdown.

I know I'm in a major minority on this one but the original Atari Lynx is comfortable to me, the second one , not so much. As for least comfortable I'm really not sure as j don't really play much with portables!

Ozzybear wrote:I know I'm in a major minority on this one but the original Atari Lynx is comfortable to me, the second one , not so much. As for least comfortable I'm really not sure as j don't really play much with portables!

I never played the Lynx V2, but the V1 I thought was great. I loved how it would flip the screen for all the lefties out there. That system was way ahead of its time.