Skip to main content

Traveling ‘Casual Only’.

This post has not been edited by the GamesBeat staff. Opinions by GamesBeat community writers do not necessarily reflect those of the staff.


Tomorrow I'll be heading out of town for a few days, and one aspect of traveling that I always look forward to is the uninterrupted-portable-game-time a flight offers. Sure, everything else about air travel pretty much sucks, but once I'm in my seat, and we've reached our cruising altitude it's GAME ON as far as I am concerned.

For this upcoming trip, I've got 3hrs of air time beckoning me to either push on in Valkyria Chronicles II or to re-attempt Zelda: Spirit Tracks. There is however a new, third contender for my play-time these days, my iPod Touch.

Due to the camera gear I'll be bringing along, space is at a premium in my carry-on. To combat this I've opted to only bring one gaming device with me. The PSP or DS aren't particularly large gadgets but neither of them can really compare to the minuscule size of the iPod touch. So while the iPod touch's size makes it super appealing as a travel buddy, I have to ask myself – can I survive for six days on a diet of 'casual' games only?

Here is the 'menu' my iPod Touch is currently serving:

  • Angry Birds
  • Civ Revolution
  • Fastar!
  • Flight Control
  • Fruit Ninja
  • Mega Jump
  • Monster
  • Peggle
  • Plants vs. Zombies
  • Super Monkey Ball 2
  • Tales of Monkey Island: SE
  • Words with Friends
  • And a few more 'MEH' quality titles along with some movies & music

I've easily killed 5 – 10 minutes at a clip with these games, but could they withstand a 3hr gaming spree?

What do you think, and how do you travel? Do you leave your gaming at home, settle for the 'casual' games your smart-phones offer you, or do you bring a venerable virutal-arcade with you wherever you go?

I've got 24hrs to make a decision, so I'll be looking forward to your input.

thanks