Mobile Game Consoles
Monitor add-on is the way to go
By James Lee
http://leejay16.tripod.com
November 29, 2001 - Metro

Japanese electronics have always strived for portability and compact designs. Nintendo wins again in this department. Hype of the release and the new graphical upgrade has attributed to the rising fame of new console systems - currently in competition are PS2, Gamecube and X-Box. X-Box and PS2 are also planning on adding multi-player/network features in the future. For now, the portable game play will be the next best thing for multi-player gaming. Gameboy Advance (GBA) has improved its linking feature, in that one person only needs to buy the game to play multi-player mode with others. But GBA games may be costly for some of you. Moreover, you may already own another game console like Playstation.

What everyone does not know is that PS1 (the new version of the first Playstation) allows LCD monitor add-ons, which allows for the system to be mobile. PS1 has reduced in size and weight significantly compared to its predecessor. The LCD monitor not only displays amazing fluent graphics but also has built-in speakers. There is a variety of monitor sizes. A battery pack is also attachable along with the monitor and it lasts 2.5 hours. If the battery pack is not enough, there are other add-ons such as car adaptors or AC adaptors. Gaming is now possible on the bus, in the park, in a restaurant (reminder: play in mute mode) and on vacation. If you can find a socket in your hotel room, you just hook up the AC adaptor and you are ready to play games as if you were at home. Forget home; you're on vacation! For those who already own many titles for PS1 should definitely buy a monitor for their system. Sony has recently released their own 5" Mobile Monitor, and it comes with a nice design, a color screen, a battery pack and built-in speakers. The Sony monitor is specifically made for PS1 only.

Gamecube also allows monitor add-ons but does not allow battery packs. Other new systems - X-Box and PS2 - do not allow monitor add-ons (as of yet) so Gamecube is the only next generation system that is portable. But PS1 is here to stay because of its immense library of game titles, its history of purchasees and its mobility. If you are struggling on game-title decision-making, just buy an LCD monitor for your console.