Top 10 Handheld Games For The Multitasking Mom (Part 1)

As mentioned in my first post in this series, I lean towards games that do not fry my brain (which is already quite fried as it is), are easy to put down and pick up again at any point, but still engage me in some way - through a straightforward yet breathtaking storyline, humorous characters, or some other unique aspect that the game developer managed to inject without the need for complex controls or graphics. Handheld devices such as PSP and DS are true gems for the multitasking mom who is always on the go. PSP gains extra points for remembering where I left off even after turning it off without saving. The first generations of DS should be lauded for its backwards compatibility with classic GBA games.

So without further ado, here are the handheld games that top my list (in no particular order):

(1) Scribblenauts (DS) - As its tagline states, "Write Anything, Solve Everything"; this game allows you to summon anything you can think of simply by writing it down. Input "jetpack" or "wings" to help your character, Maxwell, gain the power of flight. Give him a "gun", "knife", or heck, conjure up a "superhero" to help him fight villains. You can even input a "knight", "dragon", and "princess" and watch the drama unfold on its own. Even "Cthulu" wasn't spared! The possibilities of this game is limited only by your vocabularly (and well, the game's database, which is, thankfully, pretty extensive). If you're the type who has the compulsive need to solve every puzzle in a game, then this will certainly burn you out - you'll either run out of words or curse Maxwell for being so difficult to control! But if you can skip over the action modes and just enjoy playing around with the free play and puzzle levels, then this has great potential as a stress reliever.

(2) Ace Attorney (DS) - A point-and-click mystery/adventure series with unique twists and zany characters that keep you coming back for more! If you've ever wished for an RPG where the story unfolds without the tedious level grinding or travelling throughout a world (sometimes two or three), then this is the game for you. In the Phoenix Wright series, you play a defense attorney who must uncover clues in order to defend your hapless clients in court. Once you've fallen in love with the main cast of characters, you can pick up a copy of Miles Edgeworth's game to get a chance to play the prosecutors and interact with familiar faces from the original game (sadly, Phoenix Wright and his two ever-faithful sidekicks are no more than a passing reference in this game).

(3) Elite Beat Agents (DS) - Handheld version of Dance Dance Revolution. This game requires you to tap markers in perfect timing with the given song in order for the agents (reminiscent of Men In Black) to successfully dance their way through a mission. The developments and eventual outcome of a mission changes depending on how well you can follow the beat, pushing you to try and try again. Missing a beat leads to hilarious circumstances so its rather hard to feel discouraged  with any of your efforts. Music loving moms, this is for you! Fans of Jpop can try Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, the original game that gave birth to its Westernized counterpart.

(4) Chrono Trigger (DS) - This remains my favorite classic RPG of all time. Featuring standard RPG controls (menu based battle system) in a two-dimensional world, the game pulls you in with a beautiful plotline and a diverse set of characters you can't help but love. Its time traveling theme enables you to explore the lone world throughout different ages (Stone Age, Dark Ages, Medieval, Present Time, Future, and End of Time), allowing you to witness how its inhabitants evolve over the course of time. The best part of this game is its combination of multiple endings and New Game+ features. Once you've finished the game for the first time, New Game+ allows you to play the game with your current levels and equipment. This helps you breeze through the game in order to see all the different endings without having to start from scratch (how I wish Star Ocean would pick this up!). One other interesting element to this game is that the main character does not utter a single word from beginning to end - and most of the time, players fail to realize this!

(5) Popolocrois (PSP) - These days a new release of a traditional, two-dimensional style RPG is rare, but Ignition Entertainment stepped up to the plate with a fairy tale adventure called Popolocrois. The game starts when 10-year-old Prince Pietro discovers that his mother, long thought to be dead, is actually in a coma. He travels to the Underworld along with an apprentice witch, Narcia, to save his mother's soul. This is followed by two subsequent adventures in which Pietro must save his father and the world at age 12 and 15, respectively. The added appeal to the game is in watching the main characters grow and develop in the course of 5 years. There is no complex story behind this fantasy tale; what you see is what you get and what you get is beautiful imagery coupled with charming characters. An RPG classic through and through.

While on the topic of traditional-style RPGs, I'm currently playing Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, which is very promising in the wake of its predecessors. The original Legend of Heroes and YS series featured slow pacing and exceedingly long dialogue that made it too tedious to play. My biggest disappointment to date is the Lunar Silver Star Story for PSP. While I hold very fond memories of its PlayStation version, the PSP port featured no enhancements whatsoever and had an utterly sloooow loading time every time the scene changes (including battle scenes!).

Have to bring my tot to school - Part 2 (and more PSP games) when I get back!