• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

IPad Mini : Best selling gaming device for this Christmas?

MRORANGE

Member
Ipad Mini : Best selling gaming device for this Christmas?

I've had one for more than a month and it's been a great device to play games on and looking at list of most wanted items for Christmas it tops as the number quite highly of children s most wanted list. With the cheaper price compared to the bigger ipad it probably seems like it will be a best seller or in most cases already sold out. The ergonomics of the device feel good and it's a solid little device, I stopped caring about buttons after 10 minutes of playing games. I really do think it will outsell the iPad as childrens gift compared to the bigger one. The only downside is the price, but considering both handhelds from Nintendo/Sony were going at $249 at one point it's interesting to see if Apple can get away with this.

2012 also seemed to show the iPad to it's full gaming potential

List of games that are great games that came out this year for the ipad:

Rayman Jungle Run:

tDPHg.png


Bastion:

g8UeY.jpg


The Walking Dead:

1lNbL.jpg


GHOST TRICK: Phantom Detective

a5EIe.jpg


Jet Set Radio:

CDycW.jpg


The Room:

vhA43.jpg


The World Ends with You:

rtba0.jpg


NFS: Most Wanted:

yGHy9.jpg


Punch Quest:

7r1Ds.png


not the the full lineup but a good idea of whats out there.

in before touch controls
 
iPad mini is a great device. I don't like the iPad but the mini is really comfortable.

I don't play a ton of games on it, though. Theatrhythm plays well and I used to play a lot of Jubeat and Reflect beat until the arcade versions ruined the iOS versions for me.

Though it's a lot less appealing now that I own a Vita. Still, for those rhythm games it's good.
 
It's to bad the hardware is just a shrink down iPad 2 and still no retina screen. I might get the next one if it has a big upgrade.
 
If the iPad mini is a gaming device then pcs are gaming devices. Will the iPad be outselling the pc?


That's a serious question, I really have no idea how many pcs are sold per quarter.


Also, Ive had an iPad since the original launched. I have the iPad 3 now. It's wonderful for browsing, social networks, Netflix and other media consumption. But in terms of gaming it is doing less and less for me as time goes on. I used to be really into it but the games just don't have the depth or hold up compared to every other gaming device I own. I do still love me some hero academy and civ rev while watching tv with my wife though.
 
best selling device period. I think even apple themselves are surprised at the reception it's gotten.
 
The original Max Payne is ridiculously fun on the Mini. More fun than playing it on PC, actually.

Crazy talk. Pretty sure it is better on iPad but on iPhone it was pretty unplayable, and I'd take the PC version any day of the week


Like clockwork, SuperSonic1305
 
If the iPad mini is a gaming device then pcs are gaming devices. Will the iPad be outselling the pc?


That's a serious question, I really have no idea how many pcs are sold per quarter.
They've been outselling PCs for a while now.
Tablets in general. Which is mostly Apple of course.
 
Games designed for the device are fun. It's a perfec fit for board games (carcassonne), turned based strategy, rhythm and quick casual games like angry birds and fruit ninja.


Unfortunately people keep making and people keep buying games that just don't work on the device. Racing games on it are a joke... putting Most Wanted in your OP simply because it exists is part of the problem with the platform. There are more complex driving engines on the PSone than that game has.

Fps and action games are unplayable.

And the poster above brought up a good point. If you port a game to the vita or 3ds it's a crime against humanity, if the iPad can play an inferior version its a technological triumph. Wtf?
 
I don't really keep up with these things (although I'm looking to get a tablet sometime soon) but I was under the impression that the iPad mini basically had the same specs as the last gen iPad and doesn't have retina.

That would be a pretty big downside no? Thing is also really pricy for what it is. Can't see why anyone would want a mini over the regular thing, unless you're buying it for a kid or whatever.

Also is this thing really outselling the regular iPad? I honestly find that kind of hard to believe.
 
Maybe it becomes a best selling device, but I would definitely not call it a gaming device. As a gaming device, it has very few releases that are not available on other systems, and the other versions are almost always better at least in terms of control. I mean, even 3DS has a better library.

Not related, but even as a tablet it is extremely overpriced, and it's not even better than the competition on the paper; at least iPad is.
 
I don't really keep up with these things (although I'm looking to get a tablet sometime soon) but I was under the impression that the iPad mini basically had the same specs as the last gen iPad and doesn't have retina.

That would be a pretty big downside no? Thing is also really pricy for what it is. Can't see why anyone would want a mini over the regular thing, unless you're buying it for a kid or whatever.

Also is this thing really outselling the regular iPad? I honestly find that kind of hard to believe.

Why? It has a cheaper entry point lol
 
I don't really keep up with these things but I was under the impression that the iPad mini basically had the same specs as the last gen iPad and doesn't have retina.

That would be a pretty big downside no? Thing is also really pricy for what it is. Can't see why anyone would want a mini over the regular thing, unless you're buying it for a kid or whatever.

Also is this thing really outselling the regular iPad? I honestly find that kind of hard to believe.
The last gen iPad was no slouch, and the form factor is pretty dramatic and more pleasing to most. Thinner than my iPhone 5 even.
I'll never go back to full size.

But yeah, it seems to be doing better. Can't wait for a screen upgrade in the future.
 
So I heard that AMD is launching their 8X00M series very soon and there are rumblings that the next gen consoles may be using these mobile GPUs. Does it mean we'll be getting Sony and MS pads as their next gen home console (which'll be portable)?
 
Is the iPad mini doing that well? Considering it's heavily overpriced compared to other smaller tabletes.
 
Anyone want to give me a quick recommendation?
- board game
- has to have a 1p/AI mode
- ideally 2-4 players if not
- shorter playtimes are good
- recent (2012 release on iOS)
- I like theme-heavy games
- I own TTR, Carc, Catan, Ascension, Money, Food Fight, and a bunch of others... So off the beaten path is good
 
It's full gaming potential is crap ports.

I wouldn't list the iPad Mini as a separate system altogether. It would be like seperating all the versions of DS or GBA.
 
And the poster above brought up a good point. If you port a game to the vita or 3ds it's a crime against humanity, if the iPad can play an inferior version its a technological triumph. Wtf?

Probably because iOS has a constant flow of original games and ports at the same time. If I had to say what the best iOS games are, I wouldn't mention any ports. They're just a bonus
 
I tried to get one for my wife for Christmas but they were sold out everywhere. It was kind of a last minute pick up so I'll just have to grab one for her birthday or maybe get one after the holidays. After checking out a display model in the store, I think I want to get one for myself to replace my current iPad. They're actually pretty nice, even without the retina screen. I don't think I'll be using mine much for gaming though. I barely play anything on my iPad or iPhone anymore.
 
it's been a great device to play games


I'm sorry but I have to call bullshit. I've got an Android smart phone and Android tablet and they are not great devices to play games on. I know Android ≠ Apple, however, there are just not enough diffrences between the devices to make a comparison invalid. ESPECIALLY when it's the Input and Games Available that are the limiting factors of the device.


For all but those akin to Angry Birds input sucks on every game I've played on it: from the random Play Store downloads, to Minecraft to GTA III it all just sucks to play with touch. Even if you brought a controller into the picture your still left with an absolute abysmal selection of games and again, yes Play ≠ iTunes, but again I'm fairly well abreast on gaming and technology news and I don't think there is a much of a difference in over all quality of games offered.

There are a handful of token enjoyable experience but it's as shallow mall fountain. Where are the great sims, the city builders the world builders... Where are the great shooters, third person or first... Where are the great strategy games... turned based or otherwise. Where are all the games that don't try and shoehorn microtransactions or "social multiplayer" into anything and everything?


I'm sure many people will have many examples to prove me wrong. But it will be a trickle compared to the great wave of games offered on PCs and consoles. Hell even the Wii with it's mountains of shovelware still has many more and easier to find compelling experiences than your standard iOS/Android games.


/rant
//where ar i?
 
Ports on iOS are usually sub $10 and insanely cheap during sales. Vita ports usually cost the same as normal games though ports like Stranger's Wrath are comparable in price and much better than anything on iPad.
 
Probably because iOS has a constant flow of original games and ports at the same time. If I had to say what the best iOS games are, I wouldn't mention any ports. They're just a bonus
Does it have any adventure game better than [or on par with] the Walking Dead or Ghost Trick, or an RPG better than the TWEWY or the BG?

---
There are few games that I really enjoy, like Temple Run and the Real Racer; but that's about it; I would say the overall library is pretty barren.
 
Why does it matter why someone buys something rather than how someone uses something?

TBF similar arguement could be made for pc, especially during the facebook game boom. Anyway I'm actually surprised at how bad touch screen controls are for some on tablets sure on phones you can give them a free pass, but I had o idea it would be that bad for tablets, tried some snes games and was like screw this shit. Unless it's specifically design for it I'm not touching it. Probably why I'm glad Nintendo will likely stick around in the dedicated handheld space.
 
Does it have any adventure game better than the Walking Dead or Ghost Trick, or an RPG better than the TWEWY or the BG?

There's The Last Express and Monkey Island games. Not sure if The Room is considered adventure (haven't played it) but it got great impressions and called out for iPad game of the year. A lot of Telltale stuff are on iOS too, but I'm not sure if you're asking for ports

RPGs were never my kind of thing even on consoles so not sure on that. I mean, I know RPGs on the platform but I don't really play them so I can't say

TWEWY came out 5 years ago

iPad came out 5 years ago?
 
Probably because iOS has a constant flow of original games and ports at the same time. If I had to say what the best iOS games are, I wouldn't mention any ports. They're just a bonus


I agree with that. I was speaking more to
Orange's OP which is all ports.

Hero academy, fruit ninja, super hexagon, groove coaster, mamc, a bunch of great TD games, etc are what this thread should be about. Not crappy ports. If you want amazing, portable versions bastion and most wanted get a gaming laptop.
 
They've been outselling PCs for a while now.
Tablets in general. Which is mostly Apple of course.

No they have not. PC still sells significantly more than the iPad and tablets. The best selling gaming platform for Christmas will be Windows 8 powered computers.
 
Does any platform have an RPG better than BG?
Check my edit; But yes, without stretching it far, there are quite a few RPGs that are better than BG depending on your subjective preference and aspects that are important to you, on PC, PS2 and even DS.

There's The Last Express and Monkey Island games. Not sure if The Room is considered adventure (haven't played it) but it got great impressions and called out for iPad game of the year. A lot of Telltale stuff are on iOS too, but I'm not sure if you're asking for ports

RPGs were never my kind of thing even on consoles so not sure on that. I mean, I know RPGs on the platform but I don't really play them so I can't say



iPad came out 5 years ago?
I was merely pointing out that ports aren't just bonus stuff; TLS, and tell tale games are all multiplats.
 
I own an iPad 3 and I'm honestly tempted to pick up an iPad mini just for gaming. I've seen nothing but glowing praise from the gamers that are using 'em.
 
Maybe it becomes a best selling device, but I would definitely not call it a gaming device. As a gaming device, it has very few releases that are not available on other systems, and the other versions are almost always better at least in terms of control. I mean, even 3DS has a better library.

Not related, but even as a tablet it is extremely overpriced, and it's not even better than the competition on the paper; at least iPad is.

I call bullshit on this claim.


the ios gaming library is leagues beyond the 3DS in almost every category.

I own an iPad 3 and I'm honestly tempted to pick up an iPad mini just for gaming. I've seen nothing but glowing praise from the gamers that are using 'em.

I absolutely love mine. For me it was worth it just for digital board games and King of Dragon Pass.
 
The thought of playing Jet Set Radio with touch controls is disgusting. Game has clunky enough physics. And where the hell is Baldurs Gate?

I call bullshit on this claim.


the ios gaming library is leagues beyond the 3DS in almost every category.

So I had an iPad 1 and picked up a mini when it was released. Use it everyday. There is not a single iOS game that can touch the quality of the following 3DS titles:

Super Mario 3D Land
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Star Fox 64
Kingdom Hearts
New Super Mario Bros. 2
Resident Evil: Revelations
Mario Kart 7
Kid Icarus

That is just off the top of my head. I've enjoyed some iOS gaming but some people get a little crazy with quality comparisons. If I had to pick a gaming device I would pick the 3DS over any iOS device any day every day.
 
I own an iPad 3 and I'm honestly tempted to pick up an iPad mini just for gaming. I've seen nothing but glowing praise from the gamers that are using 'em.

id buy one but im scared it'll be outdated soon seeing as the tech inside is a few gnes old
 
Top Bottom