Mobile Gaming in the Present Day

    When it comes to video games, I would say that I'm definitely in between being a casual gamer and a hardcore one.  I anticipate big game releases and stay updated on the current events of the gaming world, but I by no means let it control or ruin my life.  With that being said, I've always found that my preference for gaming has always been on actual home consoles (the xbox 360 to be specific).  This preference dates back to the sega dreamcast and ubiquitous N64.  Though I preferred home consoles, I still was a huge mobile gamer back in the day.  I had every gameboy device from the original gameboy and all its variations all the way up to the DS (notice the 3DS doesn't fall under that category, more on that later).  I've had my iphone for three years now and I can honestly say I may have played three to five non-iphone mobile games since; I just lost interest.  Iphone gaming has taken the market by storm and my question is, is there any more room for widespread success in mobile gaming anymore or has Apple completely conquered yet another market?

    Here's a quote from the online gaming publication IGN about the matter, "There are 150 million of these things in circulation - compared to 3DS, which is still well shy of 10 million. If Vita ever hits 10 million sales, it would surprise many critics who believe the world has no call for an expensive, dedicated handheld gaming system. No, the world of mobile gaming belongs to Apple."  The quote reminds me of yet another quote, when rapper Jay-Z so eloquently stated "Men lie, women lie, numbers don't"; modern-day shakespeare that guy is.  Anyways, IGN brings up a valid point.  There are approximately 140 million more people with an iphone than Nintendo's relatively new, 3-D technological feat, the 3DS, so why would consumers fork up extra hard-earned cash on a mobile gaming system, when they already have a highly capable one in their pocket?  Now, I am not an iphone gaming fiend like most seem to be (angry birds and peggle withstanding), but it is clear that most iphone users are.  I think that the problem for mobile gaming has always been how noticeably inferior the graphics were to their home console counterparts, well for me at least.  I would only play my gameboy when I was in the car on the way to school or any other locations that weren't home to kill time.  Though pocket size, they're also another item the one must lug around on their person, causing for a miniscule yet relevant inconvenience.  An iPhone user (if their at all responsible) have their phone on them at all times.  Because of this, mobile gaming is that much more convenient.  My final opinion on why I think iPhones games are as successful as they are would have to be the price tag on games.  A 3DS or Playstation Vita (the next optimistic iPhone competitor) run at around 30-40 dollars; that's minimum.  IGN just gave Infinity Blade II, an iPhone RPG game, a perfect 10 rating and the game only costs seven dollars.  If that's not a bang for your buck then I really don't what is.  And that's what I think it ultimately boils down too; iPhone gaming is the epitome of bang for your buck.