Steve Jobs: iPod Touch is the best portable gaming device

Posted Sep 9, 2008 at 9:12PM by Karl B. Listed in: News, Opinions & Analysis Tags: San Francisco, Steve Jobs

Apple iPod Touch - Image 1

The figurative gauntlet was thrown at Apple's recent Let's Rock event in San Francisco. According to Steve Jobs, the iPod Touch is "the best portable device for playing games on".

That's a grand statement right there, but then again, if you're selling something you wouldn't be touting it as the second-, third-, or whatever-best gaming device, now would you?

To back it up, Phil Schiller, senior VP of product marketing, demoed three iPod Touch games. Two have already been released (Real Soccer 2009 and Spore Origins), with the last being the upcoming Need For Speed: Undercover from EA.

Apple gaming hasn't really caught on that much, but it looks like this time Jobs and company are really putting a lot behind marketing the iPod Touch as a gaming device. The iPod Touch certainly looks like it packs some considerable graphical power under its hood. Then again, the lack of a proper d-pad could throw a wrench into their campaign.

So, what do you guys think? Does the iPod Touch have what it takes to go up against the PSP and DS?

Via Joystiq

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Comments

# they can't even — roddollente 2008-09-09 17:16

make macs for gaming. let alone the ipod touch.

# It isn't big enough. — Genotype 2008-09-09 17:39

You would get some serious hand cramps playing that after a while. I'm sticking with the PSP.

# Yea right — Fade3e 2008-09-09 17:41

it may have the power and graphics but touch and one button arent going to do it for "Best handheld gaming device"

the psp and ds shoudnt even consider this a threat and hats ignoring the fact that the audience for the ipod touch isnt nessecarilly in sony or nintendos corner.

on that not dont forget microsofts protable, zune which has the xna framework for game. dont get me wrong i do not think the games on that stack up to sony or nintendo either but there are a few more controls on it. i believe if the zune can become a marketable gaming device so can ipod, that not to say i dont prefer zune though

where is he pulling this from, because it seems he is thinking this based singularly on the ipod having the most power where as it has less user inputablility, less contractual games behind it and a much smaller market

thats just my 2 cents

# Right — Covet 2008-09-09 18:42

Jobs must have his head so far up his ass that he's never heard of a PSP

# rofl — spicyhamster 2008-09-09 19:20

STEVE JOBS YOU SILLY BlTCH

# Yeah right — Ivory_soul 2008-09-09 20:39

Steve's just pissed that the MAC will never compare to PC or Windows and he probably said all of this after a drunken fit the previous night. The iPod may be the best MP3 device but let's please just leave it at that. Don't start making the iPod a hardcore gaming device. Nintendo and Sony are doing a fine enough job with that. So please, mister Jobs, just continue making your MAC for the silly low IQ people who can't use a PC. Keep making your crap iTunes software, and just keep pumping out those iPods because once those are done...you're history dude. Without the iPod you're bank will be empty so don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong.

# LOL — Torch 2008-09-09 21:04

I'll believe that when I'm smashing the Persian king's skull with a treasure chest on an iPod.

# ... — Matt-N 2008-09-09 21:15

I bet my Mac Pro with its 8-cores of 64bit Xenon power and support for 32GB of 800MHz RAM, would kick any PC you own in the nuts.

What people seem to forget is the Mac (not Apple as a whole) has 2 main target markets: the Design and TV industry with its Mac Pro, and the easy going fun market with its iMac and Mac Mini - not the gaming sector.

If developers want to support the Mac, they will do (and are to a small degree - gaming, accountancy, etc), but it's an area Apple have never truly tackled with the Mac.

Having said all that, I love my PSP and would never trade it in for a crappy iPod Touch.

Please understand, I'm a fan of Mac, not Apple as a whole. Oh, and because my Mac Pro has Intel processors, I'm also natively running Windows 64bit on it too, meaning I can game on it if I want anyway, so I win all round!

# Sure... — chessboxer 2008-09-09 21:44

This is almost as laughable as M$ saying that the 360 is a well built, well designed console.

# well — dazmo 2008-09-09 21:46

i see this as little more than a poke at the gaming market. meaning that S.J. knows that if this statement sparks peoples interest, hes got some money to make.

i could see the ipod having a spinoff in the near future that could easily threaten nintendo and sony in the handheld market, and you know they can do it, since apple rehashes its handhelds ever 2 weeks.

also, id like to point out that although i dont like mac computers personally, anyone who says their crap is just hating. i mean, what type of computer do you see in almost ever graphics-heavy marketplace? apples. theyre just geared more for that. ive been using macintoshes for months now at shchool and theyre ok. but i still constantly miss the right-click menu.

# Steve Jobs could check the Poll to the right — foetus 2008-09-09 22:42

Which is the greatest handheld of all time?

Game Boy

Game Boy Advance

DS

PSP

VOTE

dough

# LOL — FreePlay 2008-09-09 23:09

"I bet my Mac Pro with its 8-cores of 64bit Xenon power and support for 32GB of 800MHz RAM, would kick any PC you own in the nuts."

Seriously? You spent over $8000 on that computer?

Idiot...

# ahum, — eddib 2008-09-09 23:10

yeah, but yr wallet is the big loser here, because, and we all know that, apple stuff is great but seriously overpriced, esp here in europe where mr jobs decided that 1 euro + 1 dollar. so we always pay half more than what you overseas guys pay.

i'll stick to pc, just because of that.

and i don't see the touch making it as a gaming device, maybe a NES emulator, but that's about it

# ... — Koolaidsred1 2008-09-09 23:38

isn't the reason for that because you Europeans make more money then us? Therefore all your prices are higher? Correct me if I'm wrong I'm not 100% sure...

# Mac Vs PC — Deerwings 2008-09-09 23:38

I disagree on the 'Macs are better because everybody has one' argument. Seriously, that's what I hear from a lot of Pro-Mac/Anti-PC, is that 'it's better because everyone has one'. Instead of actually discussing its merits. It's like claiming that becaause everybody has Herpes, that it's the bee's knees and beats being healthy. It's goofy and a silly argument. On the other hand, yes, Macs have been built for the graphics and multimedia environments, but that's not anything that PC's can't do. They can do it just as easily as a mac can, for a fraction of the price but again, the 'it must be better because everyone has one' mentality has people buying them. Like the iPod. It's hardly the best device for playing Mp3's on, because all devices that play Mp3's play them exactly as they're designed to. There's many other devices out there that even play Mp3's /better/ than the iPod does, or has more capacity, or better functionality, but because 'everyone has one', people tend to assume that the iPod is 'better' somehow. But that's a ridiculous assumption that unfortunately, plagues rationality.

# @ FreePlay — Matt-N 2008-09-09 23:44

No I didn't spend that on it. I typed it SUPPORTS 32GB of RAM.

YOU idiot!

And as my post suggests, I'm a graphic designer and 3D animator, so it earns me my money back.

YOU idiot.

# .....lol — BIH 2008-09-10 00:12

Now lets not get ahead of out selves Steve.

# - — RJ 2008-09-10 00:15

First of all, the mightiest ROFL possible to the people here.

Technically it IS the best handheld, going off how people used to judge the DS against the PSP. "Oh it's so much more powerful, oh it's got multimedia functions"... etc.

The iPhone and iPod Touch are incredibly powerful machines, very thin and lightweight and do much much more than either the DS or PSP.

It's not as good for gaming though purely because, just like the PSP, it just isn't as good for gaming as the DS is. It doesn't have developer support like what Nintendo (always) has.

But really I am cracked up from this! Was a good laugh hearing how the PSP was better because of power, yet something more powerful comes along and suddenly opinions have changed :lol:

Oh and my maxed out Mac Pro (bought by a studio as a golden handshake) pretty much urinates on most PC setups. Granted I also have a gaming PC with a 4870x2 (a card which most of the kids here would cry for) as the Mac is an *incredible* workstation computer.

# yeah right — duy817 2008-09-10 00:23

...and i'm the president of the united states..

# Erm... — _MK2k_ 2008-09-10 00:29

the device doesn't even have buttons!

Sometimes people have their nose so high in the air, it cracks me up.

# But this device lacks a fair bit... — kittykat 2008-09-10 03:00

OK, so the IPod Touch has good graphics hardware, but it does have a smaller screen and a lack of buttons, leading to eyestrain and limited control.

On the other hand, there is still the possibility that Apple could create a few peripherals that add buttons and a magnifying glass for the screen, or better yet a larger screen to be used with the Ipod Touch (It does have TV out options, right?) which would actually make this a decent gaming device, but that seems unlikely.

3 games being released by a third party does not sound like a serious effort in making the Ipod Touch a gaming platform. After all, even cell phones have a lot more commercial games.

# I think it has a chance — deltido 2008-09-10 03:00

Think..if Apple added a gamepad add-on to the iphone/touch via the usb on the bottom. And what if they made some sort of MMORPG that u could connect and play anywhere..that'd or portable online fighting game of some sort? Tekken? I think that possibility alone could have psp and ds shaking in their boots:p idk..just wishful thinking.

# supports 32GB — thexile 2008-09-10 03:22

@Matt-N supports 32GB ram? You only put a stick of 512MB on it right?

# Damn... — thexile 2008-09-10 03:24

I was looking for the iPoke! :)

# Die jobs — Madblaster6 2008-09-10 04:25

i havve both the iPhone and Psp. I really wanted to sock him strait between the eyes when he said that. I hate apple because they think they're perfect. Sure a mac can do what ever Vista can do faster because mac can't do everything vista does. Also mac commercials are bull. Macs do crash.

# ... — Matt-N 2008-09-10 05:42

You're a happy fella!

# indeed! — StingBlah 2008-09-10 06:08

# There goes my blood pressure — Onlooker 2008-09-10 07:08

I'm a PC user, I like Macs, I own a DS and have played on a PSP. So I'd dare say I'm being at least a little objective when I say: Steve Jobs is arrogant. The PSP has a 16:9 display, the button layout is tried and true, based on a PS1 controller (now if only they'd add that frickin' second joystcik) and great visuals. The DS has a massive library of games, GBA support and a really fun touch screen interface. I know that the iPod has some really great games for download, but come on! So does my dinky cell phone!

It's a neat-looking phone and yes, it also has a touch screen interface, but until you can top God of War: Chains of Olympus, Gurumin, Elite Beat Agents or Bangai-O Spirits, I'll just think of it as a sorry excuse for a gaming device, if it's all the same to you.

# iTouch best gaming device? Now they're REALLY starting to piss me off!!! — Djhg2000 2008-09-10 07:08

Even the GameBoy Advance could easily beat the iTouch!

# iPod — naughton 2008-09-10 07:22

I know that the iPod has some really great games for download, but come on! So does my dinky cell phone!

====================================

naughton

Foreclosed Homes

# well — anhero 2008-09-10 07:25

I can agree that the ipod touch is more powerful than the PSP and could ultimately run more grahically heavy games with dedicated developers backing it, but just power doesn't make the best system. The Touch can have many games that could feel good to play with the touch screen (Spore on it was a good idea, a Myst game would be good, great RPGs like FF series and Star Ocean, Civilizations on it would otally rock, and puzzle games would rock on it, and maybe card games (but ohh god save it from *****ty card games like yugio). Yet, the lack of controls means that most shooters, racing, adventure, and many other games won't be good to play on it and thus it won't be an universal gaming device. But hey, if they make Civilization port and good RPGs I would buy it, and probably a good number of people, but or now my gaming device is the PSP, PS3, PC and my music/video device is the ipod classic.

# LMAO. — 10sHii 2008-09-10 07:51

best gaming device ever since it got jailbroken. sheesh steve jobs, rephrase PUHLEASE.

# Also — SteveDeathbat 2008-09-10 08:02

Steve Deathbat: Steve jobs is the biggest idiot

# hmmm — _MK2k_ 2008-09-10 09:06

The PSP has GBA support too *cough* gpsp *cough*

# @Matt — roddollente 2008-09-10 09:52

a 3D animator using MAC?! on what company are you from? AHAHA! don't get me wrong, my 2.6 GHz AMD Phenom X4 Quad-Core and two NVidia 9600 SLI's could kick your Mac Pro anyday.

# wtf — halo7master 2008-09-10 10:39

hahaha jobs that was a stuped thing to say hahaha

# iPod Touch is the best portable gaming device — charlesrichard 2008-09-10 10:45

Hi to one and all of this forum, this is charles, ipod touch is the best portable gaming device, if ipod is there everything is there, have a nice day, thank u

========================================

charles

["http://www.wow-gold-price-list.com" WoW Gold]

# » iPod Touch is the best portable gaming device — charlesrichard 2008-09-10 10:49

Hi to one and all of this forum, this is charles, ipod touch is the best portable gaming device, if ipod is there everything is there, have a nice day, thank u

+++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++ +++

charles

[url+"http://www.wow-gold-price-list.com"]WoW Gold

# apple produx — pewpie 2008-09-10 12:00

mac=idiot proof computer

ipod= idiot proof mp3 player

iphone= idiot proof pda/phone

anyone else see the market apple is, and always has, aimed for?

# holy crap — doubleA 2008-09-10 12:04

3 games oh my god! definently stands out with the best portable systems such as those minigame pixel toys included with a kids meal. Much better then a psp which has only over 500 games. They should rename it ipod kiss so it can kiss my ass.

# Seriously — doubleA 2008-09-10 12:19

No one gives a ***** of who you are and posting ipod touch is best gaming device 2 times on this page makes you twice the dumbass Steve Jobs is. Just so you know you really shouldnt be on this psp site for saying that. Because I realize you are a moron and might not know.

# New by mac next generation — core2kid18 2008-09-10 12:26

iBox, iPoke (thanks to thexile) a new iDisc format, iHold for controllers, iStore for online downloads.

and iMGAY as the slogan for the iBox.

Stick with the iPods

# Apple in the handheld biz?? — daxyireh 2008-09-10 14:01

It does have more power and it's got more functionality but it probably won't win many fans in the gaming market. Ergonomically uncomfortable to play on and most gamers, though touch games like Zelda PH and Ninja Gaiden DS have proved that touch adventure games can be flipp'n-shweet and easy to control via stylus, still prefer the option to use buttons and controls (d-pad/whatever).

However I would attempt supporting them in the gaming market if they were to join with a dedicated gaming device developed foremost as such. Sony's done well coming from the WALKMAN days and it's always nice to see a challenger who can force the ante to be up'd.

As far as mac vs pc banter - wtf? Come on now children, linux rules =D Ha, just kidding, they're all fun platforms but it's all truly subjective opinion on which is right for you.

Just so y'all know I dip my toe in all evils, Atari/Intelevision/Genesis/N64/Xbox/PS3/OS9/VISTA/PuppyLinux name it and I've found a place for it XD ... I'm a techwhore ... =( SOMEBODY SAVE ME FROM MY DISGRACEFUL SELF!!!

# are you kidding? — CheckMate0289 2008-09-10 16:04

iPod touch more powerful than PSP? wowww lol PSP does more, has more games, can multi-task things it can do with plugins (such as music at any time) and the applications (psptube) for it allow it to do everything ipod touch(myself) can do. it even has more codec support and doesnt need gay itunes. dont even get me started on the rest of how pointless ANY iCrap can, would, might be better in this generation. Appl chose music awhile back and it seems to me they should stick with it since they over populate the music part of the media. (even grandmas talk about them.) the world doesnt need another gaming device and it most certainly will never be Apple.

# are you kidding??? psp is way more powerful!! — z32tt3z 2008-09-10 16:25

apple can twirl their lil ipod around, mix it around a little, give it some new features, and then shove it up their candy ass!!!

# ZoMg — Achooist 2008-09-10 16:25

Win detected.

/comments

# Why...? — Chrisp6825 2008-09-10 16:56

Why is an iPod more powerful than a PSP?

Why did Sony do that? And I think the only reason the iPod touch has 128 megs of ram was just to stuff it in Sony's face.

An mp3 player with 128 Mb of ram... and a 620 - 412 Mhz processor is pretty ridiculous.

Modders should over clock it to full 620 Mhz and mod in some kind of attachable button pad. I would be amazed... And then poop my pants.

# Yes... and No — gammy69er 2008-09-10 17:57

Idiot Proof Computer - for idiots wanting to pay twice as much for Half the spec of a PC (and basically a PC now, Bring Back PowerPC 128 bit architecture). OK, so it is Simpler to use and has a better flow/less if any crashes (have seen a couple myself), but this is due to less compatibility of mainstream software (especially games).

Idiot proof MP3 - Well, once you get your head around the dial. took me about 15 min on my first go to be moving in and out of files/folders... only took 1 min on my PSP and 1 min on a Creative Zen. Also, itunes is the absolute worst mp3/video and transfer program software out there (I will gladly accept any challange on that one).

Idiot Proof PDA/Phone - NOT EVEN. Very Cool. Simpler than most "PDA/Phones" out there but with less function and more cost with the STUPID Pricing Plans they Cell Companies have on them. In NZ we pay Approx US$120 for the phone then 4 X the regular monthly charge, making it about US$2000-$3000 for the phone after the contract ends, and then you still need to stay on the plan.

Only and IDIOT (or in some cases, Specialist) would want/Need these devices. I have nothing against anyone whom buys these devices (except maybe the ipod), because it is their money, their life, and their time waiting for itunes to sort out their music library.

# MARRY ME (ewwwww... GAY) — gammy69er 2008-09-10 20:07

How much you charge?

ps3(1080p), psp, xbox(720p - who wants 1080i?), ps2, dreamcast, ps1 ,saturn ,snes ,megadrive, master system, nes, fountain force 2 (try find info on that one), hanimex tv game, redhat, fedora core, vista (and loving it!?!), 2k3 server.

all i get is a power bill at the end of the month :(

# good call... — gammy69er 2008-09-10 20:08

thats it. no more to say

# ... — TheLastGuitarHero 2008-09-10 21:02

Bravo Deerwings, this man gets an internet.

# @matt — -Black*Burd- 2008-09-10 22:22

you shouldnt tryand outsmart freeplay on psp or pc devices cuz you will get owned

# Re: hmmm — Onlooker 2008-09-10 23:04

Well, not native support, but true, yes. Also, thanks for reminding me of another area where the DS and especially the PSP are leaps and bounds ahead of the iPod: homebrew.

# Hmmm — 2PeteShakur 2008-09-10 23:45

The day it can do PS1 games/Neo geo n other emus etc, i myt be interested but prolly not as the PSP2 will be out:

-Dual analogs

-Dual screen

-Touch screen

PSP4Ever!!!

# rotflmao — du.der.icio.us 2008-09-11 00:16

Magnifing Glass ... Classic

# Ipod lol — Lucky_Bastard 2008-09-11 00:59

Ipod should not be compared to PSP. damn! what was he thingking!?!! it's just like comparing a laptop from a cellphone. duh!

# Here is why... — rrm74001 2008-09-11 04:13

The iPod Touch has alot of RAM because Apple did not want people getting "Out of Memory" errors that people get on the PSP. The reason why previous portable internet devices in the past failed is for that very reason. Plus, when you go to a website on the iPod Touch, it is the REAL website, not some watered down, imageless browser.

It needs a fast processor because it needs to decode high quality and highly compressed video files. The faster processor also allows you to multitask (listen to the internet and browse the internet, for example). And the iPod Touch is running a modified version to Mac OS X, I hope you know. It uses some of the same code, in fact.

# mm — emcp 2008-09-11 06:39

OPEN PANDORA, would kick its ass

seriously the only thing the ipod touch gives is a larger screen than the ds, and better touch screen, not as good as graphics as psp

so open pandora would kick its ass

# Apple CRuNCH... Designed To Do So B'tween Your Foot & The Floor — dPoet 2008-09-11 12:13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg7Xh0m_Oco

jus something for humour...

anyhoo, half the noob giblets posting on here who dont own a psp, please quit it, there's an apple section (where this post should really be...) as for steve jobs, i do agree, he's too far up his own ass 'this is the big one, the big one, the wtf, it's an obsurd claim... i'd rather see the whole screen and use buttons i can feel are there, than be distracted with my thumbs on teh screen, anyone else agree? it's a portable media device, not a handheld gaming console jobs, stick to creating frustrating boat anchors and paperweights, and leave the gaming to companies who know the industry

# lol!! — dPoet 2008-09-11 12:19

wanted to rub it in that much huh you hit a funny runny typo lol

# wow...nuff said... — ice_magistrate 2008-09-24 02:16

yea,right....

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