Handheld consoles continue to be a popular form of gaming. The Switch 2 is going to show everyone how powerful it is next month, while Valve’s Steam Deck is still a powerful option. Anbernic also continues to make devices designed for retro gamers. If there’s one thing all these systems have in common, it’s that people play RPGs on them.
Gamers love to play RPGs on handhelds, though it’s hard to pinpoint why. On paper, these titles would be better on console since players have to invest a lot of time in them. In practice, the genre and form factor make a ton of sense, hence why they continue to be a popular pairing.
While plenty of RPGs started on handhelds, the genre’s popularity on these devices seemingly started with Pokemon on Game Boy. Fans who started gaming in the ‘90s will remember how popular this franchise was, and still is. The fact that fans are still looking forward to Pokemon games on Switch 2 shows that.
Using Pokemon as an example, it’s easy to see why RPGs work so well on the handheld landscape. If you’re killing time in a cafe, restaurant, or even a public gathering, bringing a system out to do some grinding is pretty relaxing. Whether you’re waiting for Bulbasaur to learn Razor Leaf or reaching a specific level in Dragon Quest, all of this is more relaxing on a handheld.
Leveling up and completing side quests in RPGs are also simple forms of progression that can be done easily on a handheld system. Being able to do some of these while you’re out can feel relaxing, especially when your significant other or friends don’t mind. Doing these around the house is also great, since it means you won’t be interrupting anyone’s free time.
Now that gaming on a console and handheld is one and the same, the line between which games are “handheld-friendly” tends to blur. Something like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is pretty handheld-friendly on Steam Deck and PC handhelds since it auto-saves frequently. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are still great on Switch since they offer plenty of bite-sized battles and objectives, even after expanding as open-world titles.
Compare those games to more intense titles like Resident Evil, The Last of Us, or Halo, and it’s easy to see why RPGs work well on a handheld. Those games keep the player on edge and make them work for moments of relaxation. RPGs are much simpler, steadily giving fans battles, story missions, and side quests that they can do in their own time.
They shouldn’t work, but RPGs on handhelds continue to be a winning formula. We know this trend won’t stop anytime soon, and we’re thankful for that.