Popular Handheld Electronic Games

Retro rebirths and old favorites made new

Handheld electronic games have been around since the mid-1970s. Handheld electronic games are not the same thing as handheld game consoles. Systems such as the Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable are handheld game consoles. Handheld electronic games are often known as dedicated handhelds because they're designed to play only built-in games rather than game cartridges.

Football

Handheld electronic football games have been some of the most popular handheld games since the 70s. Mattel Electronic Football and Coleco Electronic Quarterback were two early handheld electronic games that relied on primitive LED displays with red dots and lines.

But as with other video game systems, nostalgia has led to a resurrection of these classic handheld electronic games. Mattel football handheld electronic games have been re-released to satisfy this desire for retro handheld games. Today, Mattel football is still one of the most popular handheld electronic games.

20 questions

Modern handheld electronic games are even venturing into pastimes once reserved for bored travelers. Case in point: the electronic 20 questions handheld game. Shaped a bit like a magic 8-ball, the electronic handheld 20 questions game relies on artificial intelligence to guess what you have in mind.

Of course A.I. hasn't advanced far enough yet for you to let your imagination run wild. If you're going to play electronic 20 questions, you have to keep the answers confined to objects and animals rather than obscure historical figures. But as a novelty item, the handheld electronic 20 questions game should prove amusing.

Poker

Even before the poker explosion of the past few years, handheld electronic poker games were among the most popular dedicated handhelds. However, the newer handheld poker games are definitely much more interesting than the old points-based, fold 'em or hold 'em models.

In keeping with the times, the World Series of Poker Texas Hold'em handheld electronic poker game is probably the most popular handheld electronic game of its kind. It allows up to 7 players to compete at once, human or computer, and allows you the same sort of betting action you'd find at a real table.

Of course your winnings aren't real playing handheld electronic poker. But then again, neither are your losses.

Scrabble

Scrabble is a surprisingly popular handheld electronic game. As with other games heavily dependent on artificial intelligence, handheld electronic Scrabble can pose some frustrating challenges. Letter distribution tends to seem less random than with a home game, and the board is also smaller at 9 by 9 rather than the home version's fifteen by fifteen.

However, handheld electronic Scrabble is unique among dedicated handhelds in its ability to teach you new words as you waste time in a car or plane. We recommend hebdomadal sessions with your handheld electronic Scrabble game.

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