Features
Play away
If you emptied your pockets right now, chances are one of them would contain a mobile phone. Packed into that tiny handset is more power than you would have found in a computer from the early 1990s. This, coupled with its colour screen and memory capability, makes a mobile phone the ideal gaming device. Mobiles can run increasingly advanced games, including faithful versions of console favourites and new 3D titles, so gamers can get their fix wherever they may be.
There are hundreds of titles to download and a huge range of game types from which to choose, including arcade classics, platform adventures and sport simulations. This is one gaming hobby that won't prove expensive, either. Many games cost less than £5 each, and provide a good few hours of entertainment.
In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about playing games on your phone, from the sorts of features you should look for on a handset to the services offered by mobile phone networks.
What you need
Before you can get started, you must have a game-friendly handset. Every mobile phone worth its salt is capable of playing games, but some models are better equipped than others. To make the most of the experience, there are five key features you should look for in a mobile phone: usability, processor, screen, memory and battery life.
Usability
It is important to consider the way a handset feels in your hand.
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Processor
If you're into fast-paced games such as motor racing or shoot-'em-ups, you'll need a device with a decent processor that can handle speedy gameplay, because it will need to render screens quickly. It can be difficult to check this yourself, so let the professionals do it for you. The experts at http://jbenchmark.com rate every handset for its graphical performance speed. The website also compares the ratings of handsets for both 3D and 2D graphics.
Screen
Game developers put a lot of time and effort into producing smooth and colourful graphics, so if you want to appreciate the fruits of their labour you need a high-quality colour display. A screen with a resolution of 240x320 pixels that can display 262,000 colours is standard and should do the trick. Touch-screen handsets are becoming more common, but only a limited number of games are available for this format.
Memory
A mobile game doesn't take up much storage space, although it could be anything from 50KB to 500KB. However, if you're planning to start a small collection, the capacity of your phone could be an issue. Pick a handset with a decent amount of onboard memory and, preferably, a memory card slot for further expansion.
Battery life
The length of time you'll spend playing games will affect the amount of power used. The longer you play, the bigger the drain on the phone's battery. When choosing a new phone for mobile gaming, you should pay closer attention to the battery life than you would otherwise. Better still, buy a second battery to carry around with you in case of emergencies. You wouldn't want to run out of power at a crucial moment.
The right handset
