Handheld electronic games are an example of a toy that adopted characteristics of arcade video games. These devices highly influenced the design of future handheld gaming devices. Developing a mobile game which is inspired by these pioneering devices is both an interesting challenge and a call-back to the origins of handheld computing devices.

Study Guide - Making a handheld electronic inspired game.

Since the first handheld game came onto the market, game development has drastically improved. With modern game engines and improvements to computing hardware, simple games can be made quickly. While the original Mattel Electronics Auto Race took 18 months to program and optimised to fit into the limited storage of the time [3], similar games can now be made in a fraction of that time and are no longer limited by hardware.

The Robo Jam collection explores this style of games and can be downloaded for free for android devices through the Google Play Store.

Conclusion

1. Scott Stilphen, “Mark Lesser”, http://www.digitpress.com/library/interviews/interview_mark_lesser.html

2. Gunpei Yokoi, Satoru Okada, US GB DE "Timepiece apparatus having a game function", “Patent” US4438926A, 06-20-1980, 03-27-1984-03-27,

3. Glenn Derene, "Game Boy's Grandfather: Remembering the First Handheld Games, "https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/gaming/a9459/game-boys-grandfather-remembering-the-first-handheld-games-15987495/