The Neo Geo Pocket Color, released in August of 1999 and made by SNK, makers of the (incredibly expensive) Neo Geo systems and arcade cabinets, was a great little handheld — one of the last dedicated to 2D gaming. Made of a smooth, sometimes see-through, sometimes multicolored plastic resistant to finger smudges and damage, it felt great to hold. Battery power lasted so long they rarely needed replacement and huge, backlit 16-bit color screen was a relief to see after over a decade of the Game Boy’s muddy display. There were only two face buttons on it but my god, man, the tactile feedback! They had a joyful spring to them. And the joystick!

It brings me much shame as both a gamer and an a somewhat upstanding human being to confess that at one point in time, I was totally skeptical of the Nintendo DS’ ability to deliver a rockin’ mobile game experience. In fact, when the handheld was first unveiled I shouted to everyone within earshot that [...]