I usually play handheld games just to hit up something different every so often, to scratch that in-the-palm-of-my-hand gaming itch that consoles can't provide. Rarely do I actually bring them along with me as entertainment while I travel around the city, an iPod or similar device works just fine for that. I would probably play my DS more on the subways if it weren't so crowded, and I get annoyed with the clicky buttons on the PSP enough when I'm alone. No need to subject others to that (and my elbows) as I button mash my way through some DJ Max Portable.

But as I'm writing this on location in Israel (my job has some sweet travel perks sometimes), and as I take more planes in general I suppose, handheld gaming has become a key part of my travel planning. There's a whole romancing the drug aspect to what and how many games one should take with oneself on any given trip - Do I have my lengthly RPG to eat away at huge chunks of time? How about the puzzle title if I want to shift blocks around or something? What can I play that's quiet enough for the red eye flight? And do I finish game X once and for all or buy something new and start from scratch?

All are important questions that must be addressed by neatly piling out cartridges (or UMD's) of interest on the desk, then slowly paring the list down so you aren't too overwhelmed with options. Variety is key in case you suddenly become immensely sick of whatever title you had your heart set on sinking deep into. This particular trip I treated myself to a few new DS titles, as I'd been ignoring the handheld for a while during an unusually long lull of quality releases. Suddenly I'm knee deep in Chinatown Wars, Fire Emblem, Broken Sword and Civilization Revolution. Overkill perhaps, but it's been a joy to rediscover the system and it really made the flights (and the jetlag) a lot more enjoyable. Chinatown Wars especially, but all four have their strengths. In particular Broken Sword translates the point and click adventure interface just right - I want to play every DS title in the genre this way from here on out. Minus the creepy close up portrait in the top screen whenever my character uses something with anything.

When I return home I'm sure it'll be back to consoles and PC's occupying my precious gaming hours, with the DS and PSP getting occasional trips to the bathroom or the bed as the second class citizens they are. But right now, handhelds are my king. And it feels oh so good.