In practice so many games still use them, but at times don't you wish there was a save anytime feature in a lot of games? 

not unless they're part of the gameplay

I like when I can save whenever.

It depends on the experience the developer is trying to deliver.

One thing I hated about PC gaming mags back when I read them was the "no save anywhere feature" as a downside that would actually affect a game's score, as though downmarking a game because it doesn't offer the exact same functions as other games you like helps me to make an informed decision about my purchase. Why don't you just put "No Nazis or Zombies" and "not enough like Counterstrike" while you're at it?

Sorry, that irked me. Yeah it gets annoying sometimes, but games are so easy now anyway. Will it really kill you to go back 25 seconds to a checkpoint if you die? RPG-type savepoints are a different story, but they're often used as part of the mood, sticking them in towns to make you feel as safe as the characters are supposed to, etc. They (and certain games that work on the same principle) could use a more open save feature though.

i think portable games should still use them but not big console titles and espeshaly  in rpgs

Save points are and always have been a pain in the ass, especially in Metroid Prime 3.

"It depends on the experience the developer is trying to deliver.

One thing I hated about PC gaming mags back when I read them was the "no save anywhere feature" as a downside that would actually affect a game's score, as though downmarking a game because it doesn't offer the exact same functions as other games you like helps me to make an informed decision about my purchase. Why don't you just put "No Nazis or Zombies" and "not enough like Counterstrike" while you're at it?

Sorry, that irked me. Yeah it gets annoying sometimes, but games are so easy now anyway. Will it really kill you to go back 25 seconds to a checkpoint if you die? RPG-type savepoints are a different story, but they're often used as part of the mood, sticking them in towns to make you feel as safe as the characters are supposed to, etc. They (and certain games that work on the same principle) could use a more open save feature though."

"Save points are and always have been a pain in the ass, especially in Metroid Prime 3."

I think the save points are also good for pacing in a game.  Also, save points force you to play more carefully, since you loose everything you gained after saving.

I think save points are outdated, but checkpoints and auto-save points will be here for a while. I was angry with the save points in the Paper Mario games because it's the kind of RPG that you'd want the ability to whip out your menu and save exactly where you were.