2007 had been declared by Nintendo as the year of gaming and looking at the sales of the Wii and the DS this does not seem so far fetched. According to UK based Screen Digest the household penetration of the DS in Japan will reach an amazing 89% by 2011.

Mobile phones preferred
But while portable gaming devices like DS and are bestsellers in Japan, there is one device that outperforms these platforms: the mobile phone. Companies like Mobage with their Mobile Gaming Town attract users in the millions. (They had over 6 million registered users by the end of July 2007). The reason is not only because more people in Japan own a mobile phone than a DS.

Talking with some gamers and colleagues another reason can be seen. And this one lies in the place where people in Japan use to play mobile games: on the train while commuting. Commuting times of one hour or are quite common in the Tokyo region.

Space problems
This is a perfect time for recreation activities like reading a good book, the newspaper, sleeping, writing mobile mails or playing games. There is just one problem: space. Trains are usually packed during peak times and passengers have to stand while the train is driving.

While holding on to the handle with one hand (to make sure not to stumble over others when the train stops) there is only one hand left for other activities. This already eliminates the possibility to use a Gameboy or a PSP.( Not even to mention the tricky usage of a Gameboy DS in a crowded train while standing.)

Single handed fun
Here the mobile phone is the perfect single-hand gaming machine. Games like Street Fighter for example have been modified for the mobile phone to enable special move combinations by just pressing a single button on the phone. The user can even select a right-hand control or left-hand control from the in-game menu depending on if he is holding the phone in his right or left hand.

An interesting example of how the usage of consumer electronic devices is shaped by its environment and also a small inspiration for future train savvy game machines.