PlayStation Vita, 3DS, DS, PSP, Xperia… however they’re called, they’re called handheld game consoles. They’re devices you can bring almost anywhere so you can experience gaming on-the-go. From the console-like experience of the PlayStation Vita to the unique Nintendo experience with 3D on the 3DS, on-the-go gaming is truly marvelous. Whenever possible, I like to play the Vita when I’m bored in public just to get some good times on games like Persona 4 Golden (and recently, Terraria. Oh yeah, building a house while trying to look out for the Eye of Cthulu in night time can get me hyped well). Oh yeah, handheld game consoles rock!
But even if they’re nice to bring along, I have to remember, and you as well, that you got to keep them safe in public. Handheld game consoles are easy baits for potential thieves everywhere. One minute you’re just holding out for people to see and the next minute, it can be snatched away. It can also be stolen from you in very elusive and subtle ways, like be manipulated to store them and then when you’re tricked into going somewhere else, they’ll get it right away.
This is what happened to me 2 years ago. I was tricked by some “modus operandi” into thinking I’d some kind of survey and with just a few tricks here and there, they were able to steal almost $1,200 worth of stuff from me. This include my laptop, school stuff, cellphone, an iPod nano, nice headphones and even: my PlayStation Vita and 3DS, with a bunch of games. Yes, I was robbed but it wasn’t forceful. It was a cunning way, manipulating me into thinking this group of people were nice. But I was too trustful and before I knew it, they got my stuff. And this happened all in public too, without anybody knowing I was tricked. They thought these thieves were my “friends”.
Thankfully, my PlayStation Vita (and some of the games) were retrieved thanks to my family’s investigation in those eBay-like sites. Up to this day, I’m still playing the Vita. But I will always remember what happened that day.
So why am I starting by telling you this? Because you have to be careful. Your handheld game console could be robbed from you in an instant. People these days can get away with abusing the trust you have just to get your stuff. And I don’t want you to suffer like that. Also, I want to distill some tips and advice on how to avoid common thievery as well. So, let’s begin on how to keep your handheld game consoles safe in public:
Keep the consoles close to you
Whenever possible, always keep consoles close to you. Your pocket, handbag, zipperbag or whatever, make sure it’s close to you. You can’t just put it anywhere and think it’s suddenly gone when you need it at the moment. Keep it close to you as much as you can.
Don’t bring more than 1 console at a time
This was a mistake I made: I brought 2 handheld game consoles, my laptop, my cellphone and my iPod nano. I was prey already for thieves. So follow my advice and don’t bring more than 1 console at a time. Sure, you might miss out on that progress in YS Seven or lose out on some good money-making in Animal Crossing when you can’t bring all the consoles but you’re just going to be more stressed when someone steals from you and suddenly, you lose all that progress. You might as well keep 1 console at home so you can still continue the progress when you do get home. Why, would you rather miss out on a good opportunity or lose all that progress you had?
Don’t flash it all the time
If you flash your console in public all the time, you can be easy bait for the snatchers. Just one second and they can grab your console like it was a pamphlet. So when you’re playing your console, just try and play it somewhere the thieves won’t see. And always make sure it’s in places that are safe, like the food court, the plaza and other places you know where you don’t have to deal with would-be snatchers.
Be wary of crowded areas
This is obvious: don’t play in crowded areas. Thieves can get your console instantly just making use of the crowds. So take this advice carefully and be wary of crowded areas. Your race in Mario Kart 7 can wait.
Be careful in public transport
It might be nice to make progress in games while riding public transport but even so, it’s not always safe. You’ve heard news sometimes of people getting snatched in buses and trains right? Then don’t play so much on public transport. Unless the public transport is a safe place, I urge you not to play
Don’t talk to strangers (especially if they start getting personal)
I know, it’s a cheesy corny advice that stems from that Stranger Danger thing but this one should be taken seriously. Unless the stranger is somebody who’s kind and respects privacy, you shouldn’t put too much trust in strangers, especially when they start getting personal. That was my mistake: I trusted too much in the strangers that stole from me. When you encounter strangers like that, who want your information and then order you to do this and that, run away and go to the police or security. You got to be safe and sound from the strangers before they can rob you.
Be with your trustworthy family and friends
If there’s one thing I would’ve done before I got robbed, I should’ve called up my brother to come with me or even have a friend come with me too. They would’ve at least helped me out when I was in that situation with the robbers. In your case, having family or friends with you can help you make sure you won’t get robbed. They can be aware of the surroundings while you’re focused and they’ll be able to keep you safe when would-be thieves try to steal from you.
Keep them at home
If my story and all the other steps here are making you paranoid about the safety of your consoles, then keep them at home. Look, they’re good games and they’re nice worlds but the moment your consoles are stolen, all the progress you made will be gone in a jiffy. So if you’re unable to keep them safe, you might as well keep them home until you know how to keep them safe when in public. This is what I do these days. I do bring my Vita in public sometimes but I try my best to keep it safe from being robbed (again). I can always play my games another time too. It’s not like the world will end if I missed out some good opportunity in the game.
So, I hope that in some way, these steps will have you think carefully about keeping your consoles. This can also apply to your cellphones, iPod and other devices so make sure to keep them safe as well. As for me, I’m planning to buy myself a 3DSXL because I really miss playing the 3DS. This time, I know that I’ll keep it safe just as I did the recovered Vita. So keep safe gamers and remember to keep those handheld game consoles safe in public.