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HarryWarden

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 27, 2012
608
121
I am looking to upgrade my iPad and can't decide whether to get the iPad Mini w/Retina or the iPad Air. I like to play games on my iPad, specifically adventure games like the Broken Sword series and Monkey Island, The Walking Dead.Question is: Is the Mini too small to play such games enjoyably?
 
I am looking to upgrade my iPad and can't decide whether to get the iPad Mini w/Retina or the iPad Air. I like to play games on my iPad, specifically adventure games like the Broken Sword series and Monkey Island, The Walking Dead.Question is: Is the Mini too small to play such games enjoyably?

I love my Retina Mini, I don't find it too small for anything.
 
If you have an Apple Store nearby, I'd recommend going to check out which one you like better.

I feel the iPad mini with retina should be the normal size, the iPad Air feels too big to me.
 
I play games on my iPad mini retina and it's great. I don't find it small at all. And it's really comfortable to hold because it's light and not that big.
 
I've tried the mini, but it's too small for me...I play stuff like RageHD, a couple of pool games and puzzle stuff like Tetris.

The iPad is just right for me, but as posted above, get to a store or Apple retailer and compare them...you might find the mini is fine.
 
Most of the games are OK. However, some are designed for 9.7" screens; most importantly, XCOM: enemy unknown. It has just too small text on the rMini screen. If you plan to play that game a LOT, I'd go for the Air. If you don't, go for the Mini, you won't regret it.
 
I have both sizes, The iPad 4 and the iPad mini with Retina Display. Love using them both. The iPad mini though is much lighter and since it is smaller a lot easier to carry around. My gaming experience on either device has been pretty much the same.
 
I had the iPad 2. Just bought the Mini Retina this week. Don't miss the size at all! The mini is the perfect size tablet.
 
I enjoy the mini for gaming. Lately I've been playing classics like Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City and San Andreas on it. Also Crazy Taxi was free last week so I picked that up as well.
 
Perfect size. I have the Air too and it's quite a bit too heavy for gaming.
 
I like it, its a nicely sized for gaming, though I don't do a lot of it. My kids use it and prefer the rMini that I have over my iPhone.
 
Most of the games are OK. However, some are designed for 9.7" screens; most importantly, XCOM: enemy unknown. It has just too small text on the rMini screen. If you plan to play that game a LOT, I'd go for the Air. If you don't, go for the Mini, you won't regret it.

I agree. The mini is just too small for too many things IMO. The 9.7 inch iPad is a perfect size for a tablet.
 
I think the mini is a good size for gaming. I used to try and game on my galaxy tab 2 10.1 and it wasn't comfortable at all. It's too big and too heavy to hold for long stretches. The mini is a good size and it's light. There is enough real estate to be able to see what you are doing. I think it depends on the game though. Some games lend themselves to smaller screens like the iPhone but some do not. Especially ones with on screen controls as it's just too cramped.

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I've tried the mini, but it's too small for me...I play stuff like RageHD, a couple of pool games and puzzle stuff like Tetris.

The iPad is just right for me, but as posted above, get to a store or Apple retailer and compare them...you might find the mini is fine.

I find Tetris better on smaller screens, even the mini is too big for me. I prefer it on something like the iPhone.

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I agree. The mini is just too small for too many things IMO. The 9.7 inch iPad is a perfect size for a tablet.

The only thing I'd say the bigger iPad is better for in my experience is watching videos. The mini is good enough for everything else.
 
full size iPad is perfect for game like Infinity Blade series because you will be able to find hidden items but with mini you could miss something because it is small and hard to see. :apple:
 
recently I have hardly used my Air unless my rMini was needing a charge. Been playing Hearthstone on the rMini and IB3. Still prefer the Air for Netflix, Logmein and RDP etc but the rMini is satisfying my on the go gaming requirements.
 
I beat GTA San Andreas on my Retina Mini. Works well. For me it's the perfect size - really the only thing I want is to sometimes have a bit more canvas in Paper by 53.
 
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