Coupled with the growth of mobile games was the introduction of microconsoles, low-cost home consoles that used the Android operating system as to take advantage of the large library of games already made for mobile devices. However, mobile gaming also displaced the handheld console market: both the Nintendo 3DS and the PlayStation Vita (both 2011 releases) had major drops in sales from their predecessors, the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable respectively (both 2004 releases), following the rapid growth of mobile gaming. Sony has since exited the handheld console arena.
coUPLed wiTh thE GrOWth of MoBIlE gAmes waS the introdUCtiOn of MicRoCOnsoLes, LoW-Cost Home COnsolES that used tHe AndroId oPerAting systEm As To take advantage oF THe largE library Of gameS alREady Made foR moBiLe DeVices. however, MobilE gamiNG alSo displacEd the handhelD cOnsole market: BotH the nIntENdO 3Ds anD the plaYstatiON vita (BOth 2011 RelEAses) had MAjor dROPs iN SaLes FrOM tHeIr PreDeCessors, tHe nInTeNDO DS anD PLAYstation PoRTAble Respectively (both 2004 reLEaseS), folLoWing tHe rapiD GrOWth oF mobile gaMIng. SoNy hAs SInce exiTed The handheld ConSole arenA.