It turns out - unsurprisingly - that the same is true in reverse. The iPad mini is just as visually stunning when playing games as a Retina Display iPod touch, iPhone or iPad.

We've only had the iPad mini for a few hours, but it's already striking us as a much better gaming machine than any other iOS system. The screen is larger than the iPod touch or iPhone, so games are more immersive and controls fare better on the larger display. Crucially - because it's much lighter than the iPad it's a lot easier and better to play games on the iPad mini. Especially games that involve steering or controlling the action by rocking around the iPad mini using the accelerator (most driving games, in other words).

Both Sony and Nintendo had better watch out. We think the iPad mini could well become the portable gaming system of choice.

There's no point denying that the lack of a Retina Display doesn't make any difference to viewing some content on the iPad mini. It would manifestly be better with one (admittedly that might have forced Apple to include a much bigger battery, and make a much heavier device, which would detract in different ways).