One booth at the Tokyo show demonstrated an interesting game controller that clips onto a mobile phone, and uses Bluetooth to send commands. It is called the "smacon," short for smart controller.

The controller does make gaming easier than complicated touch patterns, and it can also work remotely, so you could conceivably plug your smartphone into your TV and use it as a game console.

On the down side, it currently works only with games that were designed for it, and it costs 12,800 yen (US$164), which is what a Nintendo 3DS costs, and close to the price of a PlayStation Vita.

There are several newcomer gaming companies at the Tokyo Game Show with large booths, but nearly all have targeted iOS or Android as their platform, with little interest in attempting to crack the hardware market.