Nintendo DS vs. Sony PSP

[Anthony1]

When it comes to the battle of these two super portables, to me it all comes down to the quality of the screen/screens.


I've been waiting a very long time for a handheld gaming system that has a really, really good screen. So far, other than the Zodiac, which I don't consider to be a real entry into the portable market, I haven't found a screen that I've totally liked.

The Nintendo GameBoy Advance SP screen is decent, but just not bright enough, and vivid enough for me.

Now, it appears as though the Sony PSP will have the superior screen. But the big downside with the PSP, is the fact that Sony is going to position this portable as a 3D machine. On the other hand, the Ninendo DS will do both 3D and 2D, and in many instances at the same freaking time! Since I'm a huge, huge fan of 2D, and not a big time fan of 3D, this makes things more complicated.

I love the fact that the Sony screen is so large, and also that it's widescreen 16:9. I also feel that it most likely is a very bright and crisp display, considering the price is likely to be $249.99 or so. No way you can charge over $149.99 for a portable and not have a truly kick ass screen.

With the Nintendo DS, because they are using "TWO" screens, that worries me a bit. I know that one of the screens is a touch screen, with a protective coating on it, but still, you have to imagine that with the cost of having two screens, that the quality of the actual screens arent going to be that great.

I've heard that the non touch screen display is a little bit more vivid and bright then the SP, but we shall have to wait and see.

So for me it basically boils down to this.

Sony PSP = A screen that I've always been dreaming of, but a focus on 3D next gen type gaming.

Nintendo DS = Two screens, one of which is slightly better than the SP, the other a touch screen, and a focus on both 2D and 3D gaming, with some classic Nintendo gaming thrown in for good measure.

It will definitely be interesting to watch both of these units actually arrive at retail, and see exactly what they really turn out to be. When it comes to portables, you really need to see the final incarnation of the product up close and personal, to get a real feeling for it. Pictures and video of the units just won't cut it as far as I'm concerned.

Oh, by the way, another huge factor will be emulation. Will you be able to play SNES and Genny games on the PSP? That would be sweet! Then I might just be willing to go the PSP route. It does have the better screen, at least I'm thinking it does, and I just want some 2D love. So if I can play all the classic 2D games on the PSP via emulation, then I would probably go that route.

[Rev. Link]

Shouldn't the games be what matters?

I'm not looking forward to PSP because they haven't announced any games for it yet that even remotely interest me. On the other hand, there are already a handful of DS games that I'm clamoring for.

[Ed Oscuro]

When it comes to the battle of these two super portables, to me it all comes down to the quality of the screen/screens.
Anthony, admit it, all you care about are your super monitors and HDTV. That's just about the only thing you ever focus on :P

As for the DS vs. PSP, let's see what gamers traditionally have cared about...

Battery time (10 hours on the PSP in PSP mode, five playing movies?)
Accesibility (for the DS you have stylus/touchscreen, twin screens for realtime item switching, and VOICE recognition)
Games

The Game Boy's classic puke green screen never stopped millions of Americans from having a hell of a good time with it, after all.

Like Rev says, we're gamers, and we're here for the games. Hardware fetishes are great (hell I've got one myself and I buy stuff I don't use!) but at the end of the day I'm here for the games.

[Anthony1]

When it comes to the battle of these two super portables, to me it all comes down to the quality of the screen/screens.
Anthony, admit it, all you care about are your super monitors and HDTV. That's just about the only thing you ever focus on :P
.




True. I've always been a huge fan of the "audio/video experience". I'm always looking toward that ultimate audio/video experience. But I'm not totally wrapped up in that. If all I cared about was graphics, then I wouldn't have played the Original Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac Man and Galaga about an hour ago on my XBOX via MameOX. I love the SNES and Genny and TG-16, just to name a few, and if all I cared about were HDTV screens and super monitors, then why the hell would I bother with old school games? I would only be playing the XBOX and GameCube in progressive scan on a HDTV, if that was the case.


Sure, I do love my HDTV's, and I can't wait for the new systems to come down the pipe that will be "TRULY" HDTV compatible, and "TRULY" widescreen compatible. That will be sweet.

And yes, I do love RGB monitors. The reason that I love RGB monitors so damn much, is because I really love the Genesis, SNES, Sega CD, TG-16, Saturn, Jaguar, PSX, etc, etc. and all of those particular systems just happen to look their best on a RGB monitor in "TRUE" rgb output. But that doesn't mean that I'm just a graphics whore and I don't care about what really matters, "the games".

Sure, in the end, "THE PLAY IS THE THING".

I know that.

But that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy that particular play on a nice crisp clear screen.

One reason that I've never really been that "into" portables, is because none of them had really had a screen that I thought was that great. Maybe it's kinda shallow of me, but dammit, I want a really crisp clear screen.

I believe that the PSP is going to have that kinda screen, but I'm not that enthused about the focus on 3D games and trying to have games that look like PS2 and XBOX games on it.

The Nintendo DS "may" have a crisp clear screen, and if that is the case, then I will probably roll with that one, considering I like Nintendo's classic type gameplay better anyways. I know that Nintendo isn't afraid to have the occasional 2D'ish type game or 2.5D'ish type game.

But I will say that if the Nintendo DS's screens are no better than the SP, then I will probably pass. At least until the price drops quite a bit.

[badinsults]

Handheld Super Mario 64? It has me sold.

[Darkness X]

My answer: Who gives a crap? I'm getting both! ;)

[Rev. Link]

The collector in me won't let me not get a PSP, but it'll be after the price drops severely and the software is into its 2nd generation or so.

[Darkness X]

The collector in me won't let me not get a PSP, but it'll be after the price drops severely and the software is into its 2nd generation or so.

I understand what you're saying, the main reason I'm wanting the PSP is for a 3D GTA and Gran Turismo. If they don't have either of those near launch, I probably won't be getting one for a long time(depending on price).

It's just I've always wanted to play a 3D GTA game while on the go. :)

[classicb]

Not even a question for me. DS all the way. I haven't gotten a PS2 yet
so I doubt I'd get a PSP. I probably won't get anything until a price drop.
$199 pre-orders for the DS. I don't need two screens that bad.

[Half Japanese]

<thread jack>

You really aren't playing modern games unless you're playing them in at least 480p. It makes a HUGE difference. That is all.

</threadjack>

[Rev. Link]

Not even a question for me. DS all the way. I haven't gotten a PS2 yet
so I doubt I'd get a PSP. I probably won't get anything until a price drop.
$199 pre-orders for the DS. I don't need two screens that bad.

That $200 mark is strictly EB's guess. The final price hasn't been set yet, but I believe Nintendo said they're going to shoot for around $150.

[Alex Kidd]

DS man; this is pretty cool...

I gotta say I've been pretty pessimistic about how this DS was gonna turn out...
But I was wrong, I think this could be Nintendo's big gain again, it's wicked setup with some good games in production, so they better not screw it up.
I love how it has that oldschool G&W look to it, and making the second screen a touch screen was the piece de reisistance.
I'm just a litter worried about it's price, and even after the initial price it might take a LONG time to drop due to manufacturing costs... here's hoping it's cheap to make *but not TOO cheap!

About the only thing I think thats gonna give the PSP any advantage is the name itself.


Alex Kidd

[Cmosfm]

Ok, how can we judge a screen that we've only seen pics of? It's like saying "Man, That HDTV screen isn't so good" when you see the commercial for one on a regular television. I mean, all in all, how can we really even tell what the better system will be right now?

[Rev. Link]

Well, like I said, it's all about the games.

And when I take a look at what's in development for both systems right now, DS wins hands down.

[hydr0x]

Well, like I said, it's all about the games.


look at my signature ;)

[Rev. Link]

Btw, I know this is a little off topic, but where did this Reggie dude come from all of the sudden? He seems cool, I hope he can help Nintendo really turn things around.

[Jorpho]

Oy, is this starting already?

[Jasoco]

I know for a fact, I will get the DS when it comes out. Probably first day. They have to announce a price first. If it's $150, I'll pre-order it. Get it first thing. If it's more, I might have to hold off.

Actually, I may not even pre-order if I know my store will be getting them.

I'll be playing it by ear. I just hope it comes out this year. A Christmas release would be great. It'd be this years Christmas Present to myself. I did that with the Cube in 2001. And last year I got the GBA. (Albeit late. February.) This year it'd be the DS.

[Daria]

Ok, how can we judge a screen that we've only seen pics of? It's like saying "Man, That HDTV screen isn't so good" when you see the commercial for one on a regular television. I mean, all in all, how can we really even tell what the better system will be right now?

No. But personally I think the DS sounds more exciting then the PSP, all the new gameplay possibilities is certainly something worth getting worked up about.

I mean besides a nice screen the PSP really isn't anything we haven't all seen before, and you really can't judge the system until we start seeing the games for it.

Although a new Nippon Ichi game has pretty much guarenteed that I'll be buying one eventually.
________
GoldenBlond (http://www.girlcamfriend.com/cam/GoldenBlond/)

[Ed Oscuro]

<thread jack>

You really aren't playing modern games unless you're playing them in at least 480p. It makes a HUGE difference. That is all.

</threadjack>

There's the reason it pains me to see Anthony start off the topic on what's unfortunately the "wrong foot" in talking about screen...quality. Not what the screen's concept is, not about UMD discs, touchscreens, PS2 quality graphics, voice recognition or wireless capabilities...but screen...quality. :o

Let's have a show of hands: who's looking at the new consoles in terms of screen quality (I guess that means sharpness and resolution)? Not me. The DS does 3D well enough and the resolution fits that. It's the PSP we need to be worried about.

[crashdummycow01]

lmao i've been debating on whether to get a GBA for a while now but havent felt like spending the money... even though its kinda cheap now... i'm not spending over $99 on a handheld...

but i do want both handhelds.. even though the look of the DS reminds of Game.com..

also this seems quite nice...


On top of all this is Wireless LAN. The system will include as standard IEEE802.11 wireless LAN. Sony had originally intended to make this an option, but game creators were pretty adamant about its inclusion.

[optic_85]

DS all the way!....When i first heard about the DS i (like many of you) was very skeptical. In fact the announcement made me sad, because i thought that nintendo will not be able to handle the enourmous loss that the DS would surely bring to the beloved company.....fast forward to now, and im very optimistic about the new system, the screenshots look cool, the specs are nice, and the design is sweet. This baby is just what nintendo needs

[NE146]

In my humble opinion, I do think though that sony was overwhelmed by the DS's presence at e3. Basically I think they underestimated it.

That being said, I have no preference and would gladly and easily own both if I could :D

Although at $250, the PSP has "3DO" syndrome written all over it, and by that I mean I wouldn't mind having it, but I'd hesitate to fork out that kind of money. I WILL buy a DS however on my own. For the PSP... maybe I can ask for one for christmas or my birthday or something LOL

[lendelin]

Poor Anthony1... :) I'm alll with you!

Guys, let's forget this stereotype about gameplay first and then graphics. It's true, that's a given; but don't forget that GRAPHICS ARE IMPORTANT, VERY IMPORTANT, and so is picture quality.

Did you forget how amazed we were when we saw the fisrt time Genesis graphics, or little Link walking in rain, you heard the splashing sounds and could actaully nicely see rain and through water? ...and this attitude didn't change at all! Look at the threads which deals with the NEW Zelda. The posts which state how great Zelda LOOKS, how nice the environments LOOK, how great Link LOOKS, how different WW looked and how this different LOOK gives you also a different feel of gameplay. Do you think really that the graphics of Viewtiful Joe are unimportant for gameplay?

Graphics are the basic of the basics of a great game, don't equate interest in great graphics with shallowness. Everyone is interested in great gameplay, but if the gameplay is about the same, I guarantee that everyone of you goes for the better looking game. If I have a choice top play Blood Omen Legacy of Kain on the PS1 or the DC, you bet I'll play it on the DC because my eyes will thank me for it, and the crisp and better graphics set the MOOD for the game much better (one of the most important aspects of great games).

Resolution is important, crispness is important, progressive scan is important, S-Video or component video is important, and damn, I'd be glad if I had a HDTV and could play Panzer Dragoon on the XBox in 480p! Same goes for sound...better graphics and better sound give you great game exoeriences.

Great graphics, good resoulution, good sound aren't a hindrance for gameplay, they enhance good gameplay and make a good game even better. Don't separate gameplay and graphics, but rather acknowledge that they influence each other.

[lendelin]

The PSP has a much better prospect to succeed. My gut instinct tells me that the DS is little more than an interesting gimmicky handheld to weken the potential customer base of the PSP until N comes out with a new handheld which can actually compete with the PSP on the same level.

1. Don't let's hail a handheld merely based on screenshots and statements by PR departments of the manufacturer. (this goes for the DS AND PSP) According to mag previews and even more so according to publishers and hardware manufacturers, EVERY game is a smash hit and will give you something new. We all know that's not the case.

2. The marketing and gameplay experience seems much more starightforward in case of the PSP. Nice wide screen, superior specs, that's all you need when it comes to games. Let's keep it simple.

3. Unless N can't come up with some ingenious ideas to make use of the second screen, the system will de-evaluate itself. I can't really see some truly innovative ideas so far. Don't we have already a second screen for a N system? The infamous GBA-GC connectivity which gives you such tremendous things like additional maps and additional items? It turned out that this touted innovative idea is nothing else than a gimmick, an d in the end more an obstacle for selling games than an incentive. (like FF Chronicles)

4. I predict that only a very few games will be designed by N itself to make use of the second screen, third party developers will add "some" alibi features and minor gameplay elements of the second screen. Third party developers won't restrict themselves in game design to the unique dual screen if the PSP is moderately successful. They want the biggest profit share, and that means to produce for BOTH systems.

5. N made themselves in an almost frightening way deopendent on how well the second screen will be used. If there are only minor gameplay elements, the system will be questioned, and even worse, the focus will shift back to the GBA; the GBA can't possibly compete with the PSP. If the DS is only moderately successful, N has absolutely nothing to fall back to in a competition with the PSP.

I'm very skeptical about the DS. I think we see a a big repeat of a smart marketing move by Sony to broaden the demographics of gameplayers, this time for handhelds. The PSP might interest adult gamers more than pre-teens, and certainly will spark more interest for casual gamers as well. Sony isn't interested in the Yu-GI-OH crowd in the short run.

Ask yourself what's important to you when you play a game, and I think that a second screen, text messages, touch screen elements, message board possibilities are nice touches, but not esential gameplay elements. We have already rear-viw mirror modes in racers, little maps on one creen, diffrent perspectives in FPS. There is nothing I can think of that a normal one screen can give you. I might be wrong, maybe N can come up with some spectacular ideas, but I just can't see it.

[NE146]

Guys, let's forget this stereotype about gameplay first and then graphics. It's true, that's a given; but don't forget that GRAPHICS ARE IMPORTANT, VERY IMPORTANT, and so is picture quality.
Graphics are the basic of the basics of a great game, don't equate interest in great graphics with shallowness. Everyone is interested in great gameplay, but if the gameplay is about the same, I guarantee that everyone of you goes for the better looking game. If I have a choice top play Blood Omen Legacy of Kain on the PS1 or the DC, you bet I'll play it on the DC because my eyes will thank me for it, and the crisp and better graphics set the MOOD for the game much better (one of the most important aspects of great games).

That's fine. And that's now. But step into the future for a bit.. what do you think will happen when we eventually get to a point (and we WILL get there no doubt) when hyper photo realistic graphics are a commonplace NORM and a breeze for any 2-bit developer to implement? Where could we go from there to distinguish a game from another? That's right! When graphics are commonly as GOOD as they're going to be, aside from other artsy visual styles the only thing left to distinguish games then will naturally be gameplay.

Good graphics are great.. but barring holographic images etc, we're already pretty much at a point of diminishing returns. Look at movies today.. movie companies can do ANYTHING they want with CGI.. but does good CGI make a good movie? Of course not.. (*cough* Star Wars ep 1). The storytelling is still king. And for video GAME PLAYING (which is what we do with them), the gameplay is still king.

[Anthony1]

Both systems are going to have great games. Both systems are going to have games with great gameplay.


I think it comes down to other factors. like


1. Price - Obviously pricing is going to play a huge part in this situation. The DS will likely be $149.99 to $199.99. The PSP will likely be $199.99 to $249.99. The price will be a really HUGE factor if the PSP is $249.99 and the DS is $149.99. This could very well happen to, because if the DS comes out this XMAS for $199, then by the time the PSP comes it out, it could drop to $149.99. Sony would have to loose a ton per unit to compete from a pricing basis.

2. Marketing - Marketing is always a huge factor. Sony thinks that the PSP can be it's next Walkman. Of course they have been saying that about everything, but it seems that this unit could actually come close to that ideal. So you know Sony is going to spend some serious Cache to keep the PSP in gamers minds. Of course Nintendo is very good at Marketing as well, especially in capturing the total attention of their numerous devotees.

3. Screen or Screens - Despite what alot of you think, the screen or screens are going to be huge factors for a number of reasons. Some people are going to simply fall in love with the size of the PSP screen. Some people are going to fall in love with the dual screen idea. Some people are going to hate the dual screen idea. So it can go alot of different ways.

4. Size - Size of the unit could be a pretty big factor to some people. The PSP looks like a pretty damn large device. But then so is the DS. When it's folded together it doesn't seem that huge, but then when you unfold it, it is pretty large.

5. Type of game library - Actually this is going to be a really huge factor. Like I said, both systems are going to have their share of great games, with great gameplay. That's a given. But these systems could have pretty different ideas in terms of Game Library type. The PSP appears to be a system that is trying to be a portable Xbox or PS2, in terms of trying to have state of the art 3D type games. The DS appears to have a 2D/3D approach. So if you absolutely hate 3D games, you will probably go towards the DS. If you want the games to be the most technologically advanced, and you play First Person Shooters and stuff like that, then the PSP might be the better idea.

6. Emulaton - This is a factor for people like us, that like the Retro scene. Hopefully both of these systems will be eventually cracked to allow for emulation to be run on them. With Sony having that special format, it might be easier for Emulation to happen on the DS. It remains to be seen how all of that will work out.

The PSP would seem ideal for emulation, because it is going to be the most powerfull system of the two. It should be able to run SNES games at good quality. Plus it most likely will have the superior screen. So if you want to play SNES, Genny, TG-16, NES, etc, etc games on the go, with a really incredible screen, then it seems that the PSP would be the ideal choice. Of course, as far as the whole emulation thing goes, this is something that will take some time to determine the reality of.

[Ed Oscuro]

Although at $250, the PSP has "3DO" syndrome written all over it, and by that I mean I wouldn't mind having it, but I'd hesitate to fork out that kind of money.
Prices aren't fixed yet but I think it's a given Nintendo's system won't be more than $200 - indeed you'll be able to buy a DS and one or two EXCELLENT games (or one excellent game and some periperhals - in any case I have only what, four or five GC discs total?) when the PSP owner just has the console.

That said, the PSP is hardly as expensive as the 3DO was, even without adjusting for inflation :P You're looking at like $800 for the console if you bought a 3DO brand new...

[calthaer]

Graphics are the basic of the basics of a great game, don't equate interest in great graphics with shallowness. Everyone is interested in great gameplay, but if the gameplay is about the same, I guarantee that everyone of you goes for the better looking game.


And the gameplay never is the same. Isn't it funny how the platformer clones still end up being clones of the greats - Mario, Zelda, etc.? Who really cares about Tomb Raider nowadays? Great gameplay is king, and graphics are the younger and less-important brother who has only a secondary claim to the throne.


Great graphics, good resoulution, good sound aren't a hindrance for gameplay, they enhance good gameplay and make a good game even better. Don't separate gameplay and graphics, but rather acknowledge that they influence each other.

If you had been saying this 10-15 years ago when we were all in a graphics famine and moving pixelated blocks across the screen, I would give this argument more credence. Nowadays, however, it's more like we have a gameplay famine, with many good-looking titles coming out that play like complete garbage. Sure, it really helps to have a good-looking game, but that doesn't really explain why we're all sitting around on this message board talking about our Atari / NES / Genesis systems.

[le geek]

For me it's mostly about the games. Barring Pokecrap, the DS games all looked pretty cool. And Portable GT/MGS/THUG/TMB, etc doesn't excite me at the moment. So DS wins for me right now. That doesn't mean the there won't be a cool PSP game suiting my tastes coming down the road (Silent Hill, ICO, Suikoden or Intelligence Qube exclusives could be tempting).

Regardless the DS looks innovative with new ways of playing games, while the PSP looks to have better graphics and is a slick looking device.

But for the general mass market of which none of us on the this board represent: handhelds historically win on three fronts: Price, Size and Battery Life. And right now I question all three on PSP. Not to mention that the PSP looks mucho fragile.

It will be interesting to see how it pans out. I think it's safe to say, that Sony is going to have to work harder than it thought having now seen the DS, and they will have to think hard about Price and Battery life.

So personally I'm more interested in DS (but the New 2005 Zelda is my only must buy).

But it terms of who will "win" the portable market share right now it's even money...

Ben

[YoshiM]

Y'know, I thought about this long and hard. Since there isn't a whole lot of info on the PSP and we really didn't get to see any real games on it, I have to push it to the back thought-burner. So I'll have to focus on the DS for now.

At first I was anti DS. It just seemed like a stupid idea. Then I saw it in action via the videos and such from E3. Thought I might be eating a big bowl of crow. Then I watched some more videos and tried to wrap my brain around the games they showed and the lineup they are announcing. I think I'm sliding back towards the anti-DS point of view.

Seeing some of the titles announced for the DS, I heard a familiar voice ring in my head. It was the same voice I heard when the Gamecube and PS2 came out: "Didn't I play these games before?" It's starting to remind me of Atari when they ported Asteroids, Pac-Man, Berzerk, etc. to every platform they had. There was a graphical and audible upgrade, but it's the same game we've been playing for years. Super Mario 64x4: same Mario 64 but with multiple players. I love Mario 64 but I don't need a $150-$200 handheld to play a game I already own even if I can play with other people (which will never happen as none of my friends are into portable gaming). Or the Metroid Prime game: if I can play a prettier, easier to control version on my Gamecube (you use a stylus to strafe and look about in the DS game? C'mon) why would I want to play it on a handheld? Then there is Animal Crossing whose obvious DS benefit is to be able to draw free hand on the second screen and touch type letters. If there's no difference between the N64 Animal Forest/Cube Animal Crossing games and the DS version, again what's the benefit of going to the small screen when the big screen is so much easier to see?

Yeah, it's getting late and I'm probably ranting, so I apologize. The original concepts like the Pac Pix and a new traditional Mario game seem interesting but it's hard to say if that's enough to capture gamer interest. I hope for originality with the touch screen and if companies really take advantage of it I hope the DS the best and I might consider buying one.

As for the PSP-my dislike for Sony aside that handheld looks awfully uncomfortable to control. It looked as though the controller was flush with the case. It just doesn't look like a handheld gaming device and more like a strict multimedia Watchman.

[Mr Mort]

Well, I see it this way. I have a GB, GBC, GBA, but I rarely play them.

If you think about it, other than the fact that they're portable, what is different about a game on a handheld from a game on a console? RPG's, platformers, sports, strategy, puzzle games, etc all essentially play the same on a console and a handheld. There's not much of a difference in playing Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow on a GBA and SOTN on the PS. I don't know if what I'm saying makes any sense, but essentially the gameplay experience is the same on a console vs a handheld, other than the screen and the portability.

Having said that, IMO the DS is the first portable system to potentially offer a new gameplay experience that cannot be done on a console with the advent of the touch-screen.

The PSP does seem pretty cool, but I'm not terribly impressed. What will Gran Tourismo on the PSP have that differs or is better than Gran Tourismo on the PS2? Even if the PSP plays movies (which is very cool for a portable), consoles do that as well. Now, I understand that the portability counts for quite a bit, but again, as far as gameplay goes, The PSP and GBA don't really offer any new innovation.

That's what excites me about the DS. The touch-screen opens up a whole slew of completely new gameplay possibilities that can't be done on a console (until someone makes a touch-screen for a home console, that is).

Not only that, but it seems like Nintendo came out swinging with more software. Easily, the software on the DS excites me more than the PSP games announced thus far, but we still have some time to go, so that may change.

Besides, with Sony's track record of their consoles having crap out until a hardware revision, I might wait a while to get the PSP (if I decide to get it).
The only thing that interests me about the PSP is the possiblities with the UMD, but we'll see what Sony plans to do with it...

[petewhitley]

I'm curious to see which of these (if not both) strikes it big in Japan. The GBA sells crazy amounts in Japan (proportionately, GBA games rule the top 10 weekly, something relatively unheard of here). Should be interesting to see if Sony can muscle in there. Watching movies is a big draw to the Japanese consumer, as much more time is spent on the train, etc. with your hands free. The Japanese cell phone companies are hawking movie and tv phones right about now, so watching movies could be a big time selling point for the PSP.

Edit: YoshiM said exactly what I was thinking about the DS. Personally I'm getting pretty damn sick of Mario platformers and just the whole lot of Nintendo franchises. The games themselves are consistently solid, but let's see some new properties already. Or bring back some little-used ones like Kid Icarus... I see Donkey Kong anymore and I just yawn.

[Rev. Link]

Y'know, about the whole graphics arguement... Better graphics, sharper picture, etc., that stuff is nice. Everybody likes their picture to be pretty. But it doesn't make the movie, and it doesn't make the game, either.

Would I like to have a component TV? Yes. HD? Hell yes. Am I willing to pay the insane amounts of money for an HDTV? No, absolutely not. And do I sit around moaning "I wish I had HD" while I'm watching TV? No. Does the fact that I know the picture could be sharper if I had a better TV stop me from enjoying my DVDs? Not one bit. Don't get me wrong, if someone offered me a top of the line home theater system, I'd take it. But I'm not willing to pay a significantly increased price for what is in my opinion a disproportionately increased picture quality. And I think most people would agree with me on that.

I know a couple of guys that have a component TV, and they go on and on about how great their games look on it. And that's great for them. But when I get a new game, and they come over to check it out, it always goes the same way: "Wow, I bet this would look so much better on our TV!" And let me tell you, they come off like total asses.

So, unless anyone here is going to look me in the eyes (figuratively speaking, of course) and tell me they'll pass up on a system with games they think are great, and instead get a system with games that are only okay but has a bigger, sharper screen, I think we can agree that the games are the ultimate factor in choosing between these two.

Pick whichever system you like, but pick it for the right reason. It doesn't matter how pretty the screen is (or how many screens it has, for that matter) if you don't like the game playing on it.

[Oobgarm]

I tried 'em both. Was very impressed by both for different reasons. But both of these handhelds have very different audiences.

The PSP was the first one I saw. I was very impressed by the screen's clarity and resolution. Sound through the headphones was also excellent. Holding the system in hand was comfortable, and everything felt good. Sony knows how to incorporate ergonomics into their products, which is why many people feel that they have the best feeling controller on the market. The things I didn't like about the PSP were the movie playback and the fragile appearance. They advertised movies and music, but I don't see that taking off, as games will be the big sellers here. I'd rather see more effort put into games than portable movies. I don't travel a lot, especially not for any extended amount of time, so movie playback doesn't affect my purchasing decision. I'd rather watch a film on the big TV at home. As far as durability, I'm curious to see how durable this portable PS2 is. A portable system needs to be a bit rugged. I don't see that here.

I spent close to an hour in line to see the DS. It was well worth the tired legs and sore feet. I had seen previews of it in USA Today while waiting at the airport on Tuesday, and heard a lot of people talk about it at the show. I waited until the last day, which was good--since, to my understanding, I got to see and try more games than the people who went there first. The first game I tried was Wario Ware. The simple fact that you had to use the stylus as an input device totally blew me away. I don't think that I touched the control pad or buttons once during gameplay. I also tried the Pac-Man drawing game and the carving tech demo. All had a unique charm to them. Add in the GBA support, and you've got a winner of a system.

As a long-time gamer, I was a bit saddened to see that many of the games and products at the show were me-too titles or new entries into franchises. There wasn't that level of creativity that makes people stop and take notice. Nintendo had that here with the DS. Sony's PSP carries on the Playstation brand name, not really blazing any new territory. I'm sure I'm going to buy them both, but at this early stage in the game, I have to tip my hat to Nintendo. And that's coming from a big-time Sony gamer.

[AB Positive]

Nippon Ichi announced a PSP game? Crap... I may have to get it now. Disgaea has made me a big NI fan and if La Pucelle is similarly excellent... man I spend too much cash :P


-AG