Which portable system ... Flash Carts?

[monkeychemist]

Ok, I know there are other threads out there about the GBA vs DS vs PSP, however mine is specific to taste, money and capability. Here are the premises:

1) I need to get a surgery that will put me in bed for 3 months. It is in Europe so a regular console is out of the question because I would have to buy a TV too and all the pal stuff to go with it.

2) I am thus looking for a portable because that will be the cheapest/easiest thing to bring out there. My choices have been narrowed down to PSP and GBA SP, unless you guys seem to show me better.

3) I am looking to not spend any more than $200 – 250 because the operation, trip and everything else has taxed me enough. I don’t care if the games are used but I definitively want a new handheld because I don’t want to deal with scratches, sticky, dirty etc…

Ok, here was what I was thinking about:

GBA SP - $80, and 5-6 RPGs - $50-75, which would be a total of $155ish. But then that’s it.

Sony PSP - $200-250, and then I can emulate all the SNES goodness that I ever want. And NES, and perhaps in the future GBA (but from what I hear it is slow)

So I guess the PSP seems like the more “expandable” but most expensive. Plus you have to do all that firmware crap, fix the d-pad etc…

GBA SP is great, but I can’t play classics (other than the overpriced ports).

Big dilemma, what are your thoughts? Any system I am missing?

Thanks,

Jeremy

[Trebuken]

If your going to do the emulation thing than it's a no brainer...you'll need a large memory stick to do it right though (1-2GB at least). I'd pickup a couple PSP rpg's, possibly Valkyrie Profile (soon to be out), and something else.

Goo Luck,
Trebuken

[Gamereviewgod]

Why get a GBA when you get a DS for only a little more? The DS has some of the best games on the market, and you can still play GBA titles.

[Kuros]

There are flash carts for the DS and GBA that allow one emulate on those systems.

I'm pretty sure you could emulate NES and SNES on them.

[monkeychemist]

There are flash carts for the DS and GBA that allow one emulate on those systems.

I'm pretty sure you could emulate NES and SNES on them.

Flash carts? that sounds kinda cool, where can I get more info on that area?

[tornadostormxl]

IT going to be hard to get a new 1.5 psp for 200

[monkeychemist]

IT going to be hard to get a new 1.5 psp for 200

you can get them at walmart.com for 200 or 250 with a 1GB memory stick

[Trebuken]

The GBA SP plays Gamboy Color games and you can get a number of good RPG's for it...

It's been awhile since I looked, but I thought flash carts were quite expensive...I'd like to know if I'm wrong, I wouldn't mind having one...

DS is cool but for what your looking to spend you'd only get a handful of games...unless your planning on flashing new games...

Later,
Trebuken

[Jibbajaba]

I agree with gamereviewgod. Get a DS Lite, and then pick up your GBA RPGs. If you are an RPG lover, then you are going to want a DS when Final Fantasy III comes out.

The only reason I would say you should get a GBA SP2 (make sure you get the model 2!!!) is because then you can play Dragon Warrior I, II, and III, and the GB Final Fantasy games. But if no GB or GBC color games interest you, then picking up a DS will be your best bet for on the go RPG playing.

I personally own a PSP, and if I had to do it all over again, I probably would have passed on it. It is a neat little system but not worth it ultimately. If I knew I was going to be laid up in bed for an extended period of time, all I would need is my SP and some of my RPGs. But if I didn't own an SP, I would pick up a DS Lite, and worry about getting an SP for it's backward compatibility later on. Trust me, if you buy a DS Lite and some GBA games, you will NOT regret it. If you buy a PSP, you might regret it. I do.

Chris

[klausien]

Not to jump on the bandwagon, but you really are leaving out the best portable available. The DS has a fantastic library of unique gaming experiences and can play all the GBA games. Worth every penny.

The PSP, while pretty, is still a bit of a waste of time. I have had mine since launch and still only have the games I bought at launch (Ridge Racer, Wipeout, Lumines), OutRun 2006 & Initial D (import). They are all great, but the next game I am really looking forward to is the Ghouls & Ghosts update coming out in the fall. Capcom Classics is also great.

Emulation is not a real reason to get a system unless it is an XBox.

[ty896]

Since you are headed to Europe, if you are interested in emulation, go for a Gizmondo.

As I understand it, the system had a much larger presence in the old world so you can probably still find games available once you are there.

But the main advantages would be the (now) lower price than the PSP and no firmware issues. It really strikes me as the best option for portable emulation.

For new games and RPGs, the DS lite would make a lot of sense.

[norkusa]

IT going to be hard to get a new 1.5 psp for 200

you can get them at walmart.com for 200 or 250 with a 1GB memory stick

Sure, but they won't have 1.50 firmware on them. Last time I checked on Ebay, used 1.5 PSP's were going for $250-$275.

[Gamereviewgod]

DS is cool but for what your looking to spend you'd only get a handful of games...unless your planning on flashing new games...

Not true. You can find tons of games low priced. Pretty much every third party title over a year old can be had for $20 by now.

[Trebuken]

DS is cool but for what your looking to spend you'd only get a handful of games...unless your planning on flashing new games...

Not true. You can find tons of games low priced. Pretty much every third party title over a year old can be had for $20 by now.

Yes but if he's budgeted for $200-$250 then the price of the DS Lite would only leave enough for five or six $20 games...that's what I was thinking...

I thought all PSP's up to verson 2.6 or so can be downgraded to 1.5?

Later,
Trebuken

[monkeychemist]

First of all, I would like to thank all you guys for your advice! I got some insight on what I would prefer. It seems that for my budget and taste for games, the PSP is out of the question. It leaves me to DS or SP. Although I much prefer the design of the SP, i think in the long run, I would prefer DS+GBA to GBA+BGC. So, at this point I think I am going to pick up a DS and the GBA RPGs, which I have seen ranging from 8-20 bucks each. I dont think I will go though more than 6 or so in that time. I like to take my time and explore :D . Later, after I am back in the US I can always get DS games as my cash flow returns haha.

Again, thank you all for the help, this is definitively an awesome group!

Jeremy

[Satac]

Since you are headed to Europe, if you are interested in emulation, go for a Gizmondo.

As I understand it, the system had a much larger presence in the old world so you can probably still find games available once you are there.

But the main advantages would be the (now) lower price than the PSP and no firmware issues. It really strikes me as the best option for portable emulation.

The gizmondo is death everywhere. Don't get it if you want a portable to play stuff on, it's only worth a few bucks as a collectors item.

[SirDrexl]

I would recommend the DS also. Get Trauma Center and you can pretend you're operating on yourself. :) The doctor might get a kick out of it too.

I think you may like the DS Lite more than the GBA SP, even without considering the DS games you will be able to play. It has a much better D-pad than the SP. It doesn't have that "chiclets" type; the Lite's pad is the one on the GBA Micro and will be on the Wii. The buttons are better IMHO, and the control is also more comfortable to me because the D-pad and buttons are farther apart than on the SP.

Another thing you could consider is the GP2x (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GP2X). I don't have one, but it's supposed to be pretty good for emulation. It was designed for open-source development, so there are no hoops to jump through to get things to work. It's about $180, but you also need media for it to store the stuff (SD cards).

[norkusa]

I've got both a PSP and DS Lite. If I was going to be bedridden for 3 months and could only have one though, I'd choose the PSP. The DS is a fun system but I'd get bored playing just DS/GBA games after a couple weeks. Get a 1.5 PSP and a 2 (or 4) GB stick and cram it full of emulators, music, movies, tv shows, and iso's and you'll be busy for a long time.

Plus, if the hospital has wireless internet, you can use the PSP web browser to surf the net.

[Sothy]

Sega Nomad

[keiblerfan69]

Why get a GBA when you get a DS for only a little more? The DS has some of the best games on the market, and you can still play GBA titles.

Exactly. The DS is the best handheld on the market right now. Amazing games, affordable, back comp.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Sega Nomad

After the DS my Nomad gets the most play out my portables, that may change soon though as I'm going to be getting a Turbo Express. Even after the expense of buying a Nomad, $250 leaves room to buy alot of loose genny games.

[THATinkjar]

Why get a GBA when you get a DS for only a little more? The DS has some of the best games on the market, and you can still play GBA titles.

You're spot on, my friend. Why would you buy a GBA (any variant) when you can get a Lite for a bit more money? You can play any GBA game you want (on the Lite's beautiful screens - the best on any handheld device, I might add), play a couple of dozen awesome DS games and have access to abrilliant winter line-up.

And you'll be all set for the Wii, too.

When you think about it, there really isn't much of a choice to make. But if you need some more input on this, here are some useful threads I dug up...

"DS vs PSP which is your Fav and why? (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=78857&highlight=ds)"
"need some input - Which Portable to Get? (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=81571&highlight=ds)"
"What's a comming for DS! (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=71337&highlight=ds)"
"Whats your favorite DS game? (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=87218&highlight=ds)"
"What DS game should i get? (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=82694&highlight=ds)"

[monkeychemist]

Again, thanks for all your comments and links to other threads. I did not know about the GP2X. That sounds like a good idea too. Is the emulation fast enough to play SNES real speed? From the Wikipedia link I see that some systems like GBA is a little slow, but as long as SNES is good I’m happy. I thought about the nomad, but I dunno, I guess I never grew up with SEGA, so it doesn’t really interest me all that much. So right now I am looking at the DS and GP2X. I’m gonna go look at what kind of games DS has. I hear a lot of good things so far.

Jeremy

[blissfulnoise]

SNES emulation isn't good on a PSP. Even on RPGs like Final Fantasy III and Chrono Trigger there was too much slowdown for me to enjoy them properly. Games like Contra III or Super Castlevania IV were very difficult to play.

A lot of Genesis games run decently, but you can forget about playing stuff like Alien Soldier or MUSHA.

NES, PC-Engine/TurboGraphx-16, and SMS emulation were all solid though.

So it's buyer beware if you're getting a PSP for just emulation.

And I'd also like to add that you will NOT be able to do emulation out of the box with any PSP you buy at the store. The odds of you getting a new 1.5 version PSP are slim to none. So prepare to go through the process of downgrading your firmware which is possible, but as I understand it, quite risky.

There are other methods of using boot tricks to run homebrew apps, but not all emulators are compatable with the method.

Compound all that with the fact that the D-Pad on the PSP is the worst one ever in the history of gaming.

In short, the PSP, while very capable of emulation, is a real pain in the ass to do it on. You're better off looking for a GP2X. Not only was it designed with emulation in mind, the storage media is much cheaper than Sony's.

Now if you were getting a PSP to play commerical games on, that wouldn't be a bad idea at all, but it doesn't sound like that's your intention.

Overall, like anyone else who owns and plays on all the above systems, I'd recommend the DS. It has a fantasitc library of games that can keep you occupied for months and has full backwards compatibility with the GBA. Games are much cheaper relative to the PSP and are, on the whole, more fun to play. See any number of threads for recommendations.

So in short:

- If you want to emulate exclusively: GP2X + storage media (about $250)
- If you want to play PSP games but still run emulation: 1.5 Used PSP off of eBay + storage media (about $325 without any games. Games run $39.99 - $49.99 at retail)
- If you want to play games without trouble: DS Lite (about $250 with 3 DS games and a GBA game, maybe less if you buy used)

Also worth noting that the DS Web Browser is coming very soon and seeing as how it uses two screens with a full touch-pad keyboard, it's going to be the best way to browse in terms of speed.

[poloplayr]

a No-brainer: DS with Trauma Centre!

[c0ldb33r]

I would definately recommend the DS. The DS has a brilliant library. The GBA has a brilliant library. With the combined library of those two systems - you're set!

[monkeychemist]

ok, how about the comparison with DS and DS Lite:

DS lite is smaller and brighter...is that it?

DS lite makes the GBA carts stick out, but does the regular DS do that too?

Frankly, if it is just a question of brightness and everything else being the same, I would prefer the less bright but that doesnt have GBA carts sticking out...oh yea and price too.

Jeremy

[norkusa]

SNES emulation isn't good on a PSP. Even on RPGs like Final Fantasy III and Chrono Trigger there was too much slowdown for me to enjoy them properly. Games like Contra III or Super Castlevania IV were very difficult to play.

A lot of Genesis games run decently, but you can forget about playing stuff like Alien Soldier or MUSHA.

NES, PC-Engine/TurboGraphx-16, and SMS emulation were all solid though.

So it's buyer beware if you're getting a PSP for just emulation.

You must be running an old version of the SNES emulator then because I'm using snes9xTYL .4, ME version and it runs almost at full speed with the exception of a few games like Chrono Trigger and Super Metroid. In fact, I was just playing Castlevania IV the other day too and didn't have any slowdown whatsoever.

The thing about those SNES emulators (and others like the Genesis) for the PSP is you have to tweak out the settings just right in order for them to run smoothly. The new ones can run close to full speed though if set up correctly though.

The d-pad on the PSP isn't that bad. It's not perfect, but saying it's the worst in the history of gaming is a bit of a stretch. Always an easy mod to fix in case you don't like it. Downgrading to 1.5 is pretty easy too. I've done it for a couple friends already and didn't have any problems. Just takes about 10 minutes.

[THATinkjar]

ok, how about the comparison with DS and DS Lite:

DS lite is smaller and brighter...is that it?

If you're going to go for a DS... I would easily recommend the Lite. What is it... like ten dollars more expensive over there? That's nothing, right?

Yes, I do appreciate that a few people like the original DS (those with slightly bigger, more clumsy hands), but really - if you prefer the look and style and feel of the Lite, then there isn't much to think about. I'd ignore the fact that GBA carts stick out a little - you will get over that.

Games, for whatever reason, just seem more fun to play on the Lite. They also look considerably better. The Lite also has an improved battery life (and recharge time!), and I find Metroid Prime Hunters is far easier to handle on it too.

Anyone else agree?

[c0ldb33r]

ok, how about the comparison with DS and DS Lite:

DS lite is smaller and brighter...is that it?
And prettier! The power button and stylus holder are on the side, not front and top respectively, like on the original DS. Because the DS is smaller, it's lighter. A lot of people find the original DS uncomfortable because of its size, and complain their hands/wrists hurt after awhile. I've never really had that complaint - I've got big man hands.


DS lite makes the GBA carts stick out, but does the regular DS do that too?
No. On the original DS the GBA carts are flush with the system.


Frankly, if it is just a question of brightness and everything else being the same, I would prefer the less bright but that doesnt have GBA carts sticking out...oh yea and price too.
Don't underestimate the importance of a beautiful and bright screen. I don't have a DS Lite myself, only a DS, but I want a Lite bad just because of the screen. For example, when I first got it, I thought the DS screen was amazing. Then I got a GB Micro. The GB Micro's screen blows the original DS away. Now I can't play GBA games on my DS because the screen looks so dark - I have to use my micro. The DS Lite screen is even better than the micro! I've seen it in action and it's amazing.

So, unless having the GBA game stick out a little is really going to annoy you, go with the DS Lite. If it is going to annoy you enough that it will ruin the experience, save a few bucks and get an original DS.


Yes, I do appreciate that a few people like the original DS (those with slightly bigger, more clumsy hands), but really - if you prefer the look and style and feel of the Lite, then there isn't much to think about. I'd ignore the fact that GBA carts stick out a little - you will get over that.
One question I have - it would annoy me to leave my GBA games in the DS Lite while I'm not playing them. I don't mind the games sticking out while I'm playing them, but for some reason I don't like the idea of it sitting there with a game sticking out a little. I've seen pictures of the Lite with a plastic cover covering the GBA slot. What's the deal with that? Does it come with the DS Lite to cover the slot if you want to leave the GBA games out?

[THATinkjar]

I've seen pictures of the Lite with a plastic cover covering the GBA slot. What's the deal with that? Does it come with the DS Lite to cover the slot if you want to leave the GBA games out?

It comes with a cartridge that fits in the GBA slot, and is totally flush with the design.

And the forthcoming Opera browser will be available in two versions... one for the original DS, and one for the Lite. The GBA RAM cartridge for the Lite, again, sits flush.

[blissfulnoise]

The d-pad on the PSP isn't that bad. It's not perfect, but saying it's the worst in the history of gaming is a bit of a stretch. Always an easy mod to fix in case you don't like it. Downgrading to 1.5 is pretty easy too. I've done it for a couple friends already and didn't have any problems. Just takes about 10 minutes.[/quote]

Out of every first party D-Pad I've used, it's definately the worst. If you throw in 3rd party controllers, it may not have the "worst ever" crown, but it's a top contender. I know about opening your PSP to put a sturdier substance in there to help with the contacts (the article I read referenced a cut out Nintendo cartridge sleeve), but the fact you have to do it, and void your warranty, is absurd.

As far as tweaking your settings in the SNES emulator, the last one I used (I've since upgraded my firmware to play newer games) was back in Feburary, and no combination of frame skipping or tweaking would get most of the action games to play just right. Some of them left unplayable.

I'm not bashing the PSP as a whole; there are quite a few games I love in its library, but it's caveat emptor for people buying the system strictly to run emulation.

[monkeychemist]

So I did some research on flash carts and was really pleasantly surprised with what you can do. I looked up countless sites (I didn’t really have anything to do at work today) and what I got was a whole LOT of confusion.

I saw about 8 or so different brands, each with different good things and bad things. I saw that most places that sell them are sold out of the “good” ones. I say “good” because I’m not really sure if they are at this point. I am so confused!

It seems that a 1Gb would suit me and at first I thought I had found the perfect one but I don’t know anymore.

I know for a fact that I would not be interested in the SD or anything like that because I prefer the simplicity and reliability of the flash carts. I read the back and forth between the two in the forum and decided that is what I prefer…

Ok so 2 points down.

Now I guess I was wondering if anyone has had good/bad experiences with flash cards, or what they recommend. It seems that that latest posts on this are kinda old, so keeping up with current technology.

Thanks,

Jeremy

[zektor]

Since you are headed to Europe, if you are interested in emulation, go for a Gizmondo.

As I understand it, the system had a much larger presence in the old world so you can probably still find games available once you are there.

But the main advantages would be the (now) lower price than the PSP and no firmware issues. It really strikes me as the best option for portable emulation.

The gizmondo is death everywhere. Don't get it if you want a portable to play stuff on, it's only worth a few bucks as a collectors item.

Death? How so very untrue. I have been releasing new titles for the unit, and emulators keep popping up. You can already play SNES, NES, Amiga, C64, Genesis, SMS, GB/GBC/GBA, MSX and some more I am probably forgetting on the system. Performance of course varies, but I can tell you some of the emulators such as NES and SNES are VERY nice. It's becoming a very good homebrew handheld...and all you have to do is install a freely available service pack to get it to work. Even TCPMP (Media Player) works on it...meaning you can play just about any filetype...DivX, Ogg, MP3, WMV...

SO, nope, Giz is not dead yet!

[Nature Boy]

My thought:
I find the DS Lite sucks for playing GBA games. I just played Metroid: Zero Mission and I lasted one gaming session on the Lite. It just didn't feel as comfortable in my hands as my SP2 (and the SP2 screen still looks *fantastic*). I did find the original DS felt equally as comfortable though (and the game didn't stick out which was a bonus).

The SNES emulator on the PSP has never really run well for me, although I haven't played much with it. The NES emulator, however, is fantastic, and is one of three I use constantly (Stella and PSPAtari are the other two I like - I can play Alternate Reality on my PSP if I wanted to).

I have a FlashCart for my GBA that makes it similar to what I can do on my PSP, although it can only emulate what it's programmed to (NES/SMS/TG16/GameGear/GB). The text on the NES emulator is noticeably scaled down, and some games don't work, but it's still a good solution (and can be used in a DS as well).

You don't need to buy a 1.5 PSP at all - downgraders exist for 2.0 and 2.5/2.6 firmwares and are safe (I did a 2.0 downgrade, a co-worker did the 2.6 downgrade).

Don't forget that the PSP also plays movies and mp3s and can surf the web if you've got a connection somewhere near you.

[norkusa]

My thought:
The SNES emulator on the PSP has never really run well for me, although I haven't played much with it..

The current versions of the snes9xTYL can run full speed now without any ridiculous frame-skip settings or loss of quality. In fact, I had to tweak the settings just to slow it down because it was running too fast for me.

Also want to mention how incredibly awesome the SCUMM emulator is on the PSP. I just loaded some games on it this past weekend for the first time. Was playing Monkey Island 1 + 2 and Indiana Jones & The Fate Of Atlantis. Was playing everything at full speed and it can even play talkie versions too. Controls and interface are very easy to use too. Going to load up Sam & Max next. I think SCUMM is my new favorite emulator on the PSP.

[THATinkjar]

This seems as an appropriate place as any, I suppose. Some talented guy/gal/team has created Beup - a homebrew MSN Messenger for the DS! By all accounts, it isn't some half-baked, stripped down clone, either. It is - apparently - the real deal.

You can find a few details (not many, mind you), a video (which isn't the best, actually) and a download link (which, in all honesty, I'm not touching with a barge pole) over on New Launches (http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/msn_messenger_on_nintendo_ds.php) (and they are...?).

In other news, I just ordered myself the recently released G6 Lite (http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=34239)... the homebrew solution for the Lite.