psp vs. GBA SP vs. DS

[Corrosive vinyl]

I have heard a lot of talk about all the differnt consoles but hardly any about the portables. What does everyone think of them and what is the best portable for the money and for the games, etc. that are offered with each one?

I personally like the DS because of the innovation of a touch screen and the games that actually use the new idea. Also of the ability to play GBA games.

[zero2dash]

I have heard a lot of talk about all the differnt consoles but hardly any about the portables. What does everyone think of them and what is the best portable for the money and for the games, etc. that are offered with each one?

I personally like the DS because of the innovation of a touch screen and the games that actually use the new idea. Also of the ability to play GBA games.

DS > GBASP > PSP

DS is clearly the best.
I choose the SP over the PSP because it has better games despite it not being as feature-full in other areas.

PSP is too expensive and doesn't offer more than a handful of good games (that I can count literally on one hand). The other features...meh. I've lived without them this long, I can continue doing so. :D

[Dagless]

Like Z2D -
DS>GBA>PSP

DS on top because it can play GBA games. I absolutely love the GBA and what it did for handheld gaming. Spent more time on that than any last gen console.
The DS is having a hard time replacing it IMO. I know sales figure agrue against it, but the DS just doesn't have the charm of the GBA in appearence and in game library.

That said It's been a tough 4 weeks with my DS Lite being shipped off to Nintendo :(

[MacRumorUser]

Yeah I have all three of those and the DS does get the most use.

i'm liking the PS3 & PSP hook-up though. That works very well and I love being able to download PS1 games for the PSP (Jumping Flash etc)

But it's the DS and most usually 42 All Time Classics game that I'm usually found playing if I'm mobile.

[Corrosive vinyl]

and what about the original gameboy and segas game gear? they were giants.

Sometimes it seems like portables get glazed over by consoles

[Dagless]

Original Gameboy was/IS excellent. Still got mine sealed up. Some absolute fantastic games on that - Pokemon, Links Awakening, Mario Land 2/3.
Didn't play much on GameGear, wasn't much a fan of the Master System too. Sonic and that After G-whatever flying game was quite fun.

DS>GB Micro>SP>GBA>Gamboy Pocket>Gameboy>Game Gear>N-Gage (what can I say, Tomb Raider and Pandemonium)>PSP

[MacRumorUser]

GameGear wasnt a huge success, and neither was the Atari Lynx
Both were too big and had utter crap battery life.

Gameboy came with Tetris and battery life was about 20 hours.

[Corrosive vinyl]

I totally agree with the battery life of the game gear... but it was revolutionary being in full color. There were some fun games, but I think it came out too early and the technology wasn't there to make it the powerhouse that it could be. It suffered like the original portable cd players did, they were big and bulky and got horrid battery life, but they still were revolutionary because now "discmen" get amazing battery life and you can go out and buy one for $20

[Sky Blue]

DS > GBASP > PSP


yup

[zero2dash]

A couple of the more obscure/less well known portables (SNK's NeoGeo Pocket Color + NEC's Turbo Express) were both excellent systems as well. Great screens, good battery life. NGPC had many great SNK titles including SvC (SNK vs Capcom), Metal Slug, and KOF (King of Fighters). Turbo Express was the first time you could play your home console games (those being TurboGrafx-16/TurboDuo HU cards) on the road (a feat that was repeated with the Sega Nomad, which played Genesis cartridges).

I liked the Game Gear, but the battery pack and AC adapter were must-owns. Shinobi and Aladdin were excellent games (my two favorites on the system).

I've heard the Atari Lynx was ok, but I've never played one.

[darkwing]

Man another thread of Sony haters. The typical DS fan's argument is "the DS is better because it has better games" is what they say, because it's typically all they can afford. I have a DS, DS Lite, and a PSP, and i have probably 20 GBA games, about 14 DS games, and about 12 PSP games. Lately my PSP gets the most use because I'm into RPGs, and that's where the good ones are. I played halfway through Final Fantasy III DS (good game, but typical boring square) and played Magical Starsign for 5 minutes. I'm an RPG guy, and you may not be. I notice the DS seems to have more puzzle games, while the PSP seems to have more shooters.

So, games aside, let's talk the technical points.

DS has 2 screens which were industrial designed by a complete moron. The fact that you could have 2 screens would be great except for the giant gap. This totally ruins it. Yes, they could have drastically minimized that if they wanted to by changing the hinge mechanism. It does have a touch screen, and this makes for some cool games. Meteos is an addicting as heck puzzle game, especially when played with friends! Touch screen gaming is fun, and for the price of a DS you can't beat it over other touch screen gaming capable devices (like PDAs for example.) The graphics on the DS are amazing if it were still 1996. Cartridge based medium of course means fast as heck load times, and the battery life on the DS Lite I've noticed to be good. I've never run out on any trips.

The PSP has great graphics for today's era and plenty of games in all genres. The analog nub works great once you get used to it, but still can't replace an analog thumb-stick on a dual sock/sixaxis. The UMA media format has a lot of capacity, but comes at the price of slow load times. Sometimes very slow. Also, because the PSP is similar to the PS2, many games available are just ports of games you may already own on the PS2. I've never had the PSP run out of battery on me, either. I have probably never gone much over 8 hours before being able to plug it in again.

The PSP has a very active homebrew community that allows you to run all kinds of emulators for snes/genesis/etc games, and you can buy old PS1 games from the PS3 store (soon you won't need a ps3) to be played on your PSP for only $6 a game.

So, the bottom line really is this:

The DS and 2 games will be about equal to the cost of a PSP. 3+ games if you factor in a larger memory stick for storage.

Decide if you prefer touch screen gaming or analog stick gaming in a portable.

Both are horribly uncomfortable to hold (at least for me) and as a left-hander, I find some of the DS games that require a stylus to be a little biased towards righties. (Needing the stylus while you use the directional pad in some games.)

DS games tend to run $5 cheaper than PSP games.

So, those are really the point/counterpoint and mini-reviews from someone who owns both. Both systems will be highly enjoyable for you (as they are for me) because both have a diverse range of games. If you can't afford both, then really review what games are out there and decide if you prefer touch screen/battery life (the DS will last longer, but I've never run out on either) or graphics/analog nub.

Stupid me, I realize the OP also asked about the GBA SP, and I did a comparison of the PSP and the DS.

You can't go wrong with an SP. Tons of games from just about every genre (except FPS games that aren't a joke) and a great price. Tremendous battery life, and the smallest of the bunch. That thing goes anywhere and everywhere! Also comfortable to hold, too.

[siurpeeman]

but the DS just doesn't have the charm of the GBA in appearence and in game library.

it's easy to say when the gba's been around a lot longer. that the ds has as many good games as it does is amazing. i like the psp, but it lacks originality in games. loco roco aside, there isn't anything for that system that makes me want to play it. the games that are good seem to be conversions of their console counterparts. games like tekken, i'd much rather play on a ps2 than a psp. i get more use out of my game boy micro than i do the psp.

[mkaake]

Can we have a thread that concerns something made by either nintendo or sony without the word 'hater' or 'haters' coming out?

In the end it comes down to games. Most (not everyone) agree that the DS has the wider selection of games, that appeal (generally) to more of the people here. The PSP seems to lack a large amount of fun games (matter of opinion), which most (read: not everyone) feel negates any advantage it might have in graphical capabilities.

Can that statement pass without me being called a hater, or a fanboy?

[plinkoman]

Man another thread of Sony haters. The typical DS fan's argument is "the DS is better because it has better games" is what they say, because it's typically all they can afford.

no one was "hating" on sony; it was merely people saying they preferred the ds over the psp. as for games, thats completely subjective, but right now there 0 psp games that interest me, and several on the ds that do. it's a no brainer which one I am going to prefer; whether or not I had enough money for a psp is beside the point.

good comparison anyways.

[Sky Blue]

In the end it comes down to games. Most (not everyone) agree that the DS has the wider selection of games, that appeal (generally) to more of the people here. The PSP seems to lack a large amount of fun games (matter of opinion), which most (read: not everyone) feel negates any advantage it might have in graphical capabilities.


hater :mad:

[mkaake]

hater :mad:

:D

I needed that laugh :)

[Sky Blue]

Man another thread of Sony haters.........
DS has 2 screens which were industrial designed by a complete moron.....
The PSP has great graphics for today's era and plenty of games in all genres. ...

So you're on the fence then?

[2nyRiggz]

Right now all of them suck...I barely play the things but in my order:

DS>PSP>>>GBA

If the PSP continue to pump out the games they are now then my PSP will be on top...The warriors got me locked in when I work the grave yard shift.




Bless

[Dagless]

So you're on the fence then?

Sky Blue's on a roll :)

I just dont get the portability of the PSP. For kicks I tried putting in a pocket and walking around campus. so long as I avoided steps it was okay. Not saying the DS is super portable, but it's much lighter and smaller for easy travelling. But the Micro? Christ on a bike I throw the thing with an M3 into a bag and I've got my whole GBA collection on the go in an area fractionally bigger than my iPod Mini :)

[zero2dash]

Man another thread of Sony haters.

So anyone who dislikes a Sony product is a Sony hater then?
What a joke.
Obviously you "hate" some companies out there yourself then by your own [whack] logic.
I guess I should've never purchased a total 2 Sony TVs, more Sony Walkman/Discman players than I can count, Two Playstations, Three Playstation 2s, a Sony DVD Changer, a Sony VCR, a Sony digital camera, a Sony DV Camera, you know...being the "Sony hater" that I am. :rolleyes:

The typical DS fan's argument is "the DS is better because it has better games" is what they say

And it's the truth.

because it's typically all they can afford.

I can afford a Ps3 but that doesn't mean I'm buying one because I can afford it. That's one of the dumbest things I've seen you post, darkwing.

I have a DS, DS Lite, and a PSP, and i have probably 20 GBA games, about 14 DS games, and about 12 PSP games. Lately my PSP gets the most use because I'm into RPGs, and that's where the good ones are.

So, Final Fantasy IV Advance and Final Fantasy VI Advance are just garbage then, eh? zOMG :rolleyes: :cool:

Those are the two best RPGs ever created.

I notice the DS seems to have more puzzle games, while the PSP seems to have more shooters.

I notice the DS seems to have a wide game library (full of more than puzzle games), and the PSP is composed primarily of ports.

So, games aside, let's talk the technical points.

DS has 2 screens which were industrial designed by a complete moron. The fact that you could have 2 screens would be great except for the giant gap. This totally ruins it. Yes, they could have drastically minimized that if they wanted to by changing the hinge mechanism.

The screen gap doesn't bother me.

Here's one of my own.
"The PSP has a poor nub analog stick, an unproven custom disc format, and a button too close to the screen designed by a complete moron." :rolleyes: :p

[Corrosive vinyl]

The psp looks very interesting... but what many people are already saying is the kinds of games that are on it. Comend Sony on the innovation of the multimedia handheld. I personally don't understand why someone would try to watch a movie on a 3 inch screen, a 7 inch portable dvd player screen is hard enough on the eyes as it is.

For another gamer in the house who is kind of interested in getting a PSP, there is only one game that they really want to play for that system... so it would cost about $250 just to play that one game.

[darkwing]

no one was "hating" on sony; it was merely people saying they preferred the ds over the psp. as for games, thats completely subjective, but right now there 0 psp games that interest me, and several on the ds that do. it's a no brainer which one I am going to prefer; whether or not I had enough money for a psp is beside the point.

good comparison anyways.

Glad you liked it.

The problem is many people throw out the notion that "the DS has better games" which I find odd because there are many highly ranked games for the PS2 that were ported to the PSP. If the thread is "DS rules PSP sucks" that's great, but the OP asked for a comparison.

Here's my list of DS games:

Spider-man (came with it when I bought it used)
Need for Speed Underground 2 (ditto)
Yugioh Nightmare whatever (don't ask)
Mario Kart
New SMB
Lunar
Magical Starsign
FF3DS
Bust a Move DS
Polarium
Meteos

(Now I'm having to rack my brain, as all the games are at home.)

Well, I have a few more. forget what they are.

The point is, out of all these games, the only ones I really love and got countless hours of enjoyment from were Mario Kart DS (highly recommended!) and Meteos (ditto.) The rest were all huge disappointments. And I mean huge. Except possibly FF3 as it was fun but then I got bored, because I think I was expecting more from a remake. However, I'll probably finish it one of these days. New SMB was fun but it took only a few hours to beat, and then what? Plus, the commercial was quite misleading to show giant mario and pass that off as cool when really it's just a 10 second thing that grants you a couple extra lives after.

On the other hand, let's look at my list of PSP games:

PoPoLoCrois
Legend of Heroes I
Legend of Heroes II
Legend of Heroes III (these 3 games are full of typos)
Tales of Eternia (imported from UK)
Bubble Bobble Revolution
Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops
Metal Gear Solid Digital Comic whatever
SSX
Hot Shots Golf
Lumines II
Blade Dancers
Ghost in the Shell SAC

All these games have gotten a lot of time from me, and the RPG list is very nice. The only ones I really was kinda let down over were Bubble Bobble and Blade Dancers. The DS could not play many of these games because it lacks the power to do so.

The only DS game I find myself looking forward to is Dragon Quest IX.

This is why I told the OP to look at games and decide.

BTW, another thing for the comparison list: Nintendo, for some stupid reason, refuses to admit they were wrong and support WPA for wireless on the DS. The Wii does, but the DS does not. Nintendo sticks to their original statement that most people use WEP. So this means you get to use WEP on your wireless (or change it when you want to play WiFi games on the DS) which takes about 3-10 minutes to crack. The PSP supports WPA.

[Dagless]

[QUOTE=siurpeeman;3428141]it's easy to say when the gba's been around a lot longer. that the ds has as many good games as it does is amazing. i like the psp, but it lacks originality in games.QUOTE]

Even back on the first year of the GBA it had the excitement of waiting for a portable Mario World, Golden Sun etc. The DS didn't. It's a little too predictable. IMO they need to stick OoT Master Quest on the DS. Or at least get Camelot to give us details on this unannounced RPG they're working on.



3 days left till I get my DS back :D

[darkwing]

And it's the truth.

No, it's your opinion. Let the OP decide.

So, Final Fantasy IV Advance and Final Fantasy VI Advance are just garbage then, eh? zOMG :rolleyes: :cool:

Gee, I was writing a comparison of DS and PSP games. Those are GBA games, which are playable by the DS of course, but they weren't in my mind because I was thinking DS games. I have IV, and will buy VI when I can get it for $20 as well. (Why rush out to buy a game I've already played on the SNES and PS?) IV is sitting on top of my PS3 box, still sealed, supporting the left speaker for my surround system. Once I move into the new house I'll get furniture. :)

I notice the DS seems to have a wide game library (full of more than puzzle games), and the PSP is composed primarily of ports.

With the exception of PoPoLoCrois which is a port of like 3 PS1 RPGs, and Legend of Heroes, which were PC games, what else did I list that was a port?

The screen gap doesn't bother me.

But it might bother the OP, which is why I mentioned it.

[darkwing]

The psp looks very interesting... but what many people are already saying is the kinds of games that are on it. Comend Sony on the innovation of the multimedia handheld. I personally don't understand why someone would try to watch a movie on a 3 inch screen, a 7 inch portable dvd player screen is hard enough on the eyes as it is.

For another gamer in the house who is kind of interested in getting a PSP, there is only one game that they really want to play for that system... so it would cost about $250 just to play that one game.

You'll notice I didn't bring up the multimedia capabilities of the PSP in my comparison. This is because I feel like you do. Who cares? I use my ipod for video only when I ride exercise bikes at the gym (the limit of my cardio-friendly lifestyle) because all my music is on it. I think such things typically only matter if you travel a lot. When I flew to Japan in January I used the ipod for video and the PSP for games. The ipod has a smaller screen, but this allowed me to split my batteries with two different tasks.

If you only are interested in one game for the PSP, then don't buy it! You'll only get upset and wind up selling it later on.

[2nyRiggz]

The psp looks very interesting... but what many people are already saying is the kinds of games that are on it.

It all depends on what you like. "PSP doesn't have good games" doesn't fly anymore. The PSP has a lot of interesting games now but its all up to what you like.



Bless

[zero2dash]

No, it's your opinion. Let the OP decide.

It's a fact. Unless everyone else in the world are also Sony haters.
Go look at game review scores, pick any site you want that divides equal time to all of the systems.

You'll find a laundry list of high scoring DS titles, and a micro sized list of PSP titles.

The DS has better games.

Those are GBA games, which are playable by the DS of course, but they weren't in my mind because I was thinking DS games. I have IV, and will buy VI when I can get it for $20 as well. (Why rush out to buy a game I've already played on the SNES and PS?)

Why buy Super Paper Mario when you've already played a Super Mario Brothers? Doesn't take away from the game being excellent or worth your while. BTW - FFIV added a lot of new things including a lot of backstory and character information; I don't know if FFVI is similar. All I know is those are the 2 best rpgs I've played in the 20 years I've been playing games and considering that I sold my SNES + both of those games well over 10 years ago, I'll gladly buy them again for the chance to play them again. Will Cecil + Co. defeat Zeromus again? Sure, the [primary] story's the same, but that doesn't take away from the superbness of the game.

There are...6 PSP games I have interest in:
LocoRoco
WipeOut Pure
Twisted Metal
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
Ratchet & Clank: Small Arms (or whatever it's called)
God of War (says on the back of the instruction for GoW2 that a PSP GoW is coming)

(I'm not saying these are the only good games, but they are the only ones I'm interested in. That's why I'm not paying $200 for a PSP.)

[Dagless]

What bothers me about the PSP-

Battery life. Didn't last a trip to Carolines.
Screen. Too much ghosting going on. Acceptable in 3D (PS2 motion blur), distracting in 2D.
Button placement. I can appreciate the slightly bumped handles on the back for comfort, but theres no excuse for the Square button.
Nub. took too long to get used to, only really used it in Wipeout.
Sound. From a Sony product I'd expect much better speakers, not as good as DS Fat.
Size & Weight.


Bothers me about the DS-

Lite's speakers aren't as good as the Fat model.
battery life. I get about 10 hours, but it's still not enough. Should probably invest in a high mAh battery.
Buttons sometimes need a lot of pressure on them (really noticed this with the Black model).
Health & Safety screen :mad:
In this day & age we really should have rumble built into units. next handheld gen I suppose.

GBA? Nothing.

[Dagless]

There are...6 PSP games I have interest in:
...
WipeOut Pure


Just go play the most ice covered track on F-Zero GX, rapidly press pause to simluate the comparatively slow speed.


Be it known I actually like the Wipeout series.

[darkwing]

It's a fact. Unless everyone else in the world are also Sony haters.
Go look at game review scores, pick any site you want that divides equal time to all of the systems.

You'll find a laundry list of high scoring DS titles, and a micro sized list of PSP titles.

The DS has better games.

:rolleyes:

Why buy Super Paper Mario when you've already played a Super Mario Brothers? Doesn't take away from the game being excellent or worth your while. BTW - FFIV added a lot of new things including a lot of backstory and character information; I don't know if FFVI is similar. All I know is those are the 2 best rpgs I've played in the 20 years I've been playing games and considering that I sold my SNES + both of those games well over 10 years ago, I'll gladly buy them again for the chance to play them again. Will Cecil + Co. defeat Zeromus again? Sure, the [primary] story's the same, but that doesn't take away from the superbness of the game.

Super Paper Mario is a new game altogether. FFIV is a remake. It's pretty obvious. I didn't say I wouldn't buy it. I just said I wil wait for it to be cheap. I still have my SNES and all US RPG releases in their boxes with manuals except breath of fire 2. Make me an offer. ;)

There are...6 PSP games I have interest in:
LocoRoco
WipeOut Pure
Twisted Metal
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
Ratchet & Clank: Small Arms (or whatever it's called)
God of War (says on the back of the instruction for GoW2 that a PSP GoW is coming)

Yes I have LocoRoco, too. I knew I forgot one. It's fun but got old after a while. Not sure why it gets such high reviews.
I'm interested in Ratchet and Clank as well as GOW. I'll probably pick up Twisted Metal sometime used for cheap.

And I don't know why Jimmi keeps bringing up this "ghosting" thing on the PSP. He's the only person who ever mentioned it, and despite all the people saying they never noticed it he brings it up an awful lot. :rolleyes:

[Sky Blue]

And I don't know why Jimmi keeps bringing up this "ghosting" thing on the PSP. He's the only person who ever mentioned it, and despite all the people saying they never noticed it he brings it up an awful lot. :rolleyes:

http://www.google.com/search?q=psp+ghosting&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[MacRumorUser]

Mine is Japanese Launch PSP and it does have ghosting - most notibly in dark colours areas. Even noticeable in a game like LocoRoco.

Not enough to stop me playing, but if I hadn't imported I would have tried to get Sony to replace the screen.

[Dagless]

And I don't know why Jimmi keeps bringing up this "ghosting" thing on the PSP. He's the only person who ever mentioned it, and despite all the people saying they never noticed it he brings it up an awful lot. :rolleyes:

http://www.google.com/search?q=psp+ghosting&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Mine is Japanese Launch PSP and it does have ghosting

:rolleyes:

MRU, mine was a Japanese PSP too. Maybe it's one brand of LCD they use? I thought it was quite horrendous, especially on SFA3. lacking the kind of precision you get with a sharper display.

[Corrosive vinyl]

You'll notice I didn't bring up the multimedia capabilities of the PSP in my comparison. This is because I feel like you do. Who cares? I use my ipod for video only when I ride exercise bikes at the gym (the limit of my cardio-friendly lifestyle) because all my music is on it. I think such things typically only matter if you travel a lot. When I flew to Japan in January I used the ipod for video and the PSP for games. The ipod has a smaller screen, but this allowed me to split my batteries with two different tasks.

If you only are interested in one game for the PSP, then don't buy it! You'll only get upset and wind up selling it later on.

I totally agree... that is why nobody I know has a PSP, to them what it offers isn't worth the money.

If I get another iPod it is because it is an iPod, an MP3 player, not because they upgraded it to play videos. I use it for its original purpose, the video is nice, but who cares, I want an iPod. That doesnt mean that I will never play videos on it, because that is a useful feature. The thing with the PSP is that it is marketed as doing everything, games just being at the forefront... if that wasn't the case, you could not go out and readily get so many movie titles or albums to play on it.
How many people with a PSP only play games on it and have never used any other features?

[MacRumorUser]

:rolleyes:

MRU, mine was a Japanese PSP too. Maybe it's one brand of LCD they use? I thought it was quite horrendous, especially on SFA3. lacking the kind of precision you get with a sharper display.

There does or did seem to be an issue with the original screens.

Thankfully I never had the X button problem that happened to some of the original machines either.

I'd be tempted to trade it in and get a nice white ceramic psp but I'd have to be 100% confident that the new screens had no ghosting to make it worth while doing.

[darkwing]

Mine is Japanese Launch PSP and it does have ghosting - most notibly in dark colours areas. Even noticeable in a game like LocoRoco.

Not enough to stop me playing, but if I hadn't imported I would have tried to get Sony to replace the screen.

Well, I stand corrected. I guess earlier editions used different screens. Or maybe they just stuck it to Europe again. ;)

Still, I'd rather having and good graphics than mid-90s graphics and no ghosting. Glad I have all of the best, and none of the worst. :D

[darkwing]

I totally agree... that is why nobody I know has a PSP, to them what it offers isn't worth the money.

If I get another iPod it is because it is an iPod, an MP3 player, not because they upgraded it to play videos. I use it for its original purpose, the video is nice, but who cares, I want an iPod. That doesnt mean that I will never play videos on it, because that is a useful feature. The thing with the PSP is that it is marketed as doing everything, games just being at the forefront... if that wasn't the case, you could not go out and readily get so many movie titles or albums to play on it.
How many people with a PSP only play games on it and have never used any other features?

Exactly my point. I was happy with my non-video ipod until my dad accidentally threw it out with some junk. :( I bought a new one and it happened to come with video.

I've never watched video on my PSP. I only use it for games.

[Corrosive vinyl]

ahh... okay. All I am saying is that some ppl out there use multimedia devices for multi media.. instead of single media.

I am like you because if I get a new iPod i wont use it for video... I don't have nearly any videos to play on it... 3 I got from iTunes, all for free, plus i can see myself walking down the street watching a video on my iPod, PSP, whatever and running into a pole or into an oncoming car or whatever... not a smart idea. :)

[siurpeeman]

Even back on the first year of the GBA it had the excitement of waiting for a portable Mario World, Golden Sun etc. The DS didn't. It's a little too predictable. IMO they need to stick OoT Master Quest on the DS. Or at least get Camelot to give us details on this unannounced RPG they're working on.


i think 2006 was a great year for the ds. the excitement i had for new super mario world, metroid and tetris ds far outweighed my excitement for the wii. even now, i'm wanting to play phantom hourglass more than i am twilight princess. like all great systems, these things take time.

[zelmo]

I have a hard time picking my favorite handheld. I have at least a dozen games for my DS Lite, PSP and GBA SP. I probably play PSP 50% / DS 35% / GBA 15%. The GBA is in the bathroom, so that's the reason it still gets that much use:p .

There are plenty of good games for the PSP, and some of mine are :eek: ports of good PS2 games [People criticize the PSP for having nothing but a bunch of ports and rehashes, but the DS has its share, too...Mario Kart DS? New Super Mario Bros?].

I don't regret buying either handheld. There are games I like on both.

OP, go to your local EB or whatever games store you want, look at the games, decide which system has the games you want to play. Buy that system. And maybe, just maybe, the other system also has enough content that you'll end up with both eventually. There's no bad in that.:)

[darkwing]

ahh... okay. All I am saying is that some ppl out there use multimedia devices for multi media.. instead of single media.

I am like you because if I get a new iPod i wont use it for video... I don't have nearly any videos to play on it... 3 I got from iTunes, all for free, plus i can see myself walking down the street watching a video on my iPod, PSP, whatever and running into a pole or into an oncoming car or whatever... not a smart idea. :)

This is true. :) I don't have anything from itunes on the ipod. I've wasted about $7500 on anime dvds in my day, and some of the ones I don't want to spend time watching on the big screen get shrunk onto the ipod for the gym, or for plane trips. My 17" MBP is too large to break out on planes comfortably. :(

[pcypert]

My 360 has awesome, graphical powerhouse, long story games. I wanted my portable to have games that I could play in my numerous sky train trips varying from 5-30 minutes long. DS is perfect for that. Some people want portables that take as much time and energy as a console...why not just play it at home? I do have long flights back to the states from time to time (20-30 hours) but there are games for that too if needs be.

So factor in what you're wanting from the games. Will it be frustrating to lose progress because you can't make a save point or finish a level in a short time?

Paul

[darkwing]

My 360 has awesome, graphical powerhouse, long story games. I wanted my portable to have games that I could play in my numerous sky train trips varying from 5-30 minutes long. DS is perfect for that. Some people want portables that take as much time and energy as a console...why not just play it at home? I do have long flights back to the states from time to time (20-30 hours) but there are games for that too if needs be.

So factor in what you're wanting from the games. Will it be frustrating to lose progress because you can't make a save point or finish a level in a short time?

Paul

Both the DS and PSP allow you to suspend the system mid-game and pick it back up later.

[pcypert]

I'm fully aware of that...but with some games it's frustrating to leave your train of thought and come back later...sometimes days later...you've forgotten what you were supposed to do :)

Paul

[Dagless]

My 360 has awesome, graphical powerhouse, long story games. I wanted my portable to have games that I could play in my numerous sky train trips varying from 5-30 minutes long. DS is perfect for that. Some people want portables that take as much time and energy as a console...why not just play it at home?

I want the DS to give me that, and it does with Final Fantasy, Advance Wars, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart, Metroid (which IMO translates an almost GC worthy Metroid game to a portable), Castlevania series... Because I don't like the filler you get with most of these big console games now. Cutscenes left, right and centre, needlessly overdramatic music. Games are fast becoming a B-Movie style of cheap, cheesy and cheerful entertainment. That goes for Zelda, GoW - the lot.

Handheld cuts all that away leaving you with just the RPG, just the FPS. Thats why I only play FF3 when I'm at home, sat in a comfy chair or whatever.

[pcypert]

I too am past the age of enjoying the music, cut scenes, etc of games these days. For all the awesome graphics, physics, game play, carnage, etc of GOW the voice acting sucks. Maybe it's because my friend works for Dragon Ball Z in the states and I know voice actors, or maybe it's the horrendous dialog...but it gets too me.

I think the last game that cutscenes and all that did it for me was Final Fantasy 7...which I played in 97-98 I think...ever since then (and I feel ashamed to admit...buying the wall scrolls for that game from an asian import store) games have all seemed too cheasy and I refuse to take them as seriously as folks want me to. I want to play around, kill stuff, etc...not watch a movie...otherwise I'd...Watch a movie.

Paul

[JackAxe]

I want to play around, kill stuff, etc...not watch a movie...otherwise I'd...Watch a movie.

Same here. :)

A game that's plagued with cutscenes is nothing more than a button-tapping simulator.

<]=)

[Dagless]

Advent Children or FF3... tough call!

[Chone]

Same here. :)

A game that's plagued with cutscenes is nothing more than a button-tapping simulator.

<]=)

Well I agree and disagree at the same time, well done cut scenes can really bring you in the game, for example, I love the cutscenes in Metal Gear Solid games, anyone can say what they will but MGS games are all about cool cutscenes and an awesome story, movies of today are way too damn boring compared to this.

I agree though that gameplay is what matters (MGS has incredible gameplay) and that badly done cutscenes can ruin an experience.

[JackAxe]

One of my clients swore up and down about MGS. :)

It's the games that spend more time on prerendered art, than gameplay that bother me. But for the most part, most of my favorite games used cutscenes to tell the story(Graphic Adventures), but as you mentioned with MGS, they only added to the experience.

System Shock, which is one of my all time favorites, is one of the few exceptions I've played that didn't need lots of cutsences to keep the story moving. I recall there only being an intro and end cutscene, but I haven't played this game for over a decade. It used the game's com system to keep the story moving, so there was never any break from the expereience of being in that enviroment. This is the only game I've personly played, that actually had me so consumed, that I felt like I was in that pixelated world. It never had one of those 3rd person moments, besides the mentioned cutscenes that I can recall. Shodan had a nasty habit of tapping into my com at possibly the worst moments and scaring the bejesus out of me. :o

<]=)

[zap2]

is what they say, because it's typically all they can afford. .

:rolleyes:
Please if you can pay 130 for a DS, most can pay 250 for a PSP. 90USD is money, but not much in the big picture. If the PSP were better more people would like it, even if the price was high. People would complain, but if it was lots of fun, who care?

[AppleDuck]

I love my DS.:) I was going to get a GBA, but thought, why not just save up $40 extra dollars and get a DS. I'm very glad I did. The 2 screens are awesome! And all the games I want are on the DS.

I don't think I'd ever get a PSP because it does stuff that I don't need (like play music, I have an mp3 player for that) and the price. Not only is the price of the system a lot more than a DS, the games are also more expensive.

[Dagless]

Not only is the price of the system a lot more than a DS, the games are also more expensive.

Reason #99 why the PSP doesn't sell- GTA LCS is £40 on the PSP, £15 on the PS2.

[e²Studios]

I like my PSP and my DS Lite's, i wouldnt give up either one. They both have their strengths and their weaknesses, but neither one in my opinion shines "I am holier than thou" to me ;)

[2nyRiggz]

I like my PSP and my DS Lite's, i wouldnt give up either one. They both have their strengths and their weaknesses, but neither one in my opinion shines "I am holier than thou" to me ;)

Thats how I feel about them....both of them get boring at times and both get equal amount of time collecting dust.



Bless

[MetalFace]

loving the ds light

got one the other week with final fantasy 3 AWSOME GAME, new mario WICKED, metroid COOL and intresting controll scheme very original but been on FF so much i aint really bothered and that brain training is ok a bit of a laugh at first but canny be bothered atm.

i wanna import bleach 2 (i think its called) proper old skool style fighting game based on a animie