The PlayStation Portable is going to be released soon in America and Nintendo Spin has imported one system from Japan in order to compare it with the Nintendo DS. We'll be judging in four categories (appearance, power, games, and developer support) to see what the differences are and what both of those systems are capable of.
Brief History
Go back over a year and a half ago. It was May 2003 and Sony had just announced that it was entering the handheld market. There had been speculation about it for some time now, but it was now official and it was one of the biggest announcements of the year. Why you may ask? Simple: Nintendo had owned over 90% of the handheld market for quite some time. Many have tried to take a piece of Nintendo's dominance but have failed. Nobody knows for certain why because some of those handheld that had been released were far more capable than the Game Boy. Apparently the odds were in Nintendo's favor.
Some might argue that none of the competitors were big enough to compete with Nintendo (except for Sega of course) and that all of their handheld systems were overpriced. This time around Nintendo is up against Sony, the same company that was able to enter the console market and take over 70% of it in less than two console cycles. Sony not only has the money to succeed, but they are hugely popular right now; the PlayStation name is more accepted than Nintendo's and they also know how to market their products more proficiently than many other electronic companies out there.
If you remember correctly, Nintendo's stock fell at the same time Sony announced its new handheld - even though wasn't much shown at all except maybe for a mockup. Whenever things go wrong on the console side of things, we know they're going to make it up with the Game Boy. That's why in January of 2004 they announced that they were going to release a new handheld codenamed Nitro. Only at E3 did we learn that it was going to be called Nintendo DS and that it featured a processor (2 actually) as strong as the N64 - even stronger in some areas.
Sony also showed off the PSP around the same time and not only did it look better than the DS, it also seemed a lot stronger. In fact, playing the PSP is like having a small PS2 in your hands that you can take with you anywhere. The difference between the DS and PSP is huge, and most people expected the price difference to also be huge. But we're talking about Sony here and, unfortunately for Nintendo, Sony was able to release their system in Japan at US$200, only US$50 more than the DS.
Some people think that Nintendo rushed their system in order to compete with the PSP and I think that's absolutely right. Nintendo was afraid of the PSP and had to do something to counter it. I bet they were thinking of releasing it later in order to make even more money off of it; as they are already making some profit on selling the hardware. Imagine if they would had released it later when the technology would have cost them even less!
As of this writing, Sony has nearly sold 500 000 units of its PSP in Japan. Nintendo, nearly 3 000 000 units of the DS in Japan and the US. Funny thing is that both competitors weren't able to keep with the demand, but Nintendo was able to produce a lot more units than Sony. Some might think that the battle is already over, but it's far from it. Sony has yet to release it's PSP in the US in Europe and Nintendo also has to release the DS in European territories. Also, Sony couldn't produce enough units - when they start producing units at full capacity, what will happen?
Both companies seem to be targeting different audiences. The GBA targets the younger audience while the DS targets older ones, as well as newcomers. The PSP is supposed to be targeted at older gamers, as well as gadgets freaks. Nintendo's strategy of targeting two audiences at the same time seems to work for now, but will the DS continue to sell that much when the PSP releases worldwide and Sony's marketing it at full force?
Since this is the first time that Nintendo has a serious competitor, we've decided to compare both handhelds just to see if there's a clear winner. And Now, The Battle Begins...
Round 1: Appearance
The first thing you notice when you first meet a girl/guy are his/her eyes, right? Errr, well, kind of, but what most people will first notice is how a person looks. Looks are really becoming more and more important these days and videogame companies know that. The cooler a gadget is, the more people will be interested in it. There are many MP3 players out there and even though I have to agree that the one that does the best job is the iPod; it is also the best looking of the bunch, as well as the best seller.
Looking at last generation and this generation, you can see Sony had the upper hand on console design. Nintendo gradually started coming up with better designs such as the Game Boy Advance SP, but still it doesn't come close to what Sony can do. In my opinion, Sony can take anything and make it look cool. Nothing proves this more than the PSP.
PlayStation Portable: When comparing the two systems, the DS looks like a plastic toy compared to the PSP. The PSP looks all shiny and I haven't seen anyone who didn't like its look. It really seems like a high-tech gadget and it really is. It's compact, it looks slick, has a great button layout, and doesn't look like a child's toy, but more like something an adult wouldn't be ashamed of having. The only drawback is that because it has an amazing screen, it doesn't come in a clamshell design like the DS. Thus, the screen can be scratched more easily. Since the system looks like one big mirror, every greasy finger that touches it leaves a big mark on it and you always have to clean it. The PSP is more eye-candy, as its design isn't that much practical. But I didn't really mind as you can still get an amazing carrying sleeve for it. The system is also very small for everything it can do and fits easily in your pocket.
And now, the most important thing about this system: the screen. Yes, the screen is what I first noticed because of its size. I've never had any problem with the Game Boy Advance but some people thought that the screen was too small. The PSP screen is nearly as big as both DS screens side by side and it has a 16:9 aspect ratio making it perfect for both gaming and movies. The screen is also of high-quality and very clear. When I first opened my PSP it felt like watching a little HDTV. The resolution on the LCD screen is amazing and the brightness is perfect, making this the ultimate video gaming screen seen to date on any handheld.
The PSP uses UMDs or Universal Media Discs. These come in small DVD cases that give it more of a portable look and the discs themselves are in small plastic cases so they are much more difficult to scratch. The solution used looks good but is also very useful - thumbs up to Sony.
While we're at it, why not compare the boxes in which the systems come in. The PSP box is really simple but effective, showing the console on a while background and listing the features on one of the sides. It shows the handheld on the box at real life size so people get an idea of how big it is without even having it in their hands. It also has the Sony name and PSP logo everywhere, but that was a given (please note that this is the Japanese box so the US one may differ).
Nintendo DS: I really think it is one of Nintendo's best designs yet for a handheld as it looks a lot slicker than any previous efforts they've made. It might not look like an adult's console, but it looks good enough for an audience between 13-18 years old. Plus the silver and black colors really make it look like less of a toy and more like a gadget which is something that people seem to prefer. Button position is well done and makes the DS easy to play. The 2 screens look amazing compared to previous Nintendo handheld systems (even though not as good as the PSP's). It includes a microphone and a stylus and everything was very well implemented. The stylus makes it look more like a Palm or any other portable personal computer. Since it comes in a clamshell design it protects both screens but it makes the system a little bigger and it therefore doesn't fit easily in your pocket (unless you wear very big pants). It's not that much thicker than the PSP; if it didn't have the top screen it would have been smaller.
The screens, while less superior to the PSP's, still look very good. They are both of the same quality and offer a crisp and bright picture all the time. When playing GBA games there is a slight improvement, so it shows that Nintendo opted for something better with its newer handheld. The touch screen was also made very durable because I've played a lot on it with the stylus and there aren't any scratches on it for now.
The DS's cartridges look like Compact Flash cards used in digital cameras. By doing so Nintendo made it look more like the other gadgets around. It makes the system look more like something that the mainstream audience would prefer. They are small and durable but they can be easily lost because of their size. The game boxes, though made of plastic, are more durable than previous boxes on the GBA. They also look like small DVD cases and they fit much better on shelves.
And what about the box for the system? I'd say it kind of looks like the PSP's, except it has the DS on it and a huge (and ugly) Metroid Prime Hunters logo on the front. It does show pictures of other games on the back though and that's a plus. It also doesn't have the looks of other Nintendo consoles so more mature gamers might be more attracted to it just like with the PSP.
Round 2: Technology
Technology is what drives this industry. Gamers always want better graphics and sound to experience games that are more real than ever before. While some might say game play is more important, there has been a lot of games that became popular primarily because of their gorgeous visuals. On home consoles the difference has never been that huge, but in the current handheld war, the difference is so big it might make a difference to some. Here are my thoughts on both systems.
PlayStation Portable: This is where most people see the biggest difference. The PSP is really a huge step forward in handheld gaming on a technology standpoint (more on game play later). Like I said before, it's like holding a PS2 in your hands and being able to play it anywhere. The graphics are crisp with great textures and lots of polygons on screen at the same time. The game I played on the system, Ridge Racers, looked better than any PS2 launch game I've seen. With games like Gran Turismo 4 coming to the PSP (and having the exact same graphics as on PS2 so early) it looks like the PSP might be even more powerful than the PS2 itself. Ridge Racers also ran at a constant 60 frames per second without any sign of slowdown. Having such excellent graphics this early on a handheld is quite something and it is a huge improvement on what we've seen from Nintendo. This is what Sony is offering you and I'm really impressed so far. Sound plays in stereo and games offer CD quality sound - a huge plus. The system also offers high quality full motion videos just like gamers are used to see in most console games now.
Something that the PSP has out of the box that the DS doesn't is MP3 playback and video playback, as well as being able to view pictures slideshows. Everything is transferred with a USB cable using a very simple interface. MP3 playback works like any other MP3 player. Video playback from memory sticks looks fine when encoded correctly (Sony will also release official versions of movies on UMDs as well as music and video clips) and pictures look extremely nice. The PSP is a small multimedia center so it makes it more appealing to some because it's more than just a videogame system. The PSP also has a very nice interface for the system itself with color changing backgrounds and a calendar system, all with lots of settings and easy accessible.
And for multiplayer gaming, it uses WiFi which makes it possible for gamers within a range of a hundred feet to play together. Since it supports WiFi it also makes it possible for games to be played over the internet. The feature still doesn't exist in any games, however, it should be implemented in the near future. Sony has also planned upgrades for the system which includes: downloads via the internet to upgrade the system's operating system and downloadable demos or videos that you will be able to transfer to your memory stick.
Nintendo DS: The DS is a completely different story. It feels more like a PS1 on steroids. Everyone knows that the PS1 could push more polygons than the N64 but didn't have any texture filtering. The DS is the same but it looks like it can outperform the PS1 in almost everyway. Textures look the same even though it's still acceptable on a small screen and the games that have been remade (i.e. Mario 64). The problem with this is that it's still one generation behind the PSP and it might turn off some gamers. It's still a huge improvement over the GBA and gamers should be happy about it. Just like the PSP, it offers stereo sound except at a lower quality. It also features full motion videos, again, at a lower bitrate, which means there is more pixelization. The only advantage the DS has is faster load times, though the PSP's load times are already quite fast. Most people think that handheld gaming is only for quick game play sessions, so having faster loading times is always a good thing.
The one thing the DS has that the PSP doesn't is PictoChat - an application that can be used by DS owners to send messages and drawings wirelessly to other DS owners within a range of a hundred feet. While it doesn't have MP3 and video playback out of the box, there are adapters that are sold that make it possible to do so. Most such adapters are third-party but there are first-party devices planned for release soon in Japan; we can only hope they get a release outside of Japan. Since the DS can also read GBA games that means that GBA video cartridges are also compatible with the DS. Although the quality isn't near that of the PSP, at least the options are available.
The DS also supports WiFi gaming so games can be played wirelessly. WiFi also makes it possible to download demos from kiosks in stores, cinemas, or other places where Nintendo plans on having downloadable content available. These features, already starting to somewhat appear in Japan, may be available here in the near future.
Round 3: The Games
This is the most important aspect of all for hardcore gamers. Most of them are always looking for something new, something they've never experienced before. While I had never thought handhelds would lead the way in terms of game play advancements, it seems that was Nintendo's strategy to attract new people to gaming. Let's see what both Nintendo and Sony have cooking for the hardcore fans...
PlayStation Portable: While most of you probably already knew about this, the PSP doesn't offer anything new game play wise. It is the exact same thing past portable systems did except with better graphics and sound. While some say it's a bad thing, people are still used to playing their games the way they've always played them and I don't see anything bad about it. While touch game play is good, people still play their PlayStation 2 and GameCube consoles and there has never been any complaints. The PSP offers an analog stick which makes for some interesting differences in game play as we've never had any analog sticks on a handheld before (something the DS is seriously lacking). The system is also one of the first to offer next-generation graphics with beautiful 3D environments and game play. In general though, this is basically a PS2 on the go so don't expect anything new.
Nintendo DS: This is where things get interesting. The DS offers a lot of new things never before seen on a videogame system. The most important one is, of course, the touch screen. With it, people are now able to play games using either their fingers or a stylus for more intuitive controls. Some games require simply touching icons while others will simulate an analog stick or a steering wheel. While it may seem more like a gimmick to some, it makes games that were kind of boring more enjoyable as it offers something totally new and fun. Same goes for the fact that you've got two screens. You can see the game play from different perspectives or manage your stuff in ways that have never been done before. This makes management a lot more efficient than before and is a very welcome addition. Finally there is the microphone. It hasn't truly been used yet and I can't wait to see what developers have in store for us. Voice recognition is a possibility as well as maybe voice chat while playing multiplayer games or being able to select different weapons in a game just by naming them. The possibilities here are endless. Nintendo says this is a revolution in portable gaming and I truly believe them.
Round 4: Developer Support
A system needs third-party support in order to be successful and it seems that this time around both companies have enormous support. Nintendo's home console support hasn't been that great lately but since the Game Boy has always been incredibly popular, support for the DS has been strong. This is Sony's first handheld but the PlayStation brand is very well known now and so developers are also supporting the PSP in full force. Will it stay that way though?
PlayStation Portable: Over a hundred games have been announced for the system and while there seemed to be lots of games that were sequels to PS2 games or from well known franchises, there seems to be enough original stuff to keep gamers interested in the system. Electronic Arts is backing the system a lot more than the DS with more games planned for launch than they have currently planned for the DS. Electronic Arts is a very important company so having their support so early could mean a lot to Sony. Another company planning to really support the system is Take Two with a Grand Theft Auto already in development for the system. This the will probably be one of Sony's strongest weapon against the DS. Overall, the PSP seems to be having the same support as the PS2, which is a very good thing for them and could potentially make Sony a leader in the handheld market if they play their cards right.
Nintendo DS: Support for the DS is also very strong with over a hundred titles also planned for the system, many of them coming from Nintendo. They plan on making this a very successful system by giving gamers exactly what they want: first-party developed titles. From the looks of it the DS will get sequels to GBA games or games similar to those found on the GBA. Castlevania, Harvest Moon, Pokémon, Advance Wars... they're all coming to the DS! Mario, Yoshi, Wario and Kirby games have all been announced for the system and we'll again see a lot of games based on television shows or movies as was the case with the GBA. One thing that might be surprising is that Square Enix has more titles announced for the DS than for the PSP. This could prove to be very useful for Nintendo. Dragon Quest is the most popular RPG series in Japan and is also one game that is coming to the DS. Another popular game planned is a re-make of Final Fantasy III. Other companies like Namco have announced RPGs for the system so this may prove beneficial in the long run for Nintendo.
Closing Comments
If you're visiting Nintendo Spin then you probably already have a DS or are going to buy one and you might not care at all for the PSP (that is, if you're a Nintendo fanatic). But as a hardcore gamer I believe it is always a good thing to explore new games on new systems. The experience can be totally different and that's why we've compared both systems, so that some of you might realize that other systems can be as fun as Nintendo's are.
I don't know if there is a clear winner as, even though I played more of my PSP when I got it. I now play a lot of both systems now and I'm having lots of fun. The PSP might be more attractive and more powerful, but Nintendo's magic is all over DS and it makes it a wonderful portable system that's as enjoyable as the PSP. The Nintendo fan inside of me prefers the DS, as I prefer the games. It's true that most of the games on the PSP don't offer anything we haven't seen before, they're still enjoyable nonetheless.
It seems that Sony is really pushing the PSP and that it isn't impossible for them to take the lead in the handheld market. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised at all as they have all the cards in their hands. If they make the right moves, then anything is possible; especially knowing that they took the lead in the home console market when Nintendo held it for so long. I hope the market is big enough to support two competitors as I really don't want to see Nintendo lose in a market where they've been a leader for so many years. Since both companies have targeted a different audience then it might not make that big of a difference.
To sum up my thoughts, I'll just say that this battle is a tie in my opinion and that the only way to know which one is the winner will be on sale charts when both systems have been released worldwide.
Brief History
Go back over a year and a half ago. It was May 2003 and Sony had just announced that it was entering the handheld market. There had been speculation about it for some time now, but it was now official and it was one of the biggest announcements of the year. Why you may ask? Simple: Nintendo had owned over 90% of the handheld market for quite some time. Many have tried to take a piece of Nintendo's dominance but have failed. Nobody knows for certain why because some of those handheld that had been released were far more capable than the Game Boy. Apparently the odds were in Nintendo's favor.
Some might argue that none of the competitors were big enough to compete with Nintendo (except for Sega of course) and that all of their handheld systems were overpriced. This time around Nintendo is up against Sony, the same company that was able to enter the console market and take over 70% of it in less than two console cycles. Sony not only has the money to succeed, but they are hugely popular right now; the PlayStation name is more accepted than Nintendo's and they also know how to market their products more proficiently than many other electronic companies out there.
If you remember correctly, Nintendo's stock fell at the same time Sony announced its new handheld - even though wasn't much shown at all except maybe for a mockup. Whenever things go wrong on the console side of things, we know they're going to make it up with the Game Boy. That's why in January of 2004 they announced that they were going to release a new handheld codenamed Nitro. Only at E3 did we learn that it was going to be called Nintendo DS and that it featured a processor (2 actually) as strong as the N64 - even stronger in some areas.
Sony also showed off the PSP around the same time and not only did it look better than the DS, it also seemed a lot stronger. In fact, playing the PSP is like having a small PS2 in your hands that you can take with you anywhere. The difference between the DS and PSP is huge, and most people expected the price difference to also be huge. But we're talking about Sony here and, unfortunately for Nintendo, Sony was able to release their system in Japan at US$200, only US$50 more than the DS.
Some people think that Nintendo rushed their system in order to compete with the PSP and I think that's absolutely right. Nintendo was afraid of the PSP and had to do something to counter it. I bet they were thinking of releasing it later in order to make even more money off of it; as they are already making some profit on selling the hardware. Imagine if they would had released it later when the technology would have cost them even less!
As of this writing, Sony has nearly sold 500 000 units of its PSP in Japan. Nintendo, nearly 3 000 000 units of the DS in Japan and the US. Funny thing is that both competitors weren't able to keep with the demand, but Nintendo was able to produce a lot more units than Sony. Some might think that the battle is already over, but it's far from it. Sony has yet to release it's PSP in the US in Europe and Nintendo also has to release the DS in European territories. Also, Sony couldn't produce enough units - when they start producing units at full capacity, what will happen?
Both companies seem to be targeting different audiences. The GBA targets the younger audience while the DS targets older ones, as well as newcomers. The PSP is supposed to be targeted at older gamers, as well as gadgets freaks. Nintendo's strategy of targeting two audiences at the same time seems to work for now, but will the DS continue to sell that much when the PSP releases worldwide and Sony's marketing it at full force?
Since this is the first time that Nintendo has a serious competitor, we've decided to compare both handhelds just to see if there's a clear winner. And Now, The Battle Begins...
Round 1: Appearance
The first thing you notice when you first meet a girl/guy are his/her eyes, right? Errr, well, kind of, but what most people will first notice is how a person looks. Looks are really becoming more and more important these days and videogame companies know that. The cooler a gadget is, the more people will be interested in it. There are many MP3 players out there and even though I have to agree that the one that does the best job is the iPod; it is also the best looking of the bunch, as well as the best seller.
Looking at last generation and this generation, you can see Sony had the upper hand on console design. Nintendo gradually started coming up with better designs such as the Game Boy Advance SP, but still it doesn't come close to what Sony can do. In my opinion, Sony can take anything and make it look cool. Nothing proves this more than the PSP.
PlayStation Portable: When comparing the two systems, the DS looks like a plastic toy compared to the PSP. The PSP looks all shiny and I haven't seen anyone who didn't like its look. It really seems like a high-tech gadget and it really is. It's compact, it looks slick, has a great button layout, and doesn't look like a child's toy, but more like something an adult wouldn't be ashamed of having. The only drawback is that because it has an amazing screen, it doesn't come in a clamshell design like the DS. Thus, the screen can be scratched more easily. Since the system looks like one big mirror, every greasy finger that touches it leaves a big mark on it and you always have to clean it. The PSP is more eye-candy, as its design isn't that much practical. But I didn't really mind as you can still get an amazing carrying sleeve for it. The system is also very small for everything it can do and fits easily in your pocket.
And now, the most important thing about this system: the screen. Yes, the screen is what I first noticed because of its size. I've never had any problem with the Game Boy Advance but some people thought that the screen was too small. The PSP screen is nearly as big as both DS screens side by side and it has a 16:9 aspect ratio making it perfect for both gaming and movies. The screen is also of high-quality and very clear. When I first opened my PSP it felt like watching a little HDTV. The resolution on the LCD screen is amazing and the brightness is perfect, making this the ultimate video gaming screen seen to date on any handheld.
The PSP uses UMDs or Universal Media Discs. These come in small DVD cases that give it more of a portable look and the discs themselves are in small plastic cases so they are much more difficult to scratch. The solution used looks good but is also very useful - thumbs up to Sony.
While we're at it, why not compare the boxes in which the systems come in. The PSP box is really simple but effective, showing the console on a while background and listing the features on one of the sides. It shows the handheld on the box at real life size so people get an idea of how big it is without even having it in their hands. It also has the Sony name and PSP logo everywhere, but that was a given (please note that this is the Japanese box so the US one may differ).
Nintendo DS: I really think it is one of Nintendo's best designs yet for a handheld as it looks a lot slicker than any previous efforts they've made. It might not look like an adult's console, but it looks good enough for an audience between 13-18 years old. Plus the silver and black colors really make it look like less of a toy and more like a gadget which is something that people seem to prefer. Button position is well done and makes the DS easy to play. The 2 screens look amazing compared to previous Nintendo handheld systems (even though not as good as the PSP's). It includes a microphone and a stylus and everything was very well implemented. The stylus makes it look more like a Palm or any other portable personal computer. Since it comes in a clamshell design it protects both screens but it makes the system a little bigger and it therefore doesn't fit easily in your pocket (unless you wear very big pants). It's not that much thicker than the PSP; if it didn't have the top screen it would have been smaller.
The screens, while less superior to the PSP's, still look very good. They are both of the same quality and offer a crisp and bright picture all the time. When playing GBA games there is a slight improvement, so it shows that Nintendo opted for something better with its newer handheld. The touch screen was also made very durable because I've played a lot on it with the stylus and there aren't any scratches on it for now.
The DS's cartridges look like Compact Flash cards used in digital cameras. By doing so Nintendo made it look more like the other gadgets around. It makes the system look more like something that the mainstream audience would prefer. They are small and durable but they can be easily lost because of their size. The game boxes, though made of plastic, are more durable than previous boxes on the GBA. They also look like small DVD cases and they fit much better on shelves.
And what about the box for the system? I'd say it kind of looks like the PSP's, except it has the DS on it and a huge (and ugly) Metroid Prime Hunters logo on the front. It does show pictures of other games on the back though and that's a plus. It also doesn't have the looks of other Nintendo consoles so more mature gamers might be more attracted to it just like with the PSP.
Round 2: Technology
Technology is what drives this industry. Gamers always want better graphics and sound to experience games that are more real than ever before. While some might say game play is more important, there has been a lot of games that became popular primarily because of their gorgeous visuals. On home consoles the difference has never been that huge, but in the current handheld war, the difference is so big it might make a difference to some. Here are my thoughts on both systems.
PlayStation Portable: This is where most people see the biggest difference. The PSP is really a huge step forward in handheld gaming on a technology standpoint (more on game play later). Like I said before, it's like holding a PS2 in your hands and being able to play it anywhere. The graphics are crisp with great textures and lots of polygons on screen at the same time. The game I played on the system, Ridge Racers, looked better than any PS2 launch game I've seen. With games like Gran Turismo 4 coming to the PSP (and having the exact same graphics as on PS2 so early) it looks like the PSP might be even more powerful than the PS2 itself. Ridge Racers also ran at a constant 60 frames per second without any sign of slowdown. Having such excellent graphics this early on a handheld is quite something and it is a huge improvement on what we've seen from Nintendo. This is what Sony is offering you and I'm really impressed so far. Sound plays in stereo and games offer CD quality sound - a huge plus. The system also offers high quality full motion videos just like gamers are used to see in most console games now.
Something that the PSP has out of the box that the DS doesn't is MP3 playback and video playback, as well as being able to view pictures slideshows. Everything is transferred with a USB cable using a very simple interface. MP3 playback works like any other MP3 player. Video playback from memory sticks looks fine when encoded correctly (Sony will also release official versions of movies on UMDs as well as music and video clips) and pictures look extremely nice. The PSP is a small multimedia center so it makes it more appealing to some because it's more than just a videogame system. The PSP also has a very nice interface for the system itself with color changing backgrounds and a calendar system, all with lots of settings and easy accessible.
And for multiplayer gaming, it uses WiFi which makes it possible for gamers within a range of a hundred feet to play together. Since it supports WiFi it also makes it possible for games to be played over the internet. The feature still doesn't exist in any games, however, it should be implemented in the near future. Sony has also planned upgrades for the system which includes: downloads via the internet to upgrade the system's operating system and downloadable demos or videos that you will be able to transfer to your memory stick.
Nintendo DS: The DS is a completely different story. It feels more like a PS1 on steroids. Everyone knows that the PS1 could push more polygons than the N64 but didn't have any texture filtering. The DS is the same but it looks like it can outperform the PS1 in almost everyway. Textures look the same even though it's still acceptable on a small screen and the games that have been remade (i.e. Mario 64). The problem with this is that it's still one generation behind the PSP and it might turn off some gamers. It's still a huge improvement over the GBA and gamers should be happy about it. Just like the PSP, it offers stereo sound except at a lower quality. It also features full motion videos, again, at a lower bitrate, which means there is more pixelization. The only advantage the DS has is faster load times, though the PSP's load times are already quite fast. Most people think that handheld gaming is only for quick game play sessions, so having faster loading times is always a good thing.
The one thing the DS has that the PSP doesn't is PictoChat - an application that can be used by DS owners to send messages and drawings wirelessly to other DS owners within a range of a hundred feet. While it doesn't have MP3 and video playback out of the box, there are adapters that are sold that make it possible to do so. Most such adapters are third-party but there are first-party devices planned for release soon in Japan; we can only hope they get a release outside of Japan. Since the DS can also read GBA games that means that GBA video cartridges are also compatible with the DS. Although the quality isn't near that of the PSP, at least the options are available.
The DS also supports WiFi gaming so games can be played wirelessly. WiFi also makes it possible to download demos from kiosks in stores, cinemas, or other places where Nintendo plans on having downloadable content available. These features, already starting to somewhat appear in Japan, may be available here in the near future.
Round 3: The Games
This is the most important aspect of all for hardcore gamers. Most of them are always looking for something new, something they've never experienced before. While I had never thought handhelds would lead the way in terms of game play advancements, it seems that was Nintendo's strategy to attract new people to gaming. Let's see what both Nintendo and Sony have cooking for the hardcore fans...
PlayStation Portable: While most of you probably already knew about this, the PSP doesn't offer anything new game play wise. It is the exact same thing past portable systems did except with better graphics and sound. While some say it's a bad thing, people are still used to playing their games the way they've always played them and I don't see anything bad about it. While touch game play is good, people still play their PlayStation 2 and GameCube consoles and there has never been any complaints. The PSP offers an analog stick which makes for some interesting differences in game play as we've never had any analog sticks on a handheld before (something the DS is seriously lacking). The system is also one of the first to offer next-generation graphics with beautiful 3D environments and game play. In general though, this is basically a PS2 on the go so don't expect anything new.
Nintendo DS: This is where things get interesting. The DS offers a lot of new things never before seen on a videogame system. The most important one is, of course, the touch screen. With it, people are now able to play games using either their fingers or a stylus for more intuitive controls. Some games require simply touching icons while others will simulate an analog stick or a steering wheel. While it may seem more like a gimmick to some, it makes games that were kind of boring more enjoyable as it offers something totally new and fun. Same goes for the fact that you've got two screens. You can see the game play from different perspectives or manage your stuff in ways that have never been done before. This makes management a lot more efficient than before and is a very welcome addition. Finally there is the microphone. It hasn't truly been used yet and I can't wait to see what developers have in store for us. Voice recognition is a possibility as well as maybe voice chat while playing multiplayer games or being able to select different weapons in a game just by naming them. The possibilities here are endless. Nintendo says this is a revolution in portable gaming and I truly believe them.
Round 4: Developer Support
A system needs third-party support in order to be successful and it seems that this time around both companies have enormous support. Nintendo's home console support hasn't been that great lately but since the Game Boy has always been incredibly popular, support for the DS has been strong. This is Sony's first handheld but the PlayStation brand is very well known now and so developers are also supporting the PSP in full force. Will it stay that way though?
PlayStation Portable: Over a hundred games have been announced for the system and while there seemed to be lots of games that were sequels to PS2 games or from well known franchises, there seems to be enough original stuff to keep gamers interested in the system. Electronic Arts is backing the system a lot more than the DS with more games planned for launch than they have currently planned for the DS. Electronic Arts is a very important company so having their support so early could mean a lot to Sony. Another company planning to really support the system is Take Two with a Grand Theft Auto already in development for the system. This the will probably be one of Sony's strongest weapon against the DS. Overall, the PSP seems to be having the same support as the PS2, which is a very good thing for them and could potentially make Sony a leader in the handheld market if they play their cards right.
Nintendo DS: Support for the DS is also very strong with over a hundred titles also planned for the system, many of them coming from Nintendo. They plan on making this a very successful system by giving gamers exactly what they want: first-party developed titles. From the looks of it the DS will get sequels to GBA games or games similar to those found on the GBA. Castlevania, Harvest Moon, Pokémon, Advance Wars... they're all coming to the DS! Mario, Yoshi, Wario and Kirby games have all been announced for the system and we'll again see a lot of games based on television shows or movies as was the case with the GBA. One thing that might be surprising is that Square Enix has more titles announced for the DS than for the PSP. This could prove to be very useful for Nintendo. Dragon Quest is the most popular RPG series in Japan and is also one game that is coming to the DS. Another popular game planned is a re-make of Final Fantasy III. Other companies like Namco have announced RPGs for the system so this may prove beneficial in the long run for Nintendo.
Closing Comments
If you're visiting Nintendo Spin then you probably already have a DS or are going to buy one and you might not care at all for the PSP (that is, if you're a Nintendo fanatic). But as a hardcore gamer I believe it is always a good thing to explore new games on new systems. The experience can be totally different and that's why we've compared both systems, so that some of you might realize that other systems can be as fun as Nintendo's are.
I don't know if there is a clear winner as, even though I played more of my PSP when I got it. I now play a lot of both systems now and I'm having lots of fun. The PSP might be more attractive and more powerful, but Nintendo's magic is all over DS and it makes it a wonderful portable system that's as enjoyable as the PSP. The Nintendo fan inside of me prefers the DS, as I prefer the games. It's true that most of the games on the PSP don't offer anything we haven't seen before, they're still enjoyable nonetheless.
It seems that Sony is really pushing the PSP and that it isn't impossible for them to take the lead in the handheld market. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised at all as they have all the cards in their hands. If they make the right moves, then anything is possible; especially knowing that they took the lead in the home console market when Nintendo held it for so long. I hope the market is big enough to support two competitors as I really don't want to see Nintendo lose in a market where they've been a leader for so many years. Since both companies have targeted a different audience then it might not make that big of a difference.
To sum up my thoughts, I'll just say that this battle is a tie in my opinion and that the only way to know which one is the winner will be on sale charts when both systems have been released worldwide.
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