Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Famitsu Weighs In On Battle Between DS And PSP

Posted by simoniker on from the developer-vs-developer dept.

Thanks to IGN Pocket for its discussion of a recent Famitsu-sourced Japanese magazine article quizzing readers and game creators about their impressions of the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP handheld consoles. In a reader survey, it's revealed that "14.8% checked that they'd like to purchase a PSP, compared to 11.8% who checked that they'd like to purchase DS... 7.1% stated that they think the PSP's design is cool while just 2.3% stated the same for the DS." It also polled developers and industry figures on questions such as "Which design do you like better?" ("PSP = 251, DS = 42"), and "Which do you want to be left standing in the end?" ("PSP = 84, DS = 156".) Which handheld do you want to be left standing?

11 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Both by chrismcdirty · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'd like them both left standing. Competition usually brings out the best in all competitors.

    But I don't think the PSP will fare well because it seems like Sony is hoping people will buy movies for their PSP, so they can only play them on their PSP, or whatever home entertainment device Sony pimps to them. I don't think people will dig that. And I think that will be a very bad thing for Sony.

    --
    It's like sex, except I'm having it!
    1. Re:Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Actually, I want a good product that will be worth purchasing once and enjoying for a long time. I don't want to be a pingpong ball amongst competitors who want to leapfrog each other with the next new thing, I want to buy something that will last. I want to maximize my returns.

      Nintendo DS stands on the shoulders of the GameBoy, which has an excellent track record of value and longevity. I'm interested.

      PSP is a new product that is descended from the Playstation line, which has also proven its longevity, but never its value (particularly in the beginning of its release cycles). I'm still interested, but I will wait. With Sony, it always pays to wait.

  2. A Note about the DS... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm loving the DS's design so far, and I'm a long time Nintendo fan. I'm surprised that so many people are calling its touch screen innovative, however. Why are we so soon to forget that the Game.Com had a touch screen four or five years ago? It's a great feature that worked well for the failed GCOM, it's just not inventive.

    1. Re:A Note about the DS... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      "Which PC games do you envision yourself having more fun playing with a stylus or chintzy control pad?"

      Seeing as how this is about a portable system, the real question is: Would you rather have that interface, or just plain not have it like the case with the PSP? The stylus is about as close as you're going to get to a mouse on a handheld system.

      "What's going to make or break this handheld battle...is battery life"

      I'm not so sure about that. If the battery life on either is more or less acceptable, then it'll come down to price and games. Nintendo picked a good strategy here by adding an additional interface capability to the system that has strong potential. Simply put: You will have games on the DS that could never be ported to the PSP.

      "In fact, most of the games I saw for the DS at E3 made very minimal use of the 2nd screen. Oh look, I have a menu permanently open."

      You have a menu and/or map that the stylus can be used to interface with. You didn't think that was cool? I did. They could actually port Starcraft to that machine and it'd be halfway decent. You can play wirelessly (maybe even on the net?), too. Slick.

  3. Nintendo DS by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I wasn't excited about either system until Nintendo said two important things:

    1.) 802.11 connectivity.

    2.) Use the sylus + on-screen keyboard to chat.

    Then it occured to me. I can play against peeps on the net from my couch. VERY cool. Sadly, I don't see the PSP being as exciting in the multi-player area.

    The DS's interface leaves a lot of room for interesting stuff. PSP is more 'Been there, done that'. I can see the PSP being successful, but I think I'll have a lot more fun with the DS.

    --
    "Derp de derp."
    1. Re:Nintendo DS by Yorrike · · Score: 2, Interesting
      Don't forget, the DS isn't meant to be a direct competitor to the PSP.

      Sure the release dates and what not will shape it that way, but Nintendo have the GameBoy 3 in development too, and I shiver with anticipation with the prospect of what that could offer.

      Think of the DS as a preview for the next GameBoy, that's the way I'm looking at it. So even if the PSP edges out the DS, there's no way it'll stand a chance against GB3.

      --

      Looks can be deceiving. Or CAN they?

    2. Re:Nintendo DS by Enrico+Pulatzo · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The marketplace will determine what competes with what. This will be a significant handheld war to be sure.

      I'm rooting for the DS myself. I don't trust Sony to deliver all that they promise. Just look at how the PSX was scaled back before final release--hook the consumer with features then switch 'em to a less mature product. I expect the PSP to be the same.

  4. Don't care by Apreche · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I really could care less which one is left standing, it just doesn't matter. I'm buying a DS no matter what and I'm not buying a PSP. There are two reasons.

    1) I remember back in the game gear / gameboy days. Gamegear was the system with clearly superior technology and hardware, you could turn the thing into a TV even! But who won? Nintendo with their low res spinach screen gameboy. It was just superior enough to a tiger lcd game and you could switch cartridges out of it instead of buying games seperately. DS and PSP is history repeating itself.

    2) Completely ignoring what I just said, lets say the DS fails miserably. Let's say that the DS turns out to be the worst thing ever. Great! I'll be the guy who's got one. I'll be just as cool as that kid down the road who still has a working Virtual Boy. Worth every penny. Not only that, but its guaranteed to have at least a couple good games for it. From the previews we have been given at E3 as we as its gameboy backwards compatibility and wirelessness, owning a Nintendo DS is guaranteed to entertain me for at least X hours. As far as the PSP goes there is no guarantee of that I have seen. So even if the DS bombs, it is a great investment on which I am guaranteed to make a return. Worst case scenario I end up buying ever game that comes out for it because they get marked down to a buck each. Best case, it wins. Can't lose.

    Note that I'm not saying the PSP is a POS. I'm just saying that with the knowledge currently available to me the DS is showing every sign of being worth the price while the PSP is not. If its announced tommorow that the PSP is actually as good as a Treo 600 a gameboy and a light saber combined, or even close to that, I'll change my mind.

    Or buy both...

    --
    The GeekNights podcast is going strong. Listen!
    1. Re:Don't care by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      My wife already promised me a DS for Xmas... and even if it sucks ass it will still be great (for me) because of 2 things...

      1) I'll be able to play my GBA SP games again, which I haven't been able to do since I showed above mentioned wife Mario Kart Super Circuit

      2) presumabley there will be some sort of PDA app with internet(WAP?)/email/chat client program, even if it is homebrew, and I can have an inexpensive way to get online at wi-fi hotspots and check sports scores, slashdot, my email and whatnot.

      and a bonus 3rd reason, if they never release a game past the announced launch (or close) titles, Mario Kart DS will probably be worth the price of admission.

      Speaking of #2, anyone hear if there are plans for such an app, or maybe even built in functionality like that?

  5. In the end... by clu76 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I think I have to go with the DS. Both show a lot of positives. And the developers obviously think this as well. But it seems like the developers are more excited about the DS. And maybe this excitement will translate into some great new games for the DS. My $0.02.

    --
    the cosmos in 20 words or less: thumbuki.com
  6. Nintendo Will Win by xp · · Score: 5, Interesting

    While I would prefer they both remain standing I think Nintendo will win this round of Mortal Kombat for the following reasons:

    1. Nintendo already has a large portfolio of portable games. Sony will have to play catch-up much like Microsoft has been doing with its X-Box in the console space.

    2. Nintendo has an installed base of customers. Kids want to buy whatever their friends already have so they can exchange games.

    3. This means a lot more to Nintendo. Sony's focus is on the console market. That's where they'll put their best engineers and managers. Nintendo has to fight to survive. They are hungrier.

    ----
    Your Boss Might Be A Muppet