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PSP vs. DS Six Months On
Gamasutra has a follow-up to a previous Question of the Week about the PSP and the DS. The question this past week was: "Which handheld do you think is winning the most hearts, and which the biggest marketshare in each territory?" From the article: " My personal view of the PSP hasn't changed at all. It's not what I'm looking for in a portable system. Seriously, who actually wants to watch a movie on a tiny screen? The DS genuinely has more options for innovation when it comes to unique software, but because the general masses are easily influenced by what is cool, I can foresee less developers spending time on creating innovative software on the DS in an effort to cash in on the popularity (and mass marketing) of the PSP. Still, the DS has sold quite a number of units, also, where I currently reside, the PSP has only just launched recently, so it's still hard to say. -Anonymous "
That said, at this point the PSP is starting to come into it's own. It is starting to get some games that are the kind I want (note: I own both). While there have been some nice games (Hot Shots Golf used up a lot of my time), Burnout: Legends just came out. Lots of content, fun to play, looks FANTASTIC. SSX on Tour is looking very interesting to me. GTA: Liberty City Stories will sell a ton and might be great.
While the DS has better pick up and play games and short games. The PSP is a PS2 to go. The kind of games seem to be quite different. While that at first made me less interested in the PSP, I've come to a realization. I don't play my consoles much any more. I just don't have that kind of time that I like to devote to it. But I love the ability to play between classes on campus, when I have nothing to do at work, etc. Even just sitting at home and watching TV while playing. I really LIKE this ability, and I can see myself playing the PSP more and more if they have games I like. Since I can put the PSP on hold at any point, I don't have to worry about if I can pause/save when something is happeneing.
I've played my DS more. I'm starting to like my PSP more. They are both good consoles, and I think they have such different market segments (at least for me) that it's not a problem. The DS has more "GameBoy" games, while the PSP has more "Console" games.
If I had to choose one? The DS. I've played it more so far, found more games I like so far. And while I have no doubt there will be good games for the PSP, I always know I can count on my Nintendo consoles for great (and interesting) games. But it would be a hard choice. If you had asked me 3-4 months ago, the choice would have been MUCH easier.
Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
DS == dual-screen gimmick with few or no games that usefully take advantage of the second screen
All you need to play is Advanced Wars DS and you will change your mind. It's all I need for entertainment... I've stopped playing computer games. I can still hear the main theme battle song while I type this at work. I want to go home and play it right now.
"I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
-Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
Christ, you people need to grow up. The man is doing his job, leave him alone. He's supplying information, that's what he's there to do, and he's doing a damn good job, so back off. This subject is offtopic anyway (my own post included, I won't exclude myself from the blame).
I recently started working in the electronics dept at a local walmart, and the DS is whooping the PSP's proverbial butt.
Every time I go in there are less and less DS's (till we restock). I've only seen one PSP sold and never notice any less in the glass case.