DS vs. PSP : does DS really win?

[TOK]

I love games, I just don't love DS games. Can't state it any simpler.

That seems like a stretch.  Check it out:

I love games, but not DS ones.

I said the same thing but shaved two whole words plus a letter of the length.  Much simpler.

I could have just gone for "DS sucks", but I was trying to be diplomatic.

[shmokes]

I think it would be better if you said DS is teh sux0r

[Otraotaku]

believe what you wish, but the truth is out there... in many forms. i shouldnt have to tell you that 3 avg PSP games = the length + added gameplay of 1 DS game. nope, you should know this already if in fact your not denying it already. PSP games are simply tooooooooooooooo, short.

[pointdablame]

believe what you wish, but the truth is out there... in many forms. i shouldnt have to tell you that 3 avg PSP games = the length + added gameplay of 1 DS game. nope, you should know this already if in fact your not denying it already. PSP games are simply tooooooooooooooo, short.

are you seriously making this argument?  This is silly.

There are short and long games on both systems.  Partners in Time was depressingly short in my mind for the DS and GTA is a long, LONG game for the PSP.

Plus, why does this matter?  Good games are played without times in mind and are played again if they are really good.  I don't care if a game is 50 hours long if I really enjoy it for 10 hours.  Plus, a good number of handheld games (both DS and PSP) are not made with length in mind, but instead with short bursts of gameplay.  That is why you have pick-up-and-play minigame games, driving games, etc etc.

[TOK]

When you look at the games that are ported to both systems, the DS versions are crippled in comparison. Given the PSP's superior storage options, it's completely possible the PSP will eventually have longer games just based on the capabilities of the hardware.

That said, game lenght isn't a consideration for me. If it was, why would I be on an forum mostly dedicated to the emulation of games that last 15-20 minutes? I'd always opt for a shorter quality game than a tedious long one. Brotherhood of the Blade is an example of the latter on the PSP. I was completely tired of it before I'd made it even halfway through.

[shmokes]

I like for most games to be shorter these days, to be perfectly honest.  This wasn't the case before I graduated high school, but nowadays I just don't have much time.  I only log like 10 hours a week on average, with the occassional free day where I can play ten hours of videogames in a single day.  My favorite type of videogams, by far, are adventure/action-adventure games.  These games have stories and I don't like to leave them unfinished anymore than I would want to start a good book or movie and leave it unfinished.  I'm thankful for games like Chronicals of Riddick - Spectacularly good, but only about 12 hours long. 

There are occassional masterpieces, like virtually every Zelda game ever made, that are so good that I don't apply what I said above to them.  I want those few games to be 40-50 hour games just to keep the experience going.  But for the most part I like short and sweet.  Quality over quantity.

[postalp123]

I have had both, basically I got a DS to pass the time until the PSP debut, so considering both, heres a comparison:

Nintendo DS:

Not only are the Dual Screens (One a Touch Screen) innovative, but most of the DS games take full advantage of these features, creating gameplay that can't be reproduced on almost any other system, even consoles. The stylus/thumb nubule has been utilized in many ways: Analog Control (Quite succesfully for FPShooters and Driving/Flying), Puzzle and Writing Recognition, hell, even Mock-Surgery. The second screen also adds a much appreciated status screen for some games that would (On other systems) require you to pause and sift through menus to get the same effect. An integrated microphone is also utilized (Though not much) but seems to do a good job of word recognition.

The DS has great game support, with many different DS titles to choose from, Action, Adventure, RPG's, Driving/Simulation (This is where the touchscreen shines), even Survival Horror (Yes, Resident Evil for the DS)and Sniping (Yes, Silent Scope), and as of late, DS has been coming out with these "Brain Training" type games, which I have personally tried and have nothing but good things to say about. Then you have the backwards compatibility, which basically adds countless Gameboy Advance titles availiable (Can you say Final Fantasy? YES!!!)

PROS:
* Innovative Dual/Touch screen design
* Games actually take advantage of DS's design to make unique yet fun gameplay
* Quite effective stereo sound
* Clamshell design protects screens from everyday abuse
* Backwards compatible to Advance games
* Good battery life (4-9 Hours, DS lite even longer)
* Low price (Regular DS $100 used, DS lite $130 new)

CONS:
* Underpowered when compared to the PSP
* Cartidges are chip based which limits size of games, and therefore content


Sony PSP:

The first thing I thought when I opened up my new PSP was "SEXY!!!!!!". This thing is simply beautiful, not just the sleek design, but the crystal-clear huge screen (For a portable) shows vibrant colors and lines. The PSP is wonderfully engineered with a Beautiful wide screen at an unbelievable 4.3" (Huge for a portable), stereo speakers, and authentic Playstation-style controls, even an analog tab (Although not the most accurate analog I've used).

Whereas the DS handles like a PDA when you power it up, the PSP handles more like an actual PC or a media device, with a menu that lets you play games (or any other type of media off of the memory stick). The games themselves sport graphics that are a cut above the DS, but not quite up to PS2 standards, lets just call it the PS1.5 graphically. And lets not forget the Movies that are avaliable, pretty much DVD quality, but IMO the movies would seem better off for someone who travels/flys alot. Not knocking it, just find all those "Home theatre" mounts for the PSP with the speakers on them a little weird when I can just watch the same movie on my much larger TV.

I have to admit this now, Sony really dropped the ball when they launched this badboy. The PSP would have smeared the DS off the bat, but sony made 3 major mistakes that really slowed down the PSP's progress:

A) They force-fed you to buy the PSP via a "Value Pack" that pretty much included worthless stuff to milk more money out of the consumers, effectively raising the price from $175 to $250. That turned off alot of people.

B) They had almost NO game/movie support at launch, and, for the first 4 months thereafter.

C) They sold ALOT of defective units (Some with dead pixels on screens, some with dead "X" buttons)

PROS:
* Sleek and beautiful features
* Large high definition screen
* Great stereo sound
* Authentic Playstation controls with a true analog stick
* UMD format created large capacity for games
* Large capacity Flash Media sticks gave almost endless storage space
* UMD Movies are DVD quality

CONS:
* Screen unprotected and quite fragile
* So-so battery life (3-4 hours maximum)
* Moderately high priced still due to the "Value Pack" at $250


Unfortunately I had to sell both my DS and PSP when I came upon hard times a year+ back, but recently I decided to get one again, after careful thought and consideration, I went with the DS due to the current Game Support and remembering the fun I had playing it vs the still somewhat fun but mostly "Eyecandy" feeling I got from my PSP.

I hope this helps.

[Hoagie_one]

I only wish the PSP had better MP3 playback options.  Like multiple playlists, easy shuffling and whatnot.  There aren't a great deal of games for the PSP that blow me away, but there are certainly enough. 

The big screen of the PSP has definately woo'd me as of late.

[shmokes]

I never mentioned that I got a set of golf clubs for my birthday, which is actually cooler than a DS or a PSP.  And, luckily, my birthday was on the first day of school so I jumped online and registered for a golf class.

So, the debate isn't as relevant to me anymore (I had suspected my wife was giving me a DS-lite).  At least not until the next time I might get one, which is a long ways off at this point.  All things considered, since Wii will  almost surely be the first next-gen console I'll own, the DS will probably win out for it's connectivity/expansion features for that system.

[farmecologist]

Trying to do a 'which is better' comparison is almost impossible ( however, it makes for good reading )  .

*Any* system will have an 'A' list of fantastic games that will draw people to the system.   Also, it totally depends on the type of gamer you are.  Being an 'old school' type of person naturally leads me to the DS-style 2D platformers.  However, I am also drawn to the fantastic 3D games of the PSP like 'Daxter' and 'GTA'. 

So pick one and know that you will probably spring for the other at some point!   

[shmokes]

So pick one and know that you will probably spring for the other at some point!   

No way.  I just don't play games that much anymore -- especially on a portable system.  My GBA has been off for at least the last 6 months straight.  Probably closer to a year.

[farmecologist]

Ha! I'd have to agree with that..I don't play games that much anymore either...just don't have the time to invest.   However, I *like* portables because you can usually find some quick playing games. 

From the looks of your post count, it appears you must spend quite a bit of your free time here at BYOAC!   

[shmokes]

  Yeah, but most of it is at work.  If I could get away with playing videogames at work I suspect my post count would be much lower.

[farmecologist]

That's why u need a portable system!