Nintendo DS VS Playstation Portable

[neo999955]

Well, the final design for the Nintendo DS has been revealed, as well as the official name of the system, not surprisingly the Nintendo DS. The PSP and DS are stirring up a lot of interest, both positive and negative for each system, even though it’s too early to determine a final verdict, I’m going to do a comparison of what we know and have seen thus far, which is actually quite a lot.

Look
The first big issue between the two portables was the look of the two. The DS was looked down upon by many right off the bat by its ugliness compared to not only the PSP, but the GameBoy Advance SP which also features a flip open design, but looks much better. Well we have recently seen the new and reasonably final design for the DS, and all cosmetic issues were pretty much fixed, and the two can both claim to be sexy, sleek devices. Winner: Draw.

Graphics
The other issues that hurt the DS from the get-go were its graphical power, which is obviously inferior to the PSP, and somewhere in-between Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast, leaning more towards the Nintendo 64. The PSP on the other hand is almost the same quality as the Playstation 2, placing the system nearly one full generation ahead in the graphics department, and in the same quality of current generation consoles, something that neither the GameBoy nor DS can claim. The screen for the PSP is also bigger, clearer, and widescreen, out doing the DS, GameBoy, and even most gamer’s TVs in actual quality of picture and widescreen aspect. Winner: Playstation Portable

Media
The Nintendo DS follows Nintendo’s previous handhelds and sticks with a cartridge for software, although it is far smaller, and can hold 1 Gigabit (128Mbs) with the possibility of more space (at a higher price). The PSP used a disc format that is actually in a cartridge like exterior giving it 1.8GBs, far more than the DS. This isn’t the first time Nintendo and Sony have had two consoles at the same time with on disc and one cartridge, and Sony took over the market because of having the disc format. That was not handheld though, and things are quite different with a handheld. The disc format adds in load times, and although it can offer some nice Final Fantasy type FMVs, it drains on battery life. The actual length of the PSP’s battery remains to be known, but it is well known that for most games the battery life will be considerably lower than the normal ten hour life on the GameBoy line and expected of the Nintendo DS. PSP’s disc has a huge advantage in space, but also has a very negative affect of battery consumption and not being able to save without a memory card, but the two pretty much cancel each other out with positives and negatives. Winner: Draw.

Features
Both the Nintendo DS and Playstation Portable have extra features, and in fact they even share some (Wi-Fi for instance), but they have also have some very unique features. The Nintendo DS’s are basically involving gaming and changing the way people play games, giving us something new and unique. With two screens, a built in microphone, and touch screen the ways of playing games can be re-invented for the system truly giving players something new in games that hasn’t really been felt since the change over to 3-D. The PSP’s extra features fall in the non-game category, as a way to attract more non-gamers and the more mature crowd the PS2 and X-Box thrive in, and the GameBoy is often lacking in.

The PSP’s disc format allows the portable to actually play full-length movies (in widescreen), and it actually triples in functionality as it can also play music, making it a Playstation 2, portable movie player, and I-Pod all in one, oh my. The less mentioned requirements for these features hinder the enjoyment of them considerably. Movies on the PSP must come in UMD format, not DVD, which means companies have to actually put money into releasing it on both formats (three if you include VHS) for a brand new system and a media that can be played only on that system, not happening. Major movies actually being released on the PSP (aside from FF Advent Children which mainly appeals to gamers) will only happen if the system sells well enough, and has a large installed base 9which would take one to two years), but even then the problems don’t end. Buying the movie on UMD restricts you to that device, which many people aren’t willing to do. The PSP does, however, feature video/audio outs as well as the possibility of putting smaller movies from your computer onto a memory card and playing them on PSP. Playing MP3s is a huge advantage, the only downside being you have to buy a memory card to actually make use of this feature, but is a much more practical feature compared to playing movies. Both systems have advantages and disadvantages, but since both a gaming systems and playing movies isn’t all that great, the Nintendo DS comes out on top with all the possibility lying within. Winner: Nintendo DS

The Games = Winning Portable
The most important part of any system is the games it has, and since the two portables even each other out games become even more important. This is the one part of the comparison that can’t be decided until games are released, and also the deciding factor of the two portables. However, both can be explored from a speculative standpoint and evaluated from there. The PSP does not have any of the special features for gaming that will revolutionize the system’s games in anyway, but then again neither have any of the GameBoys. One of the major complaints of the PSP was it’s unoriginality, and the fact that it is merely a portable Playstation 2, but what did one expect from a portable with that exact naming; Playstation Portable? The PSP will do exactly what the GameBoy line has been doing for the past 10 years, play console games on the go, the difference, the PSP is beginning in the current generation. So the PSP will do exactly what it was meant to, give console gaming on the go, and with this generation in mind for graphics, display, and even playing as it features an analog stick, which is required for most 3-D gaming.

The Nintendo DS does not have an analog stick which will hinder its 3-D playing abilities by restricting to an 8-direction pad, instead of the 360 degrees of control that has become the standard for 3-D (ironically created by Nintendo). All hope of games for the DS is not lost, in fact, it has the ability to go far beyond the PSP, GameBoy, and even home consoles can offer. Two screens, touch screen, and a microphone can give some brand new gameplay never before possible, and if done correctly, could be quite fun and fresh. For an example of gameplay ideas you can check out some ideas I came up with not too long ago here (http://www.nintendonow.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25183) . The possibilities of the Nintendo DS are endless; unfortunately none of the games shown so far have actually used the abilities of the DS into something that couldn’t be done with current hardware other than the Pac-Pix, which isn’t anything more than a tech-demo, and not a full blown game. This is what the fate of the DS will hang on; companies (especially Nintendo since it is their system) are going to have to find ways to use the functions of the DS and create a brand new experience that has never been possibly before without the DS’s abilities. Nintendo promoted connectivity between the GameBoy Advance and GameCube as an answer to online gaming, but failed to give any games that actually used the function in a non-gimmicky way for three years when Pac Man Vs. was released followed by The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords. Both games proved Nintendo wasn’t out of their minds with connectivity and showed that it could give light to something original, new, and fun, but coming out so late couldn’t stop the doom of connectivity, which now stands as a failure.

The winner of this round cannot be determined as of now because of what software the DS boasts when it hit shelves. The games for PSP will be portable versions of current generation consoles, which are essentially what the GameBoy is; only the GameBoy is a couple generations behind whereas the PSP is current. Whether companies will be able to utilize Nintendo DS’s functions into meaningful and unique gameplay will determine the winner of this portable fight, and that remains to be seen. The fact that the PSP’s possibilities are already known whereas the DS’s are up in the air, give the PSP the lead as of now, but Nintendo can surely steal the show, they just need software to back up the amazing hardware. Winner = Undetermined

[goku2057]

Wow. Some people like their cucumbers better pickled.

[OutlawAdidas]

and you just wasted my time

[alpha]

Nice article but the winner for the games thing might be different for each gamer depending on what he/she likes more.

[Vishus]

"The fact that the PSP’s possibilities are already known whereas the DS’s are up in the air, give the PSP the lead as of now, but Nintendo can surely steal the show, they just need software to back up the amazing hardware. Winner = Undetermined"

Ok thats dumb. Thats like saying developers can't think. Or even much worse, "Since theres an extra button that this system has that means we are lost on games."

[neo999955]

"The fact that the PSP’s possibilities are already known whereas the DS’s are up in the air, give the PSP the lead as of now, but Nintendo can surely steal the show, they just need software to back up the amazing hardware. Winner = Undetermined"

Ok thats dumb. Thats like saying developers can't think. Or even much worse, "Since theres an extra button that this system has that means we are lost on games."

I beg to differ, developers aren't dumb, but that doesn't mean they will take advantage of the system's abilities. Look at connectivity for the GCN, it took three years to correctly use it as anymore than a gimmick, which is what I fear could become of DS. If all the developers use it simply for menus, an extra map, or use the secind screen merely as a way to display something that would normally require a pause in a regular game on any other console would not be using the system to it's abilities, it'd be gimmicky, and would simply be mere games that we play on our systems (with downgraded graphics), and would make PSP better since it does the exact same thing, and plays regular games better, so DS has to be unique, and it has all the requirements to do so, games just have to use it, so now it's not stupid.

[speed stick]

Thats a decent read but its something I already knew. I was surprised on a couple of those answers. But for some real answers we'll have to wait for it to come out.

[OutlawAdidas]

if sony was smart they would do something crazy that no one would expect. Lets say, when they release the PSP, they make the price $110. That will quickly demolish the GBA and DS. Quantity would generate enough profit from it. But Sony isn't that smart and they can't do that. What I see nintendo doin is having the DS at 179.99 when it comes out and then when the PSP comes out drop the price to 149.99. Good plan

[neo999955]

if sony was smart they would do something crazy that no one would expect. Lets say, when they release the PSP, they make the price $110. That will quickly demolish the GBA and DS. Quantity would generate enough profit from it. But Sony isn't that smart and they can't do that. What I see nintendo doin is having the DS at 179.99 when it comes out and then when the PSP comes out drop the price to 149.99. Good plan

So it would be smart to release the PSP and lose what atleast a hundred per console shipped right off the bat? That's not smart in any way shape or form. The PSP's price of 249 is actually pretty good, and is only 70 more than the DS, and with all the added efatures that appeal to the more mainstream audience, they are being the smart ones, their movie claim is ingenious (although they are complete assholes for even using that as a selling point), and the DS will not drop to 149.99 in 3-5 months time, and don't forget it's being released alongside PSP in Japan, are they suppose to drop the price in two weeks? No, price drop will come Christmas 2005 or 2006.

[alpha]

I'm going to hate when Nintendo thinks of more gimmicks they will use with the DS/Revolution/Gamecube/GBA

[fishbonetaher]

this is my take on the matter:

nintendo is doing the same mistake as it did with the n64. When the ps came out everyone thought it would fail and would not be able to destroy nintendo domination. So nintendo stuck with what worked, and it did for a while, but after a year or two nintendo's domination was gone, because it stuck to what worked and that is the marketing of its mascots. nitendo is now doing what it did before, the psp is a new handheld in the market, the situation in which both are put in is very similar to the ps vs. n64 era. Although the ps was half the power of the n64 it still destroyed the n64, because it gave the people something new and it didn't rely on a couple of mascots. If nintendo stuck to what works, it will be able to do some damage to the psp for a while, but then people will realize that the psp has more diverse titles and so nintendo will lose its domination. That is the same thing as what will happen in the next gen console race and what happened in this gen. console race.

[Nights]

Media
The Nintendo DS follows Nintendo’s previous handhelds and sticks with a cartridge for software, although it is far smaller, and can hold 1 Gigabit (128Mbs) with the possibility of more space (at a higher price). The PSP used a disc format that is actually in a cartridge like exterior giving it 1.8GBs, far more than the DS. This isn’t the first time Nintendo and Sony have had two consoles at the same time with on disc and one cartridge, and Sony took over the market because of having the disc format. That was not handheld though, and things are quite different with a handheld. The disc format adds in load times, and although it can offer some nice Final Fantasy type FMVs, it drains on battery life. The actual length of the PSP’s battery remains to be known, but it is well known that for most games the battery life will be considerably lower than the normal ten hour life on the GameBoy line and expected of the Nintendo DS. PSP’s disc has a huge advantage in space, but also has a very negative affect of battery consumption and not being able to save without a memory card, but the two pretty much cancel each other out with positives and negatives. Winner: Draw.

You forgot to mention that PSP game can also be put on memory. So this was very badly done. Your research on the PSP is lacking and a direct comparison obviously can't be done without the facts from both systems.

PSP can have disc and/or memory games. Memory games can last a lot longer than disc games because of the fact that reading media via disks takes up battery space. Almost all games will load part of the game into memory, meaning it will help in making longer batter life then if it was reading just to disc, and load time shouldn't be much at all. Almost like playing Xmen VS Streetfighter on the sega saturn using the ram cartridge.

Very poorly done. Now nowing this extra information the PSP wins hands down.

Features: VERY POOR!

PSP: Analog, movies, mp3, sorround sound, ability to hook up to tv and watch, Wi Fi, Internet play... ETC
DS: OLD DPAD!!! Touch screen (which developers say is more gimmicky then anything and to make a full game based after it is almost pointless), Dual Screen which could be usefull depending on if people use it for anything other than a map.

Winner: Draw... DS lack true 3d play without analog, but has a niche market with touch screen and dual screen can be very useful if used right.

PSP: ANALOG support and multimedia abilities. CHEEP portible DVD player, that has surround sound, and plays games. COME ON!!!


GAMES: Well wait and find out. No use comparing something that there isn't enough of. PSP has more developers/Nintendo has first party. Go figure...

Don't forget MARKET
PSP: Adult (hmm adults, teenagers, and kids want adult games)
DS: KIDDIE (nintendo stated that is why they aren't against the psp)

Why does that sound familiar.

Who has the advantage in market share: PSP

[neo999955]

Media
The Nintendo DS follows Nintendo’s previous handhelds and sticks with a cartridge for software, although it is far smaller, and can hold 1 Gigabit (128Mbs) with the possibility of more space (at a higher price). The PSP used a disc format that is actually in a cartridge like exterior giving it 1.8GBs, far more than the DS. This isn’t the first time Nintendo and Sony have had two consoles at the same time with on disc and one cartridge, and Sony took over the market because of having the disc format. That was not handheld though, and things are quite different with a handheld. The disc format adds in load times, and although it can offer some nice Final Fantasy type FMVs, it drains on battery life. The actual length of the PSP’s battery remains to be known, but it is well known that for most games the battery life will be considerably lower than the normal ten hour life on the GameBoy line and expected of the Nintendo DS. PSP’s disc has a huge advantage in space, but also has a very negative affect of battery consumption and not being able to save without a memory card, but the two pretty much cancel each other out with positives and negatives. Winner: Draw.

You forgot to mention that PSP game can also be put on memory. So this was very badly done. Your research on the PSP is lacking and a direct comparison obviously can't be done without the facts from both systems.

PSP can have disc and/or memory games. Memory games can last a lot longer than disc games because of the fact that reading media via disks takes up battery space. Almost all games will load part of the game into memory, meaning it will help in making longer batter life then if it was reading just to disc, and load time shouldn't be much at all. Almost like playing Xmen VS Streetfighter on the sega saturn using the ram cartridge.

Very poorly done. Now nowing this extra information the PSP wins hands down.

Features: VERY POOR!

PSP: Analog, movies, mp3, sorround sound, ability to hook up to tv and watch, Wi Fi, Internet play... ETC
DS: OLD DPAD!!! Touch screen (which developers say is more gimmicky then anything and to make a full game based after it is almost pointless), Dual Screen which could be usefull depending on if people use it for anything other than a map.

Winner: Draw... DS lack true 3d play without analog, but has a niche market with touch screen and dual screen can be very useful if used right.

PSP: ANALOG support and multimedia abilities. CHEEP portible DVD player, that has surround sound, and plays games. COME ON!!!


GAMES: Well wait and find out. No use comparing something that there isn't enough of. PSP has more developers/Nintendo has first party. Go figure...

Don't forget MARKET
PSP: Adult (hmm adults, teenagers, and kids want adult games)
DS: KIDDIE (nintendo stated that is why they aren't against the psp)

Why does that sound familiar.

Who has the advantage in market share: PSP

First, I NEVER said that the PSP's disc can only read off of the disc, obviously it can save to memory, EVERY console does that, but games like Gran Turismo 4, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Gran Theft Auto, and pretty much all AAA title will take full use of the hardware and make the games as pretty as possible, and not that much space can be saved on memory, so it will have to read from the disc quite often lowering the battery life considerably.

"Inside the PSP, the device will have a 333MHz PSP CPU proprietary to Sony. It will have 32MB of main memory and 4MB of embedded DRAM. Its built-in lithium-ion battery will have a life of 2.5 hours with video and 10 hours if used for audio playback only. "
-Gamespot

"Battery life is one of these things where if you state a number then everybody's satisfied. The only problem, of course, is it never matches what you state. But if you don't state a number then it's like, "What's the battery life?" So it's a continuous Catch-22. And that's especially prevalent with the PlayStation Portable because it plays various entertainment content. Again, if you're just listening to music with no visuals at all then it should last, as I said yesterday, about eight to ten hours just like an iPod would. If you are playing a game that is consistently cycling through and putting the CPU to good use, yeah, battery life is going to be shorter. Maybe about two and a half, three hours. That's why putting the range in there... because it's more difficult because it's got a wide range of applications to really pinpoint to say, "It's eight hours." Because it could be longer, or it could be shorter, and by dramatic margins up or down. "

-Kaz Hirai (CEO of SCEA, aka. Sony of America)

So please think before you write. Next PSP is a DVD player, where in the hell did you here that from, are we talking about the same system, PLEASE show me the DVD slot for the PSP, I must have missed it. Oh wait, are you confusing DVD with UMD, the format that is only used by the PSP and could support movies, but none will be released except for a few gaming related ones (FF: AC) because who in the right mind would buy a movie on a format that could only be used on one device (which can only last about 2 hours watching a movie anyway), instead of DVD which can be played in DVD players, most computers and laptops, portable DVD players, Playstation 2, X-Box, and can be easily copied, yeah people love to do that.

Surround Sound; yeah we really need that for a portable game system, what a useless feature if there ever was one. Analog is great, but doesn't give light to the brand new, fresh, and original games possible with the DS, and since this is in fact a PORTABLE GAME SYSTEM, I think that's rather important compared to a movie player that doesn't have any movies to play. I'm not saying DS will sell more, but it certainly gives it the edge in features.

This isn't home consoles bud, Nintendo has owned the portable gaming market for the past 10 years, if you think developers aren't jumping right aboard for the DS you're an idiot, I'm not saying PSP won't get a lot either. Although they can't even manage to pick up Square-Enix despite years of exclusives on PS1 and 2 (not to mention with a series that has sold the most units worldwide excluding Nintendo's own), why, because they don't know enough about it to invest in it, but they have three titles coming to DS, hmm.

"So far, Square Enix is not planning on developing any games for the system. "We are going to wait and see," said Michihiro Sasaki, general manager of Square Enix. "We don't know what kind of console it will be.""

“While Nintendo did not use the unveiling to announce the DS's final price, it did take care to remind the media of the device's vast backing by developers. "Software companies worldwide have more than 120 Nintendo DS games in development," read the company's statement. "Nintendo alone is developing more than 20 titles, and in excess of 100 companies have signed on to create games for the new system."”

And by the way, what in the hell does adult and “kiddy” games have to do with game quality? Does a game have to be targeted ONLY at adults and teenagers to be good? Well I better throw away every Mario game I own, all my Zeldas, Animal Crossing, all my Pokemon games, etc. Good, you're right, now my game collection is a lot better.

[Nights]

But your forgetting.

It can save sections of the game to memory so the cd doesn't have to run the whole time. Saving a lot of battery life. What you just posted was the outdated version... That a nintendo fanboy only would use to justify his comments. Also it can load sections in advanced to minimize load times.

IE Street Fighter VS Marvel on saturn had no load times do to the fact that it did the same thing with it's ram cart.

[neo999955]

But your forgetting.

It can save sections of the game to memory so the cd doesn't have to run the whole time. Saving a lot of battery life. What you just posted was the outdated version... That a nintendo fanboy only would use to justify his comments. Also it can load sections in advanced to minimize load times.

IE Street Fighter VS Marvel on saturn had no load times do to the fact that it did the same thing with it's ram cart.

Are you a retard? You're trying to tell me that everyone in the buissness of games and the CEO of Sony of America himself wasn't aware that the disc could be saved to memory, and that it didn't have to be running the entire time? You did not discover this amazing ability of the PSP that even the creators didn't know, no shit, 2.5-4 hours is including that ability, of course it is, what in the hell is wrong with you. If it runs two hours with a movie, then with most games 2.5-4 hours is what you get for battery life, are you honestly that stupid?