Love your article, but saying that the psp is geared toward gamers, more than the DS, I don’t think so. Most of there advertising for it shows off the Music and movie capabilty for it, so i’d say that DS is geared toward the gamers more than the PSP is.

Yay, finally a review of the PSP by someone who knows the difference between good games and tried-and-true games!

You’re a great writer, I had never looked at “gaming” this way. I am no longer hostile towards the PSP, it just seems alien now.

All very interesting.

I’ll add to it a little. I play my PSP and my DS on the bus. Which is more likely to get stolen? I don’t play the PSP nearly as often as I did 3 weeks ago because a kid tried to swipe it from me, knocked it out of my hands, and somehow popped the power switch out. I have to turn it on with the DS’s stylus. Oh sweet irony.

I guess I’m saying that maybe it’s a good thing that Nintendo’s stuff doesn’t appeal to everyone. No one’s gonna try to take my DS.

sad story Jack, sorry to hear about your “broken” PSP but Sony’s stuff as always been easy to break. I don’t think they pass their stuff through rigorous test before releasing it to the market

lsk: I think everyone is tired of nintendo fanboys repeating what nintendo reps say. if you have to comment say something worth saying not just “ds is betta than psp”.

Awesome article. It’s nice to finally read something unbiased.

I don’t have a DS but I do have a psp. And I use it almost entirely for Video and pictures off the memory stick. If I wanted to play games I would have bought a DS, probably will eventually. But I don’t really have the time nor do I want to spend any time playing games away from home when I can watch a movie or show in Japanese, so as to help my comprehension and pronunciation as I learn it. Honestly it helps a lot. So when I have a bit of time, I’ll watch something instead of taking that time to play a game which at this point in my life wouldn’t help anything at all. If the DS played movies I probably would have bought one. And why didn’t I buy a PDA or soomething? I knew there would eventually be games I would want to buy and play, even though it would just waste time. So the psp serves more purposes for me than the DS could.

I too pursued buying a PSP in early April, after a friend needed to sell it for car parts. So yes, I took the PSP onto my hands. I remember playing Lumines and trying out other games. Sure they were ok, but the bulk of my time was spent listening to music and flaunting the PSP with a Nintendo logo .jpeg always on. I loved doing that. Shortly after, I sold the beast onto ebay.

Nice comparison, Benny. For the longest time, the only thing about PSP that interested me was Ridge Racer, but now, with Loco Roco, Every Extend Extra and all the cool 2D side scrollers coming out, I find it more and more attractive. Still, though, load times in a handheld (coupled with the low battery life) just doesn’t sit well with me. If I had the cash, I suppose I’d consider it, but a backlit SP is way higher on my wishlist.

it’s a lot better than the rehashing of the same crap over and over. i’m so tired of the flak that the psp gets here. also, i’d like to add that after working in a videogame shop since just after the psp’s launch, there are a lot of non-gamers who own the psp. a lot of them bought it and just buy movies for it…which i think is completely retarded.

like most of you guys this article kind of changed the way i see the psp. It’s true though that the ds does appeal to a more non-gamer group than the psp, but its not realy the movies and music that is truly non-gaming or different because most people have things that do that already, it’s the innovation of the ds that appeals to the non-gamers.

I think it’s to prove an unbias point of view of the psp. Great Article benny you write very well…jimmy olsen would be proud.

I have a difference opinion to the author. I believe that both the PSP and the DS are made for both gamers and non-gamers, just in a different way.

The PSP is built for non-gamers through the movie and music playback - the focus of the hardware is to encourage new users to buy it regardless of game playing ability.

In contrast, the DS is built for non-gamers through the stylus and the software - the focus of the software is to encourage new users to the machine.

The DS requires more explanation before the inherent benefits are shown. Put a DS and a PSP side by side, with a list of functions that each can do natively, and you’ll see non-gamers choose the PSP over the DS. Why? Because these non-gamers need to be educated about the gameplay of the DS before they are attracted to it. It takes a demo of Nintendogs, of Yoshi, etc.

The author is right - it is easier for a non-gamer to draw clouds for baby mario than to play wipeout - but this comparison is only relevent when you have the opportunity to spend time showing people the software and gameplay differences.

Nice work Benny. I would recommend doing a follow-up in a tears time. See f the PSP delivered killer apps. See if they have expanded beyond PS2 ports. Also to compare it to what the DS is doing in it’s 2nd or third generation. Again, nice work.

“The PSP can do a lot of things, and it does most of them well. Game, music, movies.”

I’m going to have to disagree with this statement. I don’t think the PSP does any of those things well, personally. And just because something is easy to set up doesn’t mean it’s fun or high quality compared to competing products. What matters is whether it delivers on all its features, and whether those features are actually a vital part of the experience or just a cheap tack-on to the main attractions of the product.

First of all, the games. The PSP has barely any software which would justify its lofty elitist pricetag. For the price of a new PSP and a single half-decent game, you could get a shiny new DS and about five or six of any of the DS’s awesome must-have titles. The choice seems pretty clear to me.

Secondly, the music. The PSP does not even have the ability to sort its music by both album and artist, and you have to shell out even more money for memory cards if you want to store any remotely large music collection. For that money, once again, it would be more cost efficient to get a DS and a dedicated MP3 player such as an iPod, both of which perform their intended functions better than the PSP.

And finally, the movies. This gimmicky aspect of the PSP is so easy to attack that it’s almost not worth the time. Movies on UMDs (which are not universal in any sense of the word) sometimes cost MORE than DVDs, which is absolutely ridiculous as DVDs can be played in any DVD player and hooked up to a huge TV or convenient portable DVD player, whereas UMDs can only be played on the PSP’s comparatively tiny screen and will probably eat up the entire battery life in the process. Who in their right mind would ever buy a UMD movie when you could just get a DVD that will work with more devices, is the obvious standard for video playback, and may be cheaper on top of all that? The movies don’t make the PSP a better gaming system anyway. Might as well just get a Play-Yan type accessory for your DS, and bam — instant movie playback, if it’s desired so desperately.

The PSP is yet another example of Sony and Microsoft’s philosophy that gaming systems are somehow made better when non-gaming-related extra features are tacked onto the hardware. And sadly enough, people are actually falling for it. I don’t need or want a gaming machine with media playback that’s not even half as good as what my iPod or DVD player can dish out. The only thing that makes a gaming machine better is innovation, flexibility, and quality software to back it up. With all of these criteria in mind, the DS is the clear and simple choice as far as I’m concerned.

I see where you’re coming from on the movies/music end, Pikachelsea, and I agree that the whole UMD thing sucks. But the cool aspects of a PSP to me are 1) its screen and 2) all the stuff you can put on a memory card. There’s no way I’d ever buy a UMD, but you can put a movie on a card no problem and have way less battery consumption to boot. I think that kind of functionality is awesome. Play-yan is a great idea, but I want a nice widescreen to watch a movie. I wouldn’t trade my DS for anything, but I also wouldn’t mind having those cool features.

I have a PSP and a DS. I made my own wallpaper for the PSP a while ago. It has a large Nintendo logo, and underneath - “My other handheld is a GameBoy”

The PSP is a geek/gamer gadget
the DS is a game gadget
big difference, anyone can use the DS, but only ‘geeks’ would take on a PSP

Isn’t PSP Madden completely bugged so that it actually shuts down the PSP on occasion? Also whenever I see people playing PSP, they spend more time waiting for stuff to load than actually playing games. I’m a geek, but I’ll still not take the PSP.

Are there any plans for Sony to make a unit that you can play the PSP movies on our home television? Like a tiny PSP DVD player?

I ask because I can’t see buying my DVD collection all over again, or even buying new DVDs that will only play on the PSP. If they could play at home and on the PSP, then it would make much more sense.

Also, I have a DS, and I do not have a PSP. I probably won’t ever get one because I still don’t have a PS2, but I think it looks like a great system.

[ 4cr Behavior Policy ]

Macraman,
This is a Nintendo/Comics website. The article is focused on the PSP compared to the DS. If you don’t like reading ANYTHING about ANY other system… then don’t read my articles. I have all the major systems because I am a GAMER. One who enjoys all types of videogames… and my articles are going to reflect that.

Also, I understand the criticisms of the PSP. I completely agree with most of your analysis Pikachelsea because thats what I thought before I got the PSP (and still do to a certain extent).

Yes, it sucks that UMD movies can’t be played on the big screen… and thats why I will never buy one. But Spiderman 2 that came with the thing looks amazing on the PSP’s screen… and as for as a portable entertainment device goes… the PSP is pretty compelling.

The most compelling part of the PSP is what Nick touched on. The Memory Card. It’s not easy, but the things you can do with 1.5 firmware on the PSP are pretty cool. I have a couple of NES/SNES ROM’s on my PSP now actually. Again, this type of PC connection thing appeals HIGHLY to the hardcore and typical “Gamer” market… those who know what the hell they’re doing and have been playing for a while.

Again. Thanks for all the comments and criticisms. Every single one makes my writing better

I have a PSP and a DS and I actually prefer my PSP (blasphemy I know) but it’s not because of the music function, the ps2 ports, or those awful UMD movies. It’s simply because I have a 100% speed SNES emulator on it. I bought a PSP for the same reason I bought an Xbox or a Dreamcast: When big budget profit minded studios fail to produce, the homebrew scene will.

There was a time when I was in severe lust over the PSP. That screen… those graphics… the ability to do so much more than just games… and it was online out of the box? The PSP just seemed too cool for school.

I remember flying out to LA for E3 last year. It was May, and the DS hadn’t seen many game releases yet… as a matter of fact, I think the best game for the system was still Yoshi’s Touch and Go. And there, next to me on the plane, was a guy playing Hot Shots Golf. It looked very fun, and I was green with envy. I had owned my DS since launch, but the lack of games was making me consider trading it in for a PSP.

And then I got to E3….

The PSP was pretty much a no show. Virtua Tennis looked ok, and Socom was nice… but, where were the rest of the games? The DS certainly had no shortage of games to play: Metroid, Sonic Rush, Mario Kart, Age of Empires, Pac ‘n Roll, Advance Wars, Viewtiful Joe, Castlevania, Animal Crossing, Nintendogs…. I mean, the floor was literally flooded with excellent games. Plus, the DS technology seemed amazing… Nintendo had downloadable demos at their booth (I keept Meteos on my system for a couple of days), and they had the DS doing VoIP with people in New York. Soooo coool.

I walked away from E3 with renewed faith in my system, and it has paid off. While the PSP is very cool, it has been stuck with a lack of games since it’s launch. The DS meanwhile, has already started receiving many of the games I saw at E3. Meteos, Advance Wars, Castlevania, Nintendogs… games like these make the PSP seem silly in comparison. And I don’t think that is a trend that will end any time soon.

Benny, the critics on my comments ( that were deleted) were not about your article, but about the very essence of a PSP article in 4cr, comments are like critics some positive and some negative, that doesn’t mean that we have to delete the negative comments ( mine ) , and I’m sorry to tell it again , the PSP is a real fragile piece of junk wich will make a $500 hole in your pocket just to get the basics ( decent memo card , game, protection case ” the thing really needs one”), and in the opposite of the PS2 the PSP doesn’t have a single game worth spending that amount of money, and as far as watching movies … well I watch movies at home in my 16/9 HDTV or in the theatre, for music you can get an Ipod or one of those cheap Mp3 player ” at leat it’s tiny enough to get in your pocket” , the conclusion is sony tried and failed, all the major developper are supporting more and more the DS ” a cheap/fantastic/solid/well designed/nintendo quality portable console , until the next GAMEBOY.

Macraman:

It’s that kind of blanket statement that DESERVES to be deleted. Its got nothing to do with the article itself, it ADDS nothing to the commentary, and its just immature and fanboyish. If you had maybe said:

The PSP is a pretty expensive peice of hardware that doesn’t have many great games coming out for it. It’s music and movie features aren’t compelling, Sony has a reputation for fragile hardware, and developers seem to be moving towards the DS.

That would foster an intellegent discussion on the subject. That would be open to discussion. You’re language and style is better suited for a message board, I suggest you take it there.

And thats the last you’ll hear about it from me.

“blanket statement that DESERVES to be deleted”
” immature and fanboyish ” , easy there ..and you got it man, I will not comments on your articles again.

Good Stuff Rumas. Good stuff indeed.

bla..bla..bla..
maybe you should go to school and learn to write first, kid. anyway, what could YOU know about the videogame industry besides the usual consumer marketing bull$hit?

we should be glad to have a site like 4cr - one of few sites still independent enough to bring good info on almost every relevant gaming issue, and not just commercial marketing crap.

not even my humble self has the “slitest idea” (whatever that is) of the videogame industry, and I´m in the videogame industry!

Anyway, peace to all, and 4crTeam, keep up the good work!

i have both too. the PSP is coming out with some killer titles, with burnout being the first (bought that) and on the 24th, grand theft auto. I still play my DS more than my PSP, but i like them about the same. they are both great machines. but the DS, mario kart, animal crossing, and metroid are on my must have list. both have awesome games out, and on their way.

Great article and great comments. I’m another person who is lucky enough to own both a PSP and a DS. I haven’t played some of the later games on the DS (Advance Wars and Meteos), but in general the DS game are WAY too short (Looking at you wario and kirby and polarium) whereas all the PSP games i’ve bought have been entertaining for more than a week. I think I will unshelf my DS soon though with the slew of awesome games comming out soon (and i’ll prolly be bored of my psp games by then). The future of hte PSP doesn’t look good but the PS2 had alot of times where there were no games as well, so i’m sure it will pick up again (Looking forward to xmen-legends 2, gta and virtua tennis though)

I went to a bit of a gamer meet-up last week and encountered both PSP and DS owners. The split in the room was amusing, and extremely obvious. The Ds owners looked well..normal..in geek terms. Fat,skinny,male, female. The PSP owners however all looked ‘bling’ as it were-designer clothing,expensive haircuts…100% male. While we played with our nintendogs they all had a game of ridge racer ..and tbh i was jealous. Nintendogs is good and all but i can’t wait for mario kart,metriod et al for some real head to head multiplayer action :p.

Oh, and one thing which didnt make me jealous- one poor guy was desperatly searching for someone else with a copy of ridge racer so he could play multi while us DS owners shared a single copy of mario DS and yoshi touch and go between ourselves .

I think that both consoles are great, although, there are a couple of down sides to both of them. Ill start with the PSP Which is way too expensive and breaks quite easily. I know ppl say that PSP Is better because it has better graphics and it can play music and videos, but so can the DS, check this out (www.lik-sang.com)Agreed, The PSP has superior graphics, but the DS’S Graphics aren’t exactly bad plus the games are alot cheaper including the console. Verdict: If you want fun and exciting games and features, and ain’t the richest of ppl, go for the DS, but if you want serious and graphically superb games and want the convenience of having an all in one entertainment package and have the money, go for the PSP. =)

:) im willing to buy 1 from Lik-Sang With 2 games and 1 gb mmc

well I’m not sure if any of you are into homebrew but the psp does practically everything. text editor, web browser, address book, calendar, calculator, music, images, file manager.

http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/

I have over 45 super nintendo games on my psp,
aswell as every atari game.
if i wanted I could even play UMD’s from the memory sick.

all without changing the psp’s hardware.

check out the link or give me an email

Just letting you know - your site is fantastic! my parents didnt told me about it: http://www.av.com , black girls on their mission , my parents didnt told me about it

nintendo ds sucks psp is the shit

psp is 5 times better than ds a ds suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuks

Martin, your all wrong. The psp is just a piece of crap from sony. It can break like a wine glass, it costs way to much so they make it so fragile that it, chances are, it WILL break at some point.

So they make you buy another. And another cause its so damn weak. Id get a DS anyday. Its for gaming. no movies or music. You should just get an i-pod or a portable dvd player. The DS is purley for games and with that theres less time to spend on making pointless little cds that can only manage to fit in a psp, and more time making video games. Wich is the whole point in a games console.

oh, and a DS is so much cheaper then a psp i could buy three ds’s but buy only one psp. a psp costs around $300 and a ds is only $100. tally up da pros and cons and ds wins in my opinion. im not gonna spent all my wads just for some fragile wine glass. then ill have to buy another one wich is sonys greedy little deviose plot to make us spend all our dosh over and over.

Very nice. I hope you’ll update very soon. my parents didnt told me about it: http://www.crystalpalacefoundation.org.uk , Stake can Hope TV thins that excited you at 14 , right Girl will Do Corner without any questions thins that excited you at 14

Nice article. I have respect for the PSP, but it just doesn’t appeal to me in the least. The only game I can see myself playing on it is GTA Liberty City Stories, but I like the PS2 ones much more. As for the video/music thing, my response is usually “So what?” I have an iPod that holds so much more and costs so much less if you count the memory sticks for the PSP. The DS is just so much more interesting. I like the DS because its not flashy. Its just cool. You’ll never get anything else like the DS, PSP is just console gaming made portable with less graphics, etc.