Discussion
other than they are both fairly new, and competitors. Which is the better system?Very different systems, despite them being in direct competition.
The DS is arguably a better games machine (in that there are a lot more very high gameplay quotient games) and is cheaper. Its also backwards compatible with every gameboy game ever made, for every model. Meaning the back catalogue of games is literally endless.
The PSP is a very different proposition. It appears to be shockingly more powerfull than the DS the screen is much bigger and the graphics kick the DS into touch. It accepts UMD as well as memory sticks.
The machine will play games, music and video off either the stick or the UMD (universal media disc - another proprietary Sony format), however buying films is UMD format is expensive and limiting them to the one portable player.
The memory sticks will happliy carry lots of music and video, however memory sticks are pricey. What are they now, £60-70 for a 1gig stick?
The PSP also eats it's batteries a lot faster then the DS.
It depends what you want it for.
If you want a one-stop media centre that fits in your pocket, plays music, video and games and money isnt really an object, then go for the PSP. Bear in mind the cost of a couple of memory sticks, a few games, a hard carry case etc on top of the PSP price and you've spent a few hundred quid. Its a great toy though.
The DS is much cheaper and is essentially a pure games machine. Its much smaller, more easily carried etc. If you dont think you'd get the use out of the PSP to justify the cost, then the DS is cheap, more rugged, has arguably better games and is probably the one I'd go for.
(Please note I dont want to get into a huge arguement on the "which is better" comment, as I think the PSP is "Better", but I would likely buy the DS on price and backwards compatibility. This is simply my opinion)
Edited to add :- I'm not likely to be buying either for a while. Next purchase is a Gameboy Advance SP. I use portables that rarely its just not worthwhile buying the latest state of the art gear. I still have my original Gameboy and the Gameboy colour I upgraded to a few years back.
The only reason for the GBA is that I fancy the old SNES mario games etc
Then again I am notoriously cheap when it comes to consoles... the newest tech is always great, but it does come at a big price premium.
>> Edited by TheLemming on Wednesday 7th December 17:51
The DS is arguably a better games machine (in that there are a lot more very high gameplay quotient games) and is cheaper. Its also backwards compatible with every gameboy game ever made, for every model. Meaning the back catalogue of games is literally endless.
The PSP is a very different proposition. It appears to be shockingly more powerfull than the DS the screen is much bigger and the graphics kick the DS into touch. It accepts UMD as well as memory sticks.
The machine will play games, music and video off either the stick or the UMD (universal media disc - another proprietary Sony format), however buying films is UMD format is expensive and limiting them to the one portable player.
The memory sticks will happliy carry lots of music and video, however memory sticks are pricey. What are they now, £60-70 for a 1gig stick?
The PSP also eats it's batteries a lot faster then the DS.
It depends what you want it for.
If you want a one-stop media centre that fits in your pocket, plays music, video and games and money isnt really an object, then go for the PSP. Bear in mind the cost of a couple of memory sticks, a few games, a hard carry case etc on top of the PSP price and you've spent a few hundred quid. Its a great toy though.
The DS is much cheaper and is essentially a pure games machine. Its much smaller, more easily carried etc. If you dont think you'd get the use out of the PSP to justify the cost, then the DS is cheap, more rugged, has arguably better games and is probably the one I'd go for.
(Please note I dont want to get into a huge arguement on the "which is better" comment, as I think the PSP is "Better", but I would likely buy the DS on price and backwards compatibility. This is simply my opinion)
Edited to add :- I'm not likely to be buying either for a while. Next purchase is a Gameboy Advance SP. I use portables that rarely its just not worthwhile buying the latest state of the art gear. I still have my original Gameboy and the Gameboy colour I upgraded to a few years back.
The only reason for the GBA is that I fancy the old SNES mario games etc
Then again I am notoriously cheap when it comes to consoles... the newest tech is always great, but it does come at a big price premium.
>> Edited by TheLemming on Wednesday 7th December 17:51
i have had the displeasure of owning a psp and can tell u there terrible,
the games(played GTA, Burnout and Virual tennis)just arn't good at all,
the battery life is appaling
the internet browser and all that network play crap is too slow
and i couldn't even find time to use it,
so i sold it, and got an MP3 player and havent looked back since,
thoroughly let down by sony
>> Edited by pony power on Wednesday 7th December 18:42
the games(played GTA, Burnout and Virual tennis)just arn't good at all,
the battery life is appaling
the internet browser and all that network play crap is too slow
and i couldn't even find time to use it,
so i sold it, and got an MP3 player and havent looked back since,
thoroughly let down by sony
>> Edited by pony power on Wednesday 7th December 18:42
cross-eyed-twit said:Its best just to say its not working in these kinds of circumstances. And swear blindly you didnt plug it into anything, except your headphones.
I bought an Ipod, plugged it into the car to charge and it fried itself. No probs with road angel/mobile phone etc.
HP aren't interested at all neither are Apple. They can ram it if they think I'm going to buy another one.
unhappy customer
db
cross-eyed-twit said:
I bought an Ipod, plugged it into the car to charge and it fried itself. No probs with road angel/mobile phone etc.
HP aren't interested at all neither are Apple. They can ram it if they think I'm going to buy another one.
unhappy customer
db
out of interest what did you use to connect? IE denison ICElink, drive and play etc
pony power said:
i have had the displeasure of owning a psp and can tell u there terrible,
the games(played GTA, Burnout and Virual tennis)just arn't good at all,
the battery life is appaling
the internet browser and all that network play crap is too slow
and i couldn't even find time to use it,
so i sold it, and got an MP3 player and havent looked back since,
thoroughly let down by sony
>> Edited by pony power on Wednesday 7th December 18:42
Alternatively, I am really impressed with mine. The battery life is good (around 10-12 hours per charge on mine!) and the games are ace. I have Toca2, Burnout and Legends - all are good games and look ace.... not tried GTA, but I have heard its good too. As with all new consoles, expect the quality of the games improve as well as the number.
The Internet browser is actually quite good and it is fully featured. But then again its not a PC and you dont have a keyboard or mouse to use. So it can be a little slow. But for a quick check of PH or the news its great....
MP3 player is good and now supports WMA as well as copy protected files. Works well but you must replace the standard headphones which are limited on output. Get a set of decent ones from your local electrical retailer and it actually sounds rather good too. Ok, its never going to set the world alight, but its simple and easy to use.
Overall, considering the price and functionality its a cracking machine. Miles better than a DS and when we can get 2GB Memory cards for it even better. Oh, and for the record, there are lots of extras already. There is a 4GB hard disk pack available as well as an adaptor in the pipeline for CF cards (i.e. micro drives). So no limit on storage shortly. Also, expect to see lots of other add-ons etc.....
Oh, and finally, the new update supports LocationFree a new system from Sony. I know little about it, but google for it and take a look - could be interesting..
All in all a cracking little box and well chuffed...
My kids have got 2 PSP's brilliant they are, Games, MP3, movies, the Internet browsing is not up to much though but overall I rate them highly.
They've also got most variants of Gameboy and I've just bought a DS for a younger kid as that's what he wants for Christmas, IMHO the DS, like the Gameboys before it is a good basic games machine great for young kids but the PSP is far better, particularly for older people.
Downside of the PSP is it costs considerably more as do the games.
and you can't watch porn on a DS......
They've also got most variants of Gameboy and I've just bought a DS for a younger kid as that's what he wants for Christmas, IMHO the DS, like the Gameboys before it is a good basic games machine great for young kids but the PSP is far better, particularly for older people.
Downside of the PSP is it costs considerably more as do the games.
and you can't watch porn on a DS......
I'd add that i'm a serious gamer, the PSP is as has already been mentioned a great multifunction device, but if you love your games then the DS will always win, ok the PSP has GTA, but I found it really blurry and it hurt my eyes after half an hour or so of play.
The DS has some really awesome games and brings in a raft of new ways to play them, the new Mario Kart for example is excellent, the best of all the MK games so far, anyone who remembers the battle mode will recall the balloons used to tell you how many lives you had left; well in the DS version you now have to blow those balloons up with your own lungs by blowing into the bottom screen, makes for a great laugh with a few mates.
If you're one of those people who won't dream of playing a game because of some cutesy characters then you're best off with the PSP but you're missing out on some real gems on the DS.
The DS has some really awesome games and brings in a raft of new ways to play them, the new Mario Kart for example is excellent, the best of all the MK games so far, anyone who remembers the battle mode will recall the balloons used to tell you how many lives you had left; well in the DS version you now have to blow those balloons up with your own lungs by blowing into the bottom screen, makes for a great laugh with a few mates.
If you're one of those people who won't dream of playing a game because of some cutesy characters then you're best off with the PSP but you're missing out on some real gems on the DS.
Another vote for the PSP here - I have started converting music DVDs to watch on mine. Ridge Racer is great for a 5 minute blast and with a couple of big memory sticks, I have the flexibility to take a few films or lots of MP3s around with me.
Surfing the web from anywhere in house without lugging a laptop round is good too for PH and news.
I love the fact that I can charge it from the USB port on my laptop so battery life has never been an issue.
A screen protector is a must though as the screen is gorgeous and scratching it would be a crime!!
Yes, it is more expensive and there are oodles of things to buy for it, but you do get what you pay for!
Glen
Surfing the web from anywhere in house without lugging a laptop round is good too for PH and news.
I love the fact that I can charge it from the USB port on my laptop so battery life has never been an issue.
A screen protector is a must though as the screen is gorgeous and scratching it would be a crime!!
Yes, it is more expensive and there are oodles of things to buy for it, but you do get what you pay for!
Glen
Yet another PSP Vote - Its more of a 'grown ups' toy. I do a lot of travelling in my job so tend to have to fill a few hours here and there and having the PSP is superb. I've only got a 512Mb memory stick and can still fit Star Wars EpIII onto it (compressed to 350Mb but with the new Firmware its very good quality) as well as 4-5 Music Albums and then use a few games - spoilt for Choice!
I agree with the statement that Nintendo make excellent games but thats always been the case including the Game Cube vs PS2 era. I think that the PSP is a superb alrounder that doesnt really comprimise on anything. There will certainly be more of the Mainstream games released on the PSP IMHO...
I agree with the statement that Nintendo make excellent games but thats always been the case including the Game Cube vs PS2 era. I think that the PSP is a superb alrounder that doesnt really comprimise on anything. There will certainly be more of the Mainstream games released on the PSP IMHO...
DucatiGary said:
getting back to the original thread.. .. .. ..
I have both PSP since jap launch and DS since UK launch, the PSP I have 18 games for and have taken all over europe and the far east, the DS, has been used for 3 hours and is on ebay at the moment (still at 99p i might add!)
If you dont get your reserve on Ebay Gary, drop me a mail through my profile, might be interested in taking that DS off your hands
TheLemming said:
getting back to the original thread.. .. .. ..
I have both PSP since jap launch and DS since UK launch, the PSP I have 18 games for and have taken all over europe and the far east, the DS, has been used for 3 hours and is on ebay at the moment (still at 99p i might add!)
If you dont get your reserve on Ebay Gary, drop me a mail through my profile, might be interested in taking that DS off your hands
there is no reserve, still today at 99p.. .. .. .. I cant understand why...Ive only used it for 3 hours, there is 2-3 days left though hopefully it will go crazy in the last few days
Another vote for PSP here.....
Games - lots of them.
UMD films - growing day by day.
Get PSP Video 9 and cut MP4s from your own DVD collection.
And....wireless web browsing!! I've set up a WLAN at home tonight, Tom fired his PSP up, browsed for WLANs, found our new one (before I tied it down), hey presto! He's surfing the web from his PSP. It even found an update for the PSP while it was online.
Amazingly good. And it will only get better IMHO.
Greg
Games - lots of them.
UMD films - growing day by day.
Get PSP Video 9 and cut MP4s from your own DVD collection.
And....wireless web browsing!! I've set up a WLAN at home tonight, Tom fired his PSP up, browsed for WLANs, found our new one (before I tied it down), hey presto! He's surfing the web from his PSP. It even found an update for the PSP while it was online.
Amazingly good. And it will only get better IMHO.
Greg
GregE240 said:
Another vote for PSP here.....
Games - lots of them.
UMD films - growing day by day.
Get PSP Video 9 and cut MP4s from your own DVD collection.
And....wireless web browsing!! I've set up a WLAN at home tonight, Tom fired his PSP up, browsed for WLANs, found our new one (before I tied it down), hey presto! He's surfing the web from his PSP. It even found an update for the PSP while it was online.
Amazingly good. And it will only get better IMHO.
Greg
I've got both and vastly prefer the DS, as the games are perhaps fewer in number but generally higher in quality, very much a la Gamecube and PS2, or N64 and PS. I wouldn't say that the PSP was necessarily a more powerful machine either (just look at Mario 64 DS or whatever its called for evidence of the DS power), its just that the graphical style on the PSP is perhaps more mature, leading people to believe it is more powerful.
That said, the DS isn't backwards compatible with all Gameboy games ever, only Gameboy Advance ones, and it isn't any smaller than a PSP either, different proportions and perhaps a little bit lighter, but not really smaller.
The PSP is the sure winner but for now it is over priced and over rated. Comparing the DS and the PSP though is almost pointless as the only thing they have in common is they are portable games consoles.
The DS seems to be basically a re-packaged N64 with a few new tricks - as such it is not pushing any performance or graphics envelope, it is a tried and tested, proven and liked system. The games feel a bit "basic" visually but more than make up for it in the gameplay (with a few notable exceptions like NFS which is utterly unplayable). You gain the GBA back catalogue which is huge and has more than a few *really* good games in it and you can usually pick them up in the bargain bin for peanuts. Sadly though the DS is firmly aimed at kids (at least outside of Japan) so there is always the nagging feeling of playing with a kids toy.
The PSP is the total opposite - expensive, slick and aimed primarily at adults.
Ultimately you get what you pay for but in my book the PSP is still way over-priced (all of the next gen consoles seem to be). The only company that seems to be even attempting to keep cost down is Nintendo and the upcoming Revolution does look like it might upset the status-quo a bit but once again the wholesome family image that Nintendo pushes so hard is likely to be its downfall...
The DS seems to be basically a re-packaged N64 with a few new tricks - as such it is not pushing any performance or graphics envelope, it is a tried and tested, proven and liked system. The games feel a bit "basic" visually but more than make up for it in the gameplay (with a few notable exceptions like NFS which is utterly unplayable). You gain the GBA back catalogue which is huge and has more than a few *really* good games in it and you can usually pick them up in the bargain bin for peanuts. Sadly though the DS is firmly aimed at kids (at least outside of Japan) so there is always the nagging feeling of playing with a kids toy.
The PSP is the total opposite - expensive, slick and aimed primarily at adults.
Ultimately you get what you pay for but in my book the PSP is still way over-priced (all of the next gen consoles seem to be). The only company that seems to be even attempting to keep cost down is Nintendo and the upcoming Revolution does look like it might upset the status-quo a bit but once again the wholesome family image that Nintendo pushes so hard is likely to be its downfall...
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