DS vs PSP?

[Agent X]

Why Nintendo shouldn't be afraid to compete against
PSP with their new DS.

Nintendo was afraid that they would fail with DS,
making it out to be a "make or break" deal for
Nintendo, kinda like throwing a dice in the casino
tables. Hmm...Maybe, Nintendo DS may succeed after
all, because everyone is clamoring "DS! DS! DS!" Well,
it is my pleasure to say that Nintendo SHOULDN'T have
been scared in the first place...because their
company's symbol always starts with....you guessed it:

Innovation.

Nintendo DS is no different in the realm of
innovation, because it has features that were NEVER
used in any kind of gaming handheld. It does borrow
some ideas from some industries...Yes, I'm saying
Nintendo is taking a page from many industries' books.
But, let me start off with how DS is going to topple
Sony's big, bad Playstation Portable, otherwise known
as PSP.

Now, the first thing you're gonna notice is that the
console looks......strange to the casual user, hell,
to anyone, I mean, at first sight, it may look
different...You ask yourself, "what is it?" you
indulge yourself into digging up information on what
it is....and to your suprise, you find
its....Nintendo's handheld. On second thought, you'd
think "hey, that's Nintendo all right." It shouldn't
suprise you on second thought, because Nintendo has
always been known for innovation.

The touch screen idea is a good addition, it may have
a leverage against PSP, because it allows for more
freedom in programming. If you ask me, more developers
will jump on Nintendo's ship, for this feature, why? I
did mention that DS takes pages from some industries,
eh? Does the touch screen seem familiar to you
Windows, PDA, Palm users? Ahhh.....Now you caught my
drift.

Think about it, some programmers will likely be
intrique by the feature, because some companies will
jump on the bandwagon, on developing for DS, what kind
of software, you ask? Think PDA on your DS. With the
Wi-Fi technology already in DS, who can go wrong with
that idea? Another leverage.

On the topic of Wi-Fi, many of you are clamoring "why
Wi-Fi? Didn't Nintendo say that they won't go Online
Gaming?" Funny you should ask that. Anyone pay close
attention to the PDA industry? Cell Phone industry?
Companies are releasing games for the mobile industry.
And its getting popular nowdays. Its so popular, that
any parent that carries a cell phone may be annoyed by
their children's desire to play mini-games on their
cells.

You see, mobile gaming is getting bigger by the day.
More, and more people are buying cell phones, hey, its
not to say that its all because of the games installed
in them, but you should have gotten my point in
bringing up the mindset that a lot of kids play games
on the cell phones. Hey, look at Nokia, they're not
doing so well with Ngage. Now why is this? Because
Ngage isn't very well known, Nokia is known for cell
phones, not for gaming. And, add to the fact that the
handheld (wait, why am I calling it a handheld, its
not even a freakin' handheld! Its a freakin' cell
phone if anyone cares! Yes, sarcasm can be sensed
here.) Hell, I'll go as far as saying that Ngage is
the ugliest thing we've seen since Virtual Boy!

In any case, Nintendo should be glad they included
this feature, because the developers will jump on this
bandwagon of mobile gaming, oh, no, you haven't seen
the whole picture, though! Those companies that
creates mobile games, may jump on Nintendo's ship.
Why!? Because! Its Nintendo!

Profits can be made in Nintendo's market. It'd be
STUPID for those companies NOT to take advantage of
this feature! Those companies who make mobile games
can make a game or two for DS, and make money off
Nintendo, then in return, bring in more casual gamers
or users. No seriously, Nintendo has a lead here. This
feature may expand the mobile gaming industry, no
wait, revolutionize it.

And, how about that second screen? More gameplay
possibilities. Every company that jumps on Nintendo's
side will be able to freely program a game to their
liking! Yes, on the downside, graphics may be
downgraded. But, we're not crying about graphics, are
we? I mean, we don't need graphics to make a console,
let alone, a handheld! PSP may have AWESOME graphics
on their wide-screen. But, you know what they say
about graphics: "Graphics does not make a game"

I think they downgraded the graphics engine, because
they wanted to make the DS much, much easier to
program for.

Here's the downside, though. PSP will take the lead in
the graphics department, because the only reason why
people are going to buy PSP is because of the
graphics. "WOW! PS2 graphics on a small screen!" Now
you catch my drift? No wonder why Sony stopped taking
2D tiltes into their software library. No wonder. Only
well known companies like Capcom and Sammy will be
able to release 2D titles, but the rest, they reject
them. Nintendo will accept all titles, so this is why
companies are jumping on the bandwagon.

Lets not forget the backward compatibility of the DS
with existing GBA/GBASP, and prior GameBoy games. This
is what helped PS2 take the lead. DS has the lead in
this area, kudos to Nintendo for taking notes.

So, this is how Nintendo plans to have ALL three
handheld co-exist. Well, there goes another word of
wisdom: "Word spreads around faster than you can blink
an eye." What I am simply saying here, is that Word
gets around. Any GBA owner, or GBASP owner will buy
DS, and this is the market Nintendo will profit from.
In addition to the insanely LARGE fanbase of Nintendo
products. GameCube users or prior may buy DS as well.

Speaking of DS' design, doesn't it occur to anyone
that it feels like Nintendo's roots has been reborn?
Look at the design very carefully, look at NES'
controller. Ahhh....Now you just noticed it, eh? This
design may be attractive to the VERY first Nintendo
owners. Gamers like myself, who owns every single
Nintendo console (Virtual Boy isn't included, here)
will be attracted to DS because it retains the old
feel of the original consoles, and lets not forget the
most complained feedback: Two buttons. SNES' six
button layout makes its triumphant return. And, yes,
I'm counting the L, and R buttons. This is why DS will
attract disapointed Nintendo fans. These are the
reasons why Nintendo will retain its glory it once
did.

By Carlos X

[JohnXE]

If you were there you would CLEARLY see that DS owned all massively. PSP was just mostly a theory that everything should be on one crappy portable that cant withstand anything without taking breaks to charge.

[TuckerXE]

Good analysis, I'd say. I agree with both of you. I have one thing to add, though - I think GBA/SP sales will dip this year because of it. I had been thinking about buying an SP to replace my current GBA (even though it still works just fine) until this show. Now, I'm going to wait until the DS comes out, and I'm pretty sure I'll pre-order it. I think I've only ever pre-ordered one thing in my life, and it was so I could get a nifty Simpsons hat. This time, it'll be so that I actually get one, because I think the DS will be selling out everywhere, especially as it comes out the Monday after Thanksgiving.

[Bondo]

I'm with Tucker in wanting the DS not only because it is cool on its own, but that I sort of wanted an SP (though wasn't actively considering getting it) so the DS fills that need as well. I don't suppose Nintendo will care about a drop in SP sales as long as each less SP sale is one more DS sale. If the PSP outsells the DS, I will finally lose all faith in the gaming public though.

[Anarchey]

Thread summerized: http://www.penny-arcade.com/view.php3 (the last one)

[Bondo]

LMAO, the Killzone one was too funny.

[Clown]

I think DS and the psp both look pretty good. But I'm leaning toward getting the psp.

[Michael-XE]

I'm getting a PSP, Nintendo put Wi-Fi Technology into the DS for lan and online support, and yet Nintendo won't use the online capabilities. The PSP already named a few games to be online (Grand Turismo 4). Plus I've given up on Nintendo. They refuse to give the fans what they want (and I mean the real fans that hve been with them since day one, not the pokemon playing fans). Nintendo recently said that no ones wants online play. Yea, over 1 million Xbox Live Subscribers (which Microsoft predicts to double soon due to Halo 2 EA line-up) and the huge amount of PS2 online Suscribers are no one...LOL!!!

[JohnXE]

I would like to see the link were it says that, also they arent doing it because of profibility. The whole DS thing is something different, I dont think there will be true online play with them. Besides that your going to buy Gran Tuismo 4 for something it would look like crap on compared to on TV? Your going to pay $100 just to get the "full experience" gimme a break n00b ;)

[Najar]

I'm getting a PSP, Nintendo put Wi-Fi Technology into the DS for lan and online support, and yet Nintendo won't use the online capabilities. The PSP already named a few games to be online (Grand Turismo 4). Plus I've given up on Nintendo. They refuse to give the fans what they want (and I mean the real fans that hve been with them since day one, not the pokemon playing fans). Nintendo recently said that no ones wants online play. Yea, over 1 million Xbox Live Subscribers (which Microsoft predicts to double soon due to Halo 2 EA line-up) and the huge amount of PS2 online Suscribers are no one...LOL!!!
If i was to get a handheld, i would get a PSP as well. Not only because of online capabilities, but because i'm a hardcore Playstation fan as well. I want online playing capabilities, so idk what Nintendo is talking about. PSP will have the same graphics as the PS2 too, so the graphics will be pretty kickass. It all adds up to me getting a PSP before i get a DS.

[Tim-XE]

I think Nintendo should be applauded for innovating once again in an industry suffering from a lack of innovation. Sony has once again taken the "better technology = better games" approach with the PSP, and they really should look into getting some original ideas. We're at the point now where graphics are already so awe inspiring that excellent looking games don't really impress us as much anymore since they come around so often.

[Najar]

Well the "better technology = better games" is what this gaming industry is all about. Why not use better technology to sell games. Why do you think that Sony is where they are today. So why should they change there habbits of being on top of the gaming industry. Just look at the Gamecube compared to PS2. Big difference between them.

[Tim-XE]

Sony is built on sequels. They need something new. The huge amount of sequels is directly responsible for the declining game industry in Japan, according to many experts. God of War looks excellent, but aside from that, every "highly anticipated" PS2 game is another sequel in a franchise that Sony has already milked for every penny by releasing a new game faster than every other year. Three GTA, Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank and Final Fantasy games in the span of 4 years? Spend some more time on your games so that they're more than just another half-assed expansion pack.

[Daniel-NE]

Well the "better technology = better games" is what this gaming industry is all about. Why not use better technology to sell games. Why do you think that Sony is where they are today. So why should they change there habbits of being on top of the gaming industry. Just look at the Gamecube compared to PS2. Big difference between them.

Sony is where they are today because they take other people ideas and play the safe route. Like Tim said Nintendo are the real inovators of the industry. I mean look at the Sony Eye Toy, yes Nintendo pretty much came up with that idea with their GameBoy Camera. And then in terms of games looky here, Viewtiful Joe does excellent on the GameCube and then all of a sudden Sonys rushing to get it on the PS2, before its success they wouldnt touch it with a barge poll.

Sony gets it's success from 'casual gamers' mostly, if you look at real 'gamers' who know what they're on about 90% of the time they'll own a xbox or gamecube...or better yet, both!

Anyway I could go on but I won't.

[Najar]

Well for one thing, I don't like the Sony Eye Toy. I don't really care about the game Viewtiful Joe neither. When it comes down to the facts, Sony has better sells than Gamecube. I guess there is more 'casual gamers' than real 'gamers' as you so put it. Therefore Sony is reaching out to the bigger crowd to make more money, which is a great idea. An idea that they didn't steal from another company. Nintendo and Microsoft is just mad they didn't come up with the idea first. And if that quote is true on our Homepage about Microsoft bashing Sony, then Microsoft is losing out on money. Not that it is a problem for Bill Gates. That just tells me that Sony is the most prosperous company out in the industry right now.

[Tim-XE]

I don't think anyone would argue that Sony is the most prosperous player in the game industry right now. The disagreement is about how they got there. I think it was by playing it safe until Nintendo or Sega made the first move and either succeeded or failed, and then they used that info to plan their next move. The game industry is, unfortunately, one of the few businesses where one can succeed without taking risks, which is made obvious by the unwavering success of franchises like Madden or GTA.

[Najar]

I think that is what makes Sony a great company. They will never have a risk of failing. If i had to choose between a company like sony or nintendo to own, i would definitely be the president of Sony. The part about using information that other companies had to further develop there own company is only the most intelligent thing that i've ever heard. The the path the Sony took to get to where they are today isn't any different from any other company today. Taking things from other developers has always been a hobby of Microsoft in the computer world. So maybe Sony took the best path to get to where they are today, the top of the gaming world!

[Tim-XE]

Just be glad Nintendo still exists to take those first steps, or you'd probably end up playing the same damn platformers with slightly upgraded graphics for the next decade. Sure, they're #1 in the industry in terms of their installed base, but having a year to yourself doesn't hurt, not to mention their competition from the previous generation lacked 3rd party support. They won't have the same lead next time around, and you can quote me on that.

[Najar]

When you say next time around, you mean PS3 and Xbox 2, right? I haven't heard anything about neither. So i really can't say which one will be better, but i can say that history usually repeats itself...We'll just have to wait and see what the future has in store for us. Sony knew what they were doing this time around. Microsoft had a better system when it came down to specs, but it seemed that more people have a PS2. So however Sony accomplished that is what they are gunna have to do the "next time around."

[Daniel-NE]

I'm not saying Sony is a bad company, i'm just saying 90% of the time they're unoriginal. They have the best business knowledge of the industry at the moment and thats got them where they are, not their fabulous ideas.

Put simply, if you take Nintendo out of the equation, you'd see the industry getting very boring, even companies that tend to shy away from Ninty like EA always applaud Nintendo for making the first moves when all the other companies wouldn't. Despite whether you 'care' or not about things like the Eye Toy it brings in a crapload of money for Sony, not to mention awards.

I still have to wonder sometimes how much knowledge of the industry Sony took (and later used) after Nintendo and theirselves failed console....

[Najar]

I know that Nintendo has set the bases for the gaming industry. I'm not taking anything away from them for that. I'm just saying that Sony is taking a basic idea and expanding upon it. Yes, the Eyetoy is a perfect example. Although I don't like it, like you said, it makes them a lot of money. Sony reminds me alot of another company that i know called Microsoft. They just let companies come up with ideas for software then just copy them. The difference between Sony and Microsoft is that Microsoft will copy, but then when the other company takes them to court, they just buy them out. I'm just wondering why Microsoft doesn't put more money into their console as they do with the computer industry. If they did, Xbox would be the better system with more people buying it instead of PS2.

[Tim-XE]

When you say next time around, you mean PS3 and Xbox 2, right? I haven't heard anything about neither. So i really can't say which one will be better, but i can say that history usually repeats itself...We'll just have to wait and see what the future has in store for us. Sony knew what they were doing this time around. Microsoft had a better system when it came down to specs, but it seemed that more people have a PS2. So however Sony accomplished that is what they are gunna have to do the "next time around."

Sony's massive installed base is a direct result of launching a year ahead of the Xbox and Gamecube. They're not doing that next time. In fact, Microsoft is most likely going to be the first out of the gate with the Xbox's successor, but many will stick by Sony since they've been #1 for two consecutive generations. Still, I think Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo just might split the industry into 3 equal pieces. Experts have argued in the past that the game industry couldn't support 3 major contenders, but if any 3 companies can co-exist it's Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.

[Najar]

Sony's massive installed base is a direct result of launching a year ahead of the Xbox and Gamecube. They're not doing that next time. In fact, Microsoft is most likely going to be the first out of the gate with the Xbox's successor, but many will stick by Sony since they've been #1 for two consecutive generations. Still, I think Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo just might split the industry into 3 equal pieces. Experts have argued in the past that the game industry couldn't support 3 major contenders, but if any 3 companies can co-exist it's Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.
That was very well put Tim. That is something that could very well happen. Nintendo will have to get a better game selection to choose from first. It seems to me that they have childish game titles. If they opened up to more mature gamers, then they would be a liable contender in the industry. But i think you may be right. Especially if they all come out at the same time period.

[Daniel-NE]

It seems to me that they have childish game titles.

Heheh, that is the biggest misunderstanding of all. Whilst I do agree that Nintendo has more titles that are suitable for children (It's bound to happen with all their old mascots) its not all they have. Also just because a game doesn't have violence, swearing etc. doesn't mean a child can play it and play it well.

For example, Zelda is generally ok for little kids, but I couldn't see the average 7 year old finishing Ocarina of Time.

But you do have a point, Nintendo does have a bad image when it comes to that, though they are doing something to get rid of it with titles like Advance wars for the GCN, Geist and Killer 7.

[Agent X]

Well the "better technology = better games" is what this gaming industry is all about. Why not use better technology to sell games. Why do you think that Sony is where they are today. So why should they change there habbits of being on top of the gaming industry. Just look at the Gamecube compared to PS2. Big difference between them.
WELL excuse us, Nintendo hater.......

I perfer quality games over flashy games, the reason I still play PS2 games, and their library of games, is because of how the games are presented. If they look like a good game, then I'll rent it, or buy it. If I hear its good, and I think it'll be good, then a purchase is in order, if I think the game is looking good, and I am not sure, then that's a rental.....Sony doesn't understand that is the mindset of our "minority" of gamers these days, because nowdays, you see "trends" more than QUALITY. That's what we gamers want, QUALITY.

There's a lot of ideas that hasn't been realized in games, yet....and Nintendo continues to innovate the industry, the only problem is, they fail to attract the larger audience like they used to. NES was extremely popular back then, no one cared if its by Nintendo, they only cared of the selection of games...Sega's Master system was launch by then, I don't remember one or two people owning it, for everytime I attend a person house, there's a NES under a TV. Now that we have the technology, we have the technology to make things look "real" "awesome" "flashy" "sexy" and "cutesy" ("kiddie" games, cel shaded games, 3D games made for children *cough* Super Mario 64 *cough* I understand its a pretty hard game for some, but you get my point, the generalization of Nintendo is granted upon the arrival of SM64.)

I mean, damn, they advertise EVERY single damn Super Mario game ever created.....and not paying too much attention to the games geared towards the older crowds, hence how Metroid got less attention than Super Mario ever gotten.....It got rave reviews, and stuff, but it never sold like hotcakes like most of Sony's million sellers. And Metroid isn't the only one sitting in the dark corner. Yes it sold well, I'm just saying its not getting the attention that Mario gets. The same can be said for Zelda going cel shaded...Thank god that the realistic version is coming.

I think, since DS is made by a "kiddie" company, they will stamp DS as "kiddie" by the time DS is launched, or have been in the industry for months. Watch. I swear on it. One picture of Mario will paint DS as "another kiddie console!?" and not another gameboy...which attracts ALL kinds of crowds - youngsters, teens, and adults.

Yes, DS willl sell well, regardless of Nintendo's reputation as a "kiddie" company, but one weakness I found in DS, is the use of the 3D engine....It looks like another N64 than anything else.

[JohnXE]

Thats because it basically is a Nintendo 64. BTW your sig I notice you got all these other shitty forums in there and then Nintendo Evolved, but no Xbox Evolved.

[MoX]

Well, we're at Xbox Evolved, so I doubt it matters. loz
I think that is what makes Sony a great company. They will never have a risk of failing.Never risking failure means never getting anything new. So you keep playing the same games until you inevitably stop.

[Agent X]

Thats because it basically is a Nintendo 64. BTW your sig I notice you got all these other shitty forums in there and then Nintendo Evolved, but no Xbox Evolved.
Its an old sig I have here at XE, I'm keepin' it that way....but at other forums, your site's name is on it.

[JohnXE]

GOOD GOOD (rubs hands together)

[Michael-XE]

Sony is built on sequels. They need something new. The huge amount of sequels is directly responsible for the declining game industry in Japan, according to many experts. God of War looks excellent, but aside from that, every "highly anticipated" PS2 game is another sequel in a franchise that Sony has already milked for every penny by releasing a new game faster than every other year. Three GTA, Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank and Final Fantasy games in the span of 4 years? Spend some more time on your games so that they're more than just another half-assed expansion pack.


Oh, and Nintendo hardly ever releases remakes of any of there games. Please. The only reason to own a Nintendo system now is to play the newest Mario/Zelda/Metroid game. I've given up on Nintendo. THe DS cat feature is cool as hell, but if the PSP offers one as well, then there is no reason for me to get the DS (especially since I have a GBA SP). Oh, even though the DS is backwards compatible, it won't support multiplayer ofr GBA and GB games.

[Patrick-NE]

DS all the way. Main reason is that by the looks of it you can buy 2 DS for the price of one PSP ;)

[Windmill]

Okay, I fully agree, but dude! Man, you made some mistakes in what you said the DS could do and stuff.

Nintendo DS is no different in the realm of
innovation, because it has features that were NEVER
used in any kind of gaming handheld.Thats wrong. If you mean things like the touch screen, yes, its been done before, just no by a big-major company.

On the topic of Wi-Fi, many of you are clamoring "why
Wi-Fi? Didn't Nintendo say that they won't go Online
Gaming?" Funny you should ask that.Nintendo did clearly state that the DS was gonna go online :)

I think they downgraded the graphics engine, because
they wanted to make the DS much, much easier to
program forThat, and possible because it'd cost less ;)

because the only reason why
people are going to buy PSP is because of the
graphics. And movies, and music :D

Lets not forget the backward compatibility of the DS
with existing GBA/GBASP, and prior GameBoy games. This
is what helped PS2 take the lead. DS has the lead in
this area, kudos to Nintendo for taking notes. Ah ha, heres where I HAD to correct you. It will only play gba games. gbc, and just plain gb games WONT play on the DS because nintendo said it would cost too much money.

However, I totally agree, DS all the way :) (mainly because of their games. I so want to play four swords online!!!)

[JStep0328]

Aight I am going with the sexy look of the PSP....

My bro Najar is a Nintendo hater, but I like Nintendo...
But I don't think I'll get the DS because I feel that the PSP will be better, maybe I'll be wrong, but we'll see in March of 2005 or whenever PSP comes out