A question about gaming.

[hugejazz]

I am currently in the market for a good handheld gaming device. I've searched around this site and I noticed that there are 2 major devices to chose from today: The Sony PSP, and the Nintendo DS Lite.

I will be buying only one of these systems, and I am inclining towards the DS Lite (just based on feeling, because when I was a kid, I loved my gameboy original), but thePSP seems very good too (everything looks good when you are not 'in' with the lastest gadgets).

So my major question is, what is the difference between the 2 systems? I already know the hardware difference, I want to know difference in the gaming experience. Does the DS have better games than the PSP? Is one more enjoyable than the other? What about non-gaming usage? Is one more pratical than the other?

So, assuming that I decide to pick the DS. Does anyone know what color I should get to get the lastest version? I know that Polar white was the original, but what about the Blue, Black or Pink versions? And, is the DS lite going to be replaced soon by another more superior nintendo handheld product? (Nintendo seems to be releasing new hardware very often, GBA, GBA sp, GB micro, DS, DS lite...) I don't want a machine that will be inferior in a couple months.

All that aside, lets talk games. I think I wll be buying 4 games to start off with, can anyone tell me if these are good games to get?
- Brain Age
- New Super Smash Bros
- Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team
- (4th slot... give me suggestions)

Thanks.

[hugejazz]

No one? >:(

[john widow]

If you get a psp, your gonna end up getting a pouch just to protect it, it's very very shiny, in a way where you can see your fingerprints and such....PSP isn't doing as good in sales, don't get it...um...it's cool that you can hack it or something and can use it for other things, that's a +. But DS games are funner I hear.

[aidzhsiah]

I know several people who a PSP and they've pretty mcuh stopped playing their PSPs. They still use it once in awhile as a media player for music or videos but rarely play games anymore on them. The media abilities of the PSP are decent since the screen is phenomenal, but using memory sticks to store it is a hassle.

On the other hand, I know many people who have a DS Lite and think the machine is fantastic. There's really a bunch of great games for the system. The DS Lite is a fantastic piece of hardware which finally got the 'cool gadget' factor it deserved.

The DS Lite's non-gaming usage is quite limited right now, although we're waiting on the English version of the Web Browser.

I doubt there'll be a new DS for a little bit as Nintendo concentrates their efforts on the Wii launch. Quite honestly though, I don't think I'd want the DS to get any smaller than it is now.

As for games,
- Brain Age is good for a cheap game.
- I thought Smash Bros DS was cancelled ?
- Pokemon is kind of bleh. Wait for 'real' DS Pokemon, Pokemon Pearl.

Other good games for DS :
- Trauma Center: Under The Knife
- Mario Kart DS
- Osu! Takake Ouendan! (Import)
- Animal Crossing
- Advance Wars : Dual Strike
- Final Fantasy III (comes out soon)

My gf also loves her Nintendog, but I never really saw the point.

[firehawk12]

DS's best software are lighter games.
Platformers like New Super Mario, Kirby and Castlevania are good.
The "weird" stuff like Pheonix Wright and Trauma Center are good as well.

It seems the best PSP games are those long, hardcore games you'd rather play on a console... like GTA.

[sfu_lifer]

The PSP is a sexy machine with some inherent problems:
1. UMD loading times, this is not as bad as when it was the beginning but the initial loads to get to the game are still long, this is why most PSP owners like myself tend to put it in "sleep" mode so that we can play almost immediately.
2. Due to the power, the PSP battery life is just about half of the DS Lite's playtime. Worse if you overclock it and use Wifi.
3. Heavy
4. That analog nub isn't very good and the d-pad also isn't very accurate.
That said, it's powerful enough to emulate many consoles. If portable as-is nostalgia is your thing, the PSP can do it (well those with the non-latest firmware anyways).
5. Lack of consistent solid software. Basically with the PSP, one good release then many months of waiting for the next big title.
6. And finally why the PSP sucks: it's because of Sony themselves. Their frequent firmware updates that try to break homebrew is wasted effort and just pisses off the gaming community.
But in terms of pure sexiness and raw ability, the PSP is hard to beat. The DS can emulate up to an snes as well but the screen is scrunched up. If you care about current innovative/fresh games more than "homebrew", go with the DS Lite.

[Brownbear]

go DSl + flash kit [I went the G6 route]

Thats the route i went, and im never bored with my DS games :D
also! you can play mp3s, although sound quality isnt up to par with the PSP's, and i mean even when using headphones. You can also play movies, view jpegs, all that crap.
theres even a new WIFI voice chat application that just got released!

DSl FTW

oh, and i have a question regarding your nickname.. hugejazz.. is that from the simpsons?
cuz if so... i recall it being hugh jazz

[BaconMunch]

imagine....in this conversation change all occurences of DSL to Wii, change all occurences of PSP to PS3, there are striking similiarities..but as much as I want to see sony succeed, who knows....maybe gaming on a gaming machine is actually a good idea?

[Tofu Drift Shinji]

The DS is an innovative game machine, no bones about it. In the handheld market, you won't find anything like it until Nintendo goes back to the drawing board. There are a lot of possibilities for game development when you mate a dual screen to a touchpad.

The PSP is the better all-around system, and it can work quite like a Video iPod (except it stores a lot less music/videos), which you may find you'll enjoy. My opinion on the PSP is that while there are some good games, there are very few great games, and there certainly isn't a killer app. The have been teasing us with Gran Turismo for the PSP and it's already been over a year, and it's still not out. The PSP had a whole lot of potential at launch and has fallen flat because of a lack of must-buy titles.

I personally have a DS Lite, and although it's fallen into disuse because of my school schedule, I'm still looking forward to what's coming out for it (and the opportunity of Wii connectivity!)