Okay, I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and buy a portable video game system. It’s going to be either the DS (Doveswan, right?) or Playstation Portable.
What triggered this decision was when I found out that Pro Action Replay had finally come out with a device for the DS. (It might’ve been sooner, but today was the first time I actually saw one.) I know Codebreaker has something planned for the PSP, but I haven’t seen one yet, nor have I been able to find out anything online.
I’ve barely even glanced at the next-gen portable systems before now, and I need advice, as much as possible, anything, everything. What peripherals there are and what they do, general graphic and sound quality, dependability, how much I can expect to spend, etc.
Some details:
I will get a…ahem…cheat device (although I prefer the term “maintain my damn sanity device”). No, forget it, no discussion, this one’s carved in stone. I remember the nightmares, the screams of agony, the seemingly endless crushing despair, the torment and misery and bitterness that took 5 years off my life. And then I got to the hard stuff. I’m too old for that junk. I decide whether or not the game deserves to be played like it was intended.
I’m a child of the arcades (as you may have surmised by most of the posts I’ve made here), so I’ve developed a tremendous fondness for fun, understandable, cathartic “arcade style” gaming, and safe to say I always will. I’m intrigued by New International Track and Field, and I might even want to give the new Ghosts 'n Goblins a try (though from what I’ve heard Capcom jacked up the difficulty about a dozen notches).
I prefer MODERATE challenges. To use the NES as an example, I loved Rush 'n Attack, Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out, Metal Gear, Contra (w/lives code), Super Mario Bros. 1 and 2, The Legend of Zelda, DuckTales, and Double Dragon. The Adventures of Bayou Billy was the very limit of what I could handle, Zelda 2 was well out of reach (one of the first games I needed the Game Genie for), and I found Battletoads, Defender of the Crown, and Air Fortress to be absolute abominations. I don’t mind taking several tries to get past a tough hurdle so long as I can see the progress and I eventually get past.
I don’t like lots and lots and lots of things to remember and constantly keep track of. My job gives me enough of that as it is, thank you. No 20-gun arsenals, 50 car tuning adjustments, or food/military/civilian/happiness/land/reputation micromanagement juggles.
I’m willing to give offbeat, unconventional, or just plain weird games a try (I’m kinda intruiged by Cake Mania but haven’t gotten the nerve to buy it), but they’d better actually be fun as well. Mad Maestro was horrible, Unison was megabland and absolutely did not warrant anyhting more than a single rental, and I’m not feeling the love for We Love Katamari. I’ve had nothing but positive things to say about the Klonoa games, though. In general, I’d much rather see a real creative spirit and unique gameplay than Stupid Controller Tricks.
No RPG’s of any kind. Hate them. Don’t even want to look at them anymore.
The popular belief currently is that the PSP is dying, which is largely true if you look at its US sales figures compared to the DS. Furthermore, there are almost no note-worthy games coming to the platform in the near future, though that’s not to speak of the numerous games already out there worth a look, but none of them really struck a chord with me, which is why I sold my PSP within a month of buying it. I should note though that the PSP does have many multimedia functions, such as web browsing and music playing, but I found them all very frustrating to use (particularly after I bought an iPhone, which does everything but gaming countless degrees better).
On the other hand, I still own my DS Lite, though I really don’t play it a whole lot either. However, between the two platforms, it is hands-down the better one, imo. It has a huge library of games, and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding stuff you’re interested. I just finished playing Professor Layton (a unique puzzle adventure game) and had a blast.
If you do want a DS though, I might suggest holding off for the newest version coming out in a few months: the DSi. It has slightly bigger screens, two embedded cameras, and access to an online store where you can buy games unique to just the DSi. In addition, in supports various multimedia functions such as music playing and a built-in browser, like the PSP. The downside? Well, the device isn’t yet out in the US or UK, and also, it will reportedly be $50 more than the DS Lite, which is already a fine system.
The biggest downside in my mind is that the DSi has no backwards compatibility with Game Boy Advance games, so keep that in mind if that’s important to you (and there are a ton of great GBA games out there).
I have no experience with the PSP, so I can’t really speak in favor of it, but I LOVE my DS and I would recommend it like crazy. There’s a new game which just came out called Retro Game Challenge, which is a journey through the 80s with new games made to represent the various trends (you even have an option for reading manuals and old GameFan magazines, as some of the games have purposely crazy control schemes, like Bandai used to do with their crappy NES games, as well as Contra-style cheat codes which are listed in the magazine) of the Atari/NES/Game Boy Green era. It might be a perfect starter game for you.
On a related note, I have noticed that at least in NYC, the PSP seems to be the popular system among minorities, while I only see whites playing the DS…
Male 39, and all I play anymore is the DS. The PSP seemed to be more of a mini-Playstation. Same Playstation games, just portable.
The DS, with the dual screen and touch screen, seems to have games made just for it. The super casual gamer games like Touchmaster or Clubhouse games are collections of board/sports/card games.
There are also collection old school arcade games like Atari, Midway, etc.
And games like Professor Layton, Zelda, Advance Wars, etc. are as addictive as they are unique.
I’ve had my DSlite since it’s release date (May06’) and it’s gotten tons of use and shows little wear and tear. A hinge finally cracked after I dropped it which makes it a bit loose but it plays just fine.
I will be in line for a DSi when they are released.
The DSi has no announce date for the US yet. Don’t worry about it, the DS has trade-in value if you must.
The biggest argument I can give to you is that the DS is the closest I’ve ever seen anything come to the sheer range of weirdness of the original NES. Puzzle Quest. Room 587. Gutenberg Books. Pokemon. Final Fantasy. ANYTHING you want, it’s there.
Wow, I asked for fast responses and I got them. I love this board!
Well, that about settles it. There’s really only one game for the PSP that caught my attention at all (DJ Max), and it’s not worth shelling out $170 for the system just so I can desperately hunt for something else worth my money. And while I personally don’t give a damn about sales figures, the continued lack of a Codebreaker is not acceptable.
The DS it is. Just as well, I was thinking of getting a PS3 anyway… (Hey, screw sales figures, I only want one, all right?)
Oh, and just to allay any fears, I solemnly promise that if I ever develop any interest for the overpriced, chaotic, repulsive, brain-melting, stupid pointless aggravating frustrating exasperating complete waste of time that is online gaming, I will never use the Pro Action Replay for it.
I adore my DS & think every home should have at least two.
However, if you’re thinking of getting a PS3, you might want to read up on the connection between PSP & PS3 machines. As I understand it, (I don’t own either of them) they combine for playing different games and watching movies on your PSP you bought via the PS3’s connection to the PS store and so on.
I still think you should be a DS but the interoperability of the PS3 & PSP is something to consider. The upcoming DSi is going to have a similar interoperability with the Wii, fwiw.
I don’t know what’s in store for the PSP in the future, but I have one and I love it. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories & Vice City Stories. There’s probably a San Andreas one coming out too.
**Crush **is one of the most original and unique games I’ve played Wipeout & Wipeout Pulse are pretty awesome
**Killzone: Liberation **(3rd person, completely unlike the PS2 games) Sega Genesis collection Capcom Classics collection (there are 2 of these) SNK Arcade collection
**My Beautiful Katamari **was a huge disappointment due to the poor controls on the PSP. I got a PS2 Katamari game and loved it, but I hate the PSP version. It makes my thumbs as sore as hell after about 10 minutes. God of War is very short, but an awesome game nonetheless.
**Echochrome **is a game I saw featured on 1UP.com. It looks amazing, but I think it’s only available in the “Playstation Store”, whatever that is. I can’t find it anywhere!
I am surprised to hear that the PSP is known to be dying. While, I know it will never catch up to the DS I thought it’s sales figures were pretty high. I have one and I really enjoy it. There are a lot of enjoyable games. The Lego Series, Puzzle Quest, GTA series. Huh, I have a couple of other fun games that I am missing. Oh Madden Football. And, there are a few other fun ones.
Having sung my praises of the PSP. Reading what you are interested in playing I think the DS is more up your alley. There seems to be more older type games available on the DS. One thing I would advise before you buy. Go to the store and use each of them to see which you feel more comfortable with. I know Target usually has test ones out that you can fiddle with.
I don’t know if you are just kidding. But, the Playstation Store is the online store where you can buy content for the PS3 and PSP. I am pretty sure you need to update your firmware to access the store. Previously, you needed a PS3 or a PC to get anything from the PS Store on to your psp.
I like the PSP and the games I have for it currently, but I have to say that the controls make my hands cramp up. The DS Lite does kind of the same thing - I’m really glad I didn’t ditch my original DS. It’s a bit heavier and bulkier, but I find it more comfortable to play.
Well, I don’t have a PS3, so I don’t know anything about the Playstation store. I really think I NEED Echochrome though. For a game that’s in black and white with basic graphics, it seems pretty incredible. I’m an MC Escher fan, and it looks like the levels were somewhat inspired by him. So I can access the PS Store through my PC, buy and download the game, then transfer it to my PSP?
just figured I should chime in and point out the elephant in the room (or any room with a PSP conversation)
the PSP is the MOST HACKABLE system since gods know when.
The DS has better games for the system itself, more varied games, and great games.
but the PSP, when hacked, has access to the ENTIRE LIBRARIES of the Playstation 1, the N64, the SNES, and any other system you should choose to emulate on the thing.
Just for the PSX games alone that’s pretty worth it.
If you’re not planning on hacking the system than I’d say DS is much better. But if you hack the PSP it’s a freakin excellent system. There were some fan-freakin-tastic PSX games back in the day
I agree with PopeIsJewish entirely. The homebrew community for the PSP offers so much. Sometimes, it seems like their tech support surpasses anything Sony could offer. If you don’t mind messing with the system a little bit it is definitely worth doing. It made the machine so much more useful to me. But, without the technical knowhow or atleast some technical bravery you won’t be able to access this stuff - that’s the big reason I was wary to bring it up.
As far as accessing the PSStore. I believe you are able to use the PC to download the game and then there is some piece of software that allows you to transfer it to your PSP. Alternatively, if you have access to a WiFi network you can update your firmware and access the PS Store directly from the PSP.
I am talking as if this were easy. But, Ihave never done it. So, take my advice with a grain of salt.
Ok, I found the PS store web site. Signed up (but didn’t enter billing info yet). Added Echochrome to “My Games”. No option to purchase, download, or install it. This web site absolutely sucks, it is not intuitive at all. Hmmm, somehow stumbled onto a page that lets you register your hardware, including the PSP. Looking for the numbers on the PSP. Dear Og, those are freaking small. I don’t normally have trouble reading small print at all, but I think I’m going to need a magnifying glass, or better yet, a microscope. How the hell do you even print letters and numbers that small? Finally, after much eyestrain, enter the numbers. What the &^#$ do you mean “this product number appears to be invalid”??!@?!.
Ok, the hell with this. A BIG F U to the shitty playstation store and their shitty numbers on the shitty PSP. May every generation of children born to PS Store employees for a thousand years be shat out with the stupidity of a million GW Bushes!
