I'm considering buying either a DS or PSP... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Pogue Mahone · 08-01-2008, 08:27 PM

I know there's currently a similar topic right now, but I won't hijack it.

I'm going to be on vacation in Pennsylvania in a couple of weeks and I'm looking to get either a DS or PSP. Both are appealing for different reasons. The DS because it has a lot more casual pick up 'n play games and a relatively solid library (including New Super Mario, both Castlevania games, and Sonic Rush. And Chrono Trigger's coming out for it soon), as well as a unique way to play games. The PSP has a similarly strong library, but they're for the most part more geared toward hardcore gamers like Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, and God of War: Chains of Olympus. Plus, the Resistance game coming out for it looks awesome. You can also watch movies on it (although I probably won't) and I also have the option of connecting it to my PS-3 (although I don't know how that would come in handy).

But they also have their flaws. While the DS has some solid games, there really aren't too many that I'm interested in other than the ones I mentioned. Most DS games just seem like crap shovelware (I mean Petz: Dogz 2???). As for the PSP, it seems like most of the great games eventually come out on the PS-2 (Ratchet and Clank came out not too long ago, and so did the Grand Theft Auto games for example). That, and the Sonic games on it are supposed to suck hard. What's the point of spending $200 on a portable system when I could wait for a few months and buy the games on the PS-2 for about $40?

To me, both systems are about equal in their positives and negatives. Both appeal to me in different ways, and I can't decide on which to get.

So, uh, help?

Seanland · 08-01-2008, 09:22 PM

For a vacation, I'd go PSP for sure.. just cause, you can watch movies, listen to music and play games...
PSP is more versatile in my opinion.. perfect for vacations..

DS i find is more of a at home, pick up and go kind of system..

depending on your attention span, if shorter go PSP, if longer go DS.

fingofongo · 08-01-2008, 10:15 PM

I bought a psp at launch, and was very excited about it. However, after a while, I found I wasn't using it much. A year later I sold it. There just wasn't any games to play..
I now have a ds lite and I play it quite a bit, with the strategy and rpg games that were recently released. But the psp has some games now..

It really comes down to preference, do you want battery life or graphics power? Better controls (i hate the psp slidey stick) or media versatility? I don't think either decision is bad, they're about equal I'd say.

ratbastid · 08-02-2008, 03:11 AM

Get an iPod Touch. It's an EXCELLENT media player, and the App Store guarantees a massive supply of 3rd party applications, including some really great games. The App Store has been open for three weeks, and there are over 1000 applications there, many of which are free.

Prophecy · 08-02-2008, 08:30 AM

The DS has a much larger collection of games, but it that's it. Following up on what Sean said, if you want to do more than play games, like watch movies or play music go for the PSP. Personally, a small screen is okay for games, but I can't stand a screen that small for movies.

In short if you want games DS, if you want mixed media PSP.

YaWhateva · 08-02-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingofongo

I bought a psp at launch, and was very excited about it. However, after a while, I found I wasn't using it much. A year later I sold it. There just wasn't any games to play..

This was true a few years ago when the psp first came out but it isn't true now. There are a ton of good games for both systems.

As for a choice, I have both and I think either would be a good choice for a vacation. I might give a slight edge to the psp because of the media capabilities, though.

Pogue Mahone · 08-02-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prophecy

Personally, a small screen is okay for games, but I can't stand a screen that small for movies.

That's how I feel about it, too. And I have an iPod, so I won't be using it for listening to music, either.

So it all comes down to the games...

Locobot · 08-31-2008, 12:06 AM

Don't get a DS, get a DS Lite, definitely superior. You can browse the web and watch movies on your DS if you're crafty, but it kind of sucks. I would try playing some of those PSP games before you buy, every game I've played on that console has been pretty craptastic. UMD movies do look nice on the PSP though...

CyCo PL · 08-31-2008, 07:19 AM

If you're moving around a lot and want a portable system that doesn't require as much constant charging, grab a DS. It's graphically inferior to the PSP, but there are a ton of great games for it and it can be "closed" at any time for when you need to quit playing and get a little bit of work done. You can find the games for relatively cheap on ebay since the R4 chip and pirated DS games has kind of driven the price down on sales of legitimate used games.

I just recently picked up a PSP off ebay (with 9 games included), and it's also really great, but I don't look at it as much of a portable console as the DS. I always keep it in its case for fear of scratching the massive beautiful screen, and I usually find myself playing near an electrical outlet (not plugged in, just near) for fear of the battery running out while I'm playing. From what I've seen though, the battery lasts quite a long time for the quality of the games. I couldn't tell you exactly how long it lasts because I only play in short bursts, but I know I've played for two hours in one sitting and didn't lose a single "bar" on my battery gauge. It might not last you through an entire long trip, but it will last fine for those short-burst play sessions to kill some time.

I think what it mainly boils down to is what type of gamer you are. The PSP seems more geared toward the generation of gamers that loved the PS2, with its large variety of 3D action games (GTA, god of war), and more recently the 3D japanese RPG's (crisis core). The DS seems to embrace more of the 2D game conventions set in stone during the 16-bit era with its large variety of platforming action games (new super mario bros, castlevania), puzzle games (meteos, brain age), and strategy games (advance wars, FFTA2). The DS also has "3D" rpg's, like FF3 and FF4, but their gameplay is exactly the same as the 2D rpg's they are based off of, minus the 3D cinematic cutscenes.

TL;DR - If you prefer PS2's style of games, get a PSP. If you prefer SNES, get a DS. You won't be disappointed either way, I know I'm not.

biznatch · 09-01-2008, 07:26 AM

Keep in mind, the DS has Ultimate Mortal Kombat (you can play online), Mario Kart (IMO the best Mario kart game is the DS one), Resident Evil (the port from the playstation), a few cooly designed first person shooters (the bottom screen is your mouse), a good Zelda game, a not too bad Assassin's Creed, and of course, DS classics like Brain Age, Trauma Center, and also the lawyer game(I forget the name).
The Civ: revolution DS game isn't bad either.
My personal favorites are Zelda, Mario Kart and the Korg DS-10 Synthesizer.

08-01-2008, 08:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pogue Mahone Crazy Location: Denver, Colorado	I'm considering buying either a DS or PSP... I know there's currently a similar topic right now, but I won't hijack it. I'm going to be on vacation in Pennsylvania in a couple of weeks and I'm looking to get either a DS or PSP. Both are appealing for different reasons. The DS because it has a lot more casual pick up 'n play games and a relatively solid library (including New Super Mario, both Castlevania games, and Sonic Rush. And Chrono Trigger's coming out for it soon), as well as a unique way to play games. The PSP has a similarly strong library, but they're for the most part more geared toward hardcore gamers like Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, and God of War: Chains of Olympus. Plus, the Resistance game coming out for it looks awesome. You can also watch movies on it (although I probably won't) and I also have the option of connecting it to my PS-3 (although I don't know how that would come in handy). But they also have their flaws. While the DS has some solid games, there really aren't too many that I'm interested in other than the ones I mentioned. Most DS games just seem like crap shovelware (I mean Petz: Dogz 2???). As for the PSP, it seems like most of the great games eventually come out on the PS-2 (Ratchet and Clank came out not too long ago, and so did the Grand Theft Auto games for example). That, and the Sonic games on it are supposed to suck hard. What's the point of spending $200 on a portable system when I could wait for a few months and buy the games on the PS-2 for about $40? To me, both systems are about equal in their positives and negatives. Both appeal to me in different ways, and I can't decide on which to get. So, uh, help? __________________ I still wave at the dots on the shore And I still beat my head against the door I still rage and wage my little war I'm a shade and easy to ignore

08-02-2008, 08:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
Prophecy Oracle & Apollyon Location: Limbus Patrum	The DS has a much larger collection of games, but it that's it. Following up on what Sean said, if you want to do more than play games, like watch movies or play music go for the PSP. Personally, a small screen is okay for games, but I can't stand a screen that small for movies. In short if you want games DS, if you want mixed media PSP. __________________ La Disciplina È La Mia Spada, La Fede È Il Mio Schermo, Non salti Ciecamente In Incertezza, E Potete Raccogliere Le Ricompense.

09-01-2008, 07:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
biznatch Junkie Location: France	Keep in mind, the DS has Ultimate Mortal Kombat (you can play online), Mario Kart (IMO the best Mario kart game is the DS one), Resident Evil (the port from the playstation), a few cooly designed first person shooters (the bottom screen is your mouse), a good Zelda game, a not too bad Assassin's Creed, and of course, DS classics like Brain Age, Trauma Center, and also the lawyer game(I forget the name). The Civ: revolution DS game isn't bad either. My personal favorites are Zelda, Mario Kart and the Korg DS-10 Synthesizer. __________________ Check it out: The Open Source/Freeware/Gratis Software Thread

08-01-2008, 09:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Seanland Psycho Location: Ontario, Canada	For a vacation, I'd go PSP for sure.. just cause, you can watch movies, listen to music and play games... PSP is more versatile in my opinion.. perfect for vacations.. DS i find is more of a at home, pick up and go kind of system.. depending on your attention span, if shorter go PSP, if longer go DS.

08-01-2008, 10:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
fingofongo Upright	I bought a psp at launch, and was very excited about it. However, after a while, I found I wasn't using it much. A year later I sold it. There just wasn't any games to play.. I now have a ds lite and I play it quite a bit, with the strategy and rpg games that were recently released. But the psp has some games now.. It really comes down to preference, do you want battery life or graphics power? Better controls (i hate the psp slidey stick) or media versatility? I don't think either decision is bad, they're about equal I'd say.

08-02-2008, 03:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Get an iPod Touch. It's an EXCELLENT media player, and the App Store guarantees a massive supply of 3rd party applications, including some really great games. The App Store has been open for three weeks, and there are over 1000 applications there, many of which are free.

08-31-2008, 12:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
Locobot is awesome!	Don't get a DS, get a DS Lite, definitely superior. You can browse the web and watch movies on your DS if you're crafty, but it kind of sucks. I would try playing some of those PSP games before you buy, every game I've played on that console has been pretty craptastic. UMD movies do look nice on the PSP though...

08-31-2008, 07:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
CyCo PL Addict Location: Tulsa, OK	If you're moving around a lot and want a portable system that doesn't require as much constant charging, grab a DS. It's graphically inferior to the PSP, but there are a ton of great games for it and it can be "closed" at any time for when you need to quit playing and get a little bit of work done. You can find the games for relatively cheap on ebay since the R4 chip and pirated DS games has kind of driven the price down on sales of legitimate used games. I just recently picked up a PSP off ebay (with 9 games included), and it's also really great, but I don't look at it as much of a portable console as the DS. I always keep it in its case for fear of scratching the massive beautiful screen, and I usually find myself playing near an electrical outlet (not plugged in, just near) for fear of the battery running out while I'm playing. From what I've seen though, the battery lasts quite a long time for the quality of the games. I couldn't tell you exactly how long it lasts because I only play in short bursts, but I know I've played for two hours in one sitting and didn't lose a single "bar" on my battery gauge. It might not last you through an entire long trip, but it will last fine for those short-burst play sessions to kill some time. I think what it mainly boils down to is what type of gamer you are. The PSP seems more geared toward the generation of gamers that loved the PS2, with its large variety of 3D action games (GTA, god of war), and more recently the 3D japanese RPG's (crisis core). The DS seems to embrace more of the 2D game conventions set in stone during the 16-bit era with its large variety of platforming action games (new super mario bros, castlevania), puzzle games (meteos, brain age), and strategy games (advance wars, FFTA2). The DS also has "3D" rpg's, like FF3 and FF4, but their gameplay is exactly the same as the 2D rpg's they are based off of, minus the 3D cinematic cutscenes. TL;DR - If you prefer PS2's style of games, get a PSP. If you prefer SNES, get a DS. You won't be disappointed either way, I know I'm not.