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| How Nintendo has/will kick sony @$$ | ||
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| Topic Started: Jul 29 2006, 04:39 AM (146 Views) | ||
| Abyss of Borg | Jul 29 2006, 04:39 AM Post #1 | |
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Alsatian Rank
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credit: lifeintech.com (articles section) In the beginning... When I was looking for a portable gaming system the Nintendo DS was out of the question; It was a kid's toy and nothing more. Sony's PSP was much cooler with its larger screen, better graphics capabilities, music/video capabilities and decidedly more mature games (Grand Theft Auto, baby!). Like many, I saw the DS touch screen as a gimmick. The same could be said for the dual screens. Nor did its cheap-looking plastic compare to the sleekness of the PSP. Eventually, from the pressure of my girlfriend to play Mario Kart DS, I decided to give it a go. She was having so much fun with hers, after all. For a slick $149 I purchased the DS Mario Kart pack. Now, nearly nine months later, I've found that I never (I mean never) play my PSP. The DS became my handheld of choice. I asked myself how this could be possible, citing all the reasons above and I've formed a simple conclusion: the DS is a better value, period. Price When the PSP came out it set you back $249, which included the bare minimum to get started. If you want to play music and movie files you would have to purchase a larger memory card than the stock 32MB. The DS came out at the $149 price point — $100 less than the PSP. Both systems require a purchase of a separate game. New games cost $35 and $50 for the DS and PSP, respectively. So, if you were to purchase a new PSP and a game, you would be out $300. The DS required only $185. Simply put, the DS cost 60% of the PSP, while its games cost only 70% of PSP games. From a monetary standpoint the DS is the clear winner — especially if mom and dad are going to be purchasing the system for young Timmy. The DS price point allows for a greater audience. These days, you can purchase a DS in a bundle like mine for $149 or purchase the unit alone for $129. The PSP has dropped in price to $199. PSP bundles can sometimes be seen at retailers for the same price, though they usually come with a game that isn't selling well. Innovation "PSP" stands for "Playstation Portable" and that's exactly what it has become. I feel like I have a small Playstation 2 in my pocket. The idea seemed cool at first, but wore off quickly when nothing new is added to the experience. Ridge Racer, while still great in its own right, was just another racing game. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories was yet another GTA game. In essence, the classic (if not offensive) phrase comes to mind: same shit, different day. I purchased SOCOM: Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo thinking the multiplayer experience would be awesome. And it was, for about 10 minutes. Issues with lag and uncooperative teammates quickly ruined the experience. Loading Times Everyone has waited for a level to load, or a save to finish. Sometimes these things take long, making it a major consideration for a handheld. If you have 5 minutes on the bus, is there time for a quick bout? The PSP is notorious for its loading times. Waiting for the game to load initially is bad, but compound that with long loading times per level and you have a serious headache. This has much to do with the slow UMD format. I've found that this problem alone is enough to make me not want to play GTA, which is otherwise a fun game. The DS however has a relatively minimal start time. You must initially hit the touch screen to pass the warning, then touch which game you want to play (DS cartridge, GBA game, Pictochat or Download). This whole process takes maybe 7 seconds, and loading a game like New Super Mario Bros. takes another 5 or 6. From powering on to actually playing a game takes as little as 12 seconds. The PSP requires about 30 seconds. Media Format The PSP requires a Sony Memory Stick to save games (and music, photos, videos). Greater capacity sticks can cost a pretty penny. Currently, a 1GB Memory Stick for the PSP costs $65 on Amazon.com though many gamers can get by on the adequate, if not paltry, 32MB stick included with the PSP. DS saved games are, in true Nintendo fashion, saved to the game cartridge. The advantage here is that you won't have to purchase anything extra to save all your games. However, this means you can't exchange saved games with friends — you'll have to actually beat the game yourself. Sony has been trying to make the PSP a portable entertainment system, not just a gaming device. They've included the ability to listen to music, view photos and even watch movies on the PSP. With the exception of movies on UMD, you're limited by the size of your memory stick. Updates to the system have included a cumbersome web browser and the expensive-to-use LocationFree capability. According to recent reports, Nintendo has partnered with Opera to create a web browser for the DS. It is close to debuting in Japan. Recently released videos of the browser in action show it as responsive and quite capable. In contrast to the PSP's free browser, the DS browser is estimated to cost $35. It's all relative The PSP is a capable machine but has been implemented poorly for the reasons stated above. The underdog DS has proven that raw horsepower does not equate to success. Nintendo and Sony are treating their upcoming machines the same way as their portables; The estimated street price of the PS3 ranges from $500 to $600. Even Sony has said that it will not be inexpensive. However, the Nintendo Wii is estimated to retail for $200 to $300. Some people peg it right in the middle, at $250 which is literally half the price of the lowest PS3 estimate. Considering the price, and that a lot of parents will be making the decision on which console to purchase for their sons and daughters, it is easy to see that most parents will opt for the inexpensive (and uniformly non-offensive) Nintendo unit. Another consideration is the innovation. The Wii controller is a hybrid between a television remote control and a jet fighter joystick. Add to that the motion-sensing, pointing ability, and (lamely) the integrated sound and you have a unique experience just begging to be had. With this controller, Nintendo has simultaneously lifted burdensome paradigms and challenged game creators to think differently. The PS3 controller is, essentially, the same thing as it always has been. At E3, Sony showed the controller with motion sensing capability, though some were unimpressed calling it an after thought. Sony has a long time to make the motion sensing better, though from the start it seemed they were banking on the "wow" factor of the graphics. The format wars continue along the same paths as well. Nintendo is presumably using standard DVD format and memory cards. Sony is not talking but their unit will probably include a hard drive. Their media is, not surprisingly, the proprietary Blu-ray. I don't need to say anything but: Betamax, Minidisc, UMD, Memory Stick, ATRAC, which were all resounding successes. (Please note the sarcasm. Though one could argue the Memory Stick has been successful by its volume of sales.) |
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| Sinion Kabe | Jul 29 2006, 04:28 PM Post #2 | |
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Pitbull Rank
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I've never played Mario Kart DS but I would still say the PSP is better from what I've heared. I ought to give the DS a go but I don't know anybody that has one. Its seen more for children because of games like Mario Kart (even though I think MK is a classic)! | |
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| maramno | Jul 29 2006, 09:58 PM Post #3 | |
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Foxhound Rank
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I prefer the ds and I tried both. But my pal has better ds games so maybe that was why | |
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| mazdan | Jul 30 2006, 01:14 AM Post #4 | |
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Bordeaux Rank
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the DS kicks ass but it is never as good as the PSP
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| Abyss of Borg | Jul 30 2006, 04:20 AM Post #5 | |
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Alsatian Rank
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The PSP is an awesome system except it has no good games. DS has a lot more then Mario and kids type games. |
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| Dci | Jul 30 2006, 05:29 AM Post #6 | |
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Creator of the Boardroom
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Ds is a way better handheld then the PSP, sure the PSP has features and crap but lets see what games they have out ummm.............theres uh........i know theres at least one..... Ds by far as many many good games, what does a gamer want an oversized Ipod with some what internet capablity, or Good games? |
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^MediaMuffin, home to THE BOARDROOM!
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| Abyss of Borg | Jul 30 2006, 06:14 AM Post #7 | |
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Alsatian Rank
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But with the extra features you could run an emulator and on that emulator the greatest game of all time. Minesweeper. lol
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| Dci | Jul 30 2006, 08:03 AM Post #8 | |
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Creator of the Boardroom
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Touche Borg, if i did run an emulator on a Psp the 2 games i'd choose would be DigDug and Bubble Bobble |
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^MediaMuffin, home to THE BOARDROOM!
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| Ghost Rider | Jul 30 2006, 08:28 AM Post #9 | |
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Doberman Rank
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but they are both crap......5 second toys
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| Dci | Jul 30 2006, 08:30 AM Post #10 | |
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Creator of the Boardroom
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how can u say that the Ds is a 5 second Toy?! its only that if u are standing in the middle of the road and u get hit by a 18 wheeler! | |
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^MediaMuffin, home to THE BOARDROOM!
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| Resurgence | Jul 30 2006, 08:07 PM Post #11 | |
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Bordeaux Rank
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Nintendo will always be the PWNing company in the VG industry! As long as they have the Smash saga! lol.... | |
%mh%-6000%mh%
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| Xposure | Jul 30 2006, 10:32 PM Post #12 | |
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Rottweiler Rank
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I find PSP very confusing and technical although ive never actually played a DS so i'm going to have to go with PSP. | |
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| Abyss of Borg | Jul 30 2006, 11:24 PM Post #13 | |
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Alsatian Rank
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Wow I'm shocked you think this.
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| MissBehavin | Jul 31 2006, 09:08 PM Post #14 | |
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Wh!p La$h W0nd3r
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i have always liked sony. but you cant beat mario lol | |
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