To DS or PSP....that is the question.

[raydeen]

Ok. I'm thinking about getting back into console games, but I don't have the money or time for getting a TV based system. So, it's either a DS or PSP. I was thinking DS after seeing the previews for Contra 4 but then I saw that a reissue of Dracula X is coming out for the PSP. Castlevania > Contra. Plus, the games seemed to be more my speed on the PSP. Now, here comes the tricky part. When I went to browse and get a feeling for the systems at one of the local EB's, the PSP seemed like it was getting quite a bit of neglect compared to the DS (and pretty much everything else in the store). Is the system about ready to flush? I don't want a repeat of my last console purchase where I bought a Dreamcast (love it) only to have it buried about 5 months after I bought it. Is there any one killer feature or app (or dealbreaker) that should swing me? I'm sure some of you have both and I know there are pros and cons to each. The only games that I really found appealing at a glance on the DS were some of the old retros, the new Contra and Etrian Odyssey. The PSP games I thought were interesting were Tekken 4, Untold Legends, and Dungeon Siege. Throw me some pointers and advise as the last new console game I bought was probably Gauntlet Legends for the DC. And if the decision is PSP, should I wait for the new system in Sept.? Oy.

[Merusk]

From what I've seen the PSP just isn't getting the same amount of games as the DS.  Of course, as you point out a lot of the DS games are kids games (not nececcarily a bad thing, I like a lot of them personally)   If you can tolerate a lower amount of games but with a higher % that are aimed at your taste, go for the PSP.  If  you're looking just for sheer # of games so you can pick and choose,  go for the DS.

 I don't think Sony's going to drop the PSP platform any time soon, but our resident cheerleader could tell you with more accuracy than I.

[Amaron]

I am in much the same position.  I would prefer a DS in many ways but so far as an RPG gamer I've found the system fairly lackluster.   Even the RPGs it does get end up turning me off for being kind of meh.   A few exceptions exist but a lot of the upcoming stuff for the PSP looks really appealing.  I almost caved in for the new FF remakes on the PSP as well.

I was hoping the PSP slim would be promising enough to make it a no brainer purchase but the previews of it look kind of iffy to me.  The PSP looks like it could take off with a price drop but I still worry it will end up being a waste of money.

[naum]

I am surprised about how many games are on DS, even though a lot of 'em are for little kiddies, I've thought of plunking down money for one, and it's priced within reason IMV…

A PSP would be much more tempting if I didn't already own a video iPod, as being able to rip movies for it seems as big a lure as the gaming titles…

[caladein]

The Final Fantasy Tactics re-release/make pretty much made my decision simple. Then again, I'm weak.

Merusk hit it on the head though: you'll probably like a higher percentage of PSP games, but there might just be more DS games that you'd like.

[schild]

Final Fantasy Re-Release and a Disgaea re-release.

So uh.

I don't know anymore. Buy both.

[Oban]

If you frequently travel on long-haul flights that do not have standard in-seat AC power, the PSP's ability to swap battery packs without an ille-TSA-gal screwdriver is a godsend.

With two extended batteries, I never pack a charger.  Always a plus when traveling to non-standard countries.

[Moaner]

I originally received a PSP as a gift 2 years ago.  I kept it for a while as it seemed like a great little handheld but I got very little use out of it due to lack of games. 

So, I sold it to a friend and picked up a DS.  I love my DS, but PSP is finally getting some great RPGs.  Disgaea, Jeanne d'Arc, FFT remake, FF remakes, and R-Type Tactics (spooge!) are all incoming on PSP.  Also, now that I have a PS3 remote play looks interesting and there are actually a few PS1 games I'd like to play. 

So, at the moment I'd go PSP.

[raydeen]

I think I am going to swing on the PSP vine if for no other reason than I'd probably have to get glasses for the DS. Bigger screen for older eyes ftw. Plus I like that I can plop movies and mp3's on SD cards. I don't have any real mp3 player so it's a toofer as far as I'm concerned. Now, is there a built in web browser for this thing yet or do you still need to hack some game to get on the net?

[voodoolily]

Another benny to consider with the DS is backwards compatibility. PSP just doesn't have it.  I love being able to play GBA games on my DS, especially when you can find good used ones for $5.

[Rasix]

Another benny to consider with the DS is backwards compatibility. PSP just doesn't have it.  I love being able to play GBA games on my DS, especially when you can find good used ones for $5.

PS has all sorts of backwards compatibility. It's even backward compatible with the SNES.   

[schild]

Oh, if you buy a PSP out of the store now and don't upgrade it, the PSP is the most backwards compatible thing ever. I'm not one to endorse ROMs publically, but who can blame you if you legally want to play PS1 games you already own. Ya know? That thick grey line between piracy and awesome.

[raydeen]

Oh, if you buy a PSP out of the store now and don't upgrade it, the PSP is the most backwards compatible thing ever. I'm not one to endorse ROMs publically, but who can blame you if you legally want to play PS1 games you already own. Ya know? That thick grey line between piracy and awesome.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............mmmmmmm.........mmmmmmmmmmmmmm........

And Sold.

[Trippy]

Now, is there a built in web browser for this thing yet or do you still need to hack some game to get on the net?

Yes the PSP comes with a Web browser.

[Amaron]

Oh, if you buy a PSP out of the store now and don't upgrade it, the PSP is the most backwards compatible thing ever. I'm not one to endorse ROMs publically, but who can blame you if you legally want to play PS1 games you already own. Ya know? That thick grey line between piracy and awesome.

Is it still possible to put homebrew on the ones still in stores?  I might have to get one before the slim comes out if that's true.  Though all the reviews of the slim make it sound like it's got a much better dpad.

[schild]

Yes, get one before the slim comes out. The new one does have a better dpad. Really though, I'm getting a slim in addition to having my regular one. It's by FAR the best portable device for emulation and the only portable device for PS1 games - and that emulator is as close to perfect as perfect gets. It's also region free, if you know what I mean.

The slim, however, has Component output, which is just Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwesome.

[Yegolev]

Internet 1, Yegolev 0.

However, Schild makes great points.

[raydeen]

Yes, get one before the slim comes out. The new one does have a better dpad. Really though, I'm getting a slim in addition to having my regular one. It's by FAR the best portable device for emulation and the only portable device for PS1 games - and that emulator is as close to perfect as perfect gets. It's also region free, if you know what I mean.

The slim, however, has Component output, which is just Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwesome.

On the emulation front I was under the impression there wasn't much in the way of emulators for it. I took a spin 'round zophar.net (which has been my main emu site for years) and they didn't have an active link for the PSP. Must've caved due to legal issues. I'll have to spelunk elsewhere. Thanks for the info on not getting the newer one. Doesn't sound like enough of a deal to wait for. Plus there'll probably be bugs in the first run.

[Baldrake]

Or you could just get a Palm and play the only portable game you really need.

[Amaron]

The slim, however, has Component output, which is just Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwesome.

Is it really component?  I heard there was some debate about that because originally it wasn't supposed to get HDTV output or some such.   I assumed it was the old composite/component confusion and that it probably really has composite out.

[Trippy]

It can output both composite and component.

[schild]

Component doesn't mean HDTV. It can be any res. It's more about the quality than the resolution, it just happens to have the bandwidth to go up to hi-def shit.

[Amaron]

Component doesn't mean HDTV. It can be any res. It's more about the quality than the resolution, it just happens to have the bandwidth to go up to hi-def shit.

Depends on your definition of HDTV I guess.  The HDTV spec covers everything from 480p and up.  Some people consider a lot of that to be EDTV though.  If it has component though I doubt it bothers to output at 480i when it's internal output is digital in the first place.  So I'm basically assuming component means HDTV (or EDTV if you prefer) in this case.  Really though the only thing I care about is progressive scan since I have an LCD HDTV.  If we're lucky it might even have 480p widescreen spec.

Although the fact that it can output composite worries me.  That means it can output in 480i and thus they may not of been able to include the electronics to do 480p as well.   Which would make the component useless to me.

[Trippy]

Component doesn't mean HDTV. It can be any res. It's more about the quality than the resolution, it just happens to have the bandwidth to go up to hi-def shit.

Depends on your definition of HDTV I guess.  The HDTV spec covers everything from 480p and up.

No, it does not.