There are three handheld systems that are vying for your attention. If you already have the home console(s) of your choice and are looking to get a handheld system, then you may want to peruse the following information.
- The Nintendo DS
- The Sony PSP Playstation portable
- The Nintendo Gameboy Advance
Two of the three come from our friends at Nintendo, but trust me, there are big differences between them and the PSP. Got a lot of cash and want something? Don’t have a lot of cash and want something? Then check out the pros and cons of these three and thank heavens that the Gizmondo (another hand held system) fell by the wayside so you didn’t have even more problems figuring out what you wanted.
The Nintendo DS
Nintendo has scored a coup when it introduced its new handheld a couple of years ago. Introducing the touch screen was a gamble that paid off big time for the house that Mario built. And although it has already gone throug a redesign in its short lifetime, both the original and new lite versions still sell well and have a bevy of “A” list titles. If you are looking to purchase a handheld system for someone this year, then please look over the following couple of pages.
Why you want a Nintendo DS:
The Touch screen; it’s not just a passing fancy. Oh sure there are some games that utilize it more then others, but developers are embracing its uniqueness. They are having you draw arcane symbols to cast magic, or tap it with the beat to keep characters dancing makes for fun and original gaming. Plus, with the microphone that can record your voice and register you blowing on it, games can really come up with some unique challenges.
It plays GBA games. I have all but tossed my old GBA out because with the DS, you can play both types of games. Plug one in on the top and one in on the bottom and you are good to go on any car trip. It’s nice to play one of the 300 GBA games I have lying all over the house every once in a while.
You can play against others even if they don’t have the same game. With the DS, several dozen games have what’s called “download play”, where only one copy of the game is needed to download the multiplayer game to other DSs. Sometimes up to four players can compete with only one cartridge. This is a top tier bonus.
You can draw and send messages to other people who have a DS. Oh I can only imagine the trouble I would have gotten into if I had this when I was in school – sending wireless messages to others who are within a hundred feet.
It hooks up to wireless internet connection and you can go online and compete against others. Trust me, racing against a buddy playing Mario Kart is pretty cool when he’s sitting on his couch five miles away while your sitting on the throne, hehehehe.
Why you may not want a Nintendo DS:
The graphics can be a bit simplistic. Nintendo has always had a history of not producing the best-on-the-market graphics, and the DS is no exception. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of games with good graphics, but when you compare it to the PSP, the DS falls to second when it comes to processing graphics.
That hinge can be a weak point. Especially when you have a young gamer on your list who wants a new handheld. The way the DS opens up, it would only take one good whack on something for the hinges to hyperextend and put your DS out of commission for good. There isn’t much weight to it either, so you may feel like it is too flimsy for any sort of real life treatment. It can take some damage, but I know two people who have broken their DSs from minimal “accidental” damage.
The PSP has had a rough road. Sony, having thought the PSP UMD disc would catch on, announced this past year that it would not be producing as many movies in the future due to poor sales in the movie division. Plus enough public complaining is only now starting to echo to the developers who are trying desperately to produce a PSP title that is consistently praised by the critics.
Why you want a PSP:
The graphics on the PSP games are clearly the best on the market. It rivals several PS2 games in terms of processing power and has a lot of horsepower in its graphic-producing little brain. The PSP has the potential to really march ahead if the developers can just come up with a great (console) buying title.
The control nub on the PSP plays just like a thumbstick on the other bigger console controlers. It is fairly accurate and makes playing decent titles like the Untold Legends series and Scooby Doo a pleasure to control.
The PSP has more of a universal feel to it. The PSP, even though they are cutting back, can play movies, act as an MP3 player and mini media system. If you are going on a trip and you have your PSP, then you have the complete package: play a game for a while, watch a movie and then enjoy music, plus with the option to put larger memory sticks into it, you can really load up on the entertainment.
It has wireless internet capability, much like the DS. You can go online and play against other gamers in countless online games, but you can also log on to the internet and look around on all the sites you want to; eBay, Myspace, OCMODSHOP and Hawt/Whet.com. The fun never ends!
It can hook up to the PS3, like I said in my console article; it appears that you may be able to download PS1 titles from the PS3 to the PSP, now that would be pretty kick ass, especially when you think about titles like Fear Effect and Final Fantasy VII and being able to play them on the go.
Why you may not want a PSP:
The games are not nearly as well done or highly rated as the DS’s. There are a few that are pretty decent, but for the most part there have been more stinkers then hits and no “elite” games anywhere in sight.
The lack of a second control nub has seriously hampered some titles and developers. If you have played Ghost in the Shell, or either of the Rengoku titles then you know that playing a first person shooter on the PSP sucks. They put one nub in for some control, but the lack of a second one practically cripples one of the most popular genres.
The price can be a turnoff. You can buy excellent handheld gaming for the DS at roughly half the price of a PSP. The base model costs $199.99 and the pro package with a beefier memory card and game will run you $249.99. Or, the same price you would pay for the Nintendo Wii, a home console with way more power and innovation. Factor in that the PSP is a heavier, more meaty machine, and skipping off the sidewalk will not do it any favors. Plus, it’s a rare thing to find a PSP that has a completely dead-pixel free screen.
Depending on what you are buying the PSP for, you may or may not be dismayed at the fact that Sony is slowing down its releases of movies. Personally I could care less, but I don’t use my PSP as a movie viewer.
The cheesy peripherals are becoming a bit of a nuisance. You can buy docking stations, briefcases, screen covers, nub extenders, plastic housings, flip tops and all sorts of other crap so you can rival your Dad and his collection of fishing swag/crap.
It’s the Gameboy advance! And even though it has gone through four (by my count) reincarnations, the system has remained the same for years. Nintendo has no signs of slowing down with this bad boy and here’s hoping they don’t.
Why you want a Gameboy Advance:
The largest library of video games imaginable, yes there is literally thousands of Gameboy titles out there, and more are being produced every day. With the exception of the PC, there will probably be no rival that comes close to matching the sheer volume of games you can play on the GBA.
It is very affordable with some stores running sales this holiday season with a price point of $59.99 for the Gameboy Advance SP. Even cheaper systems can be found online.
The simplicity of the GBA is an excellent choice for the first time or young gamer. With only two buttons and two triggers most games won’t even use all four and this can be highly appealing to young players who are just learning how to effectively utilize hand/eye coordination.
Some of the games on the GBA are among the highest rated and most popular titles of all time. You can play the original Super Mario Bros (and its sucessors). There are even several RPGs that were made famous by the Super NES that have made appearances on the GBA.
Why you may not want a Gameboy Advance:
The graphics have reached their limits. You expect nothing new or revolutionary to come out on the GBA as far as visuals are concerned. The power contained within the GBA has been tapped.
For just a little bit more, you can upgrade to the DS and still be able to play GBA games. This was a brilliant stroke by Nintendo to get people to purchase what they are hoping is the premiere handheld system for the coming years. Spend $79.99 on a GBA micro or spend $129.99 on a DS, not too big of a difference for what amounts to a huge upgrade.