Comparing the Nintendo DS against the PSP
The Nintendo DS and the PSP was almost released at the same time. The Nintendo DS was released a few months earlier than the PSP. Within a few months, a handheld console wars began which begged the question: “Which is the best handheld gaming device?” The two companies battled each other by coming up with platform exclusive games. Let’s see what the buzz was all about.
The Hardware
At first glance, the PSP looks superior to the first Nintendo DS. The PSP’s body looks more expensive with solid and shinny case. The first Nintendo DS looks cheap when compared to the PSP, being made only of plastic. Seeing that the PSP is better looking, Nintendo decided to release Nintendo DS lite. This version of the Nintendo DS looks stylish and expensive. It can now go head to head with the PSP. However, as all gamers know, how the hardware look is not really the main selling point. Because no matter how expensive or beautiful the handheld console, if the games on that system is not good, it will fail.
One feature that the Nintendo DS has that the PSP cannot compete is the touchscreen. The Nintendo DS touchscreen gave players a new dimension when they play games. Instead of pressing the directional buttons on the handheld, Nintendo DS owners can control and play the game by touching the screen.
The Games
Nintendo has been known for being the gaming console for the family, and the Nintendo DS shows this. While most games made for the PSP are mostly similar to the games made for the Sony Playstation which are mostly for mature players, games made for the Nintendo DS can be played and enjoyed by all ages. It can be said that most games made for the PSP are more about graphics, while Nintendo DS games are more about the game content. As seen on the library of games that both system has, players looking for games with good graphics will be pleased with the PSP. While players who want to play games with more content have the Nintendo DS.
With platform exclusive games for both systems, players are forced to choose which handheld console they will buy. Nintendo has been in the gaming industry longer than Sony, and they know the market better than Sony. This is shown when Sony released a new version of the PSP, the PSP Go. The PSP Go did not go well for Sony’s fans; it was even given negative feedbacks. Both the PSP Go and The Nintendo DS lite are smaller version and are supposed to be a better version of the originals. However, while Nintendo was successful in giving the consumers want, Sony’s attempt failed. Now, a new version is again released by Nintendo, the Nintendo 3DS. This new version of the Nintendo DS feature 3D graphics and even better features compared to the previous versions of the Nintendo DS. It even surpassed the graphical capability of the PSP. While there is a rumor of a new PSP is being developed, there is no solid information on how it will be better than the original PSP.
For now, it is clear that the Nintendo DS is still the superior handheld gaming system in the market. It has better hardware, and its games offers more content than the PSP. PSP may retaliate soon by releasing a new handheld system. This will just be good news for gamers, as handheld games and games will continually get better as both companies continue developing better systems and games.
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