It is unusual to talk about a handheld war. It is usually the console war you hear more about. But with the release of Sony's PSP on March 24th, the handheld war is about to begin. In the handheld department, Nintendo has always reigned supreme. Indeed there have been attempts to dethrone the mighty king, but all have failed, and miserably at that. The Nokia N-Gage did not even stand a chance from the very beginning. Flawed from the start, the N-Gage has gone through two renditions only to still be very unpopular with the gaming community. Back in the mid 90s, Sega tried its hardest with its Game Gear, only to be crushed by the giant feet of Nintendo. So, what will make the PSP different from its fallen predecessors? To answer that, let us first compare some of the hardware specifications for these two handhelds side-by-side.
Specification |
Nintendo DS |
Sony PSP |
| Dimensions | 5.85 x 3.33 x 1.13 in | 6.7 in x 2.91 in x 0.91 in |
| Weight | 8.84 ounces | 8.36 ounces |
| Processor | ARM9 | MIPS R4000 |
| Processor Speed | 67 MHz | 333 MHz |
| 2nd Processor | ARM7 | MIPS R4000 |
| 2nd Processor Speed | 33 MHz | 333 MHz |
| Main Memory | 4 MB | 32 MB |
| Embedded DRAM | 656 KB | 4 MB |
| Display | Dual 3.0 inch, TFT LCDs | 4.3 in 16:9, TFT LCD |
| Resolution | Dual 256x192 | 480 x 272 |
| Colors | 260,000 | 16.77 Million |
| Wireless Capabilities | IEEE. 802.11 | IEEE 802.11b Wi-Fi |
Besides the hardware specifications, there are also various other features to consider when comparing the two handhelds. The DS has the stylus and the touch pad, the headphone jack that uses regular headphones (unlike the Game Boy Advance), the finger strap for the touch pad, and the capabilities to run Game Boy Advance games. The PSP will have USB 2.0 allowing you to connect to your PC to obtain pictures, audio and other content using a Mini-B USB cable, the same used in most digital cameras. But to obtain this content you must have a Memory stick Duo, which is included in the PSP value pack. You can also purchase other Memory stick Duo’s for the PSP. Sandisk, for example, is releasing there 128, 256, and 512 MB sticks this week that will work with the PSP.
Both also have wireless capabilities and they are both taking similar approaches. Both allow you to play games wirelessly with other DS or PSP users within a close proximity, roughly 30 feet. The DS not only allows you to play games wirelessly, it also lets you chat with those close around you with PictoChat. The PSP currently does not seem to have any chatting capabilities, but may in the future. Both handhelds will have the capabilities of game sharing, allowing you to play a game wirelessly without even owning the game. Super Mario 64 DS has these capabilities already and a few other games for the DS do as well. The PSP will follow suit as games will eventually allow you share games. With the PSP, not only can you connect to your computer with a USB cable, you can also access it via a wireless LAN. Wireless game play is a key factor for both these handhelds and the one that can really make wireless game play flourish, may gain the upper hand.
The Nintendo DS and its game media also known as a game card. Nintendo with its DS hopes to maintain its handheld supremacy.
The media that the handhelds use are of course different with both having their pros and cons. Nintendo has chosen to go with a flash memory card for the DS, or as some call it, a game card. This game card is considerably smaller then the Game Boy Advance cartridges and it also packs double the space as it holds 128 MB over the GBA cartridges 64. A pro of the DS is that it can play GBA games, which instantly increases the gaming library. But hopefully that does not lead to less DS games right away, which is sadly so far been the case. The DS can also have both a DS game and a GBA game inserted at the same time, eliminating the excessive changing of cartridges. To play the GBA advance game you would simply select it from the bottom of the DS gaming menu, or you can choose from the DS game at the top. With the media being flash memory, it is less likely to be damaged, but it is smaller making it easier to misplace or lose.
Sony's PSP and its new gaming media UMD (Gran Turismo 4 Mobile Disc). The rookie Sony hopes to defeat Nintendo, the champs of the handheld world.
The PSP’s media takes a totally different direction. Instead of cartridges or flash memory for its main media, the PSP packs a newer, smaller, optical media called UMDs. UMDs, or Universal Media Discs, are discs that pack an astonishing 1.8 GB of space. This media, soon to become even more popular, also packs a nice encryption in hopes of stopping piracy. With these discs the PSP can not only play video games, but it can play movies as well. In fact the PSP value pack includes the featured film Spiderman 2. There are also various other films slated for an April release such as Hellboy and Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse. The only problem with this form of media is that like all optical discs, if not properly taken care of, can be damaged. Damaging a flash memory card is less likely, but it is also possible. With the media being bigger, it will make it harder to lose or misplace, which could be rather easy with the DS’s media if you do not return it to its plastic case.
The upcoming game lineups are also something to look at. Since its release in November, the DS has had very little in the way of large, exciting titles. There is of course Super Mario 64 DS, which shows off the power of the DS quite nicely. Some other titles include Wario Ware Touched, The Urbz: Sims in the City and Spiderman 2. Sadly, minus Super Mario 64 DS, the Metroid Prime: Hunters demo and a handful of other games, many of the games have not showed off the 3D capabilities of the DS. Rayman DS, slated for release later this month, will be similar to Super Mario and will show off some 3D power.
The future lineup for the DS will consist of some solid games such as Castlevania DS, Metroid Prime Hunters, Advance Wars DS, and Animal Crossing DS. However, most these games are not scheduled for release till late summer or early fall. Hopefully, in future releases, the games will take more advantage of the DS’s dual screens. Most games currently available use the bottom screen for a map or a menu. The built in microphone has not been truly tested yet as Wario Ware Touched is the only recently released game that uses the microphone. With the touch pad, the built in microphone, and the online capabilities, there could be a variety of interesting concepts developed for the DS. But currently the DS’s power seems to be going untapped. In future releases, the games will most definitely make use of these interesting concepts. But for right now, some of the DS’s cooler features are not being used to their full extent.
As for the PSP, the launch lineup looks promising. A few games from the lineup include Metal Gear Acid, NFL Street 2 Unleashed, and Gran Turismo 4 Mobile. The after launch lineup looks solid as well. Like the DS though, the really showcasing games will not make the shelves till mid summer, early fall. Also in the upcoming lineup, are the various movies I mentioned earlier and even some others. A Grand Theft Auto is rumored to be slated for an early summer release which will certainly boost the PSP’s popularity. But near that same time, Metroid Prime: Hunters will be released for the DS, which will boost the DS as well.
The price of these handhelds is also something to take a look at. Undeniably, the PSP has superior specifications, but it also comes with an undeniable blow to the wallet. The PSP will release at a price of $249.99, a clean one-hundred dollars more than the DS. The games for the PSP will also run about ten dollars more. Even though cheaper, the DS did have an advantage as it was released in time for Christmas, making it a very popular, Tickle Me Elmo like item to find for the holidays. With a release in March, the PSP could struggle at first as many have just finished paying off those holiday bills and many have already purchased a DS for themselves.
On paper the PSP pretty much is the clear favorite. But as you know specifications can be a bit deceiving. Take a look at the Xbox for example. It has better specifications then both the PS2 and GameCube, but it is not really superior to either. It is in the same boat as the GC as both are trying to catch the Moby Dick of the console industry, the PS2. The game lineups are roughly the same, with the edge going to the PSP. Most of the PSP’s games will be in 3D as some games for the DS will still only be in 2D. The cheaper price can really keep the DS afloat for a while. The DS could also keep some ground if it can really get the wireless game play flowing before the PSP does. But with the specs of the PSP, its games and available movies, the Goliath of handhelds may have finally met its David.
Copyright © 2005 GSP Writers
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