EB Games: PSP is passé, DS Lite is the future
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Feb 20th 2007 at 5:00PM }
Wait, you didn't know? The future is where all the fun is. It's where children laugh in unceasing delight, merrily skipping through the radioactive wastelands with their DS Lites held tightly in at least one of their seven hands. Indeed, a copy of Hotel Dusk is just the thing to idle the day away and distract from the impending threat of multi-headed toaster beasts roaming the world.
Thus is the picture painted by a recent EB Games flyer posted in the NeoGAF forums, urging consumers to trade in the past and embrace a more touchy-feely sort of future. As if hurling the PSP into "the past" wasn't confusing enough, the original version of the DS also finds itself traveling through time. Doesn't that create some sort of inconceivable time paradox?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
shanoboy @ Feb 20th 2007 5:05PM
I love the DS. But with the emulators out there for PSP that will let you play all the (pirated) PS1 games you want, I'm thinking about getting a PSP once the price comes down some more.
Richard Mitchell @ Feb 20th 2007 5:05PM
But how long does it last? My DS Phat has seen better days. Time to trade her in methinks.
Crono @ Feb 20th 2007 5:05PM
The internets have spoken!
The retailers have spoken!
Will the fanboys finally see PSP's writing on the wall?
Do you know the muffin man?
Zachary Hinchliffe @ Feb 20th 2007 5:05PM
Maybe it's the fact that I own both a PSP and a DS lite, but I honestly think that this advertisement was less of a PSP bash from EB Games and more of an oversight by stupid marketers. (Especially because advertisements and promotions like that are often controlled by individual stores rather than EBgames as a whole.)
As for PSP vs DS, I must admit I'd like my DS a bit more. Graphics are worse, true, but the touch screen allows for some gameplay possibilities that are not possible on the PSP. This is fact. Oh and - PSP does ABSOLUTELY NOT have PS2 graphical caliber. Throughout all my PSP games - Vice City Stories to LocoRoco - I have not seen one game with the same graphical quality as the PS2. Case in point: the PSP version of Tony Hawk's Underground 2 has a lower polygon count, a lower texture resolution, a lower screen resolution, and a lower framerate than the PS2 version.
The advertisement's still stupid, though- PSP is the same generation as the DS. That's factual no matter what point of view you are on.
(some of this stuff pertains specifically to PSP fans, as this was copy+pasted from a comment on PSP Fanboy)
Kendrick @ Feb 20th 2007 5:08PM
How typical of EB/Gamestop to tell me what I should buy, rather than responding to my gaming interests and selling me what I want to buy. This is another reason I don't shop there, as this type of push-marketing does not serve me as a customer. I'd be very happy if you bought your PSP or DS at any other retailer.
Draco @ Feb 20th 2007 5:13PM
if there was a psplite it would be at the top with the DS lite, lets face it,
1st gen DS and 1st gen PSP are considered past, they are fairly old, DS lite is second Gen, considered new.
if there was a PSP2 that came out you better believe they would want you to trade in your DS lite for 65$ towards it.
Jake @ Feb 20th 2007 5:13PM
I don't have a handheld because the only time I could play it would be at home, so I just have a console. But honestly, I don't know if I'd rather have a PSP or a DS. Methinks a DS, though a lot of its "system sellers" are games that don't interest me much. What is so bad about the PSP? Is it just sales? I really don't know, or really care other than curiosity.
Cee @ Feb 20th 2007 5:18PM
Who uses a PSP to play games?! The PSP is made for watching movies and television shows on the go, and it's a good back up mp3 player. The PSP is a multimedia device not a handheld gaming system. Duh.
farmok @ Feb 20th 2007 5:21PM
what surprises me is that an ad like that has not been made for the PS3 since that seems to have a harder time selling than any of the other systems.
3cubedminus3squared @ Feb 20th 2007 5:18PM
Only $100?
Wow when I returned my open box I got the retail price of $250.
Wal-Mart's no questions asked return policy FTW!!
Vidikron @ Feb 20th 2007 5:20PM
@4
As for the PSP not having PS2 caliber graphics... have you tried to the new Ratchet & Clank game (Size Matters)? It's very close to the PS2 versions and far, far beyond the ability of the DS. Both systems have their strengths.
sheppy @ Feb 20th 2007 5:22PM
One of the many reasons why my PSP will never be traded in....
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-bj-77-2-49-en-15-dj%2Bmax-70-1upl.html
Zach @ Feb 20th 2007 5:47PM
Man, what happened to live and let live? There's room for me to like one console without hating the others. The PSP is a cool little console, and the DS is pretty cool too. There's a lot to love about both, so pick the one you like best, or buy both, and let everyone else do the same. Sheesh.
Anonymous @ Feb 20th 2007 5:25PM
The PSP is really the gaming system from Japan that never really made the full trip to America. So many amazing games come out for the PSP in Japan on a daily basis, and the United States/Europe don't even get a fifth of them. Having said that, with a memory stick and a custom firmware, you can play all the games from Japan, Playstation 1 games (.iso's, of games you own hopefully) *Which is aweeeeesome* you can get GPS for it (again, in Japan =/), a Camera, you can watch vids on YouTube, subscribe to RSS feeds, watch location free TV, the list goes on. Noone is doubting that the PSP is lightyears ahead of the DS Lite in terms of next-gen (portable) functionality, but with the limited amount of games in the US, it's not really a comparison that should be made.
US Games Winner: DS
Hardware Winner: PSP
Japanese Games Winner: PSP (My opinion)
Undisputed Money Printer: DS
jp @ Feb 20th 2007 5:37PM
why people keep thinkin psp games should be like ps2 its a freakin handheld and i hate reviewers say a game sucks cause its not like the ps2 version
wht other handheld u know tht can play exactly or better then a ps2 or xbox exactly none
sheppy @ Feb 20th 2007 5:37PM
PSP is region free. No need for the custom firware there. Unless you want portable FFVII....
SynikaL @ Feb 20th 2007 5:44PM
I can tell a Ludwing post a mile away by the arbitrary usage of italics.
-Kimosabae
steve17 @ Feb 20th 2007 5:50PM
honestly i had a DS and sold it for a weekend of paintballing. i reget it now but the DS games dont sppeal to me that much. and the only thing that stopped me from buying a PSP was only 1 anolog knob and memory sticks are fucking expensive!!!
please sony. the one time i would wholeheartedly buy a product of yours would be 2 anolog knobs. either have SD cards or make memory stciks cheaper and put out some decent FPS and other games on a PSP2.
Dolla Dolla @ Feb 20th 2007 5:50PM
@sheppy
What game is that for the PSP? I've never heard of it. Looks interesting...
LongshotX @ Feb 20th 2007 5:53PM
Believe it or not I have a DS Lite but I believed the PSP was the future with all of its features. The only problem is that it executed poorly. Maybe the PSP2 will do better.
steve17 @ Feb 20th 2007 5:53PM
would micosoft ever enter the handheld market???
sheppy @ Feb 20th 2007 5:58PM
@Dolla Dolla
Here's the trailer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brRQHFruRE0
It's like Beatmania, but better, better music, better vises, and not comepletely insane too early on.
carg0 @ Feb 20th 2007 6:03PM
ouch. that's embarrassing.
Mr Khan @ Feb 20th 2007 6:11PM
@ Anonymous
I'd rather say PSP would be the "American Otaku" winner, PSP has a lot of games that Americans obsessed with Anime want (like Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, and the other Nippon Ichi games)
If the PSP REALLY had the most compelling Japanese software, then you wouldn't see the lite clean up so consistently
Hiroken @ Feb 21st 2007 1:55AM
I still ahve a great time with my PSP. My DS is collecting dust...sorry, but Brain Age just isn't cutting it for me anymore. FFIII is, for me, the only system seller on DS.
~
ackmondual @ Feb 20th 2007 6:16PM
@ #4
""Oh and - PSP does ABSOLUTELY NOT have PS2 graphical caliber.""
Well, depending on who u ask, PSP is at either graphics level of exactly halfway between PS1 and ps2, let's call that ps1.5, ps1.1 (critics and Nin fanboys), and even ps1.9 (Sony fanboiys and dreamers).
From my observations I'd say a PSP is roughly a ps1.75 in terms of graphics. Of course, given that the PS2 was a year behind the GC and XB, and how relatively outdated those consoles look compared to ps3, 360, and even the Wii, I wouldn't be surprised to hear ppl say the PSP looks bland.
@ #8
""Only $100?""
My sentiments exactly. AFAIK, currently....
>A GB SP costs $60 to $80, so $40 will get you 50% net.
>A DS orig costs $70 to $100, so $60 will also net you at least 50% of the cost
>A PSP costs $180 to $220, so $100 will also net 50%, but it's still a lower margin of return compared to the other 2 handhelds
@ #19
""What game is that for the PSP? I've never heard of it. Looks interesting...""
FF7 2: Advent Children is the "direct sequel" to FF7. Similar to "FFX 2" being the direct sequel to FFX. FF7 2 has near same characters, graphics gameplay, interface, and plot as FF7. Well, maybe noticeably improved. This is as opposed to going from FF7 to FF8 which has brand new characters (like Squall, but no Cloud), new graphics (realistic hands with fingers and not just blocks with "jaggies"), and new storyline (dunno what the storyline to FF8 is, but w/FF7, u battle an evil corporation).
ackmondual @ Feb 20th 2007 6:20PM
hmmm, PSP reminds me of the high end PDA market. It's truly a useful tool and jack of all trades, but many folks just didn't want to spend $250+ on something unless it had cell phone capability.
Even tho I lean towards DS more, I will confess that the PSP is more versatile. Emus, homebrew, browser, movies, vid clips, music, pics, email, etc. sounds quite full featured. But I suppose thanks to Nin's aggressively low priced games, PSP is being labelled as a luxury, high-end device too extravagent for the kiddies.
Ludwig Kietzmann @ Feb 20th 2007 6:43PM
"FF7 2: Advent Children is the "direct sequel" to FF7. Similar to "FFX 2" being the direct sequel to FFX."
Only differing in the sense that Advent Children is a MOVIE and FFX-2 is a GAME. :D
Luigi193 @ Feb 20th 2007 8:19PM
if there was a PSP2 that came out you better believe they would want you to trade in your DS lite for 65$ towards it.
Sure they would...
sheppy @ Feb 20th 2007 7:13PM
Bwahahahahahahahaa!
Dolla Dolla was asking about DJ Max Portable 2, a Korean Import (which, as mentioned earlier, confirms the PSP as an Otaku dreamstation, added to Atlus, mastiff, Bandai, and NIS drops on the console) rhythm game.
I made mention of FFVII because someone mentioned firmware as needed to import games and play PSX games. I said it was a simple matter of not needing custom firmware unless you wanted to play FFVII, like I am doing. Not Advent Children or Crisis Core.... FFVII.
But the hilarity doesn't stop there! You had one guy hyping up Advent Children on the PSP as a sequel to FFVII that wasn't FFVIII.... and I'm laughing so hard my seam hurts.
But then, someone had to explain the difference between FFX-2 and Advent Children!
Rubang B @ Feb 20th 2007 7:15PM
I wish they'd make a SMB game that was a direct sequel to the SMB movie.
But anyway, the ad doesn't seem too weird, considering that out of the four products mentioned, only one is making money faster than my counterfeit money machine.
SKI @ Feb 20th 2007 8:31PM
They are basically saying they think the DS Lites will keep on selling crazy amounts and they are showing what they are accepting as trade-in value for the other systems to drum up even more sales of the DS Lite. It's not bashing or derogatory in any way unless stating the fact that the DS is selling better is considered bashing the PSP to you.
jadenguy @ Feb 20th 2007 8:49PM
it's obviously not even the platform as the ds phat and lite aren't different platforms at all. it's just about the psp being 'so last year' or year before or whatever, as the phat is. plus used systems = more money for gamespot, ESPECIALLY on a system that isn't dead. whoever is misconstruing this thing as a dig against sony is obviously blinded by personal politics.
also, it's benificial for gamestop to sell more of one system so they can dedicate more floor space and training time on it. not that i think gamestop trains much of anything, but you get what i mean.
Ordeith @ Feb 20th 2007 11:06PM
What Sony doesn't understand:
The handheld market is where casual is king. You need games that you can pick up and put down and deliver goodn entertainment value in the middle. Graphics matter less than innovative gameplay. the DS has that.
What Nintendo doesn't understand:
What works in the handheld market may not work in the console market. Graphics matter more. Escapism matters more. The Wii may fail to deliver here in the long run.
CW @ Feb 20th 2007 11:24PM
#17
In the world of gaming nerds, there's no such thing as 'live and let live'. Whatever console they prefer is the one and only one. Anyone with a differing opinion is simply a fanboy or a mainstream gamer to them.
That said, the PSP isn't doing so 'bad' as the hardcore nerds out there might make it out to be. A lot of people I know either own or want a PSP. Some haven't even heard of the DS before or just think it's for girls/children.
I'm a DS owner and while I don't intend to buy a PSP in the near future, I don't think others are wrong to buy it. Live and let live people.
lionzub @ Feb 20th 2007 11:34PM
They are probably doing this cause they know when FF7 Crisis Core and Dracula X Chronicles come out that people will be snatching up PSPs... so what better way to get them than to offer $100 bucks for one to go towards the kid's toy, and then later sell it used for $200. That's profit folks.
Foil_Goon @ Feb 20th 2007 11:50PM
@35
Everyone who likes Final Fantasy and that crap already has a PSP. There are better castlevania games for the DS.
I honestly can't wait till Americans can play Rondo of Blood so they shut up about it, the game sucks and every game since has improved on the formula. The only reason Americans consider it the best is because they haven't played it.
Striderhayasa @ Feb 20th 2007 11:57PM
I would have to also say that the PSP does not have PS2 caliber graphics. At the highest levels of quality, it comes close though. Monster Hunter Freedom and Wipeout Pure are proof of that. Ratchet and Clank is another good example but these titles aren't quite PS2 caliber.
Back on topic...the ad is a bit...misleading. PSP has started to get some really good games so I think the announcement of its death (or being comdemned to the past) is a bit premature. DS is nice and I would have to say that I've enjoyed it more than the PSP overall but I'm not trading in my PSP for anything. Monster Hunter, Armored Core and Monster Hunter portable 2 alone guarantees at least another year's worth of gameplay.
sheppy @ Feb 21st 2007 12:33AM
"I honestly can't wait till Americans can play Rondo of Blood so they shut up about it, the game sucks and every game since has improved on the formula. The only reason Americans consider it the best is because they haven't played it."
Actually, I don't think anybody has stated it's the best. What they HAVE stated, dingledorf, is that it's a missing chapter to the Castlevania Saga and a fairly important one, at that. It is, after all, the core foundation upon which Symphony Of The Night was built. And what's wrong with a little lost chapter love?
After all, you DS douchebags have been spooging your pikachu underroos for the Lost Chapter of the Final Fantasy saga for how long? And for what? This stems from an era when ATB was revolutionary and groundbreaking.
Incidently, I have both so I can enjoy the flamewars from afar and drop an occasional bomb from time to time.
sfbmx @ Feb 21st 2007 1:34AM
that ad is preceeds the release of the ds lite. before gamestop and eb were the same company.
Robert Jung @ Feb 21st 2007 3:07AM
"What Nintendo doesn't understand:
"What works in the handheld market may not work in the console market. Graphics matter more. Escapism matters more. The Wii may fail to deliver here in the long run."
Considering the hordes of people still struggling to find Wiis while PS3s collect dust in stores, I think Nintendo knows the console market better than you do at this time...
--R.J.
Aex @ Feb 21st 2007 3:24AM
Well, let's see, they are going to get people to "sell" thier psp for a $30-40 DS. Then they are going to turn around and sell those PSPs for $180. So not only are they getting rid of thier DS stock, they are making an extra $40 while doing so.
Good Game EB, Good Game.
About the whole DS vs PSP thing. Personally, as more and more games come out, I'm spending more time with my PSP, and DJ Max portable has me by the ball hairs. The last game (before Castlevania:POR) to monopolize my handheld time was Ouendan (I didn't care much for EBA because the crappy music ruined it for me) And that was out when I bought my DS in July.
ferrarimanf355 @ Feb 21st 2007 9:52AM
Again with the NeoGAF articles! Please stop the insanity and report on real news, please!
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 21st 2007 11:15AM
You guys should replace the pic from the one in the NeoGAF thread with Reggie in the corner. :P
Anyways, Nintendo knows their portable market really well. The GameGear had Master System/Genesis-level graphics and some good titles but they couldn't win.
Even with PSP2 I'd be expecting more of a NOMAD-type reception though at whatever hypothetical price the put it they aren't going to match Nintendo's level money-printing and production efficiency. :o