PSP still hasn't reversed Nintendo's handheld dominance
by Blake Snow 
{ Feb 27th 2007 at 2:25PM }
The BBC examines Ken Kutaragi's 2003 statement that the PSP would become "the Walkman for the 21st Century," implying that the black beauty would sell 50 million units in the first ten years of production. Safe to say that probably won't happen. But how well has the PSP done so far? Sony has sold/shipped (whatever) 25 million units as of the end of 2006. Not bad. But the BBC states this still isn't enough to reverse Nintendo's "unshakable hold" on the portable market.So what's held the system back? The article argues that the "sheer power and versatility of the PSP caused more confusion than Sony expected." Portable gamers just wanted to play games but Sony wanted to bundle in the kitchen sink, confusing and slowing down gamers in the process. So what's next for the PSP? Apparently connectivity and integration with the PlayStation 3; and we all know how well that boded for Nintendo's GameCube and GBA. A showstopper. Literally.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joni @ Feb 27th 2007 2:45PM
The PSP is the real GBA2, Nintendo fans should be grateful that Sony released the PSP. Nintendo was forced to take a radical change. (The DS was announced months after the PSP, without the PSP they would probably have released the GB Evolution) The competition also forced them to actually release new games unlike their GBA library.
eon @ Feb 27th 2007 2:36PM
I want to get a PSP one of these days but can't really justify it when there are such few games I want to play. To make matters worse, I had one for about 3 days before I started getting dead pixels and I kept worrying about scratching the screen. Add Durabis (the coating they put on blu-ray discs) drop the price to $150 and add another analogue stick and Sony could have a winner (though still 2nd to Nintendo).
pixelator @ Feb 27th 2007 3:01PM
Jeez Joystiq, why don't you just make up non-news articles to bash Sony or the PSP? Oh, right. You do.
First off, how is PSP NOT on track to sell 50 mil in 10 years? It's sold somewhere around 25 million in less than 2 years. Maybe that's slowing, but how is such a feat no longer possible?
PSP games still pop up in Top 10 charts in US and even Japan markets. The system is selling a firm third place, even in Japan where one might expect the even-bigger-than-Gameboy/GBA DS phenomenon to eclipse all other competitors.
Did the PSP rout the the DS? No. Is it a failure? No. Dead? No.
It's true that Sony needs to take more steps to streamline their PSP approach. Focusing on online content without requiring a PS3 would be a start, a price drop would help as well as a redesigned HD-equipped unit that preferrably dumped the cheap UMD plastic sleeves and went directly to straight slot loading... One can dream. A little marketing might help, the kind that isn't made fun of by most media sources.
But at some point, the anti-Sony media hysteria becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Saneless @ Feb 27th 2007 2:39PM
Sheer power and versatility? More like, if I'm going to pay $50 for a game, I'll buy it on the main console. Actually, I'll pay the $20 for FULL version of the game instead of $50 for the neutered port.
Aex @ Feb 27th 2007 2:43PM
I can already tell, this'll be a fun topic.
hvnlysoldr @ Feb 27th 2007 2:44PM
PSP worked on competing against the GBA and ipod models with their all-in-one device. A literal Walkman multimedia device that can play games. If they focused on the games rather than a convergence device, at least at first, they could have developed a great gaming portable that can play movies, music, internet as part of the experience. I looked forward to playing Final Fantasy on the PSP but I can't swallow the price.
Striderhayasa @ Feb 27th 2007 2:45PM
okay, I have both and I will say DS is by far the better portable
BUT
PSP has Monster Hunter which is one of the best games ever made. Last weekend my analog nub broke. I freaked out and went into Monster Hunter Withdrawl in about 12 hours. I considered trading in my black DSL and half of my games (I have about 20 games for it) so I could get a new PSP just for Monster Hunter. Mind you, I get paid tomorrow and I have a replacement analog nub coming in the mail as I type this but I want Monster Hunter NOW! After playing some Castlevania PoR, Metroid Prime Hunters, Mario Kart and FFIII, I was reminded that the DSL pwns and decided to just wait it out for the replacement nub.
If Sony had more games like Monster Hunter or just great games that are made specifically for the PSP that are truly pick up and play, then they would have a better shot at the title. As it is, if Monster Hunter was available for the PSP, I probably wouldn't be playing it much right now.
But man...psp is a beautifully designed unit, but thanks to sony's douche end-all-be-all mentality...the full gaming potential will probably never be realized
Jay @ Feb 27th 2007 2:48PM
"sheer power and versatility of the PSP caused more confusion than Sony expected."
That may be true, but that's not what holds the PSP back. The fact of the matter is, the content on the PSP is severely lacking. Even now, almost two years after the system launch, I still only own 5 PSP games. The games on the PSP just aren't that amazing.
Les Doodis @ Feb 27th 2007 2:48PM
"...Gamers just wanted to play games but Sony wanted to bundle in the kitchen sink, confusing and slowing down gamers in the process."
Now why does this seem familiar?
*cough* PS3 *cough*
Nate @ Feb 27th 2007 2:50PM
I want to get a PSP....it looks like an excellent handheld system and there is already about 10-15 games that interest me.
As it is, I just recently got a DS Lite, and Hotel Dusk has sucked me in....so the PSP will have to wait a little bit.
Brandon @ Feb 27th 2007 2:52PM
I can not see myself putting out cash for the PSP anytime soon. There is no games currently out that I want to play. I've got a DSL and I love it I still need to get FFIII and a few others but I love all the games I have bought for it. Polarium is awesome fun addictive puzzle game. Plus for the PSP to have the pickup and play games they need better load times. Everything I've seen has been horrible load times.
Ryan @ Feb 27th 2007 2:52PM
The way I always looked at it, the psp was always what it was named: a playstation, but portable. Some people would be attracted to the idea of being able to play your PS2 games on the go, but some like myself, don't see the need to spend $200 on a new system and $50 on games just to be able to do so, especially when the games are either PS2 ports or very similar to what the PS2 already has.
The DS is winning because it's not trying to be a handheld version of a home console. It's doing its own thing, and if anything, its the Wii thats getting DS ports (the opposite of PS2 and the PSP) since Wii already got Trauma Center, and is soon getting Big Brain Academy. It's obviously the games that make or break these systems, no matter how much Sony says their systems are not video game centric, but rather a multi-media hub.
Is it too late for the psp to overtake the ds? I definitely think so.
matthew @ Feb 27th 2007 2:52PM
As a PS3 and PSP owner, I'll say PSP-to-PS3 connectivity will probably be a bust. To make the multimedia stuff useful AND user friendly the PSP will probably have to be hacked. With Sony, its DRM first, user experience second. And unlike the DS, the PSP can't bring much in terms of gameplay connectivity to its mother system.
I really like my PSP, but between the controls, the weak library, and the DRM...well, its like a hot girl with a fucked up personality. After a while you realize its just not worth the pain.
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 27th 2007 2:57PM
DS was concieved when Aonuma was working on Four Swords connectivity. :)
Joni said:
"The competition also forced them to actually release new games unlike their GBA library."
I disagree mostly but even I agree that Nintendo's own support of the GBA was paltry. Unless you like Pokemon, remakes, Pokemon remakes. They had added some new blood with Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, Golden Sun but their DS effort already outshines the GBA effort.
I don't doubt that GB Evolution is in the works, however. For all we know it could be a GB-shaped hard drive device you can play VC games (especially GB VC?) on while you can get newer, cheaper games (think strictly 2D) for it.
Unless the above is incorporated into DS2.
Vidikron @ Feb 27th 2007 2:58PM
@2
You might have a point if the PSP games actually cost $50. Most cost $30-40. DS games typically cost $24-35.
And people like to bash the PSP for its games, but if you go look at gamerankings you will find that the PSP has more games ranked 8 or higher than the DS. I think it's more an issue with the type of games than the quality. The DS seems to have more games that are better suited for portable play.
We have 3 DS' and 2 PSPs at home and currently my wife plays her DS the most while, thanks to the new Ratchet and Clank game, I play my PSP more. They are both solid systems, despite all the flak the PSP gets from the fanboys.
samfish @ Feb 27th 2007 2:59PM
I would get a PSP for the portable porn, but that's about it.
Seriously, though, it has some decent games, but nothing that justifies that high price tag...
The other problem is that it's trying to appeal to Sony's core audience, who don't strike me as the type to carry around a hand held because it's "not cool" or "dorky" or whatever.
It's also HUGE. You really can't put that thing in your pocket, like you can the DS or GBA...or even an iPod.
Ironhide @ Feb 27th 2007 2:59PM
I'll take the dive once they release psp 2.0 with the mulitgig solid state memory on it (or hard drive - whatever) I think i can justify it for about 5 games, plus my gf's ds is getting used a lot by her so... I need one to call my own. And using my TurboExpress just don't cut it no more. 1 1/2 hours on 6 AA? No thank you!
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 27th 2007 3:02PM
Also, as for Monster Hunter, yeah, Capcom support's pretty much why'd even consider a PSP. Ghost-n-Goblins. Street Fighter.
And of course, Sony's own Loco Roco.
Support the DS, Capcom! ;_;
Joe @ Feb 27th 2007 3:17PM
Why is every one saying PSP games are 50 almost every new game is either 40 or 30. Plus many are also 20.
So people need to look the prices up.
Also when people say there is no games for the PSP there is a lot. Plus yes many are not new versions of old games but they are made for the PSP in mind.
Take Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror and you will see that game is better then the PS2 versions. Plus Killzone:Liberation is a lot better then KZ on the PS2.
So there are many great PSP games out there and people need to stop saying there is no good ones out there.
vidGuy @ Feb 27th 2007 3:06PM
The PSP has had plenty of road blocks. I was impressed by the library of movies available at one time in the UMD format, but their cost was prohibitive enough that I wasn't buying. The next hurdle was game library. For a while there was plenty, then it dried up again. Nothing really enticing for a large chunk of gamers, anyway. Portable gaming is about quick games at reasonable prices, not full games at full prices. I just can't justify paying $200 - $250 for a handheld system, just like I can't justify $600 for a PS3, no matter how many features it has above a regular "console".
SCE Australia boss Michael Ephraim said it recently:
“We think PS3 is not a product to be compared with Wii, it is a completely different product. This is a digital hub, that is a games console.”
Trying to being everything to everyone very rarely works out.
The PSP would have been more successful if:
- released at $149.99
- games at $29.99
- game library was double what it was in year one
- no screen problems, no square button problems
I would have purchased one like that. If it had to sacrifice some of the media capabilities to get to that price so be it.
JodyAnthony @ Feb 27th 2007 3:06PM
The best thing about the PSP is the RSS reader, and the fact that I can download podcasts directly to the system via wifi to listen to while at work. That and Loco Roco (the hardest game I've played in years)
Aside from those two things, all I use mine for is playing NES/SNES/GBC/GBA/PSX games. While the PSP does have a few fun games, the DS outnumbers them by a wide margin, at least in my opinion.
either way, I'm glad I have both systems.
Ryan @ Feb 27th 2007 3:31PM
@ NintendoFanBot, #18
You know what, you're absolutely right about Capcom needing to support the DS. Look at how successful the Phoenix Wright franchise has been on there, in both Japan and the US! And yet, Capcom releases their main games on the PSP, like the ones you mentioned, Street Fighter and Ghosts n Goblins. And now, its happening with Capcom and the PS3, and yet Capcom says it only supports the console with the highest install base. Either someone should tell them the Wii is kicking PS3's ass right now, or Sony and Capcom have been drinking wine from the same glass lately.
32_Footsteps @ Feb 27th 2007 3:10PM
You know, I'd probably complain about support for the GBA being nothing but ports and Pokemon if the system didn't rock immensely. And there weren't three original Castlevania games for it.
It's not that the PSP is a failure, just as the GameCube wasn't a failure. It's just that it looks like one when you compare it to the competition (the DS in the former example, the PS2 in the latter). Modest success doesn't look so hot when compared to a shining star.
Also, the fact that the PSP is widely seen as a money pit for Sony doesn't help the "failure" reputation.
J @ Feb 27th 2007 3:13PM
I owned a psp and a DS. I agree with #2 ^^^. Its exactly why I sold my psp. I felt kind of "gypped" (sorry gypsies lol). I was paying too much for a game that should always be cheaper. DS games are 20 to 30 dollars normally. I understand the psp can hold more game data then the ds and therefor the games can be better but I think they are too worried about trying to always do 3D. 2D is usually well suited for a handheld and if the psp used all the space available for an epic 2D game I have a feeling that they would have done better. Also the battery life being so crappy is a huge draw back. Spinning optical media on a handheld just sucks. They would have been better off having downloaded content and providing retail stores with download kiosks or something of that nature. Or even distribute the games on normal dvds and have people upload them from their computer to the memory stick . They could have engineered that thing so much better then they did even with its great graphics. Maybe their next version will feature this instead of a crappy UMD drive with very bad battery life.
I think thats a big problem when you go sony. I'm not really saying anything that isn't true. They are so deep in music and movies and other forms of entertainment that they are trying to lump it all into one thing. You essentially pay for other stuff besides video games. With the PS2 they were dominant and on top but that had alot to do with many many games coming out for the system. Sure the DVD player was a nice extra and people also got one because it had the functionality. But I don't think it would have done as well if the focus wasn't on games. Now the focus is too broad and it means you pay extra for stuff you may not want. If PS3 can get a huge steady library of games then it will catapult back on top. I can't say that I really see the point in the six axis though. Its a nice extra but after watching the warhawk retard I didn't think it looked like such a good idea. racing games its fine but the wii is definitely better suited for free motion control. Especially with two separate pieces. If and when a price drop happens it wil be PS3 for me. If the 360 sees a significant price drop (say $200 for the core) I would definitely get it in a heart beat. It would be too good to pass up.
Anyone else want to play Lost Odyssey really badly?
Jack of No Trades @ Feb 27th 2007 3:18PM
I don't think the PSP is dead. I had one for for a little bit but sold it to a friend. When a redesign comes along with a new quality title like FF it will sell.
Tanster @ Feb 27th 2007 3:21PM
I think the biggest issue with the PSP isn't that it lacks (good) games or even that it tries to cram all these features into a single unit confusing the consumers. The problem lies with the fact that as a portable system it suffers in crucial areas. Battery life isn't great, and loading times drag the system down quite a bit.
With a portable system you either want to pick it up and play right away for short periods of times, or play to kill time during longer trips. The PSP does neither really well. Load times make it hard to pick up and play in short bursts, and battery life hinder its ability to be portable.
Blue @ Feb 27th 2007 3:22PM
...Trying to sound as fair as possible, since I don't have a PSP.
I just think that Sony made a bad call creating a portable system that uses a disc-reader. Motors are the nemesis of battery-run systems, and I like to go gaming for many hours on-the-go.
I suppose that's why the homebrew scene for the PSP is so successful, since the games all run off the memory sticks, so battery life lasts longer.
On a side note, I don't put too much stock into game rankings. There's a whole lot of sports/racing games (in general, not necessarily the PSP) that seem to get ranked highly, and I just don't care. And judging by the used games that are often found, I would guess that a lot of people eventually feel the same way.
I do actually plan to get a PSP eventually(just waiting for v2), since there are a number of games on it that I'd like to play. But that doesn't change my opinion that their choice of media was just wrong.
Jake @ Feb 27th 2007 3:22PM
It is kind of weird. Handhelds are best when simple, small, affordable, short load times, etc. Consoles are better (imo) when they are beefy and multifunctional (DVD playback, HD-DVD/ray, hard drive, online, movie rental, demos, toaster oven, etc.). Sony is trying to take console concepts into the handheld world and Nintendo is trying to take handheld concepts into the console world.
That is the way I see it anyways. DS360 ftw!
WizarDru @ Feb 27th 2007 3:24PM
Shallow article that seems to miss the real reasons that the PSP failed.
The connectivity to the PS3 matters not at all. One of the most amusing complaints, for example, for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles for the Gamecube was that you needed GBAs to play it...amusing because the GBA had sold 6 times as many units, so it was much more likely that your friends would have one of those than the cube itself.
The PSP fails as a handheld on several levels:
1) Sony's Support is abysmal. Most content updates to the Firmware are security lockdowns as Sony is engaged in a tennis match with hackers. Meanwhile, marketing and development seems badly mismatched with the device.
2) Poor Game Library. Yes, there are many good games on the PSP....but the lion's share are ports of older games, many of whom aren't well adapted to the PSP's controls and are poorly adapted to the unit. Why are the games so poorly adapted? Because the PSP software attach rate is so poor, there is no incentive for third-party devs to work hard at it. The PSP has one or two million selling games, Monster Hunter included. The DS rules the software charts, with nearly a dozen million-plus sellers. That creates a vicious circle, unfortunately. Just ask Nintendo about the Gamecube.
3) Feature Rich but also Feature Poor. Memory Card support? Yeah! Only Sony's card? Boo. Codec support? Yeah! Limited support? Boo. Support for video and music? Yeah. Late support and unimpressive software to move on and off the device? Boo.
4) Form over Function. The original DS was ugly...but it did the job. The PSP has always looked much sexier...but is also much more fragile. I have yet to meet someone who doesn't carry it around in a sleeve or case...while the DS doesn't need one and can be tossed in a pocket like an SP. The nub is not the best control around and the lack of a second one hampers the system.
5)Sony DRM and Sony Hardware Format: the market solidly reject the UMD format. Seeing the popularity of video on the 5G iPods, it isn't the small screen that's the issue...it was the cost, the speed impact and the software.
6)Early hardware issues not properly addressed. Sony could have released a PSP-Lite of their own...a revision of the hardware that would have taken into consideration the issues of battery life, perceived fragility, better controls and other issues. They have not.
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 27th 2007 3:25PM
"Why is every one saying PSP games are 50 almost every new game is either 40 or 30. Plus many are also 20."
There were a couple $50 games around and after PSP's launch. Then notably, GTA LCS. Suffice to say it didn't work and pretty much everyone's forgotten. But that's good.
Keysersoze10033 @ Feb 27th 2007 3:28PM
How is it Safe to say that the PSP won't sell 50 million in 10 years? It only took two years to sell 25 million, how difficult is going to be to sell 25 million in 8 years? Did you forget The PSP sold almost a million in December alone? The games are only getting better with time, despite all the BS you hear about the lack of quality games. Please Blake, keep you Sony biased comments to yourself and just report the damn news. All you do is bash Sony whenever you get the chance. I know this is a blog, but is obvious you just hate anything Sony, at least change it up a bit dude. Your anti-Sony views are getting old playa :/.
sheppy @ Feb 27th 2007 3:27PM
Okay, I know I'll catch shit for this but I do have to say it. PSP, for me, has hardly been a disappointment. The games often had some depth, I could get my RPG on and even play some genres that had long ago retreated from US shores (like Generation of Chaos). To top it all off, the import scene provided some great games as well like my current favorite handheld game, DJ Max Portable (Dear Play-Asia... OPEN YOUR FUCKING PREORDERS ON THE ORPHUES BLACK BOX ON DJ MAX PORTABLE 2). In fact, when the homebrew scene finally started taking off, I had a real tought choice. Upgrade firmware for new games (like the excellent Megaman X remix) or ignore the new games. Art job fell in my lap and I decided choice C instead, buy a white PSP from Japan and keep the launch PSP hacked. So I have no regrets in my PSP purchasing decision.
But here we go...
"- released at $149.99
- games at $29.99
- game library was double what it was in year one
- no screen problems, no square button problems"
A. So you wanted a console above and beyond DS (technologically) to cost the same as DS....
B. I have no problems finding cheap games. Often, around this price range. Some of my favs were purchased at this price.
C. If the game library was double in the first year, it would have been double the size of DS's. For a while there, PSP was matching DS releases on a 1:1 ratio. There was a four month lull right after launch (but what a launch) and after that, it's been a steady stream.
D. Both Nintendo DS and DS Lite had dead pixel problems (and despite lies in this thread, the console ships with them, they don't develop over time... but suprisingly, they occasionally disappear with time). Just not as heavily as PSP. And this was a launch issue. Like the Square button which, I may add, never saw US release. This was an issue limited to only the first 250,000 PSPs. So C'mon, what's next. Flying UMDs?
me @ Feb 27th 2007 3:31PM
Snow u think the psp wont sell atleast 50 mil by 2015? its only been a little over 2 years and 25 million already. by 2015 i think it will have sold something like 75 million. sorry maybe u were being sarcastic, i sometimes find it difficult to tell when someone is serious or just kidding around.
pixelator @ Feb 27th 2007 3:37PM
"With Sony, its DRM first, user experience second. And unlike the DS, the PSP can't bring much in terms of gameplay connectivity to its mother system."
The Sony DRM issues don't impact gameplay whatsoever. It's been a drag for them in dealing with online media content, but that's it.
As for gameplay connectivity, I don't see a lot of that on the DS/Wii right now, so at least the PS3/PSP connection actually has functionality to it with PS1 games and remote play on the small screen. Whether it really makes it a mitigating factor for sales remains to be seen, of course. They need to divorce PSP/PS1 downloads from the PS3.
As for the others who *claim* to own a PSP and commenting on poor game selection - you seriously need to go look at the software rack. The PSP has a library that is quite robust these days.
The DS has ports, rehashes and sequels just like the PSP (although the latter gets more literal translations, obviously - and too many damned racing/sports titles). The PS2 has even gotten a couple of PSP ports, so I don't know where this notion has originated that the DS games are being ported to Wii. Trauma Center isn't a port.
The PSP isn't 'huge' - it was smaller in volume and weight than a Phat and can fit in a pocket with no problem. Slap a screen protector on that thing and you're good. The real bulk comes from those damned UMD games. Fragile and big, they're really the problem with the portability. Not the size of the handheld.
What I do agree with is that the DS has more games that are designed with portable/quick gaming in mind. The PSP could use more quick & simple yet addictive titles (which is not to say the DS doesn't have its share of games with depth, like Castlevania or Phoenix Wright).
And sorry, but FFIII makes my eyes bleed. It's a decent game in terms of overall quest length and plot, but the head-bashingly tiresome gameplay coupled with those horrendous visuals and sorry, it doesn't "pwn" anything.
Rob @ Feb 27th 2007 3:35PM
I think Sony has done pretty darn well considering this is their first portable system and they're competing with Nintendo who has been king of the portable market for ages. Btw, expect a surge of PSP sales once FF Crisis Core is released. (well at least in Japan)
jono @ Feb 27th 2007 3:44PM
""...Gamers just wanted to play games but Sony wanted to bundle in the kitchen sink, confusing and slowing down gamers in the process."
Now why does this seem familiar?
*cough* PS3 *cough*"
You have it all wrong... They bundled a heater with the ps3... kitchen sink costs you extra
DBX00 @ Feb 27th 2007 3:41PM
The PSP is due for a price drop and/or revision; that will drive sales up. The games are coming at a pretty steady rate now and some new IPs would also help in pushing more sales. If Sony isn't sleeping at the wheel, expect a revision and/or price drop in the middle of the year.
They also definitely need to integrate the Playstation Network (ID, Friends, downloads, etc.) to the PSP platform. A revised PSP will built-in storage would eliminate load times and would allow for this type of connectivity. At the same time, you don't alienate your current user base because you can still play the same games for the system.
Avinash_Tyagi @ Feb 27th 2007 4:02PM
#31 & 32
PSP hasn't sold 25 million, they've sold only about 20 million, sony only gives out shipped numbers not sold
J @ Feb 27th 2007 3:42PM
Well maybe they are only supporting sony but that means if you love capcom then thats the systme for you. They should make more games for other systems but for some reason they probably don't think it will sel as well on the DS> Its wierd too b/c the psp d-pad sucks balls for fighting games. I loved the psp for all the homebrew. PSP rhythm alone is more then a justified reason to buy a psp. I do regret selling it for that treason alone. The games are hit or miss. I wasn't blown away by the rpgs but they were decent. Sure as hell better then the first RPGs to hit the DS. I mean Lunar Dragon Song was the most suck ass RPG ever. It totally ruined what should have been the best RPG to ever hit a handheld. So hats off to sony. Once the DS lite took off and sold millions upon millions square and the other companies finally started backing nintendo. I'd like to finally see Archaic Sealed Heat for the DS. I've been waiting for that title for a long time. SUpposed to be awsome.
NintendoFanbot @ Feb 27th 2007 3:47PM
The DS Phat's buttons suck, but the Lite's, however, rule and feel very much like the SNES sheme of old.
SFAlpha on PSP gave my hands cramps as well, but I can't imagine that on Lite. For some reason, the buttons feel... right.
Mr Khan @ Feb 27th 2007 3:48PM
I honestly think Sony's in a good position to go "niche" like a lot of what Nintendo did with the GC last generation
PSP's doing well, but isn't viable in the mainstream
PS3 seems to work with the same concept, Sony could easily ride out this gen with hardcore support, just as Nintendo did previously
Sam G. @ Feb 27th 2007 3:50PM
Honestly, my big problem with the PSP is the physical form factor. It simply doesn't feel conducive to sitting on the bus or subway and playing. The DS, on the other hand, feels lightweight and portable. I mean, you can actually put a DS Lite in your pocket if you wanted to. Can you do that with the PSP? Maybe, but it would be more of a pain in the ass.
Add the complaints issued earlier about the UMDs (heh, I almost wrote WMDs) and the console's percieved fragility and you come up with my hypothesis: the DS wins because, IMO, its designers at every step understood the needs of truly PORTABLE gaming and the issues involved therein.
J @ Feb 27th 2007 3:54PM
You know you could always be a super fanboy and give sony the ol' "You're The Best Around.... No Ones Ever Gonna Take You Down". Right now sony needs a good old fashion montage for a pick me up.
SpeedREV @ Feb 27th 2007 3:57PM
I just paid $49.99 for WWE Smackdown Vs RAW 2007 for my brother. At least it does have some additional features to make up for what it lacks from the version I have for Xbox 360.
Evan @ Feb 27th 2007 4:03PM
UMD has held back the PSP. Using a disk instead of a cartridge is the root of many of the PSP's flaws:
- Increases the cost of the hardware.
- Shortens battery life.
- Load times are inappropriate to on-the-go gaming.
Before the PSP was released in the U.S., Sony was talking about UMD (UNIVERSAL media disk) video disks as a format that would be used in a variety of media devices. For example, read: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,119357-page,1/article.html?RSS=RSS
Basically, Sony encumbered the PSP with UMD in order to boost the UMD disk format, similiar to how Sony is encumbering the PS3 with Blu-Ray in order to boost that disk format.
LongshotX @ Feb 27th 2007 4:14PM
The problem is the initial price point. If Sony can stay with Nintendo in this regard then it might have a chance but a $250 price tag for a portable PS2, which is by the way $129 just isn't going to cut it. It would also help to have simplistically dumb games that anybody can play. Lil Quirky games like brain training, electroplankton, and Elite Beats. If you want to beat Nintendo you have to think like Nintendo. Once Sony does this I think they'll realize what they did wrong the first go around. I would also like to add that the PSP is a really cool device and so is the DS. I have a DS Lite and I have to say it ain't all that. I mean its a cool pick up and play system but I really don't see the big deal anymore. Anyways I hope with the PSP2 Sony learns from its mistakes and tries a bit harder.
Striderhayasa @ Feb 27th 2007 4:21PM
@pixelator
kudos to you man, I thought I was the only one that thought FFIII on DS looks like shit. For the life of me I can't figure out why Square didn't use prerendered backgrounds and try to use the extra polys for the character models. Surely they could have fit the data of a larger DS card. i do like the gameplay in FFIII but I can only play it in short bursts because of the terrible graphics. The FF models in Mario 3 on 3 are awesome. Why couldn't we get those in FFIII
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Now for the Rant!
i can't remember who mentioned it but WHERE IS the Capcom DS love?
GBA got Super Street Fighter, Street Fighter Alpha and two Zeldas from Capcom. Where's the DS fighting games? SNK is no exception. If I see another god awful card battle game for DS I'll dammit scream.
This is a perfect example of the lack of creativity and common sense throughout the development community . I'm all for original content and games but sometimes you have to go with a no-brainer and card battle games are NOT it.
The biggest problem with GBA fighting games were the face buttons...mainly, only two are present. DS fixes this for most games not called street fighter with four face buttons and a great D-pad. So where are the fighting games? Namco...even YOU released Tekken for GBA...in all of its nasty digitized glory. DS is easily powerful enough to run a Tekken 2 or Tekken 3. Where the hell is it? GBA was home to one of the greatest RPGs of its era...better than FFIII, as good if not better than the FF re-releases....Golden Sun. Where is the DS version/continuation of Golden Sun? Where are the REAL RPGs for DS? Why is it Square can't make a good Mana game to save their lives? Why not just port Secret of Mana to DS and be done wth it. Children of Mana is total trash and Square should be ashamed to even admit its a part of the Mana line. Why is it we can't get a proper Advanced Wars with online play and updated graphics? Look, I love 2D more than the best fan but if a developer is going to use a 2D engine for DS games...the animation better be damn good and the designs better be above GBA standard. Why can't I get a gorgeously handdrawn Advanced Wars with more new vehicles instead of the pathetic 4 we got in the last installment, and online play?
Where are my FPS on DS. Prime Hunters proves that DS can handle it well. Rare proved with Diddy Kong that DS can produce 64 quality results...so where's my Perfect Dark on DS with touch screen control better framerate and online?
I still love my DS but I tell you, DS library will never be complete without a great fighting game, a great RPG that's not some FF rehash, a great FPS (because the single player mode in Prime Hunters is lacking) and a great action game.
sheppy @ Feb 27th 2007 4:22PM
Out of curiosity... I did the following.
DS Lite Measurements in Millimeters.
133 x 73.9 x 21.5
total mass = 211317.05 mm cubic
PSP measurements in Millimeters (without consideration for missing mass in the curves)
170 x 74 x 23
total mass = 289340 mm cubic
DS Lites size compared to PSPs.
73%
Curious...
Grey Acumen @ Feb 27th 2007 4:31PM
Here's what wrote the PSP off for me:
CDs are larger and more easily damaged than any cartiridge, and their loading times are INSANE.
UMD = slap in the face. I can't play UMD on my DVD player, and I can't play DVD on my PSP. So if I want to enjoy a movie on my PSP, I have to buy a new disc, and if I want to actually put in a movie for everyone to watch, my UMD disc becomes useless and I need a DVD for that.
Marketing = Teh Suxor. I never knew about that joystick nub until a week ago. That one thing alone would have at least piqued my interest.
I've heard of all about 3 games that are original, not ports of games that are on other systems and not games that are racing or sports games that play nearly exactly the same as all the others.
The only updates I've heard about are either fixing glitches or trying to crack down on homebrew. Seriously, why does the PSP need all these updates in order to work, but the DS is doing just fine?
PSP = Widescreen GBA, seriously, it looked like they were trying to copy the original GBA (not even the SP) and make it look 'cooler'
It looks fragile as hell. If I drop my gameboy/DS/random nintendo product, I figure I'll pick it up, dust it off and keep playing. From looking at the PSP, I figure if I drop it, my first task will simply be to find all the various pieces it shattered into.
On top of that, you have both the touchscreen of the DS and the low cost of the DS that the PSP is competing with.
I'll admit that sony has not been getting good publicity, but there's still quite a few things sony only has itself to blame for.
Maybe I'm biased, maybe some of my points are even wrong, but either way, I'm looking at this from the point of someone who has not bought a PSP. None of these points make me want a PSP. That is something the PSP has to overcome before it has a chance to be competitive with the DS
Jake @ Feb 27th 2007 4:33PM
The PSP failed to become the portable king because it's content is too expensive. Apple has the model that works. Make your money in hardware and make sure consumers can get content on the cheap. Sony console business is a whole nother animal than portable business.
Another thing, it's music management ui sucked. Apple's UI is the bread and butter of the iPod business. Sony should take lessons and create the PSP2 in a way that will make it both a dedicated music player and find away to get games on it cheaply. That's a killer combo.