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Raziel · 01:17 AM

Jesus christ!

The PSP will definately dominate and . The reliance on both Sony's Memory Stick and computer staples such as USB 2.0 should help to integrate the device with the other gadgetry customers may own, but the lack of storage and the reliance on expensive Memory Sticks could wind up diminishing the PSP's prospects of becoming an ubiquitous portable entertainment device, (unless cheap UMD burners and media quickly appear, a move which would undermine anti-piracy measures while at the same time increasing the number of people willing to invest in a PSP). The 16:9 aspect ratio of the lovely looking display will no doubt be used to great effect in driving and RPG games, but most punters will see it as perfect for watching movies on. But if there is no way of doing this unless you shell out for UMD versions of movies then the chances of this aspect of the PSP's potential generating a respectable amount of interest and corresponding business looks rather slim.

Sony has taken notes from Apple by offering a choice of colours for the PSP. The PSP weighs about the same as a ninebar with similar proportions, which from my experience means it will be weighty but should slip into most jacket pockets. It may become tiring holding it up for a long time, and the weight balancing will need to be carefully thought out, as you don't want the device oscillating in your hands as you mash all the buttons to make a successful kill or corner.

As far as the games are concerned there are enough developers, both big and small, already attached to the PSP so that Sony appear to have one of the top requirements of any successful console - games - met and catered for. As the split between east and west across the 99 announced companies is fairly even, we must hope that Sony bypasses any region encoding. If an enforced separation between the world's two gaming hemispheres continues with the PSP all parties will once again lose out. The number of ports that will come straight from the PS2 is also of concern. If most of the titles that launch the PSP- later on this year in Japan and in the Spring elsewhere are rehashes of tired old franchises or ports of mediocre PS2 titles then the PSP will squander some of its high levels of consumer interest. It's unlikely Sony will allow the PSP to debut without some killer titles that are exclusive to the new platform. Yet the direction that the numerous companies involved in PSP development will decide is the best and most profitable course of action for their own businesses could leave the PSP swamped in titles whose only appeal is their new found portability. For example, the four games that EA has announced will accompany the PSP into the world on its birthday are all titles you already can walk into the shop and buy for a multitude of current gaming platforms, although the addition of wireless multiplayer with these titles will no doubt make them worth a second look.

The wireless multiplayer aspect is one of the most exciting areas of the PSP. Combined with its frankly amazing processing powers the PSP certainly takes the lead as far as delivering visually arresting, high-tech games is concerned. If the right kind of titles are developed and Sony sells the kind of quantities that they must be hoping for, the prospect of PSP cafes opening up where gamers can meet and consume both entertainment and sustenance in the company of other gamers is something I expect to see become a reality, at least in the East.

At the moment the innovative features of the DS scream out little more than 'gimmick' to this perturbed gamer. For example, Sega plan to rely on the novel control methods the touch screen will allow to drive forward the gameplay in the two titles they have announced for the device. The DS reminds me of the split-screen Game & Watch's from the 80s, (Lifeboat being a particular favourite). With dual screens, voice activation and touch screen technology, the additional wireless networking is the most apparently sensible ability the DS will have.
Nintendo have opted for an old wireless standard - like Sony with its reliance on .801.2B, (although the DS will supposedly have built in WiFi as well). The performance of both is roughly comparable, but the compatibility of the DS with Bluetooth enabled phones and PDAs may be of some use to Nintendo in selling the DS. You see, I believe that the DS is going to be more then just a quirky and gimmicky handheld gaming console. Remember the camera and printer attachment that were released for the original Gameboy? They were marvellous examples of cleverly engineered devices that added functionality to an existing device in ways that the original designers would never have anticipated for. With its two screens and touchy-feely displays the DS may well blossom into a true multifunction device. While it is unlikely that it will ever take on the roles of a video player or even an MP3 player, the integration of telephony and the display technology of the DS could lead to some very interesting forays into unexpected territory. How about the DS becoming a keyboard for SMS that has a lovely big screen for displaying your phone's contents? Nintendo have a habit of coming up with unusual add-ons for their consoles and while most of them have sunk without a trace they have been an indication of the company's willingness to innovate and take risks.

Is the DS Nintendo's biggest innovative gamble so far? Its potential certainly is leagues ahead of items like the Robot for the Famicom and the 3D goggle system of old. Rather than an add-on to an existing console this is Nintendo's newest recruit in the console wars. In an attempt to allay any fears customers may have of it being too "out there" and left-field for them to consider a purchase, the DS has some sensible features along with its more Willy Wonka abilities. As it will run GBA cartridges the DS can claim to allow cross platform gaming, allowing GBA owners to migrate from their old machine to the new platform. And as PSP owners will have to shell out for UMD versions of games they may already own, Nintendo has a distinct advantage in its battle to retain its user base during the trip from one generation to another.

Nintendo's own storage media will be able to hold up to a gigabyte of data, so like the PSP there's the potential for the DS to take on other functions - if the media doesn't cost too much. The price difference may also be considerable. If the PSP debuts and retains an exorbitantly high price then no swathe of impressive features and capabilities will persuade the sensible customer to pay up to three times more for one of Sony's devices than for the DS. The PSP will be able to do a lot more then just play games, but if extra cost such as buying UMD media are added onto an already premium price then the PSP could find itself struggling against the uglier and less powerful DS.

Nintendo's biggest asset has always been its games. Unfortunately, the titles that have been announced so far are somewhat uninspiring, but as this is currently the situation with the PSP the big N will be justifiably confident for the DS's initial prospects. Nintendo knows that it has some of the best game designers on the planet to call upon, and in the past these guys have created games that are innovative in their gameplay. Combine these talents with the novel features of the DS and the possibility that we may see some games the like of which we have never considered before may well prove to be the cap-feather that Nintendo irritates the beejesus out of Sony with.

Nintendo's ugly duckling really has the edge when it comes to dynamism. The PSP will initially be limited to an impressive portable gaming system and as such its only strength will be the ability to play high tech games on the move. Whether or not this will be enough to warrant the price tag in the eyes of enough consumers will only be answered next year, but Nintendo must be really hoping that their original little machine will win over enough users to keep the system, and Nintendo the gaming hardware company, a viable going concern.

It is still early days in the gestation of these two consoles, although now we have had the first images of the machines we can better appreciate what the two companies have in mind for their new babies. Things will no doubt change as both Sony and Nintendo attempt to steal some of the wind out of the sails of their rival's console, but as long as the prices are sensible and the hype backed-up with substance I know that 2005 will be the year that I buy my first handheld.

The Handheld business has been dominated forever by Nintendo because they have been the only contendors. Besides Sega's gamegear, there hasn't been anything within years.

Yes, they have been targeting the young audience, but there is a small % of children with money, and they have to convince their parents to buy it. Although the estimated price of the DS is $150 it may go up or down, and thats more than the avg. $100 for the Gameboy.

The PSP is Definately targeted for the older age group, Just look at it. It's sleek like a PDA, it can Play FULL MOVIES. The game will cost around $45 and the screen is huge. This will change gaming forever.

Nintendo has had the same lame titles for years now, and they are running out of games to market, thats why you are seeing more shit surfacing on the market.

You will be able to watch Movies that you can burn which will be available in the near future. The discs are small like Gamecube's and there will be burners coming out for them, how great is that?