Nintendo DS vs. Sony PSP

If any other gamer finds this blog and actually starts to read it, they may wonder why I chose the Nintendo DS over the Sony PSP. I mean, if you read the trade mags, the PSP is a lot better right? They usually mention the following:

• Large widescreen format
• Lots of games at launch
• Plays movies and MP3s
• WiFi built in

Those are all good points. However the "large" screen is really too small for me to want to watch a movie on it. I'd rather have a smaller MP3 player or a purpose-built MP3 like an iPod. The games are not unique and can be found on other platforms (ok, maybe not the exact game, but a good replica).

The reason I chose the DS was that Nintendo is always trying to redefine how people play games and tries to do something unique with each platform. Games like Wario Ware Touched, Polarium, Pac-Pix, and Yoshi Touch&Go all show the power of the platform and that is just within the first 6 months of launch.

For those not familiar with the DS, it has two screens and the lower screen is a touch screen. It also has a microphone and WiFi built in. When I first saw reviews of the DS, a lot of reviewers thought of the touch screen as a gimmick and, to be honest, most of the launch games used the touch screen as an afterthought. But now really creative developers who have had time to understand the versatility of this platform are really coming up with great ideas.

Take for example Nintendogs. Now, I am not a dog person, but the idea of raising your own puppy and training it by using the touch pad is really unique. You can also use the microphone to teach your virtual puppy voice commands. And, if you put the DS in battery saver mode (i.e. close the lid without turning the power off) your puppy/dog will bark when another Nintendogs owner comes within wireless range and the two will play with each other. Not my cup of tea, but very creative and original.

So, while PSP owners get to play the same type of games they can play on their PS2s, I'm looking forward to games like Lost in Blue which will provide me with a portable gaming experience that is different from everything else.