And the battle for gaming handheld supremacy rages on. Gamers on the go are in a quandary as to what system they should purchase: the Nintendo DS from a company with a solid record when it comes to portable gaming consoles, or the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) from a company with a solid history in the field of home video game consoles?
Let us tackle the merits of both the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS based on some points that are important for the avid video gamer.
1. Which handheld console has a bigger game library? More third party developers are signed up for the Nintendo DS, given the fact that it’s easier to design games for the said portable. Also, Nintendo’s image as a company for kids gives the impression that it can tap into a greater audience, something that developer gravitate to. The Sony PSP doesn’t have such luxuries. They have a limited number of developers committed to the system, and their in-house development teams are working overtime to provide the games that PSP owners wants. However, the Sony PSP does have the more prolific developers in its lineup. For this round, we have to choose quantity though.
WINNER: Nintendo DS.
2. Which handheld console has more exclusives? Nintendo is a company that’s built on exclusive properties: Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong, Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Pokemon, Metroid, and the likes are just some of the titles that can only be found on Nintendo gaming systems. The Sony PSP has its own exclusives as well: God of War, Resistance, Patapon, Pixel Junkie, Dax, Ratchet and Clank, and others. Unfortunately, they do not have the same pull as Nintendo’s cast of merry characters.
WINNER: Nintendo DS.
3. Which handheld console can boast of more functionality? The Nintendo DS has touch screen functionality. The new Nintendo DSi has dual cam. But the Sony PSP is a multimedia monster. It can store and play all sorts of audio and video files. It can display pictures easily and conveniently. With the addition of some peripherals, the Sony PSP can even become a digital camera, a portable television set, and an AM/FM radio. Plus, you can surf the net with a Sony PSP, something which you cannot conveniently do with the DS.
WINNER: Sony PSP.
4. Which handheld console is more powerful? The Sony PSP is the runaway winner in this category. When it comes to processing power, onboard RAM, and graphic capabilities, the Sony PSP simply owns the Nintendo DS.
WINNER: Sony PSP.
5. Which handheld console has better connectivity with its “big brother.” The Sony PSP can control the Playstation 3 remotely for as long as both systems are connected to the net. The Nintendo DS can, well, enhance the features of a handful of games.
WINNER: Sony PSP.
6. Which handheld console is poised for the future? The Sony PSP is the most powerful handheld ever created. Experts even admit that the Sony PSP is more powerful than most state-of-the-art PDAs in the market today. The Nintendo DS, however, has recently updated itself by releasing a new model, the Nintendo DSi, which incorporates higher RAM, dual cam, an external storage device, and better audio playback.
WINNER: Tie.
As of this writing, and with regards to the points tackled above, the Sony PSP appears to be the better purchase with a score of 4-3.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The Nintendo DS Games Arent Just For Kids 5 Titles That Adults Will Enjoy
Nintendo – and by association, its consoles included its handheld system, the Nintendo DS – has always suffered from one big weakness: the public perception that it is a company that exclusively caters to children.
With original properties and company mascots like Mario, Luigi, Kirby, Pikachu and Donkey Kong, it is easy to determine why the non-gaming population thinks of Nintendo DS games are just for kids.
Being kid-friendly has its perks, of course. But it also narrows down one’s audience.
Well, since the first incarnation of Resident Evil 4 made its way to the Nintendo Gamecube, the company has made a conscious effort to destroy such perception and build a reputation that its systems are for gamers of all ages, of all orientation, and of all preferences.
The Nintendo DS is at the forefront of the company’s drive to debunk the common misconception.
With the 5 Nintendo DS games listed below, the company is hoping that people will start to see the Nintendo DS as a viable platform for all types of games made for all types of gamers.
1. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.
The Grand Theft Auto series is the poster boy of mature games. Now that it has invaded the Nintendo DS courtesy of the fantastically designed Chinatown Wars, the portable system has been marked as an “All Ages” gaming console.
2. The New York Times Crosswords.
The New York Times is known for 3 things: hard hitting articles, well-written pieces, and frustratingly difficult but amazingly fulfilling crossword puzzles. The last part can now be played as one of the newer Nintendo DS games, but only kid geniuses will be able to guess most of the words required by the puzzles.
3. Metroid Prime: Hunters.
The FPS Metroid that debuted on the Gamecube has made its way to the library of Nintendo DS games. Though not as bloody nor as gory as other first person shooters in the market, the rather difficult puzzles and the dependence on realistic weapons make this Nintendo DS game more ideal for grownups.
4. Final Fantasy IV.
This remake may carry the name of the all-ages series, Final Fantasy, but don’t let that fool you. Considered as the installment with the best storyline in the series, this Nintendo DS remake tells the tale of a fall from grace and a redemption, of betrayal of people close to your heart and the loss of people who don’t deserve to suffer, of sacrifice and of failure, and of love that shines brighter than everything else. This is not a story for children. Indeed, FFIV is one of the few Nintendo DS games that can solicit a tear or two from your eye.
5. Phoenix Wright series.
These Nintendo DS games are about crimes and investigations and the ensuing courtroom battles to prosecute (or defend) the accused. Though the comical presentation of these Nintendo DS hits may make them seem like kid games, they are hardly meant for children. Situations involving murder and a variety of sexual innuendos (cleverly concealed) classify the Phoenix Wright series as Nintendo DS games that adults will appreciate.
With original properties and company mascots like Mario, Luigi, Kirby, Pikachu and Donkey Kong, it is easy to determine why the non-gaming population thinks of Nintendo DS games are just for kids.
Being kid-friendly has its perks, of course. But it also narrows down one’s audience.
Well, since the first incarnation of Resident Evil 4 made its way to the Nintendo Gamecube, the company has made a conscious effort to destroy such perception and build a reputation that its systems are for gamers of all ages, of all orientation, and of all preferences.
The Nintendo DS is at the forefront of the company’s drive to debunk the common misconception.
With the 5 Nintendo DS games listed below, the company is hoping that people will start to see the Nintendo DS as a viable platform for all types of games made for all types of gamers.
1. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.
The Grand Theft Auto series is the poster boy of mature games. Now that it has invaded the Nintendo DS courtesy of the fantastically designed Chinatown Wars, the portable system has been marked as an “All Ages” gaming console.
2. The New York Times Crosswords.
The New York Times is known for 3 things: hard hitting articles, well-written pieces, and frustratingly difficult but amazingly fulfilling crossword puzzles. The last part can now be played as one of the newer Nintendo DS games, but only kid geniuses will be able to guess most of the words required by the puzzles.
3. Metroid Prime: Hunters.
The FPS Metroid that debuted on the Gamecube has made its way to the library of Nintendo DS games. Though not as bloody nor as gory as other first person shooters in the market, the rather difficult puzzles and the dependence on realistic weapons make this Nintendo DS game more ideal for grownups.
4. Final Fantasy IV.
This remake may carry the name of the all-ages series, Final Fantasy, but don’t let that fool you. Considered as the installment with the best storyline in the series, this Nintendo DS remake tells the tale of a fall from grace and a redemption, of betrayal of people close to your heart and the loss of people who don’t deserve to suffer, of sacrifice and of failure, and of love that shines brighter than everything else. This is not a story for children. Indeed, FFIV is one of the few Nintendo DS games that can solicit a tear or two from your eye.
5. Phoenix Wright series.
These Nintendo DS games are about crimes and investigations and the ensuing courtroom battles to prosecute (or defend) the accused. Though the comical presentation of these Nintendo DS hits may make them seem like kid games, they are hardly meant for children. Situations involving murder and a variety of sexual innuendos (cleverly concealed) classify the Phoenix Wright series as Nintendo DS games that adults will appreciate.
The Pros And Cons Of The Nintendo DSi
The Nintendo DSi appears to be a fantastic portable machine that any gamer-on-the-go is sure to cherish and enjoy.
It is being marketed as such: the ultimate handheld gaming system that is all you’ll ever need during those idle parts of the say when time seems to slow down to a crawl, or when you get stuck in a deserted island in the middle of nowhere which, heaven forbid, hopefully won’t happen.
The Pros Of The Nintendo DSi
It is being marketed as such: the ultimate handheld gaming system that is all you’ll ever need during those idle parts of the say when time seems to slow down to a crawl, or when you get stuck in a deserted island in the middle of nowhere which, heaven forbid, hopefully won’t happen.
However, is the Nintendo DSi the supreme portable gaming machine that it is being hyped up to be?In this article, we will explore the positives and negatives of the Nintendo DSi and answer the question of whether or not it is worth the purchase.
The Pros Of The Nintendo DSi
The Nintendo DSi is a significant upgrade to the previous two iterations of the portable console. It packs enough features to warrant a new model.
These features include:
- Dual cam, with each camera having 0.3 megapixels. Not only do these cameras add more functionality for the Nintendo DS, they also allow for more game play possibilities that are sure to be integrated in future titles that will be designed specifically for the Nintendo DSi.
- Lighter design. The Nintendo DSi is 12% lighter than the DS Lite.
- Better audio playback. Gone are the days when the DS was always criticized for having the softest sounds in all of gaming. The Nintendo DSi’s audio features are said to rival the best MP3 players in the market today.
- External storage device. More memory space, more files can be used.
- Faster processing, courtesy of a 16MB RAM which is 4 times faster than the DS and the DS Lite.
- Better online features like improved WiFi connectivity and a DSi store where gamers can download new titles as well as old games from the consoles of yore.
The Cons Of The Nintendo DSi
All is not a bed of roses for the Nintendo DSi, however. There are a number of negatives plaguing the newest iteration of Nintendo’s flagship handheld system. These are:
- The absence of the GBA cartridge slot. Such effectively puts an end to Gameboy and Gameboy Advance backwards compatibility – at least via physical storage – as well as peripherals that rely on the same.
- The two cameras have very low resolutions. A badly lot environment will only render useless pictures.
- It is, in essence, not really that much different from the DS and the DS Lite.
The Verdict
So, should you or should you not buy a Nintendo DSi?
In a nutshell, the DSi is an evolution rather than a revolution. It doesn’t intend to change the basic engineering of the DS and the DS Lite. If it’s not broke, why fix it, right? The DSi is merely meant to improve on the DS and the DS Lite, and this purpose it does well.
So, if you already have Nintendo DS or a Nintendo DS Lite, stick with them and save your money for the next big handheld console a couple of years down the road.
- Dual cam, with each camera having 0.3 megapixels. Not only do these cameras add more functionality for the Nintendo DS, they also allow for more game play possibilities that are sure to be integrated in future titles that will be designed specifically for the Nintendo DSi.
- Lighter design. The Nintendo DSi is 12% lighter than the DS Lite.
- Better audio playback. Gone are the days when the DS was always criticized for having the softest sounds in all of gaming. The Nintendo DSi’s audio features are said to rival the best MP3 players in the market today.
- External storage device. More memory space, more files can be used.
- Faster processing, courtesy of a 16MB RAM which is 4 times faster than the DS and the DS Lite.
- Better online features like improved WiFi connectivity and a DSi store where gamers can download new titles as well as old games from the consoles of yore.
The Cons Of The Nintendo DSi
All is not a bed of roses for the Nintendo DSi, however. There are a number of negatives plaguing the newest iteration of Nintendo’s flagship handheld system. These are:
- The absence of the GBA cartridge slot. Such effectively puts an end to Gameboy and Gameboy Advance backwards compatibility – at least via physical storage – as well as peripherals that rely on the same.
- The two cameras have very low resolutions. A badly lot environment will only render useless pictures.
- It is, in essence, not really that much different from the DS and the DS Lite.
The Verdict
So, should you or should you not buy a Nintendo DSi?
In a nutshell, the DSi is an evolution rather than a revolution. It doesn’t intend to change the basic engineering of the DS and the DS Lite. If it’s not broke, why fix it, right? The DSi is merely meant to improve on the DS and the DS Lite, and this purpose it does well.
So, if you already have Nintendo DS or a Nintendo DS Lite, stick with them and save your money for the next big handheld console a couple of years down the road.
Bottom line
If you don’t have a Nintendo handheld, then the DSi is the best choice you can ever make.
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