PSP vs. Nintendo DS?

shootist16

shootist16

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My kids are wanting a handheld gaming system. Which is "better" and why?
 
The DS is better because it has better games and more of them. It also has a much better battery life, and costs less than the PSP. It's smaller and lighter, and has better accessories. The only advantage the PSP really has is that it's much more powerful, and has better graphics. But better graphics don't mean much when the games are garbage. Look at the ratings for some of the PSP games sometime- very few PSP games ever rate higher than a 6.5 (out of 10) by Game Informer. There are plenty of 8.5 or higher rated games on the DS. I love mine.
 
How old are your kids?

I had both and I sold the DS Lite and kept my PSP. I'm 20 and I enjoy a lot of different type of games.

The DS had some good titles, but they lost their appeal fast. They don't have the depth of gameplay that PSP titles have mainly due to hardware limitations.

If your kids are old enough to really enjoy a console system like Xbox 360 or PS3, get them the PSP. I garuntee it will last longer before they get bored with it. If they are still too young for that, a DS Lite would be the answer.
 
quattrokid73 said:
How old are your kids?

I had both and I sold the DS Lite and kept my PSP. I'm 20 and I enjoy a lot of different type of games.

The DS had some good titles, but they lost their appeal fast. They don't have the depth of gameplay that PSP titles have mainly due to hardware limitations.

If your kids are old enough to really enjoy a console system like Xbox 360 or PS3, get them the PSP. I garuntee it will last longer before they get bored with it. If they are still too young for that, a DS Lite would be the answer.
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13 and 9. Both play the Xbox 360 a lot. My oldest wants a PSP, he likes the better graphics and he wants a MP3 player as well. My youngest thinks he may want a DS. I don't want to talk him out of the DS, but I'm afraid he may like the PSP better when he sees his brothers.
 
I agree with Quattrokid, the PSP is better for older kids, and the DS is better for younger kids. Most of the DS games are somewhat basic, and will get old fast if your an avid gamer.....at least to me they did. The PSP has better graphics, a web browser built in, Skype support (I think), and some better games for more "mature" gamers. I have both, and personally I prefer to use my PSP if I'm looking for something other than a quick play.
 
My youngest son does like guitar hero, a lot. Seems like there is one for the DS and not the PSP. Hmmmmm. I really think he will like the PSP better, but its his decision. I'll show him this thread and some online reviews and let him decide.
 
I agree with whats been said about the DS for younger kids and the PSP for older kids.
I have a 14 and a 9 year old son. The 14 year old has a PSP and the 9 year old has a DS lite. Heres the way I break it down.

PSP:
You can watch UMD movies on it.
It's a music player
you can get on the web with it.
On the latest models (we have one of the first ones) you can hook it to your TV and watch your movies like a DVD player. (or so I'm told)
It uses Sony memory sticks so you can store alot of information on it.
In general it has more games suited to older kids than younger.

DS lite.
Costs alot less than the PSP.
Has alot of games for younger kids
You can get Guitar Hero World tour for it.


With all that being said they would both MUCH rather play the 360 online than play either of the handhelds. I think we would have been way money ahead to have put all the money we have in handhelds toward a second 360 or even a PS3. My kids get along well enough that they can share so since we couldnt afford to buy 2 PSP's and 2 DS lites they are able to play both systems if they want (they do fuss a little but not much)
If they have a friend that owns one system over the other it gives them something to talk about to each other.



These are just my opinions.
 
My son the gamer has gone through just about every game system out there except the PS3.

The PSP's graphics are so much better it's amazing. It could play music and some kind of videos. The DS at the time he got them had more games and were fun but seemed like younger kids games. I don't play games but the PSP would have been the one I got.

The handhelds were great when we were travelling, waiting for a table at a restaurant, waiting at the doctor's office, etc.
 
Honestly, go for the PSP for both of them.

Just make sure to get the younger one the games Daxter and Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters.

The furry creatures and INCREDIBLE graphics will have him falling in love with the PSP.

BTW, the graphics in those two games are so impressive, they even blow away some 360 games. It's not about the raw power, but the programmers really put a lot of thought into making a vibrant and fun world.

Also, there's nothing like shooting flaming bees at someone in Ratchet and Clank!!!
 
quattrokid73 said:
How old are your kids?

I had both and I sold the DS Lite and kept my PSP. I'm 20 and I enjoy a lot of different type of games.

The DS had some good titles, but they lost their appeal fast. They don't have the depth of gameplay that PSP titles have mainly due to hardware limitations.

If your kids are old enough to really enjoy a console system like Xbox 360 or PS3, get them the PSP. I garuntee it will last longer before they get bored with it. If they are still too young for that, a DS Lite would be the answer.
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I'm 20 and I have both. The DS gets a lot more action. The games are just much more suited to portable gaming.
 
Seems like different strokes for different folks. He says he wants the DS. I guess I'll get him one. I do fear that he will wish he got a PSP once he sees his brothers.
 
Have a look at the library of games for each system and pick and the one which has your preferred style of games.

I like the DS because like the person mentioned above, the games are "pick up and play". You don't need to spend time to get into it. If I want a more complex game I usually just play the console
 
johnu2 said:
Have a look at the library of games for each system and pick and the one which has your preferred style of games.

I like the DS because like the person mentioned above, the games are "pick up and play". You don't need to spend time to get into it. If I want a more complex game I usually just play the console
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I'm always amused at answers that answer the thread title and not the post body.

Have you played Castlevania? That game is *deep*. And has eaten up a significant amount of my time.
 
The PSP is pretty good, Iv never played the DS but my PSP gets good use on fights and other longer trips.

The psp has good enough games IMO and the music and movie capabilites are good too.
 
We looked at them and both my sons want the PSP. Do you have to both have the game to play two player?
 
yes, 2 copies of the game for 2 player.

here are some good titles:

Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters (tons of upgradable weapons and great levels, very cartoony and not overly violent)
Daxter (great adventure game with some incredible graphics for a handlheld)
Wipeout Pulse (awesome fast paced future racing with weapons, plus amazing graphics)
Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow (unbelievable indepth first person shooter with great controls and even better graphics)

Don't forget to grab a pack of screen protectors and have your kids put them on as soon as they open the PSPs. It will keep the screens crystal clear forever and is worth every penny.
 
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