Handheld Wars

War has raged on for the past year between Nintendo and Sony, two popular game system makers. Nintendo remained relatively unchallenged in the handheld market for years with its Gameboy Advance, and its recently introduced Nintendo Dual Screen (the DS), until the Play Station Portable (PSP) arrived on the scene. Now, the PSP and DS are locked in mortal combat for control of the portable scene, and gamers are divided as to which is the better system. The PSP was developed by Sony and debuted in Japan in December, 2004, and was released in America in March 2005. A core system, one that comes with no games or peripherals except a battery and a charger, costs about $200 at Wal-Mart. The DS was surprisingly developed by an American branch of Nintendo, and debuted here November 2004 – about two weeks before its Japanese release. It currently costs about $120 at Wal-Mart. Screen-size and detail is an integral part of any handheld device. PSP’s feature a wide, highly detailed screen – a key selling point for many. The DS on the other hand, as its name implies, is revolutionary in the sense that it boasts two separate, but linked, screens. Trading resolution for revolution cost the DS some screen quality, but instead the DS screens respond to touch, like most PDA’s. A problem that plagues the PSP’s screen is dead or frozen pixels. Although software can be downloaded to sometimes fix it, it may require sending the system in for a replacement. Processing power is also important. Without it, one can’t play the most graphically intense games. The PSP far overpowers the DS here; its capabilities approach PlayStation 2 quality graphics, even during the first generation of games. The DS is about as powerful as the Nintendo 64, and one of its most popular selling games was actually a port of Super Mario 64. Special features of both systems are everywhere. The basic PSP system offers MP3 and MPEG4 playback, allowing one to play games, listen to music, and watch movies on the run. A recent update of the PSP software includes a fully functional internet browser that works with the PSP’s wireless capabilities. Many games also have a Wi-fi mode that allow them to be played with other PSP users in head-to-head or cooperative modes. Programmers have had a field day with the system, too, and created programs that allow some versions of the PSP software to run homebrew (user made) games and emulators – simulation programs that allow one to run software – of popular older systems like the Super Nintendo. A Sony-sponsored PlayStation One emulator is rumored to be in the works for a future update as well. The PSP also has a USB 2.0 port which allows for quick transfer of media files from one’s computer to its memory card. UMD format, a new type of mini disc media that Sony created as a medium for games and movies, can hold much more information than the DS’s cartridges.On the other hand, the DS has tricks up its sleeve as well. Nintendo responded to the PSP’s media capabilities by selling an optional accessory for the DS that give it essentially the same abilities. The dual screens allow for more interactive games, and the screens fold into each other, in order to protect them from scratches or damage. The DS case is built with durability in mind – it can be dropped with little fear of breaking. The PSP is a delicate flower and one small drop might be the end of it. DS’s have built in voice input, and carry a Wi-fi mode that allow people to write or speak with each other, or play games together. The programming scene for the DS has experienced a recent boom, but has not approached the advancement of third party applications developed for the PSP. Instead, the DS is backward compatible with Gameboy Advance games – one can use the DS to play his or her Gameboy Advance cartridges.For a long trip, like a plane flight, battery life is a must. The Nintendo website claims a DS can last for about ten hours of use, depending on the game played. Sony predicts their battery lasts four to six hours, depending on use. Gamers have reported that graphically intense games, or emulators that use the PSP’s full 333 mhz of power cause the battery to die even faster.Controls are interesting, because the PSP and DS take very different approaches. The PSP is designed somewhat like a PlayStation 2 controller – it has the traditional four buttons on the right, a directional pad on the left. L and R buttons are found up top, but the most interesting feature is a small analog stick built in next to the directional pad, a first for the handheld scene. The DS takes a more creative approach; it is built similarly, but instead of an analog stick, has the touch screens and a stylus. Using the touch screens is necessary in almost every game, but the downside is that the input areas are small, as are the traditional buttons which can sometimes be difficult to wield.Ultimately, what usually turns a person on or off to a system is the games. The DS experienced somewhat slow sales at first – it has been Nintendo’s policy that games and game systems are for fun, not dazzling graphics that have nothing behind them. As a result, they have several solid franchises, such as Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Harvest Moon and Pokemon. The PSP offers games that are generally geared to a more adult audience, such as Grand Theft Auto, SOCOM: Navy Seals, and Metal Gear. Because they offer the best graphical experience, many sports games companies are more attracted to the PSP as well.The choice of system depends on the gamer. Hardcore gamers are more likely to choose the PSP, while casual gamers typically prefer the DS – not only for the content, but also the price. Occasionally, though, one can spot a proud (and equally poor ) gamer who bravely sports both systems.