ROUND 1: PICTURE PERFECT
DS: Goodbye Game Boy, there’s a new guy in town and they call him Nintendo DS (though we’re still trying to figure out exactly what “DS” stands for). DS has something no other system has: two screens, each with a resolution of 256×192 and displays 260,000 colours.
PSP: Sony is a newbie to the portable gaming industry but no stranger to video games. Their first hand-held platform is (not surprisingly) called the PSP, which is short for PlayStation Portable. PSP sports a widescreen 480×272 resolution and a whopping 16.77 million colours!
The facts don’t lie: PSP is, on a technical level, superior to Nintendo DS. Sony scores!
SCORE: NINTENDO DS – 0 SONY PSP – 1
ROUND 2: CONTROL CONTENDER
DS: Second only to graphics, most gamers will agree that how a portable platform handles is very important. Nintendo DS incorporates yet another feature into its console that no other does. This time, touchscreen capabilities allow you to move your character with your fingertips!
PSP: Like DS, Sony PSP also uses the standard directional buttons. All of the familiar functions of the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 are present, but there’s nothing new here in terms of control and operation.
Nintendo is really pushing the PSP’s buttons! Nintendo nabs a point.
SCORE: NINTENDO DS – 1 SONY PSP – 1
ROUND 3: FEATURE FRENZY
DS: Nintendo DS has an array of built-in features to prove that the platform packs more punch. Among them is PictoChat, which lets you send messages to other DS players that you can join in a wireless network with up to 16 people. Better yet, DS is backwards compatible with GBA games.
PSP: With PlayStation Portable, Sony introduces the Universal Media Disc a.k.a. UMD, a new format for games that also holds the potential to play movies and music. It’s risky business, but then again, it worked for GameCube.
Nintendo DS KO’d the PSP in Round 3, taking the lead…
SCORE: NINTENDO DS – 2 SONY PSP – 1
ROUND 4: DESIGN DISPUTE
DS: Combining old school flair with new technology, Nintendo brings a retro design back to portable video gaming. The design of the DS is reminiscent of the original Game & Watch with dual screen action and snap-shut compact dimensions.
PSP: The PSP is the iPod of hand-helds. Futuristic in nature and appeal, it looks like something from the next century. Its design is sleek and innovative, however some complain that it is the slightest bit too heavy.
Weight is irrelevant when you have a console that looks sweeter than candy tastes. The PSP ties the game!
SCORE: NINTENDO DS – 2 SONY PSP – 2
ROUND 5: DOLLAR DOWNER
DS: No matter which system you prefer, both will make you dig deep into your pockets. Fortunately, there is a lesser of two evils: the cheaper of the two. Unfortunately, however, that’s what it has come down to. The DS cashes in at under $199.99.
PSP: The Sony PSP will run you approximately $228 Canadian (19,800 yen). That’s a hefty 28 dollars more than the almighty DS. At that rate, you could buy yourself a PS2 and still have enough left over for an extra controller.
DS takes the PSP to the bank. Nintendo wins a 1UP!
SCORE: NINTENDO DS – 3 SONY PSP – 2
ROUND UP: The Sony PSP may be the future of portable gaming, but the time is now and the Nintendo DS is a hand-held platform that anyone would be proud to own. While both the DS and PSP are worthy opponents, what it finally boils down to is personal preference. You have a choice. PlayStation Portable hits electronics stores March 24th.
WEB LINKS:
www.nintendods.com
www.playstation.com