PlayStation Pocket

[Jonny]

I mentioned the Nintendo DS not so long ago

Now comes the PlayStation Pocket

Apparently it plays movies

[Mimternet]

Yep it can play movies but I think that feature will be a bit pants as you have to buy the film on the mini DVD and the quality won't be as good on a normal TV so really you'd need buy the ordinary DVD version too... still a good option.

I am really into the new generation of handhelds. I want both the PSP and DS. Then we've got the new Gameboy to look forward to in 2006.

[ste]

The PSP is beautiful, but too fucking big. The DS is interesting, but so was the Virtual Boy, and there's no reason to suppose third parties will be any more interested in taking advantage of this particular gimmick than they were that one.

[Mimternet]

DS has 120 games in development already, not as many as PSP but it's a good start for an entirely new platform that requires developers to start entirely from scratch.

I'm personally planning on buying both if they turn out to be worth having. DS is a definite purchase on my list because you know that Nintendo will ensure at least 3 games will be worth owning on the system at the start and then people can play their GBA games on the thing too.

I do love the PSP, my main concern is the gorgeous screen being scratched.

[ste]

Mimternet said:

I'm personally planning on buying both if they turn out to be worth having. DS is a definite purchase on my list because...

There is no guarantee that Nintendo will release three games worth having. Their GBA launch lineup: a poor strategy game, a conversion of the worst Mario Bros game ever, an adequate version of SNES F-Zero whose appeal was limited at best, and a stick-puzzle game which I thought was fucking brilliant, but sold about as well as puzzle games (since Tetris) ever do, ie not at all.

"120 games in development" is pretty much meaningless, too. Aside from conceivably being PR bullshit, the number of games in development has little relation to the number of games released. I could pull out stats from six years ago that told you have many games there were in development for the 64DD.

I am not down on Nintendo, but it is frustrating when people are unable to see their faults as well as their abilities. They still have the capacity to produce excellent software. They're also capable of sticking to themes and formulas, and there is no reason to suppose that their future releases will be any more or less entertaining than any of their competitors'.

[Mimternet]

I see the GBA launch as very different to DS. GBA was a continuation of an existing product which had an established user base and a long line up of games on the horizon. It also had no competition. The DS has the PSP as competition and Nintendo seems to be going forward with this console in the right direction.

I don't think Nintendo is perfect, we all know about the GBA/Cube connection being near to worthless and the N64 DD and Virtualboy. The DS feels different and feels well thought out and planned to perfection.

120 games being in development is a important figure when you look at the list of games and see how many of them are being made by major developers using key franchises.

Personally I think both consoles will do well. DS is releasing in time for the US and Japanese X-mas. If I were a kid I would rather have the cool shiny gadget that recognises by voice, two screens, one of which has a touch screen and allows me to communicate with my mates using Pictochat. I obviously have no idea how these facilities will pan out across the console's lifetime but I know that on impulse kids would much rather have this. It's also going to be far cheaper to buy...

I think I'll start up a new topic to discuss both consoles as I am actually very excited about them both. Shall we? )

[trollte]

I don't like the look of it. Black/white... boring!

Ste - Kuru Kuru Kururin! Awesome game that was so fucking difficult at points that I was very inclined to scream. Even that game used to make me jump when I was concentrating really hard and I hit a wall. I should add it to scariest games ever, cos there were times I was holding my breath in fear.

I've played games across all the formats, even though I don't own them all, and agree that each one has some games that I would like/adore. I think I've ended up with Nintendo because something about their stubborn stance on games for children, and the characterisation they develop, overall cuteness, and design standards appeals to me. I'm a big sucker for things that are hyped (i.e. Pokemon, although I'm over that now). Plus, I can't afford to have all consoles (and maybe also feel as though I shouldn't spend money on another when I already have one), and so have to pick one. Once you've made your choice, I think you then feel you have to consistently justify it so that you don't think you've made a mistake.

I would like to own them all and have games like Rez, Halo, Project Gotham Racing, Grand Theft Auto etc. but I have to do without. The same will happen with the handheld... I will have to pick one and stick with it. In the end, each console has some great games.

Ste - I love Edge. Will you be my boyfriend?