by Naoko Kensaku

Created on: March 08, 2009   Last Updated: March 09, 2009

In the handheld console market, there are only two main contenders; the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP. To compare them both would be an injustice, I feel, because they serve two very different markets. This can be seen from both of the games released for both platforms and the actual design of each console.

The DS' design consists of two screens: the touch screen and an "upper" screen that is usually used by games to reflect your progress in the touch screen. The DS also tends to have more whimsical games, like Lock's Quest, Cooking Mama, Trauma Center and the World Ends with You, which makes extensive and very creative use of the stylus.

The PSP on the other hand, has the traditional four control buttons and directional pad you'd get from a normal Playstation controller (hence the official name "Playstation Portable"), not forgetting the extra Left and Right buttons. You can find favourites on the PSP such as Final Fantasy, Dissidia, and Star Ocean, which makes good use of the controls but even better controls of the PSP graphics, which are much better and realistic than the DS' own dated graphics.

The PSP has often been lauded for being an entertainment machine; it's supposed to allow you to watch movies, listen to music, and let you get online easily (the PSP has built-in WiFi capabilities). It also has Skype (to be downloaded manually), allowing you to make phone calls with your PSP.

The DS certainly seems like a very poor cousin when you consider the superficial differences; with dated graphics, limited wireless connectivity and watching movies or listening to music on it would certainly seem like a pain after the beauty of the PSP.

However, the numbers speak for themselves. Sales of the DS has often outpaced those of the PSP. In some parts of the world, the DS even outsells the home console Wii, made by the same parent company.

So, DS or PSP?

I say re-examine what you're going to use it for. If you're a mobile person who likes watching movies and music on the go, then get a PSP. If you just want to while away the time, then get a DS.

Did I mention that the DS can read e-books with the help of a home brew application? The home brew community (people who make applications for various consoles but are not affliated to any game companies) is rather active, and they've turned the DS into a pretty good organiser and IRC client, among others. Personally, I own a DS, and I wouldn't give it up for a PSP.

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