Poll: Handheld Dilemma

[GrimRox]

I have decided I really want to get a handheld game system. I haven't owned one since the original Gameboy and wanted some sound advice as I possess little knowledge in this subject.

So which should I get? Why?

As a gamer, I prefer survival horrors, FPS and RPGs in my gaming. So hopefully that may help with any recommendations.

Edit: Can you also recommend any games for either system?

 

[Brotherofwill]

I'd say you really can't go wrong with the DS for most genres, it feels like a nice addition to the Gameboy and Advance in terms of the system mechanics.

Looking at your favourite genres, however I'm inclined to say PSP, since those genres aren't exactly well represented on the DS (except for RPGs).

I tend to think that handheld games are better if they are simple and offer a distinctively different experience from the consoles for a change, but it all depends on your taste.

Just borrow them from a friend maybe and check them out, but for overall value I'd say DS.

 

[KamachoMcSagget]

DS, but none of them have too many games, though

 

[Quistnix]

I haven't got any experience with the PSP, but I can heartly reccomend the DS. A big library with both mainstream and niche games, a great battery life, hardly any loading and great controls.

There's a lot of rpgs on the console, but nog as much fps's. Still, there's Metroid, Golden Eye and Moon. Dementium is a very solid survival horror shooter, and if you buy a CycloDS/R4/M3 card you get acces to a huge amount of good homebrew games, including Quake and Quake 2.

 

[Blights]

Check what games there are, you can buy star ocean 1 and 2 for the PSP if you want.

 

[Darkong]

Have a look at the games available on each machine and decide on that. Don't expect too much in the way of survival/horror or FPS games on the handhelds though, they're few and far between (though if you get a DS I recommend Metroid: Hunters). I'd say the DS has the edge on RPG's though not to mention a larger and more varied games library but, again, check out the individual games to see what you want.

 

[blackcherry]

Depending on what you prefer game wise, I would choose that. But as a DS owner, I can only heartily recommend it. The diversity of the games is very nice, and as long as you don't mind the graphics being unexceptional in some cases, then I feel you will get more use out of it. The PSP never really seemed to get enough investment in it for a steady solid catalog of games to be built up.

 

[Jadak]

Looking at your favourite genres, however I'm inclined to say PSP, since those genres aren't exactly well represented on the DS (except for RPGs).

Something to keep in mind, the PSP sucks just as much for FPS's.

Personally, I'm not really into handheld games, If I'm travelling or something I tend to just bring my laptop. Still, if you have a PS3, the PSP serves as a useful accessory to that, but if you don't, I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[GRoXERs]

I'd say DS, but not the DSi, because you can't play GBA games on the DSi, only the DS and DSlite.
There are so many fantastic games for the GBA that aren't out yet (or aren't as good) on the DS that it is practically worth it just for the GBA games.

Personally, I'd rather have my GBA SP. I like old GBC and regular GameBoy games a lot, and you can't play those on anything else available at the moment.

 

[GrimRox]

I'd say you really can't go wrong with the DS for most genres, it feels like a nice addition to the Gameboy and Advance in terms of the system mechanics.

Looking at your favourite genres, however I'm inclined to say PSP, since those genres aren't exactly well represented on the DS (except for RPGs).

I tend to think that handheld games are better if they are simple and offer a distinctively different experience from the consoles for a change, but it all depends on your taste.

Just borrow them from a friend maybe and check them out, but for overall value I'd say DS.

I've borrowed both and will admit only with certain games. I really like both systems but want to get one that I can get the most out of.

 

[-Seraph-]

Look at what games you want, choose the system that has the most games you are interested in. Both systems are equally good, the DS has a huge ass library considering it has several generations of backwards compatibility. The PSP is an AWESOME multimedia device that does have a really good game library to it. Seriously don't believe people who say it "doesn't have games" or BS like that, as one who owns a PSP and a good 30 games, I like to consider myself to be the resident PSP fanboy...but a mature one.

So it really boils down the what features you want, the games you are interested in, and the quality of games you want. The DS is essentially a pimped out portable SNES/N64 with touch screen while the PSP is your pocket sized PS1.5/2 which offers the closet thing you'll get to console quality games on the go.

oh and on a side note, the PSP does not suck for shooters, they have worked around the systems limitations and have made some really good shooters. the Syphon Filter games, and Resistance Retribution are prime examples.

Hope this helped

 

[Mikkelet]

The PSP. When Resistance: Retribution and patapon 2 (If that's not already out?) come out, the psp gonna pwn IMO

 

[-Seraph-]

The PSP. When Resistance: Retribution and patapon 2 (If that's not already out?) come out, the psp gonna pwn IMO

Resistance is already out...and it flat out kicks ass. Patapon 2 aint out till April i think. Oh and don't forget the other dozen or more titles that have been announced recently...2009 is going to make up for 2008's retardedly slow year thats for sure.

 

[Fraught]

If you like RPGs, then definitely the DS. The DS has oh-so many, countless, great RPGs.
Also, it has a few good FPSs, but with the PSP's one nub, I can't imagine playing FPSs, it must be uncomfortable.

Also, the DS has two screens and one of them is a touchscreen, which is usually clears one of the screens of all clutter like life bars, radars etc, and the touchscreen makes many games infinitely more fun.
Also, one thing that I would almost definitely pick it over is the battery life.
The DS has a very long battery life, whereas the PSP lacks.

Overall, I'd pick up the DS.
I'm going to buy a PSP sometime soon, but only because I already have a DS.

I want to play the good games the PSP has, like Crisis Core: FFVII, the Patapon series, the LocoRoco series, Resistance: Retribution etc, but if you have to choose between the two, I'd pick the DS.

 

[Brotherofwill]

I'd say you really can't go wrong with the DS for most genres, it feels like a nice addition to the Gameboy and Advance in terms of the system mechanics.

Looking at your favourite genres, however I'm inclined to say PSP, since those genres aren't exactly well represented on the DS (except for RPGs).

I tend to think that handheld games are better if they are simple and offer a distinctively different experience from the consoles for a change, but it all depends on your taste.

Just borrow them from a friend maybe and check them out, but for overall value I'd say DS.

I've borrowed both and will admit only with certain games. I really like both systems but want to get one that I can get the most out of.

If you want to get the most out of it then I'd say DS, just for the amount of games and genres represented. It's more well rounded than the PSP and certainly has a stunning library so far.

The PSP comes closer to console gaming with titles like Resistance Retribution and GoW, but if you liked your old school gameboy there is really not much you can do wrong by getting the DS (or maybe even a Gameboy Advance for that reason)

 

[-Seraph-]

oh and if you do consider getting a PSP keep in mind that the 1000 and 2000 models are modable allowing you to install custom firmware so you can play emulators of all sorts. It's a bit of an added bonus and greatly expands your playing ability if your not too iffy about piracy.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

The PSP, if you take the time and effort to hack it. The DS for lazy people, like me.

 

[Quistnix]

oh and if you do consider getting a PSP keep in mind that the 1000 and 2000 models are modable allowing you to install custom firmware so you can play emulators of all sorts. It's a bit of an added bonus and greatly expands your playing ability if your not too iffy about piracy.

The same is true about the DS, which doesn't require any modding or hacking.

 

[-Seraph-]

I am perfectly aware of that, but in order to do it for the DS don't you need R4 cards? with the PSP it's a simple matter of properly uploading the firmware and poof, download an emulator and your set (ok you need a pandora battery but still). Personally I found PSP modding far more convenient and easier than DS, and so have my other dozen pals who have modded their systems.