Video:Comparison of Sony's PSP and Nintendo's DS

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Transcript:Comparison of Sony's PSP and Nintendo's DS

Hi, I’m Shane Murphy, your video game Guru for About.com.

Today we’ll compare the strengths and weaknesses of the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP handheld gaming systems.

Choosing From Multiple Models

The first thing to keep in mind is that both Sony and Nintendo have now released multiple different versions of their respective handhelds. Most of the differences are nominal, but some of the discrepancies between models can be pretty drastic.

Across the different models, the Sony’s PSP if definitely a bit more expensive, with the new PSP Go being only 50 bucks cheaper than a new PS3.

On top of that, games for the PSP usually retail at 40 to 50 dollars versus 30 to 40 for the DS. PSP accessories are consistently more expensive too.

Both systems are very powerful, but their capabilities lend themselves towards different applications.

Online Capabilities

Both have their own competent internet browser, but surfing online with each system produces two different experiences.

Using the stylus to type on the DS makes navigating to different web pages and typing out emails much quicker than the PSP.

On the other hand, having the high resolution, wide screen of the PSP makes it more ideal for watching videos online, especially if you’re watching with a friend. The higher quality external speakers help as well.

Multimedia Capabilities

The high resolution screen combined with the ability to use standard SD cards to play movies, music, and share pictures makes the PSP a highly versatile, all in one multimedia machine. Only Nintendo’s newest DSi model can keep pace with these kinds of features, the older versions being devoted almost exclusively to video games.

Game Selection

There is a pretty big difference in the type of games for the DS and the PSP. Most games for the DS take advantage of the dual screens and stylus to produce very novel and innovative gameplay experiences. On the other hand, the wide screen and powerful graphics processor of the PSP supports more traditional control schemes for 3D games.

You can also expect games from franchises common to Nintendo and Sony on their handhelds. So if you like Mario, Zelda, Metroid, and others Nintendo giants, you will love their handheld games for the DS. If you’re into series like Metal Gear Solid, Killzone, Grand Theft Auto, and other Sony mainstays then you should be happy with their PSP iterations.

Although it’s a generalization, it’s not unfair to say there are more games oriented towards younger gamers available on the DS, while the PSP caters to mature audiences more thoroughly. That said, the total number of titles available for the DS is many times greater than the PSP.

Although the DSi can download “mini” games from the internet, the PSP has access to a number of PSOne classics like Gran Turismo 2 and Metal Gear Solid that will play smoothly on the system.

Each handhold is a powerful system with its own personality, so it’s impossible to say which is the best buy for you. Try researching more online if you’re still not sure which one is right for you.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit About.com!

(Music Credit: "The Picture Is Not Complete" by D-Sailors)