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Author Topic: NDS vs. PSP debate  (Read 10848 times)

  • Guest
« on: November 13, 2004, 03:27:22 PM »
I thought it would be fun to debate which hand-held will be the best.
Rules:
1. No insulting other peoples' statements
2. You must post reasons that support your statements
3. The debate will follow a flip-flop format. One person says why the DS is the best system, then someone else will say why the PSP is better and so on.
4. Someone who thinks the DS is the best hand-held will start out the debate.

Have fun!

Luigison

  • Old Person™
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2004, 04:09:28 PM »
The DS is the best system because it is made by Nintendo and has a touch screen.
“Evolution has shaped us with perceptions that allow us to survive. But part of that involves hiding from us the stuff we don’t need to know."

« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2004, 12:46:15 AM »
Well, the NDS has less graphical capabilities, but it has a touch screen and mic built in, it uses flash carts which willprobably be able to store around 128-256mb or so of data.  The PSP uses 1.5gb discs for data, and memmory sticks to save things etc.  Because if the power requirements for the PSP,you will get 2.5 - 4 hours on the PSP's battery before you need to rechard.  The NDS has a 6 - 10 hour battery life.  Game wise, Nintendo has quite a few interesting games lined up that should push the use of the NDS to its potential, while the PSP will have more big titles like Metal Gear Solid.  Though, with the extra stuff added to the PSP it could really mess with its capabilities, so overall it looks like the NDS will be more capable of being enjoyable, the games looking to have a lot of replay value and based on just being fun, rather than the PSP being a sister to the PS2 and PS1 game wise, and after a few plays of the games you could easily get bored of them.  Also, many of the PSP games look as if multiplayer may just be thrown in to aid in the sells.  The NDS is being built around being able to interconenct with other NDS systems, so playing with friends will be even more entertaining than on the PSP
~There is no spoon, only sporks and oddly shaped cutlery~

Forest Guy

  • Anything else?
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2004, 11:05:32 AM »
Do you really expect to find that many people on these boards that will be able to say PSP is better than NDS and have good reasoning behind it?



Nothing but a Conservippie.
= = = = = = =
Agender, curry fan, Top 10 lister, indie dev, gym hitter, musician, et al.

  • Guest
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2004, 12:06:24 PM »
No actually but I was hoping that there might be a few people who thought that the PSP will be better.

Luigison

  • Old Person™
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2004, 06:08:11 PM »
I think the PSP will be better for scraping gum off my shoes.  
“Evolution has shaped us with perceptions that allow us to survive. But part of that involves hiding from us the stuff we don’t need to know."

« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2004, 08:39:12 PM »
I can't wait to buy the PSP!  As soon as I get it, I'll install in my robot and then it will finally be complete!  Did I mention it was a girl robot?  Nyahahaha!

More brainless thoughts: The DS has two screens so if the two handhelds had a fight the DS would win by using it's top screen to chomp it into pieces.

On November 21st, Nintendo will unleash the greatest handheld system on America that this world has ever seen.  Two screens, two extra buttons, one touch-sensitive screen, wireless multiplayer, voice recognition, a rechargeable battery, and more.  Prepare to severely wet yourself.
(E I): o{D___(--I I): o(D___(o 8(= P)___(=(:  )@)___(3 I)}:O})+)___<( )=(: )) )
The cake is a lie, your base belongs to us, keyboard cat will play you off as you fall out of the bus.

« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2004, 05:32:15 AM »
I don't believe that there is a 'Nintendo DS VS. PlayStation Portable'...



The Nintendo DS has not have any REAL competitors!!

You know what I think should this debate should be about?



Next GameBoy VS. PlayStation Portable!



Before any of you know it Nintendo will announce the next GameBoy generation console!!

And you will be going, 'Oh my gosh! That GameBoy (insert next-title here) has a much better resolution than that mini-PlayStation-what'shama-call-it!!!'



BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!

Evilness for Nintendo!!

GWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!



I am a pure Super Mario lover!!

...and in no point in the future will he ever be abandonded by me!

I will even drawn the best Super Mario comics ever to exist!!

I am a pure Super Mario lover!! ...and in no point in the future will he ever be abandonded by me!
I will even draw the best Super Mario comics ever to exist!!

« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2004, 04:14:19 PM »
Just to be fair about this, I think the PSP will have some very nice features.  I don't remember what they were but you can find out a ton of information on these two new portables by going to www.howstuffworks.com.  They'll tell you everything you need to know about them and much more! (and no this isn't advertising so don't chew me out)  And speaking of the NDS...

COUNTDOWN TO DS: 004 DAY(S) REMAINING!!  WE'RE ALMOST THERE!!

On November 21st, Nintendo will unleash the greatest handheld system on America that this world has ever seen.  Two screens, two extra buttons, one touch-sensitive screen, wireless multiplayer, voice recognition, a rechargeable battery, and more.  Prepare to severely wet yourself.
(E I): o{D___(--I I): o(D___(o 8(= P)___(=(:  )@)___(3 I)}:O})+)___<( )=(: )) )
The cake is a lie, your base belongs to us, keyboard cat will play you off as you fall out of the bus.

  • Guest
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2004, 07:35:11 PM »
Well, this debate appears to be completly one sided so far...

Luigison

  • Old Person™
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2004, 08:05:48 PM »
I'll take that as a post for the PSP.


The DS is better because it has Super Mario 64 DS and will have the NEW Super Mario Bros.


About the PSP a recent mag said, "Some of the games look like butt."  That's better than a game about poking butt.


Edited by - Luigison on 11/17/2004 6:17:52 PM

“Evolution has shaped us with perceptions that allow us to survive. But part of that involves hiding from us the stuff we don’t need to know."

« Reply #11 on: November 19, 2004, 08:35:41 AM »
Boon-ga!  If poking people in the rear became popular in Japan then I would never go there even if for E3! *covers rear*

COUNTDOWN TO DS: 002 DAY(S) REMAINING!!!  I CAN FEEL IT COMING!  IT'S SO CLOSE IT'S NOT FUNNY!!!

On November 21st, Nintendo will unleash the greatest handheld system on America that this world has ever seen.  Two screens, two extra buttons, one touch-sensitive screen, wireless multiplayer, voice recognition, a rechargeable battery, and more.  Prepare to severely wet yourself.
(E I): o{D___(--I I): o(D___(o 8(= P)___(=(:  )@)___(3 I)}:O})+)___<( )=(: )) )
The cake is a lie, your base belongs to us, keyboard cat will play you off as you fall out of the bus.

Chupperson Weird

  • Not interested.
« Reply #12 on: November 20, 2004, 10:55:51 PM »
E3 is in Los Angeles.

The fast pace riding on a horse bets a slow boat anyday.
That was a joke.

« Reply #13 on: November 21, 2004, 08:04:50 PM »
So? What's your point? ;)

I mean... I wouldn't go there even if I won a free vacation.

Your forum board has been infected by the YSR virus. Please send an error report now so we can point and laugh at you.
(E I): o{D___(--I I): o(D___(o 8(= P)___(=(:  )@)___(3 I)}:O})+)___<( )=(: )) )
The cake is a lie, your base belongs to us, keyboard cat will play you off as you fall out of the bus.

« Reply #14 on: November 25, 2004, 06:55:31 PM »
Have you seen some of the sites out there that actualy support the PSP? I found one that Tried to make them both seem equal and the paragraph supporting the PSP sounded a lot like this:

"The PSP has a bigger screen. It also has more power.  It can have better graphics.  It is closer to the power of the PSP.  It can have better graphics.  It has more 3rd party support (I think this is a lie).
finally, It can handle better graphics." See a pattern anywhere?

The PSP is to the DS as the N-Gage is to the GBA.

Edited by - SuperSonic_Yoshi on 11/25/2004 4:57:11 PM

Luigison

  • Old Person™
« Reply #15 on: November 25, 2004, 09:10:06 PM »
According to Electronic Gaming Magazine and a few articles on the internet, the NDS has more 3rd party support.
“Evolution has shaped us with perceptions that allow us to survive. But part of that involves hiding from us the stuff we don’t need to know."

Sqrt2

  • 1.41421356
« Reply #16 on: November 29, 2004, 08:14:41 AM »
According to the mail on sunday's night and day supplement nintendo claim that the PSP's battery life is a mere 2-3 hours. Apparently an undercover nintendo employee managed to get into where the PSP was being shown and saw one of the girls who was hosting the event, sneak out to get some new batteries.

Nothing is impossible. My boss told me so.
AA fanboy and proud!

« Reply #17 on: November 29, 2004, 05:40:41 PM »
And in related news, Mario snuck into the building and discovered the room where people hook the PSP's to a gigantic generator to power it up for an extra hour.  Sorry, that was mean...

Your forum board has been infected by the YSR virus. Please send an error report now so we can point and laugh at you.
(E I): o{D___(--I I): o(D___(o 8(= P)___(=(:  )@)___(3 I)}:O})+)___<( )=(: )) )
The cake is a lie, your base belongs to us, keyboard cat will play you off as you fall out of the bus.

« Reply #18 on: December 10, 2004, 06:06:27 PM »
The PSP is much much better! I wouldn't want to use a DS to stir My Mom's Meat Surprise soup!

Rori Shangrula, Heaven on earth, utopia, is it hidden miles away, or is it tucked behind your shoe closet... You make the call
Rori Shangrula, Heaven on earth, utopia, is it hidden miles away, or is it tucked behind your shoe closet... You make the call

Chupperson Weird

  • Not interested.
« Reply #19 on: December 10, 2004, 11:04:11 PM »
Me neither; I'd much rather play it.
That was a joke.

Luigison

  • Old Person™
« Reply #20 on: December 12, 2004, 06:03:30 PM »
Ask GameSpot! PSP Q&A


Dead batteries? Dead pixels? Loading times? We take your questions on Sony's new handheld game system.
TOKYO--With Sony's new PlayStation Portable officially on shelves, excitement about the system is at an all-time high. With that excitement comes a whole lot of questions. There's never been a handheld platform quite like the PSP, so naturally, there's been a fair amount of confusion about what the system can and can't do. Here, we've attempted to pull some of the most common questions from our message boards to give you a little more insight into what we've noticed about the system so far. Let's start with the most frequently asked question, battery life.



Q: How long does the PSP's battery last?


A: The short answer is that it depends on what you're doing. The longer answer is that Sony has stated that the battery should last around six hours. With simpler-looking games like Lumines or Mahjong Fight Club, that definitely seems to be the case. But with more graphically intensive games, like Ridge Racers, the battery doesn't last quite as long. Based on our estimates and a few battery-draining tests, Ridge Racers seems to last somewhere between 90 minutes and three hours. Playing with the wireless networking switch flipped on will also further reduce your battery life. The system has an auto-sleep function that stops the wireless drain, but that switch is there for a reason. Turn it off when you're not using it.


Video and audio will likely drain the battery differently, depending on where the content is coming from. It's less power-intensive to read from the memory stick slot than the UMD drive, though without any audio discs and only one demo video disc full of short game and movie trailers available now, it's difficult to actually put a number on this. Considering that the screen will black out if left unattended, it seems reasonable that you should get a good amount of battery power out of the system when listening to audio.


Q: How is the system's USB port used?


A: The PSP's USB port is simply used to access the memory stick from a PC. There's a menu option on the unit labeled "USB Connection," and selecting this puts it into connection mode. Hooking it up to a PC causes the system to be recongnized as a PSP, and the memory stick becomes a drive letter, just like it would with a digital camera or other removable memory device. From here, you can drag and drop files on or off the stick, letting you add audio clips, back up (or easily transfer) your game saves, and so on. Getting your own video running on the PSP, however, is a little more difficult.


Q: How do you get the PSP to recognize video files?


A: While formatting a memory stick in the PSP creates folders for audio files, game saves, and actual games themselves, there's no clear path for placing video on the unit. The system supports a specific flavor of mpeg-4 for its video, so you'll need something capable of encoding or transcoding to that format. Sony is supposed to release a downloadable version of its video transcoding software, Image Converter 2, to handle this, but as of yet, we haven't been able to find it. A third-party has developed a freely-available program called 3GP Converter that will also manage this process. But getting the files into the proper MP4 format is just the beginning.


The PSP reads video files using a directory structure that isn't put on the stick when you initially format it for PSP use. So you'll need to create a root directory called "mp_root" first, then place another directory named "100mnv01" under it. You put your MP4s inside that directory, but they must be named a certain way for the PSP to recognize them. The naming convention is m4vXXXXX.mp4, where "XXXXX" is a series of numbers, such as, say, 00001. Once you've jumped through these hoops--and it's really only a hassle the first time you do it--you'll be watching your own videos on a PSP. Why is it like that, you might ask? We're guessing that it's the same file structure that Sony's video recording memory stick devices use.


Q: Does the PSP heat up when you use it for long periods of time?


A: No, not really. Initial reports out of the Tokyo Game Show stated that the left side of the system seemed to heat up after short periods of time, but the units on display there weren't the final hardware.


Q: Are there long loading times in every game?


A: After years of cartridge-based handhelds, it's a little difficult to accept the concept of loading times on a portable game system. Yes, PSP games need to load, just like any other disc-based system would. Those load times vary. Lumines loads up new graphics and music when you change stages, and during this load, all of the game's audio--all of which is tied to the music--stops. Ridge Racers loads for about 15 seconds up front, and from there, getting into or out of a race takes another 10-15 seconds. Vampire Chronicle seems to be the worst offender so far, as it has 15-20 second load times when you get into or out of a match. In the game's tower mode, where you only fight for one round, this becomes pretty noticeable. But for the most part, the loading times aren't that noticeable. When you put a number on them, it sounds worse than it actually is. Ridge Racers doesn't feel like it takes forever to load. Vampire Chronicle can be a little frustrating, but that's about it.


Q: Does the screen smudge up easily?


A: Yes.
Don't play PSP games and eat french fries at the same time. It's only noticeable when you catch a bit of glare from the system's usually-shiny face, but yeah, the front of the system picks up fingerprints rather easily. The slip case that comes with the PSP value pack (and is also sold separately) seems to clean off the face of the system just fine.


Q: Will that screen scratch easily?


A: We haven't exactly gone out of our way to test this out, but the screen feels pretty thick, like it might resist a scratch or two. We recommend keeping it in some kind of case. The slip case that Sony is selling seems like it'll be perfect for keeping the screen safe from keys or other sharp items in your pocket, but it might also be worth investing in a larger, more shock-proof case for the system, as well as some clear film to go over the screen, adding another layer of protection.


Q: Are dead pixels a problem with the PSP screen?


A: We've seen several PSPs since the system's Japanese release, and one system in that batch has a few dead pixels on the screen. Just as they are with any other screen, dead pixels are a real bummer. The short supply currently available in Japan means that people getting screens with dead pixels might not be able to exchange them right away. We've heard a few anecdotal reports about how widespread the PSP dead pixel problem is, and it seems like the exception, rather than the norm.


Q: What's the deal with the PSP's control disc? Is it analog or not?


A: We've heard reports from the development side of things that the control disc on the PSP isn't a "true" analog device. After playing a few games that use it, it's difficult to tell the difference. The disc definitely allows for more than eight directions of motion, and works fine for, say, making slight turns in Ridge Racers. That said, the disc seems to have a fairly large dead zone, and it's difficult to get very slight movements out of it. But above all, it seems to work well for driving games, at least, and shouldn't be a problem, regardless of how, exactly, it works under the hood.


Q: Will the PSP be a region-free device?


A: Reports from Sony claim that games, at least, will be region-free. So in theory, you could buy a Japanese PSP and play US releases on it. Video (and probably audio) discs, however, will be region-locked. The trouble with region encoding is that you never really know how it's going to work out until the system is out in at least two territories. Reports so far give it the green light, but we can't be 100 percent sure until we see US games running on a Japanese PSP for ourselves.


Q: When will the PSP be out in my neck of the woods? How much will it cost?


A: Sony hasn't announced specifics for any region other than Japan at this time. The PSP is expected to hit North America sometime during the first quarter of the year, and signs seem to be pointing to March. Prices for hardware and software have not been announced, but it's expected that Sony will announce details about the North American launch plans in early January.


By Jeff Gerstmann -- GameSpot
POSTED: 12/12/04 01:53 PM PST



---
Do you have one of the Super Mario 64 DS high scores?  If so, post it here.


Edited by - Luigison on 12/12/2004 4:12:30 PM

“Evolution has shaped us with perceptions that allow us to survive. But part of that involves hiding from us the stuff we don’t need to know."

Luigison

  • Old Person™
« Reply #21 on: December 15, 2004, 07:31:09 AM »
Nintendo DS to play music, videos.



---
Do you have one of the Super Mario 64 DS high scores?  If so, post it here.

“Evolution has shaped us with perceptions that allow us to survive. But part of that involves hiding from us the stuff we don’t need to know."

Luigison

  • Old Person™
“Evolution has shaped us with perceptions that allow us to survive. But part of that involves hiding from us the stuff we don’t need to know."

Luigison

  • Old Person™
« Reply #23 on: December 17, 2004, 09:12:49 PM »
Three, Two, One.  Go.  http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cf6y-oot/umd/fly_004.avi



---
Do you have one of the Super Mario 64 DS high scores?  If so, post it here.


Edit: "="

Edited by - Luigison on 12/17/2004 7:16:27 PM

“Evolution has shaped us with perceptions that allow us to survive. But part of that involves hiding from us the stuff we don’t need to know."

« Reply #24 on: December 26, 2004, 01:13:50 AM »
Thanks for the info, luigison.  I wasn't aware of that.

----

"Thanks you Mario, but our Princess is in another - oh, wait, there she is.  Never mind."
----

"Thanks you Mario, but our Princess is in another - oh, wait, there she is.  Never mind."

« Reply #25 on: December 27, 2004, 06:30:06 PM »
The UMD popping out is because the fool deliberately twisted both ends and pressed eject.
200 characters and nothing to say.

« Reply #26 on: December 30, 2004, 01:56:42 AM »
The DS has Mario. The DS has Sonic. The DS has 007. The DS might also have Starfox!

DS wins- Mario wins- we all win! Case closed-- now where's my lunch?
If my son could decimate Lego cities with his genitals, I'd be [darn] proud.

« Reply #27 on: January 05, 2005, 12:59:17 PM »
Wow. . .i'm the odd man out huh? I actually think the PSP will be better than the DS. Although, I love the DS dearly, the psp has more chances of having the games i've come to love. Sure, mario and such is on the DS, but I mean, I've heard rumors of a remake of FFVII and even sequels on the PSP. The words "Final Fantasy" really makes it a perk. That's one of the main reasons why I like the GC. Crystal Chronicles was on it so, hey thumbs up to Nintendo. But I lay my faith on whatever system carries the Final Fantasy series. Anyways, I can't really defend the PSP because I've never played one. I mean, how can you deffend or criticize something you've never actually picked up and played. I didn't criticize or defend the DS until I play it. And y'know i'll defend that gaming system till the next one comes out. . .unless a Playstation line system or Sony comes out.



So final scoring, I think the PSP will be better, but the key word is think. The DS I KNOW is awesome, but the PSP in my mind will be better, I have good hopes. . .there, now I think i may have made a few enemies here. XD




Edited by - gunblade88 on 1/5/2005 11:04:15 AM


« Reply #28 on: January 05, 2005, 03:37:12 PM »
Hey man, the DS is getting the only release of Final Fantasy III in the US EVER!

Also, it's getting the next Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles!

Also, are you interested in the Square Enix game, Egg Monster Heroes for DS?

New games > remakes

“I’m a stupid fatty and I love to play with my Easy Bake oven.”

« Reply #29 on: January 06, 2005, 12:41:01 PM »
Lol. Yeah, I heard about the FFIII remake but really, I'm waiting for the FF games that are coming out on PSP moreso than the DS, although you do make a good point. I really don't think one holds a higher position in my eye too great too really tell. Of course, my biased views towards sony wins me over. What is this of that Egg Monster Heros though. I can't say I've ever heard of it. Maybe you could email me some info on it or something, but mostly the Square Enix strengths are the Star Ocean and the Final Fantasy lines.




« Reply #30 on: January 06, 2005, 05:52:07 PM »
Thats some funny stuff, again Sony makes some stinky product that will be more successful than the actually GOOD nintendo product. Anyway, I think this is really sad, and if that whole UMD thing is true I would hate to be playing on a bus, and then ~bump~ and then there goes the disk! Or better yet! On an airplane, turbulance, and then ~bam~ your disk hits the piolit and knocks him out! Oh, I get it, the secret auidence for the PSP is terrorists, so they can sneak a weapon into airplanes! ~laughs at his syupid joke~

Rori Shangrula, Heaven on earth, utopia, is it hidden miles away, or is it tucked behind your shoe closet... You make the call
Rori Shangrula, Heaven on earth, utopia, is it hidden miles away, or is it tucked behind your shoe closet... You make the call

A

« Reply #31 on: April 27, 2011, 11:05:18 PM »
Hey, guys from 2005.

The new PSP has a touch screen and uses cartridges.

The new DS has a three-hour battery life and no first-party games.

Did I just blow your minds?
"I was going to post and say "I have one of those!" because I recognized the hair immediately, but then the rest of the pic loaded and I nearly spit my drink out."
1-800-COLLECT: SAVE A BUCK OR TWO!!

WarpRattler

  • Paid by the word
« Reply #32 on: April 27, 2011, 11:13:55 PM »
I actually wanted to bump one of these threads when the 3DS came out but never did.

PSP vs. DS is a legit comparison now because the DS Lite and PSP-3000 both retail for $130 and each have sizable numbers of good games available.

ShadowBrain

  • Ridiculously relevant
« Reply #33 on: April 28, 2011, 07:59:35 AM »
The only thing that blows my mind here, A, is that a guy had a picture in his self-made signature.
"Mario is your oyster." ~The Chef

BP

  • Beside Pacific
« Reply #34 on: April 28, 2011, 01:59:04 PM »
Did I just blow your minds?

You did, you did

It's funny that Nintendo doesn't get why the 3DS isn't selling like the 3-D hotcakes it's supposed to. I guess they're worrying about it, or something? Did no one over there think to say, "Hey, maybe it's because there are no games"
All your dreeeeeeams begiiin to shatterrrrrr~
It's YOUR problem!

ShadowBrain

  • Ridiculously relevant
« Reply #35 on: April 28, 2011, 03:52:31 PM »
Well, I'm sure you've all heard this from a million other sources, but I really think this goes to illustrate the fact that portable game systems are probably going to die out in a stark divide between Popcap/Angry Birds/iWhatever fare and consoles.
"Mario is your oyster." ~The Chef

BP

  • Beside Pacific
« Reply #36 on: April 28, 2011, 03:59:12 PM »
I doubt it
All your dreeeeeeams begiiin to shatterrrrrr~
It's YOUR problem!

WarpRattler

  • Paid by the word
« Reply #37 on: April 28, 2011, 04:04:20 PM »
No. Handhelds will not die, and they certainly won't be killed by phones.

Nintendo has this little thing called "name recognition"; a lot of people still use "Nintendo" as a generic term for video games, and automatically think of Mario and other Nintendo properties when the subject comes up. Nintendo has been the leader for handheld game systems for over two decades. And despite cell phone manufacturers' moves to the contrary, people want buttons.

« Reply #38 on: April 28, 2011, 04:38:42 PM »
portable game systems are probably going to die out in a stark divide between Popcap/Angry Birds/iWhatever fare and consoles.

Are you kidding me?
Luigison: Question everything!
Me: Why?

ShadowBrain

  • Ridiculously relevant
« Reply #39 on: April 28, 2011, 05:14:47 PM »
I didn't say I wanted it to happen, but if the 3DS doesn't get its act together (the NGP could go either way at this point)... well, maybe I was quick to say "die out", but name recognition can only go so far when the reasons people recognize your name don't have as fond the connotations as they used to.
"Mario is your oyster." ~The Chef

WarpRattler

  • Paid by the word
« Reply #40 on: April 28, 2011, 05:43:23 PM »
Why does the 3DS need to "get its act together," exactly?

It has low battery life compared to the DS. Is that even an issue to anyone unless they're planning on only ever playing the system during long car trips? For comparison, the PSP's battery life is about five hours (less if you run games from UMDs - once again pirates have an advantage) and I play mine all the time. I don't play it non-stop for five hours at a time outside of the house, where it's always plugged in - in fact, I never have the opportunity to do so, and since I figure most other adults have less free time than I do, I doubt they do either. As for kids, should they really be playing video games for several hours straight?

How long has the 3DS actually been out now? How many systems can you name that had a large library of hard-hitting titles appealing to everyone at launch? A couple of months after launch? A year after launch?

Would you really rather have rushed games than the level of quality Nintendo first-party releases are typically known for?

It's really hard to believe you when you say you don't want Nintendo to stop doing handhelds when you echo the claims of all these analysts who say smartphone gaming is going to kill traditional platforms.

« Reply #41 on: April 28, 2011, 06:01:19 PM »
The new DS has a three-hour battery life and no first-party games.
No one called A on this? No first-party games? There were two on launch, and both were actual new games unlike, say, the Wii or DS launch.

CrossEyed7

  • i can make this whatever i want; you're not my dad
« Reply #42 on: April 28, 2011, 08:12:18 PM »
A typical Nintendo major console release has a launch title -- a game that comes out within the first month or two that defines the console, does things that had never been done before, and justifies the launch of a new console. Super Mario Bros. was a totally new experience, basically creating the modern video game. Super Mario World took Mario games to a whole new level that they couldn't have reached on the NES. Super Mario 64 was almost as revolutionary and medium-defining as SMB. Wii Sports introduced a whole new way to play games and set the tone for the Wii's entire lifespan (perhaps a bit too much). Tetris was and still is the perfect handheld game. Red Alarm probably would've been the Virtual Boy's defining title, with its good use of 3D, if the whole thing had been executed better.

The DS had a launch title, but it was made by Sega -- Feel the Magic, unlike SM64DS, offered a whole new experience only possible on the DS in a way that was perfectly suited to a handheld.

The Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance didn't really have launch titles, they just had ports. This was acceptable, as they were more updates than new platforms, and had price points in line with their predecessors. Same thing with the DSi, which not only had no launch title, it didn't even get Tetris until two years after it came out (though the DSi never should've been $170). Which is ridiculous. But tangent. The novelty of being able to play a console game on the go was enough to get the Color and Advance going, but if this is supposed to be a major console release, not just an upgrade (which it [darn] well better be if you're charging $250 for it), and if stereoscopy is such a huge game-changing feature, you need a game at launch that justifies the 3DS's existence. And there is none. And the only potential one in the pipeline seems to be the Mario game, where depth of field might help out with platforming. Other than that, all we're looking forward to is N64 and Xbox games, with occasional pop-outs thrown in.

Nintendo's problem with third parties is that they've never really had a chance to figure out how their own games and third parties' games can coexist in a post-PS1 environment, especially at launch. If Mario had been out at launch for the 3DS, nobody would have bought any other games, and a lot of compelling third party games might have gotten overlooked (if there were any). The DS was the only console where third parties chose Nintendo.

If Nintendo's strategy is to hold off their own games to give third parties a head start, it's still possible that the 3DS will slowly explode like the DS did. And it's worth remembering that Super Mario Bros. didn't come out in Japan until like two years after the NES came out. Still, if Nintendo is going to put out games at launch, they should be games that justify the console's existence. Nintendogs 2, Steel Diver, and Pilotwings, as fun as they are, are just DS games with nicer graphics, just like SM64DS was really nothing but Super Mario Advance 5. If they didn't want to overshadow third parties by putting out Mario at launch, then their launch title should've been that game idea Miyamoto was talking about where you see ghosts in one eye and not the other (Granted, that would exclude people with vision problems, but that kinda comes with the territory). Something that gives people a reason to drop $250 on a 3DS instead of getting a DS and PSP, both already with their own proven libraries, for about the same price.

Reggie said that the built-in software on the 3DS is the equivalent of Wii Sports, and while that's primarily PR talk to cover up a rushed launch, I think there could be truth in it. Maybe at this point, the best way for Nintendo to fulfill the purpose of a launch title is through built-in software (which makes sense, considering their history of including launch titles as pack-ins). I think AR Games comes the closest in that regard, and may well end up being remembered as its true launch title. So yeah, it's definitely not all doom, but they do need to watch out and step things up a bit.

And now I'm gonna stop complaining about the 3DS for a while.

(also the battery life needs to be fixed)
"Oh man, I wish being a part of a Mario fan community was the most embarrassing thing about my life." - Super-Jesse

BP

  • Beside Pacific
« Reply #43 on: April 28, 2011, 09:38:20 PM »
GBA started off with F-ZERO Maximum Velocity, for what it's worth.

When did the Game Boy get Tetris?
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WarpRattler

  • Paid by the word
« Reply #44 on: April 28, 2011, 09:43:23 PM »
It was packed in with the system.

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