The PSP

[Dragoon Knight]

It's mine!  Mine, I tell you!  I come home from work, and the cardboard box sitting by the door as I go in tells me that Gameplay have delivered my PSP on time!

It's charging right now, but as soon as that little orange light blinks off, I'm set for the night. :D

I created this topic mainly for all future PSP discussion, but right now, I just want to know; how many people have one?  Today is the day they were released in the UK (pre-orders FTW) and I got the Value Pack and Lumines for about

[Dragoon Knight]

Oh the PSP has Analog, alright.  It's just underneath the D-Pad.  It just looks like a mini-speaker or something. :P

And no, PSP > DS.  Both of my friends have one, and so far, the games released on the DS are nothing but puzzle / mini-games, with the possible exception of the Mario 64 remake and Mario Kart DS.  The PSP has Lumines (puzzle / mini-game), Medievil (adventure), Ridge Racer / Wipeout Pure / F1 2005 / TOCA (racing), Metal Gear Acid (action), X-Men Legends 2 (RPG)... and that's just SOME of the RELEASE titles.

Needless to say... PSPwns. :P

[Kiyouta]

Can't be arse with this tbh. Maybe I'm just too old now... I dunno. Only games I like to play now are those with friends, that is people sitting next to you, not over the Internet.

All the stupid people who say "Oh It's so cool you can watch movies on the go!" - big f'ing deal. How many times have you ever had the need to watch a film in some random place. Gonna watch it on the bus are you? I don't think so. And because its a different format disc you will not be able to just play any old film, you'll have to buy the film again. You won't be able to play those films on a DVD player.

The games will just be PS2 games. If you have a PS2, you have a PSP, just wait til you get home to play it. Have a conversation, play a multiplayer game, don't just sit on your arse wasting time playing the same old shit you've played months before. Improved light effects eh? Look at the friggin sky for once, pretty cool light effects there too ya know.

Good for music are they? Buy a MP3 player, they are cheaper and you'll get more listening time from it.

If there is one thing I would get PSP for (and actually, this is the only thing) is the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children film. But I'm not that stupid, if it doesn't come out on DVD soon after I'll just download it. You won't be able to get me to buy a PSP, not in a million years. ;D

[Dragoon Knight]

Only games I like to play now are those with friends, that is people sitting next to you, not over the Internet.

The PSP has WiFi Wireless LAN; wireless multiplayer gaming has never been easier.

How many times have you ever had the need to watch a film in some random place. Gonna watch it on the bus are you? I don't think so. And because its a different format disc you will not be able to just play any old film, you'll have to buy the film again. You won't be able to play those films on a DVD player.

I travel between the North-East of Scotland and Edinburgh a lot, so having a PSP to watch films on is quite handy.  Long car journeys are much easier as well.  As for the whole "buy the movie again" thing... yes, you have to; if you want to watch UMD movies, that is.  You can, alternatively, just rip a DVD you have already onto your computer, convert it to MPEG4, and move it to your PSP.

The games will just be PS2 games. If you have a PS2, you have a PSP, just wait til you get home to play it. Have a conversation, play a multiplayer game, don't just sit on your arse wasting time playing the same old shit you've played months before. Improved light effects eh? Look at the friggin sky for once, pretty cool light effects there too ya know.

I simply disagree with you on this point; the games aren't quite PS2 quality graphic-wise, but the sheer portability is astounding.  I like to game all the time, and this helps.

Good for music are they? Buy a MP3 player, they are cheaper and you'll get more listening time from it.

Turn that argument around; I was going to buy an MP3 Player seperately, but now I don't have to, because I have a PSP.

If there is one thing I would get PSP for (and actually, this is the only thing) is the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children film. But I'm not that stupid, if it doesn't come out on DVD soon after I'll just download it. You won't be able to get me to buy a PSP, not in a million years.

Now here's where we see eye to eye! :D  I will get FF:AC for both DVD and UMD, probably.  I simply MUST see this film. :P

Aren't you forgetting need for speed?

Ahem... Linky. :P

From what I 've heard so far the PSP doesn't have good games.

Ahem... Linky 2. :P

As for your arguments about them not being worth it, see my response to Kiyouta's comments.  And backwards compatibility only works on the DS for GBA games... so not exactly a tip-top feature, eh?

The analog stick is fine where it is.  If you can't use it properly, it's your problem.

1) It has its own games.

Uhh... so does the PSP.  See Linky 2.

2) It's not a weaker version of an existing console; it's a different console.

I could simply say that the DS is a weaker version of the Gamecube, except it's not.  The DS has touch-screen.  Similarly, the PSP has picture, video and music storage, wireless multiplayer, and WiFi LAN access.

3) Most importantly it costs 100$ less. Since a portable console is not something you 'll be frequently using, it's unnecessary to spend much money on it.

It depends on how you intend to use said console.  The DS is meant for short bursts of amusement; the PSP is a tool unto itself.  A real multimedia portable console.  I repeat... PSPwns. :P

[Dragoon Knight]

I don't get your point. Why not?

The big selling point of most consoles is backward compatability.  This is usually considered mandatory in modern consoles, unless the medium which the games are stored on is drastically changed.  The GBA:SP can play GBA, GBC and GB games, while the DS cannot play either of the latter two.  Just because it would stick out a bit, or were the developers simply too eager to leave the old formats behind?

The PSP is somewhat exempt from this argument, as it uses UMDs as the medium for games storage.  The only console I know of that is going to totally pop the ass-cherry of backwards compatability is the Nintendo Revolution; the ability to download games from the NES all the way to the N64 (and I think it plays GC games as well, but I'm not sure).

Well, the vast majority of FPSs in any console or PC requires you to use both hands to control the movement of your character. I can't see how the psp will achieve it with 1 (I 'm sure a configuration will be found. But certainly control will not be great).

Ye gods, can't you remember what an FPS was like before Timesplitters?  Not every FPS needs the weird dual-analog control first coined by that game.

So does the DS (though it doesn't do everything right out of the factory). And any portable console should.

That's just a kind way of saying "you need to buy an add-on to do anything extra".  The PSP pwns the DS as standard. :P

*Recalls the laughter experienced when he found out the GBA:SP needed an adapter for headphones*

The DS can do pretty much everything the PSP can; provide short bursts of amusements with the many minigames available for it (and it's features); allow you to play video, music, play homebrew games, watch tv whatever; and it is powerful enough to provide a decent gaming experience. Granted, not as much as the psp, but for me the difference isn't worth it.

The DS can't play UMD movies, which are fast becoming a popular medium for both classic and new films.  The DS can't match the graphics of the PSP.  The DS can't do a lot of the things the PSP can; at least, not without spending at least half the price of the console again on add-ons.

On the flip side of the coin, I'll never be able to draw a deformed Pac-Man or experience the thrill of blowing virtual bubbles. :'(

[EWS]

Or play Advanced Wars DS, Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing DS, Nintendogs (wooo), Hunters, Resident Evil DS (**** yeah), and so many amazing games.

Give me innovation over gameplay.

Anyway, long bus journeys are a problem, the battery life on the PSP is awful whilst watching movies.

Saying that, I'll prob get one anyway.

Check this list for the DS.  All the RPGs that are coming out for it.

zure Dreams

Boktai

Dark Reflections

Dragon Quest Monsters

Far East of Eden II

Final Fantasy III

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles DS

Harvest Moon DS

Korokke! DS: Tenkuu no Yuushatachi

Lunar: Dragon Song

Magical Vacation 2

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team

Mistwalker DS RPG

Monster Rancher

Naruto RPG 2: Chidori vs Rasengan

Pokemon Diamond

Pokemon Pearl

RPG from Gamearts

Rune Factory

Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest 2

Spyro Shadow Legacy

Tsubasa Chronicle

World of Mana Project

Animal Crossing DS

Egg Monster Hero

Baten Kaitos DS

Xenosaga DS

RPG from Namco

Pokemon Ranger: The Road to Diamond and Pearl

Pokemon Mysterious Dungeon: Blue Rescue Force

Deep Labyrinth

[Dragoon Knight]

Or play Advanced Wars DS, Mario Kart DS, Animal Crossing DS, Nintendogs (wooo), Hunters, Resident Evil DS (**** yeah), and so many amazing games.

*Goes through list* Don't care; is the same damned thing all over again; can get on PSone or Gamecube; is shite; never heard of; can play on PSone, PS2, Gamebube, etc.  Whereas the PSP has a multitude of... I don't know...

Original games as shown by each of these link words.

Give me innovation over gameplay.

Buy a PSP and you'll get both. ;)

Anyway, long bus journeys are a problem, the battery life on the PSP is awful whilst watching movies.

*Reaches for PSP Manual*

Estimated Battery Duration

Game: Approximately 3 - 6 hours.

Video Playback: Approximately 3 - 5 hours.

Game figures are "based on tests conducted in single player mode, headphones with remote control in use, wireless LAN not in use".

Video playback figures are "based on tests conducted using variables of system speakers versus headphones, volume level and screen brightness level.

I don't know about you, but gaming for about 4.5 hours straight is something I only do on a PC or Home Console... and I don't know of too many movies that last longer than 3 hours. :P

And as for your list... there's too much Pok

[ExSPlug]

Current;y it's still NDS > PSP IMO.

PSP just have too less games that are worth it, either it's good, but lack replaying value, or it just didn't come to par with it's home console parent (Dynasty Warrior is one good typical example...)

The most fatal point though is that PSP games lose out in the multiplayer issue, NDS can deal with up to 4 players, while for PSP it's only 2 (or more players can be supported? Didn't see any PSP games currently that does so though)

MP3/Movie player function? Ahh forget it, converting the format to allow movies to be played on PSP is a painful process, and UMD/Memory stick hurts a hell lot more to the walle then other storage devices, might as well get a PPC which have longer battery life and in addition, internet ascess.

Keeping my hands off from buying the PSP before the white ver 2.0 comes out, and before more games like Winning Eleven which is good and have high replay value comes out ;D

[Danuary]

The DS can actually support up to 16 players in wireless multiplayer, anymore after that and the game would be unplayable, 8 players is just the optimal number suggested by nintendo. In theory the DS could support hundreds of people playing in same game at the same time over internet multiplayer. But this is a thread about the psp so I suggest we return to the original subject and stop trying to start a console war.

[Dragoon Knight]

I'm telling you, it's hard work to keep refuting each and every point thrown at me.  Not that the reasons are difficult to think of; it's just a lot of quoting and typing. :P

No. In order to play Gameboy Color games, the DS would need another processor, increasing size, production time, and cost.

Considering they managed to fit the PSone onto a single chip to stick into the PS2, I fail to see how making the DS compatible with GBC games would be too much to ask; the size difference would be miniscule, the production time increased by about 10 seconds at most, and my point was it should come as standard, at no extra cost.

Why not if it's the best?

Because FPS' are one genre; one that isn't usually represented on handheld consoles.  The implementation of another Analog stick would be cumbersome and simply isn't required.  How does the DS intend to get round the same "problem"?  By using a stylus to control movement? ::)

Indeed, but that's still cheapear than getting a PSP. There is a third-party movie-player for the gameboy advance and nintendo ds that costs 25$. Of course you need a compact flash card and something with which to write on it but you should have these if you have a digital camera or anything similar. You play movies, music, images, text and programs. Sure the quality would probably be better on a PSP. But is the difference really worth it? Not IMO.

You can keep making excuses all you want, but you're just using euphemisms.  You have to buy seperate addo-ons for the DS.  Having a digital camera as a prequisite for having a DS is laughable.  The difference between the two is immense; the DS is made for interactivity between user and system (hence the touch-screen and microphone).  The PSP is made to be a portable multimedia solution for gamers; games, movies, music, photos, WiFi LAN and more... all as standard.  The DS can't come close to boasting that.

PSP just have too less games that are worth it, either it's good, but lack replaying value, or it just didn't come to par with it's home console parent (Dynasty Warrior is one good typical example...)

See Linky 2 in one of my previous posts for a list of some of the PSP's release titles.  Expect lots more to follow very soon, but even the ones listed there are equal to or greater than most of what the DS has to offer.

The most fatal point though is that PSP games lose out in the multiplayer issue, NDS can deal with up to 4 players, while for PSP it's only 2 (or more players can be supported? Didn't see any PSP games currently that does so though)

The PSP can deal with at least 8 players using its Wireless Multiplayer functionality.  Fired Up is but one of the games that accomodates this.

MP3/Movie player function? Ahh forget it, converting the format to allow movies to be played on PSP is a painful process, and UMD/Memory stick hurts a hell lot more to the walle then other storage devices, might as well get a PPC which have longer battery life and in addition, internet ascess.

The process is simple and takes less time than it would to burn another DVD after you've ripped it.  UMD movies are cheaper than most DVDs, as far as I can see, and Memory Sticks are versatile; they can be used for pictures, video, music and saved games.  They can all be stored on the card at once, and accessed from the PSP's main menu.

And as for your other suggestion... can a PPC play PSP games?  No.  But can the PSP access the internet?  Why, yes, it can.  It comes with its own, built in browser.

Battery life is too small. It ruins the concept of "portable" if it needs recharging after each gaming session.

If you class 3 - 6 hours as a portable gaming "session", then you need to put down your DS and step away from the touch-screen.  PSP and DS sessions usually last no more than an hour at most, and with the graphical capabilities of the PSP, a smaller battery life is to be expected.  It's still large enough for any normal user to have about 10 - 15 sessions before needing recharging, and an above average user can have at least 5 - 6.

That doesn't really matter. DS is completely region free and you can order games from anywhere if you wish.

Fair enough, but I prefer my games in English, and quite a hefty amount of cartridge games never make it out of Japan.  The U.S. would still be an option, but having to resort to importing seems a tad drastic just to get a decent game. ???

But this is a thread about the psp so I suggest we return to the original subject and stop trying to start a console war.

Oh there's a war, alright.  We didn't start it; it was there already.  I've picked my side (and so have most stores it would seem; the PSP section totally eclipses the meagre DS section :D).  I simply believe the PSP to be a better console; it's why I bought it and not the DS.

[Dragoon Knight]

OK, I'm going to abandon the whole "quote the quotes" system that seems to have cropped up, and just reply to posts in the classic fashion now.  Making the DS play GBC games would have been easy as hell; Nintendo just chose not to.  -1 for the DS.

That method of playing FPS' sounds retarded; all the balance will be on the left-hand side, and it limits the use of the other buttons (R button, A button, B button).  DS + Movie Player = Gimped PSP with nowhere near its abilities or it's variety of functions.  You get what you pay for.  -2 for the DS.

The games I listed are - with a few exceptions - all already out, and they are all already equal to or greater than most of the DS' games.  And I don't think I'll ever be on a trip that takes longer than 6 hours without having access to a power outlet.  Even trains have plugs underneath seats and tables now.  -1 for the DS.

The point I was trying to make about the games being imported from Japan is that they will be in Japanese. :P I like my games to be understandable.  And where do you get the idea that the Gamecube is more powerful than the PS2?  Can it play DVDs?  Is it backward compatible with the N64?  How many network games does it have?

People who buy a PSP are getting a much better deal, no question about it.  It's still all a matter of opinion, though.  If you prefer interactivity, get a DS.  If you want a powerful gaming system that comes with multimedia features as standard, get a PSP.  And are those the release figures in Japan you're comparing, or the current figures?

[Dragoon Knight]

You gave an excuse, one I frankly don't believe.  As proved by the PS2 having the PS1, the DS could have had the GBC as well.  I played UT2004 on the PC just yesterday, and using a keyboard and mouse is definitely not retarded; using a D-Pad, a Touch-Screen and 2 shoulder buttons is retarded.  To compare the two is absurd; they're nothing alike.

I have listed what the DS lacks many times; I've also listed what the PSP has.  Check previous posts for full details of the PSP's superiority.

As for the GC being better than the PS2... if we're going solely on specs, then it's a close call.  The PS2 beats the GC in some areas but loses out in others.  Check here for a detailed comparison.  The reason I consider the PS2 superior is because of the features it has surplus to the standard specs.  The games released on both consoles were good; I own them both, and prefer the PS2 simply because Sony seemed to get the better licenses for excellent games, while Nintendo seemed to get little apart from its own brands, and the multi-platform games.  Either way, your argument doesn't hold much merit.

People who buy a PSP are making an investment; they're buying more than a portable games console straight off.  They don't have to go through the rigmarole of ordering tons of add-ons to get a decent multimedia experience; they don't have to fart about with losing styluses; they don't have to get frustrated about having to keep another Nintendo handheld with them if they want to play a GBC game... and if the figures you're comparing are quite recent, consider that the DS was released before the PSP before you make any judgements.  Also, where are you getting these figures from?  I'd like to keep an eye on them in the coming weeks. :)

[Dragoon Knight]

Profitable?  Whoop-de-shite; I'm talking about playability here.  DS users are being denied the backwards compatibility that they could have easily got.

The absurdity in comparison is because the controls are like a PS2 controller, not like a keyboard and mouse... except the touch screen isn't going to be spring-loaded like the PS2's Analog-Sticks, so playing will be more difficult.  They're trying to hard to make the touch-screen do everything.  And what happens if you lose the thumb-attachment?  Now you can't play the game without risking damage to your screen. ::)

You've listed how the DS gets them, but you're avoiding the point again.  The PSP is better than the DS from the outset; all the DS can do is aspire to be almost as good as the PSP is.  Even at its most "kitted-out", the DS still can't do everything the PSP can.  There's no denying this; it's why I consider the PSP to be the superior console.

Er... multiplatform games were almost identical from console to console, bar a couple of interface changes, and a few games that decided to have different levels / challenges.  These differences were designed with no "superior" console in mind, and so decisions about which games were "better" is purely opinion, and not basis to claim that one console is better than another.

Not having to order extras for your console to get a full experience is a bad thing?  I'm sorry, I don't see the logic there; you're running out of excuses for the DS' lack of, well... quite a lot. :P  And no, before the DS, people with GBA's did not run about with another GBC... because (and here's the punchline) the GBA could play all previous GameBoy games! :)

Build your own console?  Cheaper, yes... better?  Not a chance.  More time consuming?  Definitely.  More chance of losing fiddly little attachments?  Yup.  Once more, loud as you can, how does it go?

PSPwns. :P

[ExSPlug]

Who needs the thumb attachment? Get yourself those protective anti-scratch flims and use your nails ;D

(BTW, did you get one for your PSP? Really not worth the risk to scratch the screen in order to save ~$5US...)

Emm...most of the games in Linky 2 only have their release date out, even I count those that their JP version are out still doesn't fill up half of the list. Personally only Coded Arms, PSE 5, Lumies and Ape Acadmey sounds promising. Maybe RR too, but I don't really like racing games unless in arcade.

Talking about FPS games, NDS have better potentials for better controls, as the touch screen can be converted into more buttons or other better ways of control...

[Dragoon Knight]

Ah, Spectral Paladin... shall I compare thee to a brick wall?

Yes, Nintendo did make that silly mistake.  They could have done it extremely cheaply, and they didn't.  Again, this is a fact, not a matter of opinion.  Accept it: they could have done it, but they didn't.  Regardless of cost, DS users lose out.  Period.

My friend has a DS, and has lost several styluses since its release.  Losing the thumb attachment is a valid argument, you see... because if you lose such a fiddly little piece of equipment, you can't play your FPS properly.  It doesn't matter if it's your fault or not; my point is that you require an easy-to-lose add-on to play that game properly.  Lose it, and you can't: you have to go buy another one every time you misplace it.  Have I made myself clear? ::)

Why can't you accept that the DS can't do everything the PSP can?  It's so damned obvious that it can't.  Can the DS play UMD's?  Why no, it can't.  Your argument is defeated right away.

No, I won't be buying Killer 7.

My question about buying extras was rhetorical.  Of course it's bad!  They sell you a bit of equipment, only for you to find out that you have to buy a heap of extra's just for it to be nearly as good as its competitor.  How can you argue that paying more than the base price for a console, on crappy add-ons that should come as standard, is a good thing?  Answer: it's not a good thing, so stop arguing that it is.  It's like buying a package PC, only to find out you need to buy a keyboard and a mouse, because they didn't come with it.

Sorry for misinterpreting your post; it's just that the argument makes even less sense now that I read it correctly.  You're asking me... if people without GBAs still carry around GBCs... to play GBC games?

Hmm.  I would have to say yes to that one.  How the hell else are they going to play them?!  What was the point of that question?  Was it to mark how old the console and format is?  Was it to say that people just don't bother playing those games anymore?  If so, then you are wrong on all accounts.

Finally, I say again; losing the attachments is a valid argument.  Especially if they are needed to operate the console properly / to its full extent.  The PSP doesn't need anything; you just play it.  And your suggestion about "losing the PSP" is ludicrous; how can you call that an argument?  If you lose your DS, you're going to have the same problem, so the point is redundant in trying to promote one console over another.  What is true, however, is that the PSP will never have those problems.  You need nothing extra to play the PSP; no fiddly little attachments that you have to replace if you lose or you won't get the full DS experience.

I've refuted every one of your points, Spectral Paladin... again, may I add.  Please don't try and argue against them, because nothing that I've written above is opinion; it's all facts.

ExSPlug; yes, you could get an anti-scratch film... but then again, those need replacing.  More cost to DS users. ::)  The PSP screen is really robust, and doesn't need any protection.  I'm going a bit mad with buying stuff to enhance mine even more, though; purchased a screen protector, just in case. :)

As I said, the games in Linky 2 are only some of the release games.  Hundreds more are going to follow, and if the selection I showed you is anything to go by, a huge percentage of them are going to be equal to or greater than the DS games.

I've said before that the DS beats PSP in terms of interactivity; the touch screen and microphone allow for much better user-system interface.  But this is the only thing the DS has that the PSP doesn't, and the PSP more than makes up for it by totally pwning the DS in almost every other area (except, of course, battery life). :P

Now, can we please move away from the PSP vs. DS argument?  I've given you all the facts; the PSP is a better console overall, with tons more features, better graphics and better functions; while the DS benefits from more interactivity and a longer battery life, thus greater "portability".

EDIT: So you'd rather have your screen scratched to death by your fingernails, Spectral Paladin?  No, I didn't think so.  It's only practical to use an anti-scratch film or the thumb attachment, the former of which will need replacement and the latter is easy to lose.  DS loses out again.

Here's the only bit of opinion in this post: PSPwns. :)

[exatreide]

Nintendo has been losing shares of the market since the SNES, I don't predict they will live through the next consol life cycle.

Sony Playstation, Sega Saturn,(Can I includes 3DO's system in this?) All used Cd's to play their games. They couldn't play DVDS' but then again DVDS wern't really a factor back then, they could however play music cds.

Nintendo Stuck with the cartdridge, while the 64 had more graphical power, it was never relized because the space on a cart was severly limited. Could they play any other types of media? No, and alot of 64 games had twice to three times the text of a CD game.

Nintedo starts to fall behind.

Sega Dreamcast, Sony Playstation, Microsoft Xbox, all could play CD's, the Playstation and X-box could play DVDS as well.

In their new system the gamecube, Nintendo finaly tries to escape cartridges, but do they make the jump CDS? No...They go to mini discs. So Once again, can the Gamecube play CD's or DVDS with out any fancy smancy add ons? No it can not.

Nintendo continues to fall behind.

More third party companies move to the PS2 and X-box due to poor sales of the Gamecube. How many 3rd party exclusive gamecube games has their been in the past 3-6 months? Any?!

Sony Playstation 3, Will use HD or blue ray discs(or something)

While The 360 and revloution will continue to use Discs,

But get this.. Nintendo revolution will not suport traditionary DVDS, you will need a add on!

The only thing that has kept nintedo aflot was the fact that they were un challenged in the hand held market.

GB was inferrior to Sega's game gear in every department accept one, Battery life, this is what took the game gear down.

The GB went undisputed and unchallenged until SNK tried to take them on around 2000, while the SNK system was pretty damn good, the GB had to many cult fallowers to allow a new company into the fray.

However I don't honestly think that cult fan boys are going to save Nintendo in this one, as Sony has its own.

To the casual gamer or first time handheld owner. Look at how the systems compare.

DS                                      PSP           

Duel screens                            One Screen

Touch Screen                            Graphicly Superior

Strong First party suport              Can Play Movies

                                        Can play Music

The PSP just has so much to offer over the DS. Once again nintendo falls a generation behind in hardware, and once again they use cartridges.

Nintendo's going to join Sega and Atari as third party companies before the next consol cycle is over.

[erjin999]

The PSP has WiFi Wireless LAN; wireless multiplayer gaming has never been easier.

I travel between the North-East of Scotland and Edinburgh a lot, so having a PSP to watch films on is quite handy.  Long car journeys are much easier as well.  As for the whole "buy the movie again" thing... yes, you have to; if you want to watch UMD movies, that is.  You can, alternatively, just rip a DVD you have already onto your computer, convert it to MPEG4, and move it to your PSP.

From what I have read the PSP is VERY fiddly to get your own movies on to it. Funny filename requirements are a problem, space of storage, and the cost of the storage all being factors. My self I dont have one, so dont go shouting at me, I am only letting you know what I have read about it.  ;)

[Danuary]

So Once again, can the Gamecube play CD's or DVDS with out any fancy smancy add ons? No it can not.

Quick question, but who does not have a dvd player, you know, those cheap little things that cost about fifty dollars canadian? and who doesn't have a cd player, which costs about half of that?

[exatreide]

CD players wernt cheap when the Saturn and Playstion came out, why they wernt that expensive, they wern't very new still.

I Have been able to play CD's(And dvds on xbox and ps2) on all my consols except nintendo systems why?

DVDS were still a reletivly new format when the PS2 came out, Thats one of the things that helped them defeat sega's dreamcast was the built in DVD players, and in those days DVD players still cost a pretty penny.

So to a debating customer

"Sega's Dreamcast, or Sony's Playstation two. Oh look! I get to save my self a hundred and fifty bucks buying a PS2 over a Dreamcast because I won't have to buy a DVD player next month."

It's a large matter of convience ya know. Lets see, If I own a x-box I can play DVDs, Music discs, and games all in one little area. If I had a Game cube.. I would have to own a seperate DVD player, and a seperate cd player.

And it's the same with a DS and a PSP.

Why have things scattered all over the place, when I can have them in one convienent place?

And about the gamecube, I Think it was retarded for nintendo to use mini discs in general. What did they think? That they could sell more games by putting more games in a smaller space?

[Danuary]

Exatreides, my point was that there is not a good enough reason to put a dvd drive in the gamecube and no reason to put a dvd drive in the revolution.

First of all the reason why nintendo uses mini-discs is to prevent piracy, with the Playstation 2 and the xbox, ANYONE with a computer and a dvd burner can burn their own PS2/Xbox games and a little help from one of the many burning programs found on the internet. But with gamecubes the process is more complex and involves custom cables, makeshift programs, and long downloads. If nintendo did put a dvd drive in the gamecube it would have made it larger, heavier, and more expensive. Personally, I used the hundred dollars I saved from not buying a PS2 and spent it on an extra controller, super smash bros, and metroid prime.

[DukeLeto]

If I may give my (potentially flame-inducing) 2 cents:

I can pay ~$400 for a Sony PSP and be able to watch movies and listen to music - as long as I buy them on the special, minitaure, doesn't-work-with-anything-else-I-own discs I need - and play a few proprietary games with awkward controls at really low resolutions, all on a tiny screen and crappy little single speaker.

Or I can pay ~$1000 for a Dell Inspiron 700m or AVERATEC 1000 and watch movies and listen to music on the hundreds of DVDs and CDs I already own (in addition to being able to burn my own DVDs and CDs, should I so desire), play just about ANY GAME I WANT at decent resolutions with an intuitive, complete control set, and be able to see it all on a nice, viewably large high-res widescreen with rich, stereo sound.  Plus I can do actual productivity tasks, surf the net, do photo editing, do my programming work, and even hook it up to external components to use at home, eliminating the need to buy more stuff.

I've never understood video game consoles and I never will.  Why waste your money on such a highly-specialized (and completely frivoslous) product when you can pay a little more for something that can do everything a console can and so much more?

[Danuary]

First of all PSP costs $250.

Actually it comes down to about $344 with taxes and after you buy your first game.

[EWS]

First of all many apologies for going back a while here, I haven't been on in a while.

Well first I am going to tackle the different features that the PSP has.  It can play music, video and games as well as surf the net.  For me, I buy my handheld for gaming really.  If I want to listen to music I am going to listen to my iPod, and if I want to do both I can (although I am unsure whether or not I will be able to do this on the PSP).  I don't really care about watching movies on a tiny screen, for me it takes the whole "fun" and "expierience" of watching the movie away from it.  I love movies thats why I bought a unlimited card for my local).

As for gaming, what innovation does the PSP have when it comes to its games?  I really would like to know.

The FPS games for the DS?  Hunters is brilliant and I don't have the thumbstrap I use a stylus and find it just as good, and nearly like a mouse and keyboard.  If you loose your stylus, then you are clumsy and they cost about 50p to replace, ie. Pittance.

And finally, I love my DS it's great, makes me happy.  And coded arms is crap!

Finally, again, the PSP seems to be churning out game after game after game that is crap, whereas the DS seems to be getting games that are quality!

[Dragoon Knight]

I'm busy at the moment, so I don't really have the time to refute each and every one of your points.  What I will say, though, is that quite a lot of what you use to discredit the PSP is opinion.  Check one of my posts above, where I list nothing but facts.

I'm saying that the PSP is a better console overall, whereas the DS beats the PSP in terms of innovation.  I've never denied that.  The PSP doesn't have a touch-screen or a microphone, so there is much more for the DS to work with.  However, don't anyone tell me again that the DS has the capability of the PSP.  "It can play movies, too" you say?  Yes; using an adapter for the movie player for the GBA on tiny little cartridges.

Like I said, I don't have much time, but the list goes on.  When I actually have internet at my flat, I'll be able to sit down and straighten this whole thing out.  EWS; you're entitled to your opinion, but make sure you separate it from fact.

[EWS]

Fact: DS can play movies

Fact: DS can play music

Fact: DS can play wireless games

Fact: DS can surf the internet

Fact: DS can play multiplayer games with only one cartridge

Fact: DS was not designed as the direct competition for the PSP

Fact: Nintendo are releasing software for the DS to turn it into more like a palmtop.

Nothing but facts.