Today's portable gaming devices pack lots of entertainment into small packages. They offer a wide variety of games, plus fun networking and multi-player capabilities. In this article, we'll give you an overview of Nintendo's DS™ Lite and DSi™, and Sony's PSP® and PSP®go, and provide tips on getting the most out of each.
If you're leaning more towards picking up a video game console for your home, then check out our chart for a quick over of what the three main models have to offer.
Nintendo's DS has become popular because of its fun touch screen.
|
DS Lite
The DS Lite is the second iteration of the DS line — it's lighter and more streamlined than the original (though we'll still refer to it simply as "DS" in this article). This popular handheld is well-known for its sleek good looks and cool touchscreen interface. It comes in a variety of colors, and sports a clamshell design — when not in use, the DS presents a shiny, uniform appearance. It folds open to reveal two vertically stacked 3" screens. Using the included stylus, you can tap or draw on the lower screen to control game play with some DS titles. For example, tap an on-screen enemy to disable them, or write the numbers in a Sudoku puzzle grid.
The top screen may display the main gameplay area, or additional information, like a map. A built-in microphone enables voice and command recognition in some games. You'll also find more familiar gaming controls on the DS, including a directional pad, four round buttons, and left and right triggers.
Built-in Wi-Fi® connectivity enables multiplayer gaming with some titles, and an optional browser allows for web surfing.
DSi
Nintendo's latest version of the DS, the DSi, is nearly identical to the DS Lite in terms of styling, but adds a few new features. Perhaps the biggest difference is the addition of two cameras — one on the external body and one which faces the user when the DSi is open. You can take pictures of yourself or other objects and manipulate them using the built-in software. Facebook users can also upload photos directly to their Facebook profiles. Other additions include the ability to play AAC music files recorded on SD™ memory cards, and parental controls that allow parents to limit what games can be played on the system based on their ESRB ratings. And if you have a wireless high-speed Internet connection, you can also download unique and original games from Nintendo's DSi Shop.
The PSP's large widescreen display offers a crisp, detailed picture.
|
Sony PSP
Sony's PSP boasts a large 4-5/16" widescreen display that covers almost its entire front side. This handheld has earned a reputation for a crisp, detailed picture that makes the on-screen action easy to follow and enjoyable to watch. Its slimline design gives it a stylish, modern look. You'll find familiar gaming controls on either side of the screen, including a directional pad, four round buttons, two triggers, and a unique flush "joystick" control.
The PSP also offers cool networking and multimedia features. A built-in web browser and Wi-Fi connectivity offer easy Internet access. A side-mounted card slot lets you listen to music and view pictures saved to a Memory Stick®. You can also watch movies available in UMD (Universal Media Disc), the PSP's proprietary format.
Sony PSPgo
The PSPgo is smaller and lighter than the regular PSP. It also has a slightly smaller 3-7/8" screen, and features a sliding design — the screen slides up to reveal the controls. The biggest difference is the lack of UMD support. Instead, the PSPgo features 16GB of built-in flash memory and plays games downloaded from Sony's online PlayStation Network. The PSPgo also has built-in Bluetooth®, so you can use a Bluetooth headset or Sony's DualShock 3 PlayStation 3 controller with it.
Networking, multiplayer, and multimedia capabilities
In addition to being fun, capable portable gaming devices, both the DS and PSP are quite capable on the networking front. The PSP also offers cool multimedia features.
Below, we'll take a quick look at the features and abilities of both handhelds.
DS
The DS has some fun networking features. You can —
- set up multiplayer games via a Wi-Fi® connection, or play with nearby users over a "local" wireless network.
- chat with friends on a local or Wi-Fi network using PictoChat, a program that allows you to write or draw messages with the included stylus.
- surf the Internet using an optional web browser.
- connect to the Nintendo Wii™ and download games and other content bought on the Nintendo Channel Store
PSP
The PSP also gives you online access. You can —
- set up multiplayer games via a Wi-Fi connection, or play with nearby users over a "local" wireless network.
- surf the Internet using a built-in web browser.
- connect to the PS®3 and download games and other content bought from the PlaySation® Store
This clever handheld also lets you enjoy other forms of entertainment. You can —
- listen to music and view photos saved on a Memory Stick.
- watch movies available in the UMD format.
- access videos and music stored on the PS3's hard drive using Remote Play.
Vital stats
The chart below provides a quick look at some vital stats to give you a better idea of how these four handhelds measure up.
| Screen | Compatible media | Online enabled | Dimensions | Weight | Battery life | Included accessories | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony PSP | One 4-5/16" widescreen | UMD cartridges (games and movies); Memory Sticks (MP3s, photos) | built-in browser; multiplayer gameplay | 6-3/4"W x 15/16"H x 2-15/16"D | 9.9 oz. | 3-6 hours | basic package: AC adapter, battery pack, owner's manual |
| Sony PSPgo | One 3-7/8" widescreen | Games downloaded via the PlayStation Network; Memory Sticks (MP3s, photos) | built-in browser; multiplayer gameplay | 5-1/16"W x 11/16"H x 2-3/4"D | 5.6 oz. | 3-6 hours | basic package: AC adapter, battery pack, USB cable, owner's manual |
| Nintendo DS Lite | Two 3" screens; lower is touchscreen | DS games; Game Boy Advance games (single-player mode only) | optional browser; multiplayer gameplay; chat with other DS owners | 5-1/4"W x 7/8"H x 2-7/8"D | 7.7 oz. | 5-8 hours | basic package: AC adapter (charges built-in battery), stylus, owner's manual |
| Nintendo DSi | Two 3-1/4" screens; lower is touchscreen | DS games; SD cards (photos and music) | optional browser; multiplayer gameplay; chat with other DS owners; Facebook | 5-7/16"W x 3/4"H x 3"D | 7.5 oz. | 3-4 hours at highest brightness; 9-14 at lowest | basic package: AC adapter (charges built-in battery), stylus, owner's manual |
If you're trying to figure out which one's for you, consider how you'll use it. If you'll be gaming on a bumpy subway ride, then playing games with a sensitive touchscreen interface might not be the way to go. Or, if you're typically a little rough on your portable devices, you might prefer the clamshell design that protects the screens rather than a open-faced layout. Also, look around at the games available for each, and see which ones sound like more fun to you. Finally, decide whether you want your device to do more than gaming and some web surfing — for example, if you'd like portable music and photos too, the PSP might be the way to go.
A good pair of headphones can allow you to hear more sonic detail in loud public places.
|
Handy accessories
While you might dig your game's soundtrack, it's unlikely that everyone else nearby will enjoy its heroic music and the clinking sound of swords. Plus, it'll likely be hard for you to hear the game's sound effects over the hustle and bustle of most public environments. So you'll need some good headphones — not just to be a polite traveler, but also to hear more sonic detail. Also, a carrying case can help keep these handhelds protected, and provide storage for games and other accessories.