5 psp games reviewed at ign 8.0 and higher

[davidjinfla]

Wow judging from the latest review scores at IGN, the PSP is starting off the new year pretty good. Winning Eleven, Ratchet and Clank, Gurmin, Warriors, and Chilli con Carnage were all rated 8.0 or above. Man I'm stoked for all these games. Good news for the PSP gamers everywhere.

[JEKKI]

damn I want Gurmin, just to support mastiff.

but I am BRRRRRRRRROKE!!!

it's gonna have a tough time going up against Ratchet tho

[Thomas96]

It's about time... the psp gets its due!

I definitely need to come up on some of this titles.. oh goodness...

[Masterkyo]

Finally, PSP got some good games

[whoknows]

Finally, PSP got some good games
PSP has had some good games for a long time now

[adamones]

PSP has always had good if not great games. The excuse for "it has no games" is pathetic.

Don't forge to add Metal Slug Anthology to that list. I have the UK Version and it is EXCELLENT!

[RelentlessRolento]

Finally, PSP got some good games


welcome to 2 years ago.

[The Mana Knight]

PSP has had some good games for a long time nowQFT.

I was skeptical about PSP because of the crap people say about it. I finally bought one and liked it way more than I thought. PSP has awesome games.

[cochesecochese]

Damn. I hope I get a good enough bonus this quarter that I can snag a PSP.

[coolsteel]

QFT.

I was skeptical about PSP because of the crap people say about it. I finally bought one and liked it way more than I thought. PSP has awesome games.

Same here, I had heard crap about it for ages, finally buy one and end up playing it more then my normal consoles. At the very least the imports more then make up for cost.

[-Never4ever-]

PSP has had some good games for a long time now

But they've few and far between. Especially when compared with the insane NDS library, and there's PSP and PS3's #1 problem: they're good systems by themselves, but hold them up to the competition and they start to look crapping. Especially when comparing prices.

EDIT: Just noted that Dead of Knight & Whoknows are PS3 owners. If you already own / are trying to own the PS3, then the PSP is a perfect choice for you (because of your mindset).

EDIT EDIT: Also, as much as I like the fact that PSP is starting the year off, again 2/5 of the games are PS2 ports, while R&C is a semi-sequal to another PS2 franchise. PSP really needs a killer app that's not just another PS2 game, port or semi-sequal.

[The Mana Knight]

But they've few and far between. Especially when compared with the insane NDS library, and there's PSP and PS3's #1 problem: they're good systems by themselves, but hold them up to the competition and they start to look crapping. Especially when comparing prices.Saying the DS library is insane proves you're a Nintendo fanboy. The launch lineup of the PSP destroyed everything the DS had out. The DS has caught up, but the PSP still continues to release good games. If anything, good games are even more far between on DS. In 2005, I'd say it was a tossup, because PSP started off better, but DS picked it up towards the end of the year. Look back to the first half of 2006, there were next to no big DS games released (outside of New Super Mario Bros., that I found extremely disappointing). PSP was getting games like Daxter, Pursuit Force, Syphon Filter Dark Mirror, Mega Man Powered Up, Mega Man Maverick Hunter X, Me & My Katamari and more. Although the DS did much better in the 2nd half of 2006, PSP was still releasing games that were just as good, if not a little better. So far in 2007, PSP is releasing the better (and more) games again.

As for PSP game prices, I really don't find them all that expensive because I'm getting a console like experience (with graphics similar to PS2 games), for $30 to $40 (some games are even $20). Many of the good DS games costs $35, which is only $5 cheaper than PSP games. Also, the graphics are normally around N64 quality or worse, for that price. Many of the games are short too, causing the $30-$35 feel even more wasted IMO (when I could have just spent slightly more for a better PSP game). I have nothing against the DS (I own one with 14 games), but I've cons

DIT: Just noted that Dead of Knight & Whoknows are PS3 owners. If you already own / are trying to own the PS3, then the PSP is a perfect choice for you (because of your mindset).So what we like PS3. Despite being a PSP owner, I'll admit I wasn't really excited about PS3 at first. Eventually I decided to just get one, I love it and don't regret it.

EDIT EDIT: Also, as much as I like the fact that PSP is starting the year off, again 2/5 of the games are PS2 ports, while R&C is a semi-sequal to another PS2 franchise. PSP really needs a killer app that's not just another PS2 game, port or semi-sequal.Want to bring up about the number of ports GBA has?? Legend of the Heroes III never came stateside for any platform previously Gurumin never came stateside for any platform previously. A new Ratchet & Clank for PSP is NO different than having Mega Man ZX, Yoshi's Island DS, Castlevania PoR and DoS, etc. on DS. PSP having sequels to PS1/PS2 games is just like DS having sequels to GBA games.

[Roufuss]

EDIT EDIT: Also, as much as I like the fact that PSP is starting the year off, again 2/5 of the games are PS2 ports, while R&C is a semi-sequal to another PS2 franchise. PSP really needs a killer app that's not just another PS2 game, port or semi-sequal.

I'll give you the ports, but saying R&C is a semi sequel? Please, now you're just reaching. R&C is another addition to a popular series just the same as Nintendo throws all of it's series on its handhelds and it should be counted as it's own game.

That's like saying New Super Mario Bros is "just" a semi-sequel, or Phantom Hourglass will be "just" a semi-sequel.

They are new additions to a popular franchise, there is nothing semi about them.

[The Mana Knight]

I'll give you the ports, but saying R&C is a semi sequel? Please, now you're just reaching. R&C is another addition to a popular series just the same as Nintendo throws all of it's series on its handhelds and it should be counted as it's own game.

That's like saying New Super Mario Bros is "just" a semi-sequel, or Phantom Hourglass will be "just" a semi-sequel.

They are new additions to a popular franchise, there is nothing semi about them.That's pretty much what I was trying to say. It doesn't bother me there's another addition in a popular franchise, as long as the series continues to stay good and doesn't go down the crapper (like Sega has been with Sonic, to an extent).

[Roufuss]

That's pretty much what I was trying to say. It doesn't bother me there's another addition in a popular franchise, as long as the series continues to stay good and doesn't go down the crapper (like Sega has been with Sonic, to an extent).

I'm actually happy it is a new game in the same play style rather than a port or a real semi sequel (which, to me, is something like Jak X... kind of a sequel, but it's a totally different game, but not a spinoff because it uses all the same characters).

[-Never4ever-]

Saying the DS library is insane proves you're a Nintendo fanboy. The launch lineup of the PSP destroyed everything the DS had out. The DS has caught up, but the PSP still continues to release good games. If anything, good games are even more far between on DS. In 2005, I'd say it was a tossup, because PSP started off better, but DS picked it up towards the end of the year. Look back to the first half of 2006, there were next to no big DS games released (outside of New Super Mario Bros., that I found extremely disappointing). PSP was getting games like Daxter, Pursuit Force, Syphon Filter Dark Mirror, Mega Man Powered Up, Mega Man Maverick Hunter X, Me & My Katamari and more. Although the DS did much better in the 2nd half of 2006, PSP was still releasing games that were just as good, if not a little better. So far in 2007, PSP is releasing the better (and more) games again.



Calling me (of all people) a fanboy is laughable at best, but I could care less about labels. By contrast, you're easily a Sony fanboy, even more so for trying to compare Years here. 2006 was all about the DS, in terms of sales & games.

I'm not going to get sucked in an arguement, when nothing will come out of it besides tedium and frustration. Compared to the DS, the PSP library is out & out pathertic. You're not getting a "console" experience from any PSP game, you're getting something that's a decent attempt at best. And there in lies the problem, the PSP is trying too hard to be a PS2 portable, with far too many ports and rehashes, opposed to standalone titles.

And with that, it's done and over. You can say whatever else you want on the subject, but I refuse to devote anymore time to something fruitless and tiresome.

[The Mana Knight]

I'm not going to get sucked in an arguement, when nothing will come out of it besides tedium and frustration. Compared to the DS, the PSP library is out & out pathertic. You're not getting a "console" experience from any PSP game, you're getting something that's a decent attempt at best. And there in lies the problem, the PSP is trying too hard to be a PS2 portable, with far too many ports and rehashes, opposed to standalone titles.Anyone who says the PSP is only ports and rehashes hasn't been pay too close attention to its game lineup. PSP has someports, but basically every game platform has ports of some kind.

For someone who said he wants to see Sony die, I doubt he's been paying too much attention to PSP anyway. :roll:

[davidjinfla]

I think the psp has an awesome lineup this year if you look through coming soon sites. Knocking any portable , or system for that matter , for sequels and lack or originality is like saying tv rots your brain. Price, thats a laugh I can remember when SNES was the King and thier games were 70 to 100 dollars. I think one thing the ds always gets a pass on is online gameing. PSP has the better online experience compared to DS. Also if you want to compare specifics why is it that no DS fan ever mentions Sports or Racing as so superior to the PSP. For the matter I'll put syphon filter up againts any action game on DS. What about sound I never hear DS fans talk about the awsome sound in thier games. Ok how about Fighting games Where is your Tekken, Street Fighter, WWE ? How about compilation titles I don"t see to many for the DS.

People can bag on the PSP all they want but if you want to say the DS offers the superior gaming experince based on library of games and price thats just bunk.

And lastly, PSP has released at least a half dozen AAA rated games in the last 2 months what has come out for DS? So based on the "good games are to far between" argument the DS must be going downhill.

[icruise]

Well, let's just look at my PSP game library and see if there are any good games, shall we? I'm leaving out some (e.g. Dungeon Siege) that I like but that weren't critically acclaimed. The number after the title is the Gamespot review score.

Daxter - 9.1
Burnout Legends - 9.0
Lumines - 9.0
Wipeout Pure - 8.8
Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories - 8.6
Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories - 8.4
X-Men Legends II - 8.4
Killzone: Liberation - 8.3
Metal Gear Acid - 8.2
Metal Gear Acid 2 - 8.2
Tokobot - 8.2
Exit - 8.0
Gurumin - 8.0 (IGN review since GS doesn't have theirs up yet)
Me and My Katamari - 8.0
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy - 7.7
LocoRoco 7.7
Disgaea Portable (Import) - N/A
Kangaeru EXIT (import) - N/A

Yep, a bunch of losers right there! Keep in mind that most of these games are pretty old, too. I don't have much that came out recently like Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops or the new Ratchet and Clank.

I like the DS and it has a lot of great games, but people have GOT to stop with this "PSP has no good games" stuff. What *is* true is that the PSP doesn't seem to have as many games that really appeal to a large number of people (particularly non-hardore gamers). It doesn't have as many "system selling" games, and I think the average MSRP of $39.99 is too much. But it's absolutely not true that the PSP has no good games. For me (as someone who likes good graphics and more mature themes) the PSP is great.

[The Mana Knight]

I think the psp has an awesome lineup this year if you look through coming soon sites. Knocking any portable , or system for that matter , for sequels and lack or originality is like saying tv rots your brain. Price, thats a laugh I can remember when SNES was the King and thier games were 70 to 100 dollars. I think one thing the ds always gets a pass on is online gameing. PSP has the better online experience compared to DS. Also if you want to compare specifics why is it that no DS fan ever mentions Sports or Racing as so superior to the PSP. For the matter I'll put syphon filter up againts any action game on DS. What about sound I never hear DS fans talk about the awsome sound in thier games. Ok how about Fighting games Where is your Tekken, Street Fighter, WWE ? How about compilation titles I don"t see to many for the DS.

People can bag on the PSP all they want but if you want to say the DS offers the superior gaming experince based on library of games and price thats just bunk.

And lastly, PSP has released at least a half dozen AAA rated games in the last 2 months what has come out for DS? So based on the "good games are to far between" argument the DS must be going downhill.QFT.


I like the DS and it has a lot of great games, but people have GOT to stop with this "PSP has no good games" stuff. What *is* true is that the PSP doesn't seem to have as many games that really appeal to a large number of people (particularly non-hardore gamers). It doesn't have as many "system selling" games, and I think the average MSRP of $39.99 is too much. But it's absolutely not true that the PSP has no good games. For me (as someone who likes good graphics and more mature themes) the PSP is great.I agree. The only reason I may appear a DS hater (which I'm not, because I definitely like it) is because I get sick and tired of people saying the PSP has no games. I own 45 games and love over 90% of them.

[mrnomis27]

I don't own a PSP so my opinion probably doesn't matter much here. That being said the main reason I have not purchased the PSP is not because of the lack of good games (as shown there are several good games on the system that NDS owners would love to have), but rather the system doesn't really differentiate itself from current consoles. That isn't a slam on the PSP, rather just something that they will need to do to win over gamers that haven't "bought in" yet.

[The Mana Knight]

I don't own a PSP so my opinion probably doesn't matter much here. That being said the main reason I have not purchased the PSP is not because of the lack of good games (as shown there are several good games on the system that NDS owners would love to have), but rather the system doesn't really differentiate itself from current consoles. That isn't a slam on the PSP, rather just something that they will need to do to win over gamers that haven't "bought in" yet.People still went out to buy PS2 right away, yet it didn't do anything really different (other than add a DVD player and have better graphics, although not the biggest leap IMO). People bought a GBA right away despite many of its initial good games being ports from other platforms. People buy what they want to buy, which is normally the case.

[Pijaibros]

The only reason people don't have a PSP is because a NDS is cheaper.

That's it.

Now if the PSP < $150 people would be all over that shit.

[mrnomis27]

People still went out to buy PS2 right away, yet it didn't do anything really different (other than add a DVD player and have better graphics, although not the biggest leap IMO). People bought a GBA right away despite many of its initial good games being ports from other platforms. People buy what they want to buy, which is normally the case.

You're right in the sense that the leap from one generation to the next doesn't typically offer somthing new (other than graphical upgrades), however in this go around the NDS did do something different. This has put Sony in unfamilar position because I think that the market looks at handheld systems different now. I think gamers are anxious for new gameplay experiences and right now the NDS offers that. I may be drinking from the Nintendo Kool-Aid a little bit here, but I think that it is a pretty accurate assesment.

[furyk]

I'm a huge DS fanboy and even I think it had a shit launch line up. The PSP has more problems then it just being a bit too expensive for a handheld though. Having said that, the best news about all the great PSP games recently is that the majority of them are original titles and not upgraded (downgraded?) ports from the PS2. About damn time others started noticing this too.

As for good games for the DS out in the last two months? Hotel Dusk, Phoenix Wright 2, Lunar Knights, and Winning Eleven don't count?

[-Never4ever-]

Anyone who says the PSP is only ports and rehashes hasn't been pay too close attention to its game lineup. PSP has someports, but basically every game platform has ports of some kind.

For someone who said he wants to see Sony die, I doubt he's been paying too much attention to PSP anyway. :roll:

Only? Someone's putting words in my mouth. As for keeping a close eye on PSP, I keep a VERY close eye on all system, especially on systems I own. When it comes to gaming as a whole, there's very little I don't know, so don't try to play it like I'm ignorant to the PSP library and upcoming lineup, as I've kept a close eye.

You're getting defensive over nothing. I love my PSP, and I enjoy a good number of games on it (granted, most of them aren't PSP games). But again, I call it as it is; to put it bluntly (and to re-state what I already said before): the PSP is good, but up against competition it is severly lacking.

I don't quite remember saying anything about sony dying, but it does sound like something I would say, especially in lue of Crazy Kaz's whole "PEOPLE WILL LIKE WHAT WE TELL THEM TO LIKE SIEG HIEL~!" I'm a little biased against sony as a whole, as I have a extreme dislike of assholes. But again, I'll call it as seen. I'm willing to admit that PS1 & PS2 are two of the greatest systems ever created, but I also say that the PSP & (especially) PS3 are the biggest dissapointments the VG world has ever seen.

People still went out to buy PS2 right away, yet it didn't do anything really different (other than add a DVD player and have better graphics, although not the biggest leap IMO). People bought a GBA right away despite many of its initial good games being ports from other platforms. People buy what they want to buy, which is normally the case.

I'm not wasting another god damn second, GO AND LOOK UP BOTH LAUNCHS BEFORE YOU TYPE ONE MORE WORD. I kind of understand the PS2 portion, as the initial launch was pretty much expanded PS2 ports, but to say that about the GBA... well, that's just absurd.

The only reason people don't have a PSP is because a NDS is cheaper.

That's it.

Now if the PSP < $150 people would be all over that shit.

Your avatar is fitting, that's all I'm saying on that matter.

[whoknows]

But they've few and far between. Especially when compared with the insane NDS library, and there's PSP and PS3's #1 problem: they're good systems by themselves, but hold them up to the competition and they start to look crapping. Especially when comparing prices.

EDIT: Just noted that Dead of Knight & Whoknows are PS3 owners. If you already own / are trying to own the PS3, then the PSP is a perfect choice for you (because of your mindset).

EDIT EDIT: Also, as much as I like the fact that PSP is starting the year off, again 2/5 of the games are PS2 ports, while R&C is a semi-sequal to another PS2 franchise. PSP really needs a killer app that's not just another PS2 game, port or semi-sequal.
I couldn't disagree more about the PSP having few great games, but I don't feel like arguing about it :-P

And if you're talking about PSP game prices VS DS game prices there isn't a big difference at all. PSP games release for $30-$40 (very very very few $50 games nowadays) while the DS is the same, $30-$40 (especially the bigger named titles that release at the higher prices of $35+).

And counting R&C a semi-sequel is incorrect.

(and just an FYI, I've owned a DS on two different occasions and sold it both times due to lack of games that interest me).

[davidjinfla]

Virtual Boy-just to bizzare and uncomfortable to play.

Sega Saturn-to expensive, hard to program for, released to soon, Sega droppedit to soon.

3do-more expensive than the ps3 when it launched. Showed promise ulitmately dropped.

Atari Jaguar-some cool concepts, never seriously supported.

Atari lynx-see above

Sega Nomad-great idea never could bring price down or extend battery life.

Turbo duo/Turbo graphix(sp) Some great shooters and bonk never caught on.

In what way is the PSP similar to any of the systems to be called biggest dissapointment VG has ever seen.

[The Mana Knight]

Only? Someone's putting words in my mouth. As for keeping a close eye on PSP, I keep a VERY close eye on all system, especially on systems I own. When it comes to gaming as a whole, there's very little I don't know, so don't try to play it like I'm ignorant to the PSP library and upcoming lineup, as I've kept a close eye.I doubt you played as many PSP games as me. I can tell you prefer buying shitty stuff on XBLA arcade like Cloning Cycle instead. I'm not going to argue anymore about it.
You're getting defensive over nothing. I love my PSP, and I enjoy a good number of games on it (granted, most of them aren't PSP games). But again, I call it as it is; to put it bluntly (and to re-state what I already said before): the PSP is good, but up against competition it is severly lacking. That's only your opinion. I personally think the PSP exceeds the competition. Until I play Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, Daxter is the best handheld game period IMO.

but I also say that the PSP & (especially) PS3 are the biggest dissapointments the VG world has ever seen.You don't even own a PS3 so STFU I own both are they are fan from being disappointments. PSP has been having a wonderful lineup of games ever since it came out (although it did go through a dry spell 2 months after launch for a while. IMO, PSP does have the most appealing game lineup in 2007 (Yes, better than Xbox 360). As for PS3, it's still relatively new and I think it isn't bad (Compare PS3 launch to the 360 launch, DS launch, etc., and it wasn't any worse). The PS3 hardware destroys the 360 hardware in every single way (not sounding let a jet engine when playing games, heat sensitive buttons, being able to recharge controllers without buying plug/charge kits or wasting money on changing batteries every few weeks, more reliable, 7 controllers supported at once, BC that's actually good and I don't have to start from the beginning in older games due to being able to transfer data saves, USB flash drive to save games instead of buying over priced memory cards, next gen disc format out of the box, etc.). And since you're too much of a fanboy to ever buy a PS3, you'll never know.
I'm not wasting another god damn second, GO AND LOOK UP BOTH LAUNCHS BEFORE YOU TYPE ONE MORE WORD. I kind of understand the PS2 portion, as the initial launch was pretty much expanded PS2 ports, but to say that about the GBA... well, that's just absurd. Other than Castlevania: CotM and Konami Krazy Racers, there was Super Mario Advance (Super Mario Bros. 2 port/remake), Earthworm Jim (crappy SNES port), Rayman (crappy PS1 port), Chu Chu Rocket (Crappy Dreamcast port), etc. I remembered the GBA launch well because I actually considered one.
Virtual Boy-just to bizzare and uncomfortable to play.

Sega Saturn-to expensive, hard to program for, released to soon, Sega droppedit to soon.

3do-more expensive than the ps3 when it launched. Showed promise ulitmately dropped.

Atari Jaguar-some cool concepts, never seriously supported.

Atari lynx-see above

Sega Nomad-great idea never could bring price down or extend battery life.

Turbo duo/Turbo graphix(sp) Some great shooters and bonk never caught on.

In what way is the PSP similar to any of the systems to be called biggest dissapointment VG has ever seen.I wouldn't say the Saturn or Turbo 16 Grafx were disappointments (I'd put the 32X in the mix, along with the CDi), but I mostly agree. PSP has received many big franchise games and it still continues to see them. According to vgcharts.org (cannot load the site right now), there are over 20 million PSPs, which is already more than every one of those console/handhelds listed combined.

-Never4ever- is just a Wii60 fanboy who worships Peter Moore. He's on my ignore list now for I won't have to read his anti-PSP/PS3 posts.
I couldn't disagree more about the PSP having few great games, but I don't feel like arguing about it :-P

And if you're talking about PSP game prices VS DS game prices there isn't a big difference at all. PSP games release for $30-$40 (very very very few $50 games nowadays) while the DS is the same, $30-$40 (especially the bigger named titles that release at the higher prices of $35+).

And counting R&C a semi-sequel is incorrect.

(and just an FYI, I've owned a DS on two different occasions and sold it both times due to lack of games that interest me).QFT.

There hasn't been many games on DS that held my interest (which is why I've traded in half the DS games I've bought over the years, and never traded a PSP game). I'm keeping my DS, since I must have every platform just in case a particular game I like doesn't end up on PS2/PS3/PSP.

[furyk]

There hasn't been many games on DS that held my interest (which is why I've traded in half the DS games I've bought over the years, and never traded a PSP game). I'm keeping my DS, since I must have every platform just in case a particular game I like doesn't end up on PS2/PS3/PSP.

That's really what it boils down to. The PSP and DS appeal to different people for different reasons. Some people just are never able to accept that though and need to bash the PSP or DS to fill some sort of void in their life.

Having said that, let's leave the f word out of this conversation even if people are trolling against Sony or Nintendo or Microsoft. That's usually the first step for a thread to devolve into nothing but name calling. Rather, this thread should be what's good about the PSP recently and how a bunch of solid titles have popped up in the past two months.

[telemundus]

For some reason I can't find the site that the top 100 games from the two systems listed side by side in comparison, but this will have to do for now.

DS scores compiled from metacritic:
http://www.metacritic.com/games/ds/scores/

PSP scores compiled from metacritic:
http://www.metacritic.com/games/psp/scores/

It's pretty easy to see that PSP has more quality games, fewer garbage ones than DS, despite the 5 month head start for DS.

Games rated 80 or higher:
DS 32 (including 4 Nintendogs versions)
PSP 41 (already subtracting Advent Children)

Games rated 70 or higher:
DS 77
PSP 118

Games 50 and under:
DS 34
PSP 15

If you want to counter and say the DS has the entire GBA game library that is true. However, any PSP you buy now can have that too within 20 minutes along with every other system through N64 (new emulator coming in the week with very close to actual speed). The entire PSone library is now almost flawlessly emulated which leaves you with one of the best gaming systems ever already before you even get into the multimedia functions.

This system is well worth the 200 bucks and would take off even further as another poster said above if it dropped to 150. DS Lite is also easily worth 130 and has good games itself, but it is just really annoying to always hear how bad PSP games are and how great the DS games are. Please research and actually PLAY the games before you make large generalizations about any system.

[furyk]

For some reason I can't find the site that the top 100 games from the two systems listed side by side in comparison, but this will have to do for now.

DS scores compiled from metacritic:
http://www.metacritic.com/games/ds/scores/

PSP scores compiled from metacritic:
http://www.metacritic.com/games/psp/scores/

It's pretty easy to see that PSP has more quality games, fewer garbage ones than DS, despite the 5 month head start for DS.

Games rated 80 or higher:
DS 32 (including 4 Nintendogs versions)
PSP 41 (already subtracting Advent Children)

Games rated 70 or higher:
DS 77
PSP 118

Games 50 and under:
DS 34
PSP 15

If you want to counter and say the DS has the entire GBA game library that is true. However, any PSP you buy now can have that too within 20 minutes along with every other system through N64 (new emulator coming in the week with very close to actual speed). The entire PSone library is now almost flawlessly emulated which leaves you with one of the best gaming systems ever already before you even get into the multimedia functions.

This system is well worth the 200 bucks and would take off even further as another poster said above if it dropped to 150. DS Lite is also easily worth 130 and has good games itself, but it is just really annoying to always hear how bad PSP games are and how great the DS games are. Please research and actually PLAY the games before you make large generalizations about any system.

The one counter argument I'll offer is that a lot of the PSP games that are scored high are games few people will buy because they're ports of console experiences that are cocurrently released on the PS2. A significant number of those games are sports or collections that see releases on other consoles. I'm also not talking about games such as Burnout Legends that are similar to their console counterpart, but still developed as an original game.

I won't argue that some developers, too many in fact, still approach the DS with the mentality that slapping a liscence on a generic game will generate sales. I do believe that a lot of PSP titles get a boosted score because their graphics look current gen where as the DS doesn't approach that, especially for games where graphics are valued more (racing, sports, etc). I personally feel though that the DS has more standout experiences then the PSP currently does because of the existence of the PS2. No matter how good Madden or Burnout or Smackdown vs Raw or Street Fighter Alpha is on the PSP is, the vast majority of people will think of it as a better experience on the PS2.

[MrMaddness]

Well, let's just look at my PSP game library and see if there are any good games, shall we? I'm leaving out some (e.g. Dungeon Siege) that I like but that weren't critically acclaimed. The number after the title is the Gamespot review score.

Daxter - 9.1
Burnout Legends - 9.0
Lumines - 9.0
Wipeout Pure - 8.8
Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories - 8.6
Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories - 8.4
X-Men Legends II - 8.4
Killzone: Liberation - 8.3
Metal Gear Acid - 8.2
Metal Gear Acid 2 - 8.2
Tokobot - 8.2
Exit - 8.0
Gurumin - 8.0 (IGN review since GS doesn't have theirs up yet)
Me and My Katamari - 8.0
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy - 7.7
LocoRoco 7.7
Disgaea Portable (Import) - N/A
Kangaeru EXIT (import) - N/A

Yep, a bunch of losers right there! Keep in mind that most of these games are pretty old, too. I don't have much that came out recently like Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops or the new Ratchet and Clank.

I like the DS and it has a lot of great games, but people have GOT to stop with this "PSP has no good games" stuff. What *is* true is that the PSP doesn't seem to have as many games that really appeal to a large number of people (particularly non-hardore gamers). It doesn't have as many "system selling" games, and I think the average MSRP of $39.99 is too much. But it's absolutely not true that the PSP has no good games. For me (as someone who likes good graphics and more mature themes) the PSP is great.


How many original titles are there? How many of those games offer something you have NEVER been able to play before on any system?

That's what the DS is for.

Games like Nintendogs, Animal Crossing (i know its on GC, but the Wifi is a totally different experience), Big Brain Academy, Brain Age, Hotel Dusk, Phoenix Wright, Cooking Mama, Trauma Center and Elite Beat Agents are the types of games that ooze originality on the DS.

9 out of the 16 games you listed there are re-hashes of console games, and you unfairly use just one site to judge your ratings scale on.

Here's your list...again, using GameRankings (in parenthesis):


Daxter - (86.7%) 9.1
Burnout Legends -(86.8%) 9.0
Lumines - (90.2%)9.0
Wipeout Pure - (89%)8.8
Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories - (85.5%)8.6
Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories - (87.4%)8.4
X-Men Legends II - (82.7%)8.4
Killzone: Liberation -(80.2%) 8.3
Metal Gear Acid - (76.9%)8.2
Metal Gear Acid 2 - (80.6%8.2
Tokobot - (70.9%)8.2
Exit - (77.3%)8.0
Gurumin -(79%) 8.0
Me and My Katamari - (75.6%)8.0
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy - (84.8%) 7.7
LocoRoco (85.2%)7.7


Justifably, the list of AAA 90%+ titles jumps to the only one that truly deserves it, Lumines.

Conversely, there are 3 rated 90% + games on the DS, Mario Kart DS, Advance Wars DS and Castlevania: DS.

28 total games receiving a 80% or better on DS, 37 on PSP. A list that includes three! different 989 MLB Games.

Ok, you say. Well, there are a total of 194 psp games, there are 147 DS games (games with a minimum of 10+ reviews on GameRankings)

Take into account, percentages:
19% of DS games received an 80%+
19% on PSP received an 80%+


Wow! Pretty even! But remember, there are 3 989 MLB games on the list. Taking away straight up sequels from other PSP games, the list drops down to 27. Taking away straight up sequels from other DS games, it drops to 24.

New percentages!

PSP - 14%
DS - 16%



So why did I just go through all this?

Look, I'll admit it, I'm a pretty fucking biased DS gamer. I love my DS silly, and I hated the PSP. I was so excited for the PSP, I bought it launch day, and got Lumines with it, which is a game that deserves every acclaiim that it gets. But 5 months later, I was done. I sold it off. I've had my DS since day one, and now I have a Lite and a few different colors. But the DS offers me games I can't get anywhere else, games that interest me. Quirky titles, likes the ones listed above. There's no fault in admitting that the PSP is a far superior system if you like sports, shooters or racing.

But I have consoles for that. I LIKE consoles for that.

But to each his own.

As far as people comparing launch games? Don't even bother arguing that crap. Dreamcast has the best launch titles and flopped...tremendously. (Soul Calibur, Sonic Adventure, NFL 2k, Power Stone) What other system launches with a game that received almost perfect scores from everyone one. None.

[whoknows]

Just because a game "oozes" originality doesn't mean its good. Such as the case with Cooking Mama for example. According to you it "oozes with originality" yet lets head over to gamerankings for its score. 66.6% A below average game. Whoopee. I'd rather play a game that you might count as not being original than play an original game thats mediocre.

[furyk]

Just because a game "oozes" originality doesn't mean its good. Such as the case with Cooking Mama for example. According to you it "oozes with originality" yet lets head over to gamerankings for its score. 66.6% A below average game. Whoopee. I'd rather play a game that you might count as not being original than play an original game thats mediocre.

Gotta disagree with you there. I think that vast majority of the games with lots of originality aren't reviewed as mediocre games across the board. I feel like there are a lot of polarizing DS games. Games like Pokemon Ranger, Cooking Mama, Yoshi: Touch and Go, Star Fox Command, and Metroid Prime Hunters have opinions all over the map. These days, I'd much rather play something that takes some risks and potentially fails (like Star Fox in my opinion) then play a satisfying yet mediocre game.

[The Mana Knight]

Just because a game "oozes" originality doesn't mean its good. Such as the case with Cooking Mama for example. According to you it "oozes with originality" yet lets head over to gamerankings for its score. 66.6% A below average game. Whoopee. I'd rather play a game that you might count as not being original than play an original game thats mediocre.I agree. Cooking Mama is just another one of those several (so called innovative DS games) that are nothing more than an overpriced gimmick that gets boring fast.

[trq]

The one counter argument I'll offer is that a lot of the PSP games that are scored high are games few people will buy because they're ports of console experiences that are cocurrently released on the PS2. A significant number of those games are sports or collections that see releases on other consoles. I'm also not talking about games such as Burnout Legends that are similar to their console counterpart, but still developed as an original game.

I won't argue that some developers, too many in fact, still approach the DS with the mentality that slapping a liscence on a generic game will generate sales. I do believe that a lot of PSP titles get a boosted score because their graphics look current gen where as the DS doesn't approach that, especially for games where graphics are valued more (racing, sports, etc). I personally feel though that the DS has more standout experiences then the PSP currently does because of the existence of the PS2. No matter how good Madden or Burnout or Smackdown vs Raw or Street Fighter Alpha is on the PSP is, the vast majority of people will think of it as a better experience on the PS2.

Bingo.

Without adding to CAG's one-millionth pointless DS v PSP flamefest, the people who say the PSP doesn't have any good games aren't saying what they think they are, which is why the "OF COURSE it has good games" rebuttal is so easy to make.

So Furyk is right on the money: the PSP doesn't have a lot of AAA titles you can't get anywhere else, which is what you need to move systems, especially when it's a more expensive system. What it DOES have are lots of "good ... but not great" titles that are pretty similar to non-portable versions of the games, which are very useful for filling out a library.

Take, for example, Tekken: Dark Resurrection, unquestionably the best portable fighting game yet. It's reviewed well, but it's a slight upgrade to Tekken 5, and it's downloadable in the Playstation store for roughly fifteen bucks. Hell, even MGS: Portable Ops, which in my opinion IS a killer app, isn't drastically different from what you can already play on the PS2. On the other hand, look at the DS Castlevania games: they're pretty similar to the others in the series, but you can't get them anywhere else.

That's also why PSP games seem to generally score well: ports of already successful titles are obviously going to score better than the more hit or miss "new" games on the DS. Blame it on the developers for playing it safe, but you can blame Sony for encouraging that kind of development, which has been so successful for it in the past.

[bstan21]

When it comes to gaming as a whole, there's very little I don't know,


the PSP & (especially) PS3 are the biggest dissapointments the VG world has ever seen.

.

I find that the first sentence contradicts the second sentence.

[icruise]

How many original titles are there? How many of those games offer something you have NEVER been able to play before on any system?

That's what the DS is for.


If you say so. I have bought a LOT of the "innovative" DS games and I've been disappointed with them in most cases. I personally would rather play a game that's actually good than something that's a brand new gaming experience. Of course, these things are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but after playing quite a few DS games, I've found that quite a number of them rely too heavily on their "innovative" control schemes. Cooking Mama, for example, isn't even really a game. I found Trauma Center disappointing and Nintendogs mind-numbing.

Let me emphasize again, though, that I am not bashing the DS and I never meant my list of game scores to be used in a direct comparison with scores from DS. That sort of pissing contest is pointless. I was simply demonstrating that there are a hell of a lot of good games on the PSP.

[MillerTime2523]

Hmm.. This may Actually convince me to try and fix my PSP.

[Pijaibros]

old and busted: developers developers developers

new mantra: innovation innovation innovation

[whoknows]

Gotta disagree with you there. I think that vast majority of the games with lots of originality aren't reviewed as mediocre games across the board. I feel like there are a lot of polarizing DS games. Games like Pokemon Ranger, Cooking Mama, Yoshi: Touch and Go, Star Fox Command, and Metroid Prime Hunters have opinions all over the map. These days, I'd much rather play something that takes some risks and potentially fails (like Star Fox in my opinion) then play a satisfying yet mediocre game.
So you'd rather play a crappy "original" game than a good game might not be classified as original?

[furyk]

So you'd rather play a crappy "original" game than a good game might not be classified as original?

Not at all. I'd rather play something risky that has a chance of sucking but also has a chance of rocking rather then playing something I've played hundreds of times before that's only mildly satisfying to me. My biggest complaint with the PSP has always been that the system strikes me as incredibly stagnant. Furthermore, it seems like the public in general is okay with that seeing as really original games like Loco Roco or EEE and games that totally revamp a classic formula like Mega Man Powered Up totally fail on the retail level. I mean, the best selling game is the fourth GTA 3 iteration in as many years. That's not a knock against GTA though, it's a knock against the game buying public.

For reasons like that, I like the DS more. To keep it in PSP terms though, I appreciate a game like Metal Gear Ac!d much more then something like Portable Ops simply because it tries something totally different even though the latter is a much more solid game. Even if a game only ends up being mediocre I feel it is worth more in the long run then a game that is simply good that fails to "grow" video games. By no means am I saying it's a "Nintendo = innovation, Sony/Microsoft = Status Quo" as I feel three of the five most innovative games of last generation were PS2 titles, Katamari Damacy, Ico, and Okami. Furthermore, I think that Viva Pinata is a more important game then Zelda for games in general simply because Viva Pinata grows gaming even though Twilight Princess is a better game all around. That's why I prefer the DS more then the PSP (in addition to the DS having more of the games I like).

I hope that clarifies where I'm coming from a bit more.

[kittycatgirl2k]

Let me be the biatch here and point out some things
Nintendogs = expanded Tamagotchi "virtual pet" concept
Animal Crossing = Harvest Moon
Big Brain Academy & Brain Age = those worksheet learning books you get at the grocery store but...DIGITAL!
Hotel Dusk, Phoenix Wright = PC Adventure gaming 1990s style
Cooking Mama, Trauma Center = these are more "original" if only for their touchscreen component.
Elite Beat Agents = Guitaroo Man

These games have all been done before in one way or another, they are not THAT original. For a handheld, yes, and compared to what other companies release. Yet they are not completely brand new innovative experiences as many would lead you to believe.

With that being said, I own most of those games, and play them and enjoy them. But I also own a PSP and love and play it to death too. Im just so sick of hearing about how GREAT the DS is and how the PSP is the "suxx0r" and so forth - when that is far from the truth.

I think Locoroco is one of the more original titles for any system. Cant ya just love and appreciate both systems for their strengths instead of preying upon their weaknesses. Not to mention all the "high and mighty" nauseating posts from once PSP owners that ditched their system shortly after launch. Hell, neither system had a great lineup of games for the first year or so of their life so big whoop. Here's your cookie, go whine elsewhere.

[trq]

I think Locoroco is one of the more original titles for any system.

What, you never played those old-school water-filled games from Tomy or whoever, where you have to rotate the whole handheld to get the jelly blob into the hole?

Just sayin'.

[FurryCurry]

Cant ya just love and appreciate both systems for their strengths instead of preying upon their weaknesses. Not to mention all the "high and mighty" nauseating posts from once PSP owners that ditched their system shortly after launch. Hell, neither system had a great lineup of games for the first year or so of their life so big whoop. Here's your cookie, go whine elsewhere.

I think these images are needed right now.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/FuzzyShots/WhenTheDSandPSPFight-Literally.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/FuzzyShots/WhenTheDSandPSPFight-LiterallyPa-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/FuzzyShots/WhenTheDSandPSPFight-LiterallyPart3.jpg
Having been an owner of both for around the same amount of time, I've had more fun with my PSP than my DS. And the main reason why....


PSP GAMES GET ON THEM MUTHAFUCKIN' CLEARENCE RACKS FASTER THAN DS GAMES. (go CAG!)

Cause' honestly. I had a nice little haul over the holiday season and into January because of random discounts and clearence stuff.

[furyk]

Let me be the asshole for a second and say Loco Roco = Taito's On the Ball. The most original game on any system in the past five years is Trauma Center. Even taking out the touch screen elements, how many games do you play a doctor in? I can think of one video game doctor and he's much to busy stomping goombahs to keep an open practice.

Furthermore, look at the connections you're trying to draw. Sure, they used to make Adventure games TWELVE YEARS AGO! And buying worksheets in the grocery store? Yes, Guitaroo Man and Elite Beat Agents both are both music games, but do you really think that one is more original then the other because it came first?

Take a second to re-read what you're saying. You back? Forget the DS/PSP debate for a second and just consider what you're implying. Following your argument to its conclusion you're saying a game isn't original if its rooted in something. Under your logic, all games, video or otherwise, (which is a perfectly valid to compare since you're comparing brain teasers to video games) aren't original because something before them entertained people in a similar fashion. Taken one step forward your argument is that there is no room for things to have any meaninful originality because something came before it.

I couldn't disagree more. It's absolute bullshit to say something isn't innovative because something before it had a single aspect that was similar. Your point has an implication you probably haven't considered at all. You're indirectly saying that a game, the emerging art form of our time, cannot truly be "different" because everything is derivative of something else. Nothing original can ever come out because it can always be linked to something else.

Your point is akin to someone saying that a painting can be of high quality, but it can't be original because someone has used paint, ink, and what not before. It's just as moronic as someone saying that a composition can't really be that different from anything we've ever heard before because it's the same people blowing into and plucking at the same twisted pieces of wood, metal, and string they always have before. You're saying that an author can't realize a new truth just because they've read others works before.

I know you meant no harm by what you said, but I'm completely and absolutely offended at the wanton ignorance of your post. Consider it an overreaction if you will, but as an author and artist myself I cannot let a statement like that slide without saying my..... well anything I say here would be a hackneyed cliche, a piece of garbage, that has no meaning because its been said a thousands of times before, right?

Edit: Grammar/reduction of frothing at the mouth

[mtxbass1]

You guys can go back and forth about the subject about "which system has the better games" all you want, but the simple fact is this. The DS has sold 37.52 Million systems worldwide. The PSP has sold 20.22 million systems worldwide. (Source vgcharts). Having "better" games isn't going to do anything to the fact that there are 1.85 DS's for every 1 PSP system. It will be hard for the PSP to catch up to a nearly 2:1 sales ratio like that. The system that sells the most wins in the end.

[b3b0p]

I don't care if those games the OP mentioned got a 10 out of 10, they don't appeal to me and I have no interest in even trying them. To put it bluntly, in my own words, they suck.

I have a PSP and DS.

I like my Gameboy the best still.

[kittycatgirl2k]

Remember Theme Hospital? The mediocre hospital sim? Yeah that had doctors, an ER and al that kind of good stuff. It was awhile back, but still. I also noticed that you totally let games like Animal Crossing and Nintendogs slide because... well what I said was true. Variations on a theme. Which most games are.

Never heard of Taito's on the Ball. I was going to liken it to that Nintendo Tilt and Tumble game from a few years ago but did not. I still believe its more original than anything on the DS. Using the shoulder buttons to "guide" your happy blob was different control scheme-wise and it worked. Of course there is not nearly as many quirky games to pit against the DS library because the PSP just simply doesnt have that many yet and likely never will.

"They" still make Adventure games. A few have come out on the PS2 and XBox (and I will name the Monkey Island game for PS2 as an example). There are probably better examples for the Brain Age games too but was too lazy to research.

I also compared Guitaroo Man and Elite Beat Agents together because they are both music games that try to follow whacky story segments. Could have thrown Pa Rappa in there too but Guitaroo Man was crazier and seemed a better fit.

Its silly to get so riled up over this and taking it to the next level.My post actually pissed you off (or seemed to from your reaction) but my intentions are just to try and get the point across that these games that are being so highly touted as original and innovative are really...not. And that the DS is so "teh Great!!!" and the PSP "Teh SUX", when both systems are well made and have their own games going for them.

I myself own 2 DS's - a phatty and a lite and 1 PSP. Why is that? Because the first DS had enough issues to make me want to upgrade. If Sony came busting out with an upgraded and slicker PSP I would think twice about it.. mostly because the system seems perfect enough now as it is (besides some nasty ghosting) but also the pricetag. $130 for a lite? Not so much of a problem... $250 for a PSP? That has to be thought about a little more. the hundred plus difference in the pricetag is a pretty big one. With a price drop and some better marketing, the PSP would be doing better than it is now. Instead of being viewed as the "multimedia" system and the DS the "fun!! games!!" system.

Its really disappointing that there has to even be fanboy fueled console wars in this day and age. Didn't we all learn to love all after the TG16 vs Genesis wars? Or the SNES vs. Genesis... or the Playstation vs. N64. Ahhh I guess not.

Cos I am NOT touching the whole games as art debate. That never ends well.


I know you meant no harm by what you said, but I'm completely and absolutely offended at the wanton ignorance of your post. Consider it an overreaction if you will, but as an author and artist myself I cannot let a statement like that slide without saying my..... well anything I say here would be a hackneyed cliche, a piece of garbage, that has no meaning because its been said a thousands of times before, right?

Edit: Grammar/reduction of frothing at the mouth

[alongx]

And lastly, PSP has released at least a half dozen AAA rated games in the last 2 months what has come out for DS? So based on the "good games are to far between" argument the DS must be going downhill.

Could you name them? The only PSP games that I bought that weren't launch titles are Gitaroo Man and Tokobot, the later of which being a purchase trying to justify buying the PSP. In the last two months, I can't really think of any PSP game that I'd run out and buy. The only PSP game out that I would consider buying but haven't yet is Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. I don't really regret my PSP purchase overall - I had a good month of nothing but Lumines for my commute - but I don't have any real love for it, because the PSP hasn't really had anything for me in a long while.

Clearly you love your PSP. Good for you. But learn to quantify what the hell it is that's so great about the PSP, in your opinion. And, for the love of God, why can't someone make an argument for or against one platform independent of its competition?

[judyjudyjudy]

Let me be the biatch here and point out some things
Nintendogs = expanded Tamagotchi "virtual pet" concept
Animal Crossing = Harvest Moon
Big Brain Academy & Brain Age = those worksheet learning books you get at the grocery store but...DIGITAL!
Hotel Dusk, Phoenix Wright = PC Adventure gaming 1990s style
Cooking Mama, Trauma Center = these are more "original" if only for their touchscreen component.
Elite Beat Agents = Guitaroo ManHonestly, I had the same reaction to this post as furyk. With the exception of Animal Crossing and maybe the point-and-click adventure games (which I personally think would only work well with a touch screen or mouse interface), which of those games would work well on a PSP?

[icruise]

You guys can go back and forth about the subject about "which system has the better games" all you want, but the simple fact is this. The DS has sold 37.52 Million systems worldwide. The PSP has sold 20.22 million systems worldwide. (Source vgcharts). Having "better" games isn't going to do anything to the fact that there are 1.85 DS's for every 1 PSP system. It will be hard for the PSP to catch up to a nearly 2:1 sales ratio like that. The system that sells the most wins in the end.
What exactly does it mean for one system to "win"? The only way an argument like this makes any kind of sense at all is if you are trapped in the mindset that this is a "war" that one system has to win and one has to lose. The only way I would be concerned about sales number is if they were so low that it meant that publishers wouldn't keep making games for one system or the other.

[mtxbass1]

What exactly does it mean for one system to "win"? The only way an argument like this makes any kind of sense at all is if you are trapped in the mindset that this is a "war" that one system has to win and one has to lose. The only way I would be concerned about sales number is if they were so low that it meant that publishers wouldn't keep making games for one system or the other.

Higher sales in the end means a system "won" for that round. Does it mean anything? No, unless a company goes out of business because they didn't sell enough systems.

[davidjinfla]

It was not my intention to start a debate. I didnot post on DS pages. I just thought It was exciting that so many good games came out in the space of a few short weeks, on other systems it has been kinda meh. I'm sorry that one of the posters felt that all these games suck and didn't appeal to him or her.
(sports, action, rpg, brawler) What games do you like? Heck I forgot to mention Pirates which is really good with excellent replay value.

I wasn't claiming one system was better but if you felt I implied that, again my bad. I was trying to express that if you owned and enjoy playing the PSP it has been a good strart to the New Year and judging from upcoming titles including a Castlevania game, COD, Final Fantasy games, Burnout, After burner, UEFA, Metal Slug, Monster Kingdom, Full Auto, Virtua Tennis, Coded Arms, Rivera, Elder Scrolls, Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, Tomb Raider, Dungeon and Dragons tactics, 2 new MLB games, Madden, and maybe we will get the gps or camera this year. So give a "hell Yeah" for some good portable gaming in the next few months.

[kittycatgirl2k]

Its awesome to celebrate a good start for the PSP this New Year. More good games means more great titles to play for those that stuck it out with the system. I am personally looking forward to the lineup for both portables this year, and the Castlevania announcement was huge atleast for me (love those Castlevania games).

Oh and how could those games be made for the DS? Nintendogs, etc would need an onscreen cursor controlled by the dpad or nub. I could go on speculating for the others, but if a developer really wanted it on the system, they would find a way for it. Just look at Okami on the PS2. It seems better suited to the Wii way of playing yet they worked out a brilliant control scheme anyway.

[icruise]

I wasn't claiming one system was better but if you felt I implied that, again my bad.
You didn't say anything of the kind. It's the people who only see things in black and white that have the problem (the whole "if the DS has good games the PSP must suck" mentality). Well I have news for you. They're both good! They're suited for different types of games, of course.

[The Mana Knight]

I find that the first sentence contradicts the second sentence.-Never4ever- always contradicts himself.
If you say so. I have bought a LOT of the "innovative" DS games and I've been disappointed with them in most cases. I personally would rather play a game that's actually good than something that's a brand new gaming experience. Of course, these things are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but after playing quite a few DS games, I've found that quite a number of them rely too heavily on their "innovative" control schemes. Cooking Mama, for example, isn't even really a game. I found Trauma Center disappointing and Nintendogs mind-numbing.That's pretty much my problem. I bought into the hype of many of them and ended up being greatly disappointed. Many of my favorite DS games don't even try to innovate (by using the touchscreen and end up messing up, like how Magical Starsign turned out).

I think Locoroco is one of the more original titles for any system. Cant ya just love and appreciate both systems for their strengths instead of preying upon their weaknesses. Not to mention all the "high and mighty" nauseating posts from once PSP owners that ditched their system shortly after launch. Hell, neither system had a great lineup of games for the first year or so of their life so big whoop. Here's your cookie, go whine elsewhere.I agree about LocoRoco. Extremely original and definitely fun.
Let me be the asshole for a second and say Loco Roco = Taito's On the Ball. The most original game on any system in the past five years is Trauma Center. Even taking out the touch screen elements, how many games do you play a doctor in? I can think of one video game doctor and he's much to busy stomping goombahs to keep an open practice. Why don't you just stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Loco Roco kills the gimmicky Trauma Center big time.

A game you play as a doctor?? Haven't you heard of Dr. Mario?? You're a Nintendo fanboy aren't you??
Furthermore, look at the connections you're trying to draw. Sure, they used to make Adventure games TWELVE YEARS AGO! And buying worksheets in the grocery store? Yes, Guitaroo Man and Elite Beat Agents both are both music games, but do you really think that one is more original then the other because it came first? Gitaroo Man is just better overall, like Game Informer said.

[trq]

A game you play as a doctor?? Haven't you heard of Dr. Mario?? You're a Nintendo fanboy aren't you??

Let it go, dude. You're practically Sony's Al Sharpton at this point: you're not doing your "side" any favors when you talk.

[furyk]

Christ Mana Knight, try reading for a second. I mention Dr. Mario in the post you quote, and the second post you quote you bring up Game Informer to defend you're opinion on two completely different games that only share the same genre.

You totally missed the point I was making which was about video games on the whole as a medium to express new ideas and how I found kittycatgirl's post insulting for what it implied about games as devices of mass consumerism with no artistic value because they're highly derivative of each other. If she had said the same thing about Metal Gear Ac!d, Loco Roco, Luminese, EEE, and Gunpey I'd be ripping her just as hard. I don't care if you like one system over the other. I do care if you make inane jumps of logic to say that every game is derivative and therefore true originality cannot exist. Don't worry, it wasn't an attack on the Sony homeland.

So in short, please, turn off the fanboy radar, remove head from ass, and try reading for once. Every debate isn't about system A over B. Furthermore, sticking my nose where it doesn't belong? Since when did CAG become a Hardy Boys novel.....

[pete5883]

How many of those games offer something you have NEVER been able to play before on any system?

Hotel Dusk, Phoenix Wright
As it's been stated before, these are point and click adventure and text-based adventure games, respectively. These types of games were available before, maybe you just didn't notice them because they weren't on a Nintendo system.

There have also been Nintendogs-esque pet-based games for the PC, they've just never had shitty voice-recognition before.

[rodeojones903]

I am loving both Ratchet & Clank and Lunar Knights so far. :D

[MarkMark]

I dont see why this merits a thread...I mean if a system had gotten five games that scored 95%ish recently that would be an eyebrow raiser.

[davidjinfla]

I dont see why this merits a thread...I mean if a system had gotten five games that scored 95%ish recently that would be an eyebrow raiser.

I thought it was a good thing that in the normally dead time of the year for releases the psp had a slew of releases that were rated 8's and were from different genres.

[wwjasond]

I've enjoyed reading this thread and normally I hate the console defending bashfests. I have been researching the new handhelds and trying to pick one but it's been a struggle. You guys (and gals) have hit everything that intrigued/concerned me on the head. I'll throw out multimedia b/c my iPod says I dont care and it's supposed to be a gaming system. For a while, I liked the PSP b/c it offered games I liked but now could carry with me (especially the upcoming Crazy Taxi game--I absolutely hated having to get rid of that game). The graphics/screen and thumbstick really helped me along the PSP path, UMD and MemoryStick did not. However as I thought about, I thought why do I want these games with me when I have played them to death at home already. So I looked into the DS b/c it offers different games than the PSP. Plus, the one game I've really wanted all along was Brain Age as it seemed like the perfect portable game. To me a portable game should be one I can pick and play for 5-10 minutes or a couple of hours. IMO most of the PSP titles were not designed for short intervals. So I looked into DS but started to question how much I'd like some of the "unique" games. I liked the idea of a touch screen but wanted a thumbstick. The graphics/screen to me were inferior but sufficient for portable gaming and the flash based games seemed to be a better idea. I had decided the 3 games I'd get for the DS were Brain Age, Mario Kart and Advance Wars. The only game for the PSP I considered outside of the packaged ATV was Vice City Stories with Crazy Taxi down the road of course. For the past 3 months, I have managed to sway back and forth in my opinion every couple of weeks and thus have not purchased either yet. I have come to the conclusion that the 2 are better together than alone b/c they would encompass all that interests a gamer much like the Wii and PS3 or Wii and 360. I find the PSP to be something that replaces a PS2 and the DS to be something that replaces a Gameboy.

And for those of you who are curious where my allegiance falls, I buy whatever I consider best for me even though I am still upset to this day that Sony helped force Sega out but realize that most of the blame falls on Sega. I've never owned a Sony gaming system as they never appealed to me and b/c I took a couple of years off around the PlayStation era and never got started down the PlayStation path. I really got back into gaming with a DreamCast and then picked Xbox for the hard drive, 2k sports (which I think was rumored at the time to be preparing to become property of MS), and a couple of other minor reasons which I cant recall 4 years later. Both of the last 2 systems were purchased a couple of years into the cycles. I grew up with Nintendo and Sega so I still have a soft spot for both though the GameCube nearly caused me to give up on Nintendo.

So please continue as this argument is helping me.

[io]

Well, I don't know if this will help or not wwjasond, but I own both, and much prefer the DS. Got a DS in Feb 2005 and a PSP at launch. I played the PSP much more at first (as it did have nice launch titles). But as soon as the DS hit it's stride with Advance Wars, Animal Crossing, Meteos, Kirby Canvas Curse, etc, I have barely played my PSP. I've spent more time on Advance Wars than on my entire PSP library combined. I keep buying PSP games (last purchase was Pirates), and they continue to sit on my shelf. I have a ton of sealed PSP games that I do, really want to play but they keep getting pushed to the rear of the backlog.

I had a bit of a fling with it last summer and played Daxter and Valkyrie Profile, then Loco Roco when it came out. All excellent games. Though someone said Daxter was the best handheld game ever?? Meh, it was good, no doubt, but merely a watered down version of a better console experiences and this, I think, is the point furyk and others are making. Yes, it has racing, sports, and fighting games that blow the DS out of the water. However, not only are those less interesting to me than other genres, but they are things I'd much rather play on a console. To be fair, note that this is my knock on Mario Kart for the DS as well, which, although I own, I have only played for a few minutes. I'd much rather play Mario Kart Double Dash.

I also fail to see the PSP as a suitable portable device. I only play it at home and with the consoles so readily available the PSP is my last choice of platform. The PSP has always seemed too delicate and expensive for me to carry out of the house (I'd be pissed if it got scratched up and looked like crap from being carried all over). The biggest problem, though, is the relatively short battery life. The DS has made several cross-country flights go by much faster for me (mostly with Advance Wars). The PSP wouldn't make it through most of those (especially when I have 2 flight segments: 2 1/2 hours followed by 5).

And again, this is all personal preference, but I see 3 excellent games on the PSP from last Fall till now - Loco Roco, Pirates, and Ratchet & Clank. None of the others have the slightest interest to me. There have been many more on the DS during that time (as always, FOR ME).

Basically it comes down to this: If you like sports, racing, or fighting games and want a console experience on the go (or at least with the ability to sit where your console isn't ;)) the PSP is an excellent choice. If you want Nintendo franchises, obviously the DS is the best choice. I'm into the Nintendo stuff, but also RPG's and "unique" games too. For a while it looked like the PSP might be better for RPGs, but now it isn't so clear. DragonQuest IX was a HUGE COUP for the DS, though, and would be a reason in and of itself to buy a DS later this year. But even with RPG's, I prefer the DS/console pairing to playing on the PSP. The PSP provides a *near* console like experience, but it isn't quite there (and I hate the analog nub) so I'd much rather play deeper and prettier console RPG's. The ones on the DS tend to be more quirky (Contact, Magical Starsign) or retro (FF III) and provide a nice change of pace from the console RPG experience. And besides FF III (which was quite long) I actually PREFER shorter game experiences on the DS - I can actually get through some of them in a reasonable amount of time (and don't kid yourself on the depth of some PSP games - Daxter was pretty damn short).

Having said that, I'm still looking for a cheap import copy of Tales of Eternia. Fry's still wants $50 for it.

And stop bagging on Cooking Mama - I just set up a trade for that on CAG! You're all making me feel bad about that ;).

So, anyway, to wwjasond, unless you fall squarely in one of the strengths of each system (sports, racing, fighting for PSP, Nintendo franchises and unique games for the DS) I'd say get them both. I've certainly gotten my moneys worth out of my PSP though it has gotten 1/10 th the play time of my DS. It is definitely a slick little machine.

Edit - I should also say that I love the DS despite spending little to no time on some of the oft-mentioned "unique" games like Nintendogs, Brain Age, Cooking Mama (not yet anyway!), Elite Beat Agents, etc. Those actually don't appeal to me all that much, so even if you think those are gimmicky games it is no reason to dismiss the DS.

[davidjinfla]

Not to confuse the issue but for me It was the opposite. I own both systems as well and I used to play the DS all the time and the PSP hardly ever. I guess I needed a break from the DS so I started firing up the PSP a few months ago and havent stopped since.

If you could borrow one from someone who has one it might help you. But for me I just got tired of the DS (for now) I looked at the games coming out in the next few months compared both systems and I just feel for at least this half of the year I will be playing and buying more PSP stuff.

Both good systems you can't go wrong either way. And if you get bored in a few months trade one in for the other or swap it on ebay/craigs list.

[io]

Or just buy 'em both as most CAG's have ;). With all the money you save on games here you should be able to afford them both (if not at the same time then at least some time this year).

[icruise]

Here are my DS games (some of which I have since sold) ranked loosely in the order of my preference. Even the good ones don't really excite me that much, and there are just so many mediocre/bad ones that I've gotten wary of trying new DS games. I've bought more than 20 DS games (so you can't say I'm condemning the system without giving it a fair shake) and still haven't found any that I can honestly say I love. Can anyone recommend something, given my opinions of these games?

THE GOOD

Mario & Luigi Partners in Time -- Very good, if a bit juvenile in places. Tied with NSMB for my favorite DS game.

New Super Mario Bros -- It's pretty much just "more of the same" stuff we got with the other mario games, but they were so good that I can't say that's a bad thing.

Super Mario 64DS -- I played through this whole thing and enjoyed it, even though I had beaten the N64 version back in the day. Good game, but it's ultimately just a port.

Yoshi Touch & Go -- Fun for short periods, but kind of limited. Reminds me of the old-school arcade games where you try to beat your own score, since there's very little in terms of story.

Advance Wars DS -- Good, but also VERY similar to the original Advance Wars, which I've played quite a bit of. Didn't really hold my interest.

THE MEDIOCRE

Battles of Prince of Persia -- Not bad despite the very lackluster presentation.

Brain Age -- It's an interesting concept and well done in general, but it didn't really keep me coming back for more than a couple of weeks. And yes, it does get rather repetitive.

Meteos -- Maybe this should go in the "good" category, but there's just something about it that I don't quite like. It doesn't hold a candle to Lumines, IMHO.

Gunpey DS -- Not bad, but not great.

Metroid Prime Pinball -- I like pinball games, and this is an interesting take on the genre. But in the end it's not great.

Nintendogs -- Actually for me this is closer to "bad" but I'll give it points for cuteness and pseudo-originality (even though it's basically just tamagotchi in dog form).

Mario Hoops -- I liked the Mario characters playing basketball, but the actual gameplay left quite a bit to be desired. Generally it was way too easy -- untii it became way too hard.

Tetris DS -- It's Tetris! Well, aside from the addition of some Nintendo characters, that's about all I can say about it. Didn't do much for me.

Mario Kart DS -- I was not at all impressed by this for some reason. The tracks seemed pretty empty and uninteresting and overall I just couldn't get into it. Strange, since I liked most of the other games in the series.

Trauma Center -- A good concept, but I was very disappointed that instead of performing actual medical procedures you basically were shooting/stabbing aliens within the human body. I ended up playing this mostly on the Wii since I liked the controls better.

THE BAD

Feel the Magic -- Pretty terrible. Feels like a tech demo.

Cooking Mama -- Ditto. There's not even a story or an overarching goal. You just... cook stuff. Plus, I found some of the steps/instructions confusing or hard to perform.

Tamagotchi Connection -- Cute but ultimately relies on making the player do repetitive tasks, in a way similar to Cooking Mama. Not my idea of fun.

Super Princess Peach -- Seemed like a watered-down Mario game. I quickly lost interest.

Mr. Driller Drill Spirits -- A pretty weak puzzle game.

Ridge Racer DS -- I got it for $3, so I wasn't expecting a lot, but man does it suck.

[io]

I disagree entirely on Super Princess Peach, and, less so, on Feel The Magic. I actually just played Feel The Magic a few weeks ago and despite it being a launch title with mediocre reviews, I thought it was half-decent. I'd definitely put it into your "Mediocre" category. Super Princess Peach, however, goes into the "Good" for me.

What about Yoshi's Island 2? Though you may have the same issues as with NSMB. I thought it was excellent (though very hard).

If you like RPG's, of course FF III and Contact. I also liked Magical Starsign - definitely an underreviewed and underappreciated game. Clubhouse Games is also an excellent collection (with full WiFi support). Dragon Quest Rocket Slimes is excellent too, but that is not for everyone. And of course, what about the Castlevanias and Phoenix Wright? I haven't played any of those, but have them. They are on the backlog, ahead of all my PSP games ;).

But my question is it seems you think every game is "more of the same" from some other game. Certainly a game like Daxter (and most of the other good PSP games) can be described similarly. Also, you say you've given it a fair shake, but most of your games are older launch or near-launch titles (which almost all lack depth like Yoshi's Touch and Go and FTM). You need to get some newer stuff ;).

[davidjinfla]

The sonic ds game was really good and really over looked. Made good use of dual screens. Good old school sonic.

[icruise]

But my question is it seems you think every game is "more of the same" from some other game. Certainly a game like Daxter (and most of the other good PSP games) can be described similarly.

I might have given you that impression, but actually I don't have any problem with a game being "more of the same" (you'll note that NSMB is in the "good" category). Unlike some people, I don't really need my games to be groundbreaking or unique, but they do need to be good. (With regard to Advance Wars, though, the game is practically *identical* to the GBA versions.)


Also, you say you've given it a fair shake, but most of your games are older launch or near-launch titles (which almost all lack depth like Yoshi's Touch and Go and FTM). You need to get some newer stuff ;).
I wouldn't say that they're all launch titles by any stretch of the imagination, but it's true that I don't have any really recent games (the same is also true of the PSP, for the most part, simply because I have such a big backlog of games).

If you like RPG's, of course FF III and Contact. I also liked Magical Starsign - definitely an underreviewed and underappreciated game. Clubhouse Games is also an excellent collection (with full WiFi support). Dragon Quest Rocket Slimes is excellent too, but that is not for everyone. And of course, what about the Castlevanias and Phoenix Wright? I haven't played any of those, but have them. They are on the backlog, ahead of all my PSP games .
I have the Japanese version of Contact from the PA sale, but haven't even put it in the DS yet. FFIII does look promising, but I don't really have time for a long RPG just at the moment. I am very wary of Pheonix Wright (even though many rave about it) because I tried a number of these games on my list after people's recommendations and just wasn't that impressed. Castlevania might be a possibility though.

[Masterkyo]

I'll pickup this games whenver it drop down $20 or less

Daxter
Killzone: Liberation
Gurumin
Me and My Katamari (can't find it at BB)
LocoRoco

Already owned it
Lumines
Wipeout Pure ($5 at Target)
Metal Gear Acid
Metal Gear Acid 2
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
Tokobot
Exit

[depascal22]

I got a PSP at launch and a DS a few months ago. At first, I was all about the PSP and Lumines. I can still play it for hours but that's the only game I play anymore. I've beaten Exit, Wipeout, LocoRoco, Valkyrie Profile, and most of Hot Shots Golf. That being said, I'm bored with the PSP. I could pick up The Warriors for $20 but I already got a copy for the PS2. If it wasn't for Tekken and Guilty Gear, I'd have sold my PSP by now.

Until Metal Gear hits a price drop, I'll be rocking some DS games for now. That is, if I can get my daughter off Animal Crossing. I'm considering getting another DS and I've never owned more than one of the same console/handheld at the same time.