Poll: Torn between buying a DS, PSP, and Tablet

[Kyr Knightbane]

Pssssst come over here

POKEMON!

Get a DS man, the game library is amazing and if you want you can even hack it to run homebrew stuff.

By that same rationalization, the OP could also get a PSP and run homebrew on it. Plus the psp had quite a few interesting games on it. Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology was amazing, its just too bad they company who made it decided not to bring over both sequels.

It also had FF Tactics: War of the Lions, a game i spent over 300 hours cumulatively on.

Also Dissidia was amazing, the sequel was a bit meh, but still a good game.

The God of War games were pretty good, and offered quite a bit for the price.

Don't forget about Ratchet and Clank and Daxter. Granted the DS has a decent library as well, but the PSP was no slouch. Sony just kinda shit themselves with it by treating it as a portable port machine, not a way to bring new IP's to their company for mobile users/gamers on the go. Hopefully they don't make the same mistake with the Vita

 

[sextus the crazy]

The DS has one of the best line ups of games that I've seen in a long time.

*Obligatory Fire Emblem & Pokemon endorsement*

Also, pick up 9 hours 9 persons 9 doors. It one of the only M-rated games on the system and its an excellent and gripping adventure game (if you can handle lots of text). Also, a sequel to it on the 3DS (zero escape: virtue's last reward) came out and was good.

 

[kyogen]

Why can't you get one of them now to go with your Kindle, save up while you're playing a few of its games, and then get the other in a few weeks or months? That way, you aren't cutting yourself off from either library.

I have a PSP and a DS, and while I love my DSi XL and the six games I have for it, I much prefer the PSP's library in general. There are really only two DS games that I go back to anymore (Shiren the Wanderer and TWEWY), but my PSP sees quite a lot of repeat use with all of the early FFs, the Tactics games and Vagrant Story, and a few of the shiny new(ish) action titles as well.

Both systems are going to give you plenty to do. What do you want to play right now?

 

[MeChaNiZ3D]

I would say PSP because Metal Gear and Monster Hunter, and at this point you have the entire catalogue, small though it may be, to choose from, but DS does have far more games (even if a lot are insubstantial) and if you're able to do multiplayer, that puts it in front. Tablet, only if you also want a tablet for other things. I'll say DS.

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

I love my PSP and will always defend it from those who try to imply the system had anything less than an incredible library... but it just can't hold up to the DS. The DS has the best library of games for any handheld, ever and is certainly right up there with regards to consoles in general.

Get as DS.

 

[Gmans uncle]

My PSP was the biggest waste of money I've ever owned (and that's saying something).
Get a DS, you won't regret it.

 

[muaddib87]

First, please let me thank you so much for your excellent points of view and recommendations. They have given me a great deal to mull over. If I could be so selfish as to pick you brains just a bit more.


1. For those who own a PSP, how well do the PSone Classics work? I have read that some of the control layouts suffer from the lack of a second analog stick

2. For the DS, are there any good games on their downloadable market? I couldn't really find anything more than a calculator app when looking at Nintendo's website.

3. Are the advance wars titles worth getting the DS for.

4. Is FF tactics WotL better story/game play-wise than FF Tactics A2.

5. Is Tactics Ogre better then Fire Emblem.

6. Which has the better Strategy RPG collection.

Haha, I am agonizing like crazy over this decision. I keep shifting back and forth, I'll look at one game catalog and get super stoked (like when I learned about Advance Wars or how much better the WotL story is vs A2)

The final option available would see me just getting the PSP, and my lovely girl friend would allow me to use her DS.

I am super sorry to ask sooooo much.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Rack]

It would be a shame to buy a DS now when the 3DS is clearly picking up steam so if you can't get that I might recommend a PSP.You should be able to get a second hand one ludicrously cheap, then get an ereader and save up for a 3DS. You picked out some utterly amazing PSP games so should be happy for a while even if the DS will ultimately have a wider range.

Your instincts are entirely right with regards tablet vs ereader. Ereaders are great, offering huge comfort and convenience benefits over paperbacks (not to mention all the best books are free) while tablets will only give you eyestrain, run out of batteries, glare in the sun and generally be unusable. They have great utility for having convenient access to the Internet and the iPad has some cracking games but with your tastes you'd be infinitely better served by a gaming device.

 

[Rack]

First, please let me thank you so much for your excellent points of view and recommendations. They have given me a great deal to mull over. If I could be so selfish as to pick you brains just a bit more.


1. For those who own a PSP, how well do the PSone Classics work? I have read that some of the control layouts suffer from the lack of a second analog stick

2. For the DS, are there any good games on their downloadable market? I couldn't really find anything more than a calculator app when looking at Nintendo's website.

3. Are the advance wars titles worth getting the DS for.

4. Is FF tactics WotL better story/game play-wise than FF Tactics A2.

5. Is Tactics Ogre better then Fire Emblem.

6. Which has the better Strategy RPG collection.

Haha, I am agonizing like crazy over this decision. I keep shifting back and forth, I'll look at one game catalog and get super stoked (like when I learned about Advance Wars or how much better the WotL story is vs A2)

The final option available would see me just getting the PSP, and my lovely girl friend would allow me to use her DS.

I am super sorry to ask sooooo much.

Thanks again for your help.

Whoops, missed this. Lazy reader is lazy

1) Pretty well in most cases, most PSOne games don't even use the analogue stick. Your biggest problem is the lack of a second pair of triggers, this is a huge problem for certain action games but few rpgs and tactical games will be affected.

2) Not that I've seen but unless you get a DSi (I really don't recommend it) or a 3DS (I really already have recommended it) you wouldn't have access.

3) Absolutely. That said I'd be inclined to go for a 2nd hand ds or 3DS for future titles.

4) Yes. God yes. WotL is one of the best games ever. A2 is good but not in the same league.

5) Tougher to say. I'm really a much bigger fan of TO but the Fire Emblem games are also amazing.

6) Honestly I have to say they are pretty much equivalent.

I don't know if this helps your decision. Both consoles have some truly amazing strategy games though if you are keen on the RPG side of strategy RPGs I'd give the PSP the nod, the DS's best titles are more pure strategy than strategy RPG. If you step outside of this area the DS quickly gets an advantage but you have already picked out hundreds of hours of great SRPG there. I'd say PSP then get a 3DS later that way eventually you get everything. I'm less sure the Vita is going to pick up some essential titles.