The usual checklist to be considered when buying a portable video games console will include the following:
Budget: Portable video games consoles are relatively cheaper than normal gaming consoles, making them quite affordable.
Audio and Video Output: The audio and video quality of a video games console can affect the gaming experience to a great extent. A high definition video with surround sound can carry you right into the adventure, while a blurred video and lagging audio might ruin the whole gaming experience.
The Sony PSP video games console has a widescreen TFT LCD with four brightness level settings. It delivers a video quality that’s quite competent for a pocket-sized package. If role-playing, strategy, sports games, or first-person shooting capabilities are your priority, then this handheld video games console offers the best deal on the market. Thanks to its high definition video quality that provides better images onscreen. Sony’s PSPs also have built-in stereo speakers and microphones that provide 3D sound and multichannel audio along with synthesizing and equalizing effects. Although the PSP’s video game output is bright and large, its refresh rate is a bit of a disappointment that affects the overall game view.
The Nintendo DS video games console comes with a dual screen and a clamshell design. The screens are TFT LCDs with 18-bit depth and a resolution of 256 x 192 pixels. The gap between the screens is less than an inch, and very often one screen is used as the game controller and the other screen for the game display. Many video games available on this portable console use the dual screen feature as this is incorporated in their game design. Also, unlike PSPs, the Nintendo DS sports a better refresh rate in spite of its slower processing speed and prevents blurring while the game is on.
Connectivity and controls: The interface and controls offered by the handheld video games console define the range of games that can be supported by it, and also speak of its functionality in features other than games.
The Nintendo DS video game console offers dual screens with a touch-screen interface and a built-in microphone that enables the gamer to interact with the console through speech. The console also has a stylus that can help you choose, browse between, and control video games. The voice control feature can also be used for connecting with friends and co-gamers through the Nintendo Wi-Fi connectivity. The Nintendo DSi also supports wireless DSiWARE downloads.
The PSP video game console has a built-in 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless LAN access. Around 16 PSPs can be connected to one another directly for head-to-head contests in ad hoc mode. The PSPs can be connected to each other through IrDA, Bluetooth, wireless connections, or mini USBs.
Both the Nintendo DS and PSP portable video games consoles feature a D-Pad, four action buttons and two triggers for basic game control. However, the PSP’s game controls offer a better choice for cross platform games.
Available Video Games: All handheld video games consoles come with a popular game or two that all users like. A large library of video games is available on the Nintendo DS including Brain Age,
Tetris DS,
Nintendogs,
Super Mario and other puzzle games. The Sony PSP offers a more action packed deal with video games such as
God of War, Kingdom Hearts and
Ape Escape.
Storage and Peripheral Expandability: The storage and expandability features of the Nintendo DS video games console include 256 KB of serial flash memory and 656 KB of video memory. The DS has expandable memory (through SD card slots) and a special Memory Expansion Pak version for the DS is available for enhancing the memory of the Nintendo browser feature.
The PSP from Sony is a clear winner in this field. It is the first and only handheld video game console that uses optical discs (Universal Media Discs) for its storage capability. The PSP is available in two categories: standard PSPs that can use UMDs (the optical disc format designed for PSP) and then store the downloaded content on optional memory sticks, and the newer PSP Go that has UMDs removed to bring in 16 GB of internal flash storage. The PSP can also be attached to a
PlayStation 2 or
PlayStation 3 video games console for a totally unique gaming experience.
Gaming communities and networks: The community features offered by a handheld video games console is an important factor to consider if you want an amazing multiplayer gaming experience. Some community features to look out for are price, profile, ranking options, and IM while gaming.
Additional features: Most portable video games consoles on the market feature additional multimedia usage such as video and music players, browsers, and digital comic readers. The PSP allows gamers to access the Internet, play network games, and play audio and video files. Your PSP can even be turned into a GPS! The Nintendo DS video games console supports audio and video playing capability, and a browser that’s similar in nature to the one offered by PSP.
Battery life: PSPs have become slimmer over the years, thanks to their decreasing battery size, but their performance remains untouched. The batteries take 1.5 to 2 hours to charge, and last for 4.5 to 7 hours. Comparatively, the Nintendo DS offers its users better battery life and consistent performance.