I am buying a handheld today, Opinions!

Eladmir

I am looking at buying a handheld for me and my g/f to share, I can't decide between the PSP and the DS Lite,
I enjoy rpg's the most and the current games both systems have, that are RPG's are good it seems. How is the RPG genre looking for these two systems and which should I buy? I have never owned a handheld, im strictly a PC gamer and I bought the wii for drunken sports parties.

Transporter

Get a DSP

Eladmir

What is the difference between DS lite and platinum?

Arcibi

Get a DS

GBA compatibility for the win

UnderHero5

I would definitely go with DS. But seriously, look at the game selection on both and get the one with more games you want to play, and more upcoming games you're interested in.

... or just buy the DS and save yourself the trouble.

Xenogears of Bore

Depends. There are more RPGS on the PSP, though 99% of them suck. Tales of Eternia kicks ass, and there have been a few recent/soon to be released titles that do it up right. There are many fewer actual DS RPGS, of varying quality. This year however they are getting a truckload of awesome from Squareenix. Also of note since you are a pc gamer, the GBA is arguably the best system ever when it comes to RPGS, and the DS can play those titles. It is literally overruning with RPG goodness.

JihadJesus

There are some decent sounding RPG titles coming for the PSP. But there already ARE tons of RPGs for the DS through the awesome GBA back compatability. I think you could do well with either, unless looking at old 16 bit sprites from FFVI really annoys you for some reason.

captaink

DS.

Wait, you've only gamed on PC to date? Handheld/console RPGs will definitely be different than you're used to. They're fine, just a different genre really.

Also DS has more non-gamer-friendly games, so if your girlfriend is not a big gamer, there's a bunch of stuff she'd like. Sudoko, brain age games, whatnot.


Buy Phoenix Wright.

AchtungBaby

I love my Ds, and seeing that is for g/f as well, I would recommend it.

Also get Animal Crossing WW and play together, awesome fun.

Eladmir

Thats awesome that they are getting square's titles, is the DS getting anymore FF titles? or is it just going to have FF3

emnmnme

The DS is getting some Dragon Warrior games and you can play Final Fantasies 1-6 on it. There's a Baldur's Gate coming to DS, too, though not much is known yet. My guess is it's like the bastardized console Baldur's Gates. And Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time was more fun than I expected it to be. I haven't played any PSP games.

Big Dookie

DS, no question.

Plenty of RPGs, and if you blow through all of those you have an entire backlog of Gameboy Advance RPGs to pick from. Not to mention the huge number of other great games available for the DS.

Seriously, just get a DS.

Brodo Faggins

It's getting FF12 Revenant Wings, Heroes of Mana (which is actually more of an RTS), and Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced 2. Luminous Arc is coming out for it (strategy RPG, but really really text heavy).

Backlash

I'd have to echo the DS as well. There's really only one RPG on the PSP worth playing right now (Valkyrie Profile), with a few more available if you import from europe (Tales of Eternia).

The upcoming release list is starting to look strong with the FFTactics remake and such, but for every good game that's coming out on the PSP, there's an equally good looking game coming out on the DS.

So basically unless one of those particular PSP games scream must have, go for the DS.

Sonos

no question DS. especially if a lady is involved. more games to cater to the lady stereotype.

Eladmir

Sounds like im going with the DS, after reading up some more it looks like Sony went with its GRAPHIC e-peen approach that it failed the PS3 with =P Now the question is someone mentioned a DSP, what is the difference between DS lite and platinum?

Brodo: Are those games for the DS? im guessing yes.

Arcibi

Eladmir wrote: »

Sounds like im going with the DS, after reading up some more it looks like Sony went with its GRAPHIC e-peen approach that it failed the PS3 with =P Now the question is someone mentioned a DSP, what is the difference between DS lite and platinum?

Brodo: Are those games for the DS? im guessing yes.

By "Platinum" do you mean the old-style DS

If so then the difference is that the old-style DS is cheaper, but the DS Lite has a better backlight, longer stylus, and is smaller

The old-style DS isn't bad (I have a red one from the Mario Kart DS bundle) but if you've got the cash, definitely go with the Lite

BladeofTheImmortal

I'd go with the PSP myself, I use it for everything, Music, Movies, an alarm clock(wonders of homebrew baby), emulator(but oh so illegal). Its got it all and then some. Oh almost forgot to add that yes, i use it as a games platform more than any of the other stuff, but damn if it isnt fun doing the other stuff once in a while.

captaink

Ohh if platinum is a DS fat, get a lite. Lites are awesome little machines.

Darlan

Between my DS games and my PSP games, so far my favorite games are mostly on the PSP, but the DS has a LOT of pretty good games and GBA compatibility. The horizon seems to be a bit more friendly to the DS, as it's pretty much SHO/FF7actionRPG/FFTremake versus Zelda/Ninja Gaiden/DQ9 to me, and I personally favor the latter.

Neva

The PA forums isn't exactly the best place to ask a "DS or PSP" question. Personally I would say go PSP if you want RPGs, but what you should do is take a look at a list of released RPGs for the DS and PSP, watch some videos, and/or read some reviews on the games that sound interesting to you.

Eladmir

Yeh, the PSP has really awesome features, but I don't really watch movies and if I do its in the theater or on my big screen, as for music goes I love my Ipod and have over 15 gigs of music, dont think the PSP can hold that with expansions and what not. The compatibility with GBA really has me sold on the DS and I think the G/F would enjoy it much more.

Why is the penny-arcade a bad place for this question? over 250 users on right now! =p

Mashalot

I dunno about the DS for RPGs yet.

FFIII is great but pretty old-school; I dig Contact but it's definitely a clunky niche title; there's another Atlus RPG (ninja sumthin sumthin) that I'm curious about but wasn't received well (did they also do that Labyrinth 1stperson dungeon crawler?); M&L: Partners in Time wasn't really my thing, mario-themed RPG. Pokemon I guess, never played one. I loved Rocket Slime but it's not really a hardcore RPG, just a cute zelda clone. The Mana game totally sucks.

On the GBA side there are a bunch of upgraded Final Fantasy ports, another M&L game, and uh, nothing thaaaat classic. Golden Suns. Some Zelda. Some other ports, franchise sequels. Oh, I hear Fire Emblem is super.

I still love my DS. There's some intriguing RPGish stuff on the horizon, like the new Dragon Quest, the new Mana tactics thing (though the mana series has been pretty awful for several games now), etc...

but if you're getting a DS the real gems are stuff like Clubhouse games, Mario Kart, the Castlevanias (which have decent RPG elements) etc. Local multiplayer can be a blast but, um, you'll end up needing two DSs

Don't have a PSP.

BladeofTheImmortal

^and that's if you are mostly interested in RPGs. If you like Racers, don't even touch the DS(I mean real racers, not Karting) Because nothing on DS touches BUrnout Legends and Dominator.

APZonerunner

If you can be bothered to go through the processes of hacking firmware and making all the various sacrifices you make to get into the AWESOME homebrew scene, PSP.

If you just want an honest to god out of the box handheld gaming god with no hacking required... DS. Take your pick.

BladeofTheImmortal

^Gaming God??? you are giving it a bit too much credit.

Backlash

Eladmir wrote: »

Sounds like im going with the DS, after reading up some more it looks like Sony went with its GRAPHIC e-peen approach that it failed the PS3 with =P Now the question is someone mentioned a DSP, what is the difference between DS lite and platinum?

Brodo: Are those games for the DS? im guessing yes.

Well, the PSP is still a good system, I have both. The RPG front is just a little barren. Games like Metal Gear are something that the DS doesn't really have, so it's nice to have the options. If you're in it for the RPGs though, then yea, DS.

Also the DSP thing was a joke. There is no DS platinum.

DS + PSP = DSP

captaink

Eladmir wrote: »

Why is the penny-arcade a bad place for this question? over 250 users on right now! =p

Yeah, about 5 of them will tell you PSP.

Xenogears of Bore

Backlash wrote: »

Eladmir wrote: »

Sounds like im going with the DS, after reading up some more it looks like Sony went with its GRAPHIC e-peen approach that it failed the PS3 with =P Now the question is someone mentioned a DSP, what is the difference between DS lite and platinum?

Brodo: Are those games for the DS? im guessing yes.

Well, the PSP is still a good system, I have both. The RPG front is just a little barren. Games like Metal Gear are something that the DS doesn't really have, so it's nice to have the options. If you're in it for the RPGs though, then yea, DS.

Also the DSP thing was a joke. There is no DS platinum.

DS + PSP = DSP

No, you aren't looking. The PSP is absolutely overrloaded with terrible, eye bleedingly bad ps2 ported JRPGS and a surprising number of bad Korean RPGS, all of which seem to somehow come out over in the States. There was a time that whenever I turned on XPLAY (a great source for reliable reviews, hilariously enough) they would review 2 new shitty PSP rpgs every goddamned week. The PSP absolutely dominates the DS when it comes to sheer RPG mass. The GBA, however, beats it on quantity and quality, so it is kind of a moot point. Plus the DS is getting some real awesome this year. Rune Factory, FF:CC, ASH, FFTA:2, and a half dozen other games. Now all I want to know is where the hell is Tales of the Tempest??!?

Viscountalpha

Transporter wrote: »

Get a DSP

I've got an ESP, but it doesn't work so well when trying to connect to other people.

Seriously though. The DS has much better multiplayer games then the psp. That and what girlfriend could turn down nintendogs and animal crossing:WW.

Neva

Xenogears of Bore wrote: »

Backlash wrote: »

Eladmir wrote: »

Sounds like im going with the DS, after reading up some more it looks like Sony went with its GRAPHIC e-peen approach that it failed the PS3 with =P Now the question is someone mentioned a DSP, what is the difference between DS lite and platinum?

Brodo: Are those games for the DS? im guessing yes.

Well, the PSP is still a good system, I have both. The RPG front is just a little barren. Games like Metal Gear are something that the DS doesn't really have, so it's nice to have the options. If you're in it for the RPGs though, then yea, DS.

Also the DSP thing was a joke. There is no DS platinum.

DS + PSP = DSP

No, you aren't looking. The PSP is absolutely overrloaded with terrible, eye bleedingly bad ps2 ported JRPGS and a surprising number of bad Korean RPGS, all of which seem to somehow come out over in the States. There was a time that whenever I turned on XPLAY (a great source for reliable reviews, hilariously enough) they would review 2 new shitty PSP rpgs every goddamned week. The PSP absolutely dominates the DS when it comes to sheer RPG mass. The GBA, however, beats it on quantity and quality, so it is kind of a moot point. Plus the DS is getting some real awesome this year. Rune Factory, FF:CC, ASH, FFTA:2, and a half dozen other games. Now all I want to know is where the hell is Tales of the Tempest??!?

This is why you don't ask PA "PSP or DS".

tony_important

I HIGHLY recommend the DS lite, especially if you're getting one for the lady.

I bought my girlfriend a pink DS for Christmas, and she loved it.
She's not much of an RPG player, but she's logged tonnes of time on EBA, Cooking Mama, Meteos, Mario Kart, New Super Mario Brothers, Pokemon (Pearl), and she stole my Chocobo Tales.

Edit: lololooolol sony.
I kid, I kid.

yalborap

Neva wrote: »

Xenogears of Bore wrote: »

Backlash wrote: »

Eladmir wrote: »

Sounds like im going with the DS, after reading up some more it looks like Sony went with its GRAPHIC e-peen approach that it failed the PS3 with =P Now the question is someone mentioned a DSP, what is the difference between DS lite and platinum?

Brodo: Are those games for the DS? im guessing yes.

Well, the PSP is still a good system, I have both. The RPG front is just a little barren. Games like Metal Gear are something that the DS doesn't really have, so it's nice to have the options. If you're in it for the RPGs though, then yea, DS.

Also the DSP thing was a joke. There is no DS platinum.

DS + PSP = DSP

No, you aren't looking. The PSP is absolutely overrloaded with terrible, eye bleedingly bad ps2 ported JRPGS and a surprising number of bad Korean RPGS, all of which seem to somehow come out over in the States. There was a time that whenever I turned on XPLAY (a great source for reliable reviews, hilariously enough) they would review 2 new shitty PSP rpgs every goddamned week. The PSP absolutely dominates the DS when it comes to sheer RPG mass. The GBA, however, beats it on quantity and quality, so it is kind of a moot point. Plus the DS is getting some real awesome this year. Rune Factory, FF:CC, ASH, FFTA:2, and a half dozen other games. Now all I want to know is where the hell is Tales of the Tempest??!?

This is why you don't ask PA "PSP or DS".

Indeed. The true answer is an old TurboExpress.

Backlash

Xenogears of Bore wrote: »

Backlash wrote: »

Eladmir wrote: »

Sounds like im going with the DS, after reading up some more it looks like Sony went with its GRAPHIC e-peen approach that it failed the PS3 with =P Now the question is someone mentioned a DSP, what is the difference between DS lite and platinum?

Brodo: Are those games for the DS? im guessing yes.

Well, the PSP is still a good system, I have both. The RPG front is just a little barren. Games like Metal Gear are something that the DS doesn't really have, so it's nice to have the options. If you're in it for the RPGs though, then yea, DS.

Also the DSP thing was a joke. There is no DS platinum.

DS + PSP = DSP

No, you aren't looking. The PSP is absolutely overrloaded with terrible, eye bleedingly bad ps2 ported JRPGS and a surprising number of bad Korean RPGS, all of which seem to somehow come out over in the States. There was a time that whenever I turned on XPLAY (a great source for reliable reviews, hilariously enough) they would review 2 new shitty PSP rpgs every goddamned week. The PSP absolutely dominates the DS when it comes to sheer RPG mass. The GBA, however, beats it on quantity and quality, so it is kind of a moot point. Plus the DS is getting some real awesome this year. Rune Factory, FF:CC, ASH, FFTA:2, and a half dozen other games. Now all I want to know is where the hell is Tales of the Tempest??!?

Well if you want to get technical about it, the RPGs aren't ported from the PS2, and most of the good RPGs for the system are ones that are ported from the PS1. The ported ones are the ones on the system that are worth playing, it's the original ones that are largely forgettable (Valhalla Knights, Legend of Heroes, etc).

Xenogears of Bore

Neva wrote: »

Xenogears of Bore wrote: »

Backlash wrote: »

Eladmir wrote: »

Sounds like im going with the DS, after reading up some more it looks like Sony went with its GRAPHIC e-peen approach that it failed the PS3 with =P Now the question is someone mentioned a DSP, what is the difference between DS lite and platinum?

Brodo: Are those games for the DS? im guessing yes.

Well, the PSP is still a good system, I have both. The RPG front is just a little barren. Games like Metal Gear are something that the DS doesn't really have, so it's nice to have the options. If you're in it for the RPGs though, then yea, DS.

Also the DSP thing was a joke. There is no DS platinum.

DS + PSP = DSP

No, you aren't looking. The PSP is absolutely overrloaded with terrible, eye bleedingly bad ps2 ported JRPGS and a surprising number of bad Korean RPGS, all of which seem to somehow come out over in the States. There was a time that whenever I turned on XPLAY (a great source for reliable reviews, hilariously enough) they would review 2 new shitty PSP rpgs every goddamned week. The PSP absolutely dominates the DS when it comes to sheer RPG mass. The GBA, however, beats it on quantity and quality, so it is kind of a moot point. Plus the DS is getting some real awesome this year. Rune Factory, FF:CC, ASH, FFTA:2, and a half dozen other games. Now all I want to know is where the hell is Tales of the Tempest??!?

This is why you don't ask PA "PSP or DS".

Heck, this was just in furtherance of answering the OP question. Which system is better for RPGs. I actually came to terms with the PSP a few months ago. It is a great piece of equipment. It has better sports and racing titles, no question. It has some awesome games, and is getting even more awesome games. It also absolutely destroys the DS on the homebrew front even though the DS can do quite a bit of it itself. There are a ton of experiences you can get nowhere else than on a PSP. Portable Ops, Loco Roco, Mega Man Powered Up, and a ton of upcoming stuff that no one would want to miss. God of War, Disgaea some excellent ports of classic games like Symphony of the Night, FFT, and many more.

I could have told him to buy both, that both have excellent games. He didn't ask for both, and he was looking for a specific genre of games, one that the DS is stronger in.

Neva

Xenogears of Bore wrote: »

Neva wrote: »

Xenogears of Bore wrote: »

Backlash wrote: »

Eladmir wrote: »

Sounds like im going with the DS, after reading up some more it looks like Sony went with its GRAPHIC e-peen approach that it failed the PS3 with =P Now the question is someone mentioned a DSP, what is the difference between DS lite and platinum?

Brodo: Are those games for the DS? im guessing yes.

Well, the PSP is still a good system, I have both. The RPG front is just a little barren. Games like Metal Gear are something that the DS doesn't really have, so it's nice to have the options. If you're in it for the RPGs though, then yea, DS.

Also the DSP thing was a joke. There is no DS platinum.

DS + PSP = DSP

No, you aren't looking. The PSP is absolutely overrloaded with terrible, eye bleedingly bad ps2 ported JRPGS and a surprising number of bad Korean RPGS, all of which seem to somehow come out over in the States. There was a time that whenever I turned on XPLAY (a great source for reliable reviews, hilariously enough) they would review 2 new shitty PSP rpgs every goddamned week. The PSP absolutely dominates the DS when it comes to sheer RPG mass. The GBA, however, beats it on quantity and quality, so it is kind of a moot point. Plus the DS is getting some real awesome this year. Rune Factory, FF:CC, ASH, FFTA:2, and a half dozen other games. Now all I want to know is where the hell is Tales of the Tempest??!?

This is why you don't ask PA "PSP or DS".

Heck, this was just in furtherance of answering the OP question. Which system is better for RPGs. I actually came to terms with the PSP a few months ago. It is a great piece of equipment. It has better sports and racing titles, no question. It has some awesome games, and is getting even more awesome games. It also absolutely destroys the DS on the homebrew front even though the DS can do quite a bit of it itself. There are a ton of experiences you can get nowhere else than on a PSP. Portable Ops, Loco Roco, Mega Man Powered Up, and a ton of upcoming stuff that no one would want to miss. God of War, Disgaea some excellent ports of classic games like Symphony of the Night, FFT, and many more.

I could have told him to buy both, that both have excellent games. He didn't ask for both, and he was looking for a specific genre of games, one that the DS is stronger in.

It's not stronger. One is full of ports of RPGs that came out more then a few times over the last 15 years, and the other is full of ports and spin offs of RPGs that came out 5 years ago. It wasn't answering the question.

Thats why I said he should read reviews and watch gameplay videos, because very few people here are going to be able to answer the question, being that it's for another person and strongly based on personal preference.

PotU

Just get a N-Gage.

Sonos

Neva wrote: »

It's not stronger. One is full of ports of RPGs that came out more then a few times over the last 15 years, and the other is full of ports and spin offs of RPGs that came out 5 years ago. It wasn't answering the question.

Thats why I said he should read reviews and watch gameplay videos, because very few people here are going to be able to answer the question, being that it's for another person and strongly based on personal preference.

i think he was asking gamers what their personal preference was. since this is where decent gamers/nerds congregate it seems like a fine place. the alternative is what? gamespot? ign? no.

mausmalone

Eladmir wrote: »

Thats awesome that they are getting square's titles, is the DS getting anymore FF titles? or is it just going to have FF3

It's getting FFXII Revenant Wings and FF:CC ... and with the GBA compatibility you can play FF I&II, and FF VI remakes. There may be more but I'm not a Square fan.

captaink wrote: »

Eladmir wrote: »

Why is the penny-arcade a bad place for this question? over 250 users on right now! =p

Yeah, about 5 of them will tell you PSP.

... and? A large majority of people here would warn against buying an NGage. They may be biased against it, but that doesn't make them wrong.

Neva

Sonos wrote: »

Neva wrote: »

It's not stronger. One is full of ports of RPGs that came out more then a few times over the last 15 years, and the other is full of ports and spin offs of RPGs that came out 5 years ago. It wasn't answering the question.

Thats why I said he should read reviews and watch gameplay videos, because very few people here are going to be able to answer the question, being that it's for another person and strongly based on personal preference.

i think he was asking gamers what their personal preference was. since this is where decent gamers/nerds congregate it seems like a fine place. the alternative is what? gamespot? ign? no.

Well, even if that was what he wanted, I again say this isn't the best place for it. And yes, the alternatives such as Gamespot and IGN are better, cause they have reviews that show pictures, gameplay videos, and the pros/cons of each game with far less bias you'll get here.

Viscountalpha

Neva wrote: »

Sonos wrote: »

Neva wrote: »

It's not stronger. One is full of ports of RPGs that came out more then a few times over the last 15 years, and the other is full of ports and spin offs of RPGs that came out 5 years ago. It wasn't answering the question.

Thats why I said he should read reviews and watch gameplay videos, because very few people here are going to be able to answer the question, being that it's for another person and strongly based on personal preference.

i think he was asking gamers what their personal preference was. since this is where decent gamers/nerds congregate it seems like a fine place. the alternative is what? gamespot? ign? no.

Well, even if that was what he wanted, I again say this isn't the best place for it. And yes, the alternatives such as Gamespot and IGN are better, cause they have reviews that show pictures, gameplay videos, and the pros/cons of each game with far less bias you'll get here.

I've always felt the bias I see here seems to line up with my own. I'm almost certain I can't find the same group of awesome people at gamespot or IGN. The raiden 3 thread is a perfect example. It was a game I was personally interested in and was very glad someone made a thread about it.