Nintendo 3DS vs. Next Generation Portable

Written by Justin Rubio. Published: Thursday, March 17, 2011.

Both released in 2004, the original Nintendo DS and the PlayStation Portable have both had quite successful lives. Sure, the DS sold (and is still selling) like hot cakes but the PSP has done pretty well for itself along the way. The two are now showing signs of aging and their new little siblings are on their way. Let’s see how the new rivals compare to each other.

What they are

The Nintendo 3DS borrows much from the DS: dual screen, touch sensitive screen on the bottom, fold out form factor. The main difference this time around is an analog nub for your left hand and 3D viewing without the use of glasses.

The Next Generation Portable (the code name for successor to the PSP, we’ll refer to it as the NGP), also shares a similar physical appearance to the PSP although a bit larger and with dual analog joystick support. The screen resolution has been beefed up quite a bit along the way.

Visuals

Nintendo isn’t a company that is typically associated with top of the line graphics and the same holds true for the 3DS, what they are known for is doing something different. 3D without glasses is indeed hi-tech stuff, but also resorts in the little guy having to pump out 3 screen at one time (the bottom screen and two separate images to the top screen for the 3D effect). While providing something that was previously unheard of, the 3DS is not going to hit you with stunning visuals that remind you of your home console.

On the flip side, the NGP is boasting 4 times the resolution of the already impressive PSP. The graphical power has been compared to sit somewhere between the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3. Sure, it may not have 3D, but it will be the best graphics that you have ever seen on a handheld gaming device and very similar to that of the fantastic Retina Display on the Apple iPhone 4.

Winner: NGP

Games

Sony may have plenty of big name titles but Nintendo has a giant legacy of games that sell millions of units over decades of gaming. Super Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, and Metroid will be on the 3DS with Starfox and Kid Icarus making a valiant return as well. Most of all, Pokémon will eventually make its way over as well and we know how well those games sell. Adding to the mix, and including some of the previously mentioned franchises, remakes of hits like Starfox 64 and Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are being resurrected in full 3D.

Sony may not have plumbers and little fancy sword swinging elf dudes on their side, but they do have some of the top selling games of all time in their arsenal. Ever heard of Uncharted, Little Big Planet, or Metal Gear Solid? How about Call of Duty? If there’s any game willing to tackle a boy and his love for capturing little animals is the hair-on-your-chest, testosterone inducing behemoth that is Call of Duty.

Winner: Tie

Price

The 3DS is coming out for $250. The official price of the NGP hasn’t been revealed but I’m guessing it’ll sit in the $300 to $400 range and may possibly include a monthly fee for the 3G version.

Winner: 3DS

Bells and Whistles

Nothing can just be one thing nowadays. One thing must be your everything and the same goes for handheld gaming devices.

Within the 3DS you’ll find backward compatibility with DS games, Virtual Console services (similar to the Wii), 3D movie playback, Nintendo Miis, one front facing camera and two rear facing ones for 3D picture taking capabilities.

So far, the NGP has been confirmed to have a front and rear facing camera, PSP backward compatibility, the ability to download PlayStation Minis, PSOne Classics, videos, and comic books from the PlayStation Store, has a touchscreen like the 3DS, and will also have optional 3G for online gaming on the go.

Winner: NGP

According to my super state-of-the-art, ultra professional, the NGP comes out as the better of the two devices but if history has taught us anything it’s that the console with the best characteristics on paper may not be the better selling product. The price point of the 3DS will definitely be a selling point for many as well as the familiarity with the device. The NGP will likely entice the hardcore crowd for the most part, but with an ecosystem built with the PlayStation 3 and possibly the Android PlayStation Suite, Sony has a lot to offer as well.

The Nintendo 3DS will be released on March 27th and the Sony Next Generation Portable is coming during the 2011 holiday season, which one will you be picking up?

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