Sony PSP 2 (NGP) vs. Nintendo 3DS
The handheld gaming market has entered its next phase with the launch of next generation handheld devices, Sony’s PSP NGP (PSP 2) and Nintendo’s 3DS. These two Goliaths of the portable gaming world will clash again to fight for your hard-earned cash.
In the following article we will try to compare both in several different categories, trying to stay impartial. But ultimately, only you know which you prefer, so which is better, the Sony PSP NGP or the Nintendo 3DS?
So, do you want to buy a new portable gaming device, but you are not sure which one you prefer? Well, to help you decide, let’s look at the main features of both.
Device
The PSP NGP stands for ‘Next Generation Portable’, and it certainly takes Sony’s PSP device to a whole new level. At first glance, the NGP doesn’t look too different from the original, but on closer inspection, the NGP has a ton of new features. The brilliant 5-inch OLED display is fully touchscreen capable of handling multi-touch gestures, just like a smartphone. The device has two new touchpads on the back of the console, allowing for more user interaction in the game. This is complemented by the addition of another analog stick (now one on each side of the screen) that looks much more like the traditional PlayStation controller.
There are now two fully built-in cameras, one on the front and one on the back, for taking photos for use in amazing AR games. The built-in microphone, electronic compass, Bluetooth and 3G support greatly outweigh the features. And if that’s not enough, the entire device has built-in motion sensors, which react when the device is tilted or turned. With all these new features, better processing power for games that feel almost like PS3 and all the original PSP features like; Internet browser, PlayStation Network (PSN), Wi-Fi. You definitely won’t be disappointed with Sony’s new PSP NGP.
The Nintendo 3DS is an impressive piece of gaming hardware that builds on the success of the DS and DSi. Of course, the 3DS’s main selling point is its ability to let users play 3D games without the need for glasses. This feature can be adjusted with the ‘3D depth slider’, which allows the user to increase or decrease the 3D effect to find a suitable level that is comfortable for their eyes, and the entire effect can also be turned off entirely. But this is not the only selling point of this device. The 3DS also has three cameras! One on the front, so you can take photos without turning the device, and two on the back, so you can take photos in full 3D.
This 3D function of the cameras will allow the user to experience augmented reality games. For the first time, Nintendo has chosen to incorporate an analog controller into its handheld device. This is a very welcome addition, as the D-pad can be a bit awkward to use in certain gaming situations. Full motion controls are built into the system that will react to movement and tilt of the device, allowing the user to play games that have these features. A new feature called StreetPass allows you to interact with other players when you pass them on the street. The 3DS will exchange data with each other, providing new content or challenges from other players.
Both consoles look huge. Each packs a wealth of features into a device you can fit in your pocket. I’d say the PSP NGP has a better feature set than the 3DS, but Nintendo’s gimmick of offering 3D is important.
graphics
Graphic quality has improved exponentially in the video game industry, and the handheld is no exception. These two next-gen devices don’t disappoint, and both offer amazing graphics. But which console has better graphics than the other? Well, in a nutshell, the NPM! On almost every level, the PSP NGP beats the 3DS. We were all blown away when we first saw the 3DS as its graphics looked slightly better than the original PSP, but the latest generation portable PSP has taken it to a new level by promising to deliver graphics that are on par with the first PS3 games. ! PS3 games in your pocket…WOW! Yes, Nintendo 3DS offers 3D gaming, but when the 3D effect is activated, the resolution of the top screen is reduced and the frame rate of the device is reduced by half. Ultimately, the graphics depend on the game you’re playing, which clearly brings us to the next category.
Games
The most important category of all! After all, you’re paying for a console to play, so what games are you going to play? Both laptops are backward compatible, allowing you to play old PSP games on NGP and old DS and DSi games on 3DS. More and more games are being produced to play on both consoles, so the only way to analyze this category is to look at console exclusive games.
PSP NGP Exclusives – 2011
-Unexplored
-Kill zone
– Clean up
– Endurance
– Little Big Planet
-Kings of Hustle
– Hot shot golf
-Obligations
– Little deviants
– Reality Fighters
– Gravity glare.
3DS Exclusives – 2011
– Dead or live dimensions
– Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
– Pilotwings Complex
– Nintendogs + Cats
– madden football
At the time of writing, most of the PSP NGP games listed are titles that are in current development due to NGP not being released yet, while the 3DS titles are all confirmed or released. But if you assume that all NGP games release as planned, then I’d say that’s the most desirable list of titles. Add to that that NGP may have the ability to play ported versions of PS3 games, then the games look much better than 3DS. Having said that, Nintendo has said that many classic Gameboy games will be available.
Ultimately, though, this entire category can only be judged based on individual taste.
Price
This is a bit of an awkward category to write about at the moment, as both devices have yet to hit the shelves. That is why these prices are approximate;
PSP NGP………..£250-300. ($410-492). (€282-339)
3DS……………….£229. ($375). (€258)
Prices obviously vary from store to store and currency to currency, and you can buy console bundles with certain games included for a bit more. My advice would be to shop around and find the best price/package for you!
conclusion
These two products will be a must have for any hardcore gamer, but ultimately most people will only buy one of the two. I have very divided opinions on the two handhelds. I think Sony’s offering is the superior system with a better selection of games, however, Nintendo’s offering allows users to play games in 3D and for a much cheaper price. The 3DS will certainly sell more units than the NGP, but that doesn’t make it any better. Ultimately, only you know which you would prefer, so which do you think is better, the Sony PSP NGP (PSP 2) or the Nintendo 3DS?