Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 16-20 of 142
 300th REVIEW: AFTER PLAYING THIS...WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT A DS? May 19, 2008
Justin Paxton (The vast cornfields of the Midwest)
5 out of 13 found this review helpful
Recently I have posted a review about the Nintendo DS being much more of a children's toy than an actual handheld gaming device. Especially when being compared to the greatest portable gaming /media device to date...the PSP.
Its obvious to anyone interested, the PSP is used for much more than gaming while the Nintendo DS is just another dull, effortless attempt by Nintendo to recycle more of the same. Yes, it is true the Nintendo DS has outsold the PSP so far, but that is mainly do to the lower price tag. After seeing the PSP in action, however, you will be glad you laid down a few extra bucks and got something worth while.
We'll start with the most easily recognizable difference between the two; the graphics. Just one look at the beautiful graphics the PSP displays on its 4.3 inch widescreen display is enough to make the most hardened DS fan want to convert from Nintendo to Sony. The games on the PSP are in the UMD format, which are small CD-like discs that contain either 900MB (single layer) or 1.8GB (double layer) creating much better graphics than the stale format of games the DS continues to use. When compared side the two units are like night and day, the screen resolution on the DS has two 3-inch screens at a mere 256 x 192 pixels, making an already boring gaming device look even more dull. As for the PSP...480 x 272 pixels.
Several reviewers, most notably CNET and Engadget, have claimed the clear winner between the two is a landside, with the PSP coming in way ahead. reporting that:
"...We're sure Sony is losing a few hundred bucks off each unit sold as the PSP easily feels like it's worth $400 of gadgetry, when compared to portable video and audio players and the DS."
After holding each of the two units in your hand it will become immediately apparent how cheap the DS feels, especially with the problematic hinge that most DS owners seem to have a lot of trouble with. Apparently the joint becomes overworked too easily due to poor manufacturing and breaks, leaving the top DS screen a dead white color and completely inoperable .
Sony, on the other hand, tries to keep the moving parts on their handhelds to a minimal, having just a small UMD tray to open in the back. The PSP feels strong ,but at the same time light.
The game selection has been a much discussed topic amongst both Nintendo and Sony fan boys. With games like Grand Theft Auto., Mortal Kombat , Madden NFL...etc.. It would seem the PSP is designed for real gamers while the DS keeps putting out more and more Mario games for the kiddies. So I guess if you don't tire easy with Mario Golf or enjoy playing sports games that are severely hindered by poor graphics and processor speeds the DS will keep you entertained. For real gamers...the PSP will always triumph.
We've all been there...the point where playing video games just becomes too repetitious to play for the rest of the day. What to do now? Well, if you own a PSP you can always kick back and unwind with a movie loaded right onto the memory stick. Not in the mood for a film? Then jam out to your favorite music. If you're still not entertained then flick on the WIFI switch and surf the web.
If you're stuck with a DS, well...looks like its going to be a long flight.
The more I examine the situation, the more it seems the Nintendo DS is something people (mostly children) settle on because they can't afford a real portable gaming system like a PSP. With kiddie games galore and no media capabilities what-so-ever (without starting in with the add-ons) the DS is just a simple children's toy for the easily amused. The PSP, on the other hand, is something that looks, feels, and delivers on every level and doesn't show signs of stopping anytime soon.
If you're in the market for a new handheld gaming system don't settle for an inferior unit like the Nintendo DS. Get something that you can actually enjoy and will have no regrets about. Get the PSP and evolve.
Remember to check out my other review on the Nintendo DS, if you feel the same way be sure to leave a helpful vote to help counteract with the biased Nintendo fan boys who find my review too honest to handle.
A Great System June 5, 2008
Sean (Aurora, Colorado)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Pros:
+A Very Powerful Handheld Device
+Plays music, movies, and allows you to look at photos
+Browsing online is fun
+A lot of accessories available
+Now has a good library of games
+Easy interface and control
+Very detailed screen and large
Cons:
-Online browsing isn't that much fun
-Can't organize a music library and UMDs aren't all that fun to watch, even on road trips
-The battery life isn't long lasting
-The screen is easily damaged
When the original PSP launched back in 2005, it eventually became subjected to heavy criticism. Not necessarily the console itself, but mostly that much of what it did, people didn't see the use for in a handheld system, and the fact that its library of games wasn't incredible. Nevertheless, the PSP has still shown itself to be a powerhouse of a console.
First and foremost, this review is not here to talk about the Nintendo DS. If you would like a review or comparison to the Nintendo DS, I highly suggest you look for reviews under the Nintendo DS or use the forums. Most people on the amazon community will be very helpful in helping you decide on which handheld is the best for you.
The new PSP is much better than the original. It's slimmer, lighter, and a slightly bigger screen that actually makes some of the picture look a bit more crisp. Some games also run a little faster, and that more than helps the PSP out.
What the PSP has best been known for (and criticized the most for) is being a handheld entertainment center. It can do more than just play games. It can play music, go online, play movies, and you can look at photos. This is all built into the system and doesn't require you to purchase any extra peripherals to use. While these are all good and well, they come with slight hitches. You can't organize a playlist when it comes to the music, and while going online is great, it's pretty sluggish when you have to input addresses and such via a keypad function similar to that of a cell phone. Movies are great too, but a UMD on the PSP's small screen isn't enough to replace a DVD or Blu-Ray disc.
Luckily, however, the PSP isn't a home entertainment center and is a gaming console. In that respect it gets the job done. The Slim PSP works because the interface is very user friendly. You can select several things from the main menu to do. Whether it be to play music, browse photos or just start a game. When playing a game you can return to the home menu at any time. The system even sleeps if you suddenly have to put it down. The UMDs are also a great gaming format. There's plenty of space, which makes some games live up to their potential in length, and also pushes how powerful the PSP is. In terms of graphics, it's like walking around with a Playstation 2 in your pocket.
The PSP does suffer from a couple of setbacks. The battery is still pretty short in length. It lasts much longer in the slim PSP than the original, but it still isn't that long lasting. At least you can always check how much battery is left, and when it gets low it'll let you know. Even better for the PSP is that even if the battery dies in the middle of a game, you can just charge it and resume right from where you left off since the console will merely go to sleep.
The other setback with the PSP is that the screen can be damaged pretty easily. In order to protect it you'll need to spend more money on accessories such as a case to protect it. It's also not the most durable system you can buy. You have to be a bit more delicate with it because it's a bit more fragile than most other consoles out there. Luckily, most of you probably won't drop it purposefully, but in case a parent is looking at giving it to a child, you may want to watch to make sure they don't drop it on a concrete or hard surface.
For a couple of years, the PSP has suffered the most from having a fairly tight library. Most of its more notable games were either ported from the Playstation 2 or ported TO the Playstation 2. With the PS2 no longer being the focal point, it has certainly allowed the PSP to grow much more. We're now seeing much better games and much more expanded games. The library is still fairly short on fantastic games, but at least now it's growing as a gaming system. If you're interested in a PSP, now is not a bad time to grab one as there are better games being released and it's been built to last.
The PSP is a good handheld device. With a volley of games to choose from all across the spectrum, the PSP really does serve as a good gaming choice for everyone.
 PSP 2000 Console - Piano Black---just got half hour ago October 5, 2007
H. JIA (Orlando, FL)
4 out of 35 found this review helpful
When I browsed this product two weeks ago. I found some reviews just under the product information (in the same page). I don't know how amazon organizes customers' review. From those reviews I thought this package should come with "PSP system, a game, family guy compilation, a new color, and memory stick." BUT, when I just got my package half hour ago, it made me so disappointed because it came with nothing else except the PSP system (control,battery,and AC power). I can do nothing except internet browsing. BTW, the internet browsing is also not as good as what I anticipated. I thought the browser should have the function to make the webpage fit the PSP screen, but it's not. So you can imagine to view a very big page in that small a screen. I heard that circuit city has one PSP package (not sure if it is Piano black)comes with 2GB memory and one game,... just for $169. I'm thinking to return...
Stronger than it looks October 27, 2007
J. DeJesus (New Jersey)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
The new PSP slim is much stronger than it looks and feels great in your hands. I have no complaints about it at all. Screen is crisp and body is much lighter than previous model.
The Sony PSP 2000 elevates portable gaming to the next level October 28, 2007
Camilo Romero (Miami, FL USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The PSP 2000 is a little more expensive than the Nintendo DS but its game console capability is only the begining. The Sony PSP is a slick portable gaming system highlighted by an impressive wide-screen display and PS2-like graphics. It also boasts built-in Wi-Fi, a Web browser, and the ability to play music and videos, as well as to store images.
This new version appart from being 30% slimer than the original loads games much faster. Another plus is the great variety of games available for any age.
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