A really big e-mail!

Wow! I can't believe I could write this much! Here, you should read this e-mail I sent in reply to Nick Coteus.

Well, what I think of the PSP is that it isn't very innovative; it uses the same true formula: better graphics, bigger screen, smaller size, cooler look. The NDS is different in that it tries something new: a touch screen and two screens.

In terms of recommending one to get, I can't really say much that I'm 55% NDS and 45% PSP. If you're fairly impartial like me, I can only say you should only consider the longetivity of the system. The Nintendo DS has going for it an excellent and long history of great portable game systems. The PSP has, well, a backing by a big company and a huge fan base that liked the PS2 and PSone.

You'd want the DS over the PSP in game play, the DS, on average, has better ratings for its titles than the PSP.

If you want little extra features, the obvious choice is the PSP, though Game Spy and Walter Mossberg say the little features like music playing, movie viewing, and the photo viewing aren't very good. They're hard to use and the separate cable for connecting to the computer is only available on the website.

Graphics, the PSP is better because it has an easy-to-see widescreen display, and better shaders and textures, almost PS2-like graphics. While the NDS has two 4:3 screens that are about as big as a GBA screen and only offer slightly-better-than-N64 graphics. But it makes up for that with a touchscreen, which makes for precision control in alternative to its digital control, while the PSP can only have digital, which isn't as accurate.

In general, if you want a different and new style of gaming, go for the Nintendo DS. Meanwhile, if you like your games to be portable, the PSP is the way to go.

Personally, I'd prefer you get the DS if you have a choice. In response to your question, the PSP is worth it if you get one of the first million units (they include a free Spiderman 2 movie). It's a little overpriced without that. And, no, I don't know if the price will go down. Probably in about 9 months to a year as history dictates.

Are you having a good time in Mississippi? Did you like Everything or Nothing? Alice misses you, so make sure you send her an e-mail @ gmail. Also, she has a blog. And I have a blog, too. I update it daily with at least 2 posts. Also, I might get Half-Life 2 over the weekend, so I'll probably post about it in my blog.

For more info on PSP ratings:

Game Spy's coverage
What Walter Mossberg says

I hope you have a good Spring Break,

Eric J.

End Message

Well, that was long. And it provides insight on the PSP vs. Nintendo DS issue, too!