Nintendo DS or PSP, help for a Dad!

[Leggy]

My son 9 wants a DS but I think that surely the new PSP is better?
He says it has better platform games.
Can anyone offer any suggestions as I don't want him to waste all his savings!

[davido140]

hes right, the games a lots better on the DS. There are a lot more suitable ones for his age range too. Many many psp games are 15/18 rated.

The PSP is technically the better bit of kit (graphics, sound, media player, wifi, etc etc) but the better software on the ds trumps it every time.

My 7 year old has both, PSP barely gets a look in since we got the DS.

[escargot]

My lass has a DS, she seems to enjoy it. I've always thought it was a bit girly though (could be because it's pink however).

[LukeBird]

DS is great fun!
Get him one, he'll love it!

[Steve Evil]

Another vote for the DS, the PSP is the one your average non-gamer would go for as on the surface it looks like the better machine, with fancier graphics and media gubbins, but the DS is the purists machine and has the most entertaining games on it, you only have to look at worldwide sales, the DS is outselling every other console.

[pastrana72]

my seven year old has a DS and we all love it, great piece of kit, fantastic games. The PSP is good but for games for my son's age, DS beats it hands down.

I have to admit i play the DS as much as him as well,

[GI Jnr]

I've got both and the DS is the one I take on overnight work trips.

[Skittle]

I have both and love em both. If you go for a DS make sure you find out about R4DS cards or M3 Simply.

If you go the PSP route you can put custome firmware on it - it allows me to play all my old SNES favourites, including some of the best platform games there have been

[Leggy]

Thanks guys really useful. Looks like a DS then. But whats the "R4DS cards or M3"?

[Mr E]

Steve Evil said:

Another vote for the DS, the PSP is the one your average non-gamer would go for as on the surface it looks like the better machine, with fancier graphics and media gubbins, but the DS is the purists machine and has the most entertaining games on it, you only have to look at worldwide sales, the DS is outselling every other console.

I'd call myself pretty hardcore, and I have a PSP over a DS. Mainly for that screen...

[8]

Leggy said:

Thanks guys really useful. Looks like a DS then. But whats the "R4DS cards or M3"?

They are cards which go in the game slot of the DS and have a micro SD card slot in them. It allows you to use homebrew apps and games on the DS and also to view pictures and play music and movies. Depending on your moral standpoint you can also use it to play DS Roms (ie full DS games you can download). I have an M3 for mine and its pretty impressive. The M3 and the R4 are virtually identical, so if you are looking for one just go for the best deal.

[Steve Evil]

Mr E said:

Steve Evil said:

Another vote for the DS, the PSP is the one your average non-gamer would go for as on the surface it looks like the better machine, with fancier graphics and media gubbins, but the DS is the purists machine and has the most entertaining games on it, you only have to look at worldwide sales, the DS is outselling every other console.

I'd call myself pretty hardcore, and I have a PSP over a DS. Mainly for that screen...

Well you're obviously not hardcore enough...

I have both!

[ScottRod]

I'd go with the PSP for its functions, but for a child of 9 i have a niece who always goes for my DS Lite over the PSP. Thats also a good thing really since the software made for the DS are more education and harmless fun games. Whereas the PSP was always supposed to appeal to the more adult end of the market.

Another DS vote.

[Leggy]

Thanks again, son now has DS and is as happy as a pig in sh1t!