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[Amir0x]

Agreed, which is why I still say the GBA is worth getting just for those great games. But really, the quality control on that platform is appalling. I haven't bought a game for it all year, just because there's been hardly anything released lately that's worth picking up.

But see, to say the GBA has one of the worst game libraries ever is just straight out false if you agree that the games I listed are quality. That's a VERY good game list, despite the fact that there ARE indeed over 600 GBA games.

You and a select few other people fail to forget that whoever is the market leader will end up with disproportionate amount of shit. This is the Golden Rule. NES was the market leader. It has thousands of games. Of those thousands, maybe there there were hundred worth playing at the time, and there's only like thirty games that even come close to standing the test of time. What about the SNES? Jesus Christ, have you SEEN the shit on this console? It's about five trillion lame, unfettered wannabe Mario platformers. It's horrific. And yet some of the very best games were released on the SNES. Would you call the SNES a bad system? Yet of its 500 games, maybe 40 are worth playing at the end of the day. What about PSX? Sure, maybe 45-60 PSX games are worth playing. But how many PSX games are there? A thousand?

It's ALWAYS going to be that way. The market leader not only gets the largest amount of quality titles, it also gets the largest amount of complete and utter shit. It's the way of the world. There's no reason to go around proclaiming something has the "worst library ever" simply because this rule remains true even on handhelds.

That's all I have to say on that subject.

Plus, PSP will be MUCH more expensive to develop for(and the games are sold cheaper than console games mind you.) I think one reason why Nintendo stayed with older tech is to keep dev costs down and the hardware cost down, thus we get cheaper games, quicker dev times on games, and Nintendo doesn't have to bleed money like Sony will with the PSP. Nintendo's strategy just seems to make waaaay more sense from a business stand point then Sony's....

My love of Nintendo DS aside, I honestly don't think you have a grasp of what the market wants. It has been proven, consistently, that in the absense of competition people accept lower tier of technology. However, in the shadow of competition consumers are far less likely to accept inferior technology - especially if the technology is a generation behind. The casual consumer STILL has a perception that the PS2 is good technology, which is one of the primary reasons, let me add, that consumers overlooked the Dreamcast.

The same will hold true in the handheld market. In the case of gadgets, handhelds, music players... superior technology is important. This is not the ONLY thing that factors in, of course. Price range is important. And the PSP happens to be in range of the DS.

Am I saying the Nintendo DS will be a failure? Absolutely not. I think it has a very good chance of succeeding on some level, at least in that it'll end up a profitable venture for Nintendo. But if Nintendo holds the same attitude you have, they're in trouble.

 

[iced lightning]

I understand where you're trying to go, your choice of words is just 'unfortunately over-reaching'. Will the touch be better than an analog stick for those types of games? Absolutely. As for the reasons why it won't be close - count the degrees of freedom you can reach with a mouse keyboard action versus those attainable with the touchscreen. The DS controls will be competent but not approach the capability of a mouse keyboard setup.

Yeah, you have more degrees of freedom with a mouse but there is also a much bigger screen. As far as the DS goes you can pinpoint anywhere on the screen with the touch screen... so what would be better for a portable system?

The fact that the DS already has the best controls for the FPS market over the PSP is quite a nice perk already. I just think it's silly when people call it a gimmick, yet it's already achieved this.

 

[JoDark]

IF you can afford the DS in this insanely crowded fall of killer Console titles (MGS3+Halo2+Metroid Prime 2 = cost of DS HW for us all console owners)...

Then the DS is a kick ass thing to buy. Mario 64DS, and it's sweet mini games; PLUS (and this is a big one folks) a FAR FAR better screen from my beloved GBA collection, makes this a system I am excited to buy tomorrow. New harware is fun to buy, it's a big rush. I persoanlly can't wait.

But that's me. I spend a few thousand on games and systems every year. I will buy the PSP the day it hits as well. I will buy the Xbox 2, and I will buy the PS3, the revolution, etc. etc.

What bothers me most about all of this, is that some of you would bash Microsoft for releasing the Xbox 2 after 4 years (if it happens), and yet it's OK for Nintendo to release a new handheld every fucking 18 months over the last 5 years or so.

Don't get me wrong, this is fine with me, just a note on the somewhat synical nature of these boards. But of course, that is also one of the reasons I love coming here

Minor diversion in topics, sorry!!!

As for the Ridge Racer comparisons. Does anyone really care??? I LOVED RR1, and Rage Racer was one of the best racing games ever. FOR THE TIME. Driving games are an interesting genre, they don't age well. At all. Go play Super Mario Bros. Damn, it's still fun, what do you know!! Now go play Pole Position. Or Outrun, or Ridge Racer 1. Racing now requires some level of Physics to "feel" like a racing game. And for me anyway, Mario Kart doesn't count, it's not really a racing game, and I am pumped to play that on the DS. As for real racers, I want GT4 on the PSP. THAT will suck a bit of battery life

Speaking of battery life. The DS is "6-10 hours". The PSP is "4-6 hours, less if you push the HW". You know what. I liked the Gamegear, the Lynx (california games!!!), and the Nomad. Each of these was a 4-6AA battery killing machine, getting 2 hours on a good day. And I had a blast playing them. Bring on the PSP, 2+ hours of RECHARGABLE battery life is just fine with me thank you.

RANT almost over.

If there is one thing that bothers me about the DS, it's that it does not have an analog stick. Nintendo made such a huge stink over the stick, and how Mario 64 would only be possible with the stick. Now we have touch the glass "analog"... This is the biggest mistake of the DS, IMHO of course.

Anyway, buying tomorrow, and excited about it! I'm just happy that I can afford all of the gaming greats coming out this year, and still have some $$ left over for some new HW fun. It's the start of the next wave of new HW, handheld and console. And I LOVE IT!!!!!!

 

[Mrbob]

I thought you were busy playing Halo 2 ..

More Half Life 2 than Halo 2 right now, but I'm not at home and can't play either.

who are to judge that the DS is overpriced?

Nintendo fans who keep on insinuating that Nintendo can magically slash 50 dollars off the retail price of the DS 3 months after it launches.

 

[Phoenix]

The same will hold true in the handheld market. In the case of gadgets, handhelds, music players... superior technology is important. This is not the ONLY thing that factors in, of course. Price range is important. And the PSP happens to be in range of the DS.

WHile superior technology is important, I think you are greatly over stating its importance compared to marketing, price, content, etc. History is littered with cases where superior technology has been trumped time and time again. The most recent example (the iPod) shows this very clearly. It is neither the cheapest, nor the superior technology - but it attained mass market status before anything else and that alone will drive it for another couple of years. One of the first lessons of consumer marketing is that the consumer is not soverign, and has behaviors which are difficult to predict.

One thing that will no doubt be a problem for some is that for a portable device, the PSPs battery life may be insufficient so even though the PSP may be superior in some ways - it may not be practical enough to warrant purchasing. Personally handhelds in general have limited appeal to me because I rarely have a chance to actually use them, so for me its not as much of an issue so I would be aiming for multi-functionality and content if I were to pick one up. This points me in the direction of the PSP at the moment.

 

[Phoenix]

Yeah, you have more degrees of freedom with a mouse but there is also a much bigger screen. As far as the DS goes you can pinpoint anywhere on the screen with the touch screen... so what would be better for a portable system?

For a portable system you don't have the same choices. If you have one hand on the keyboard and the other on the mouse, your DS will lay broken on the floor I only took issue with your claim that it rivaled mouse/keyboard. I think it surpasses the capability of anything the PSP will be capable of in those genres.

The fact that the DS already has the best for controls for the FPS market over the PSP is quite a nice perk already. I just think it's silly when people call it a gimmick, yet it's already achieved this.

Indeed it is a nice perk - I just don't see myself playing a FPS on either. Personally I don't see the touch as a gimmick - just the second screen. I'm sure it will have its uses, but nothing that simply split screening a larger screen wouldn't have accomplished as well.

 

[Amir0x]

WHile superior technology is important, I think you are greatly over stating its importance compared to marketing, price, content, etc. History is littered with cases where superior technology has been trumped time and time again. The most recent example (the iPod) shows this very clearly. It is neither the cheapest, nor the superior technology - but it attained mass market status before anything else and that alone will drive it for another couple of years. One of the first lessons of consumer marketing is that the consumer is not soverign, and has behaviors which are difficult to predict.

Ah, but the iPOD has two things going for it - "cool"/"trendy" factor and superior design (few mp3 players have been able to mirror the ease of use the iPOD has, in terms of ingenuity). At least in terms of "cool/trendy", Nintendo doesn't exactly have a great track record anymore. Sony, as we all know, does.

One thing that will no doubt be a problem for some is that for a portable device, the PSPs battery life may be insufficient so even though the PSP may be superior in some ways - it may not be practical enough to warrant purchasing.

The thing is, I doubt casual consumers are going to make a big enough note of the battery life before they purchase the PSP. I honestly don't. This is something that you and me worry about a bit more than the casual consumer does. Because, let's be honest, the casual consumer won't be playing the PSP for more than 4 hours at a time anyway; that amount of extended playtime is more the hardcore front.

And, by the way, it's not that the PSPs is inferior with its battery technology. Quite the contrary; it's battery is as good as what the DS offers. The difference is the PSP technology is much more powerful and is a larger strain on that sort of battery.

But you knew that already

Personally handhelds in general have limited appeal to me because I rarely have a chance to actually use them, so for me its not as much of an issue so I would be aiming for multi-functionality and content if I were to pick one up. This points me in the direction of the PSP at the moment.

I am a consumer whore. I will buy both the DS and PSP. They both excite me for different reasons, of course. I love Nintendo and really can't wait to see what they will offer us in the long term. They certainly will be innovating.

 

[Kobun Heat]

Between Feel the Magic and Wario Ware Touched!, I doubt I'll be lacking in compelling applications for the stylus this year...

 

[Renegade]

The most recent example (the iPod) shows this very clearly. It is neither the cheapest, nor the superior technology - but it attained mass market status before anything else and that alone will drive it for another couple of years.

I question this. The iPod had recieved accolades in the geek circles for it's audio clarity, and it's chic-ness attracted the more non-geeks. It hit at a right time where most people are downloading music on the net, and it was marketed everywhere (Rap videos, Rock videos, commercials). Attractiveness and marketing were definitely 2 things the iPod had going for it, and it was out for more than a year before it began to 'boom' and appear in the mainstream eye.

In relation to the DS, If Nintendo markets it correctly, I could see it doing well, and it's out before the PSP. The PSP is very chic and multipurpose. It could gain mass market attention very easily.

 

[iced lightning]

For a portable system you don't have the same choices. If you have one hand on the keyboard and the other on the mouse, your DS will lay broken on the floor I only took issue with your claim that it rivaled mouse/keyboard. I think it surpasses the capability of anything the PSP will be capable of in those genres.



Indeed it is a nice perk - I just don't see myself playing a FPS on either. Personally I don't see the touch as a gimmick - just the second screen. I'm sure it will have its uses, but nothing that simply split screening a larger screen wouldn't have accomplished as well.

Well, obviously we're talking in terms of portable gaming here... so I kinda figured people would understand when I said rivaling mouse/keyboard setup. Holy shit, it's not hard to understand this.

Why would you complain about the fact that the touching surface is actually a screen as well? It will obviously come in handy when you're touching something that you need to look at, such as menus. It's a nice bonus that will open up even more possibilities in the future and is no reason to be looked down upon.

 

[Phoenix]

Well, obviously we're talking in terms of portable gaming here... so I kinda figured people would understand when I said rivaling mouse/keyboard setup. Holy shit, it's not hard to understand this.

Not hard to understand the definition of rival. You say it rivals a mouse/keyboard, it has to rival mouse/keyboard. I mean the English language isn't that hard to understand.

Why would you complain about the fact that the touching surface is actually a screen as well? It will obviously come in handy when you're touching something that you need to look at, such as menus. It's a nice bonus that will open up even more possibilities in the future and is no reason to be looked down upon.

So.... when I'm touching the menus I'm looking at the touch screen and not the mainscreen. So I could be touching a trackpad and seeing the response on the mainscreen. Are you going to be looking at both screens at the same time? If not, what value is there in having a second screen. All of the action is going to take place on one screen or the other. Its like putting a touchscreen on a laptop - I see no value in doing so.

 

[iced lightning]

Christ... do you even know what rival means? Here's a couple definitions for you:

1. One who attempts to equal or surpass another, or who pursues the same object as another; a competitor.
2. One that equals or almost equals another in a particular respect.

And yet again you complain about the fact that they added another screen... it's already improved many games by putting a map down there, or in the case of Mr. Driller you can see further down the puzzle, which makes it a lot more fun.

 

[lexy]

The biggest problem with the DS is Nintendo's own insistence that it isn't a follow-up to the GBA and that the real GBA2 will come out later. It limits the DS's appeal to hardcore Nintendo fans and the gotta-own-it-all gamers (like myself). Just my opinion ofcourse.

I'll probably end up buying a DS but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.

 

[krypt0nian]

Looks like the usual Idiot Show here with people claiming that the GBA has the worst library of games of all time or some other shit. :lol

Biggest number of AAA games this gen? Exactly.

 

[kaching]

Personally, I would have preferred one screen that combined the total pixel resolution of the two separate screens on the DS, the one screen still being a touch-enabled. You'd still have all the screen real estate you have now to do two separate things, just side by side instead of one on top of the other. Of course you could still rotate the handheld 90 degrees for apps that you want to be vertically oriented.

 

[Kobun Heat]

I've said this before, but: I think the dual screens grew out of the touch screen concept. When your hand is in the way using a stylus, it can be tough to see what's going on on the screen. Hence the addition of the top screen -- so you can have a clear and unfettered view while you're using the touch control.

Examples? Pac-N-Roll, where the action takes place on the top screen and the lower screen is used for control. Feel The Magic, where (for example) you're clearing rubbish off the lower screen while characters on the top come down towards you.

As an effort to retrofit an existing game into a new control setup, Super Mario 64 DS is not bad. It's not perfect, but how could it be? Also, I simply don't believe it'll be indicative of the type of content we'll see on the DS post-launch, if only for the fact that Nintendo just doesn't have that much in the way of N64 content that they'd want to port to the DS. Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask ended up on the GameCube, Mario Kart is getting an all-new entry...

 

[Che]

Looks like the usual Idiot Show here with people claiming that the GBA has the worst library of games of all time or some other shit. :lol

Biggest number of AAA games this gen? Exactly.

IAWTP

 

[Christoff Yurievich]

The DS just seems so unorganized. Who launches a system on a SUNDAY? Maybe they'll catch the After-Thanksgiving store rush since the DS launches a couple of days after Thanksgiving. (If it still is going to be released this year)

while I'm sure somewhere in this 5 page thread this has been taken care of, I just want say my little bit:

the 21st is tomorrow. Tomorrow is before Thursday. Therefore, tomorrow is before Thanksgiving and the DS will be launched before Thanksgiving.

As for the still going to be released comment, people were buying games for it two days ago. I'd say that if the system wasn't going to come out until next year they 1) wouldn't be buying games for it because 2) there wouldn't be games for it.

 

[Kobun Heat]

The DS is one of the most coordinated, skillful rollouts of a system in history. Advertising is good, third-party support is solid, buzz is good, and the thing's presold out most places. They'll have a million units on shelves by Christmas.

 

[Soul4ger]

The DS is one of the most coordinated, skillful rollouts of a system in history. Advertising is good, third-party support is solid, buzz is good, and the thing's presold out most places. They'll have a million units on shelves by Christmas.

We're presold out until FEBRUARY, as will most EBs be after this coming holiday weekend. I can't believe how many posts there are on this forum about NOT buying a DS, or NOT covering a DS. Sheesh, talk about the ultimate damage control.

 

[krypt0nian]

We're presold out until FEBRUARY, as will most EBs be after this coming holiday weekend. I can't believe how many posts there are on this forum about NOT buying a DS, or NOT covering a DS. Sheesh, talk about the ultimate damage control.

Soon they'll be posting that all the units sold are all to nintendo diehards and then after than its for replacement units becuase the launch units were faulty, all this while sales numbers are huge and growing.

Then another bitchfest and another......while the world goes on and the DS is a silly huge success.

I love me some GAF!

 

[lexi]

Only on GAF would the DS launch look shit in comparison to the PS2 launch. They're practically carbon copies, save for a decent first party launch game for the DS.

 

[Floyd]

All of the action is going to take place on one screen or the other. Its like putting a touchscreen on a laptop - I see no value in doing so.

I see the second touch screen on DS as the equivalent of a mouse mat on PC. Only its animated and visual as well.

They created an area for you to work your stylus. Just like you work your mouse on your mouse pad. It works just like that.

They could have made it one screen but its more convenient that they split the screen so you have your singular mouse mat area to mess with at the bottom, and it isn't interfering with the game world screen above.

 

[explodet]

Kinda hard to believe they announced this thing back in January 2004.

 

[lexi]

Its like putting a touchscreen on a laptop - I see no value in doing so.

A demonstratably excellent use of the touch screen/dual screen. After seeing this, I was most certainly sold on the concept.

 

[Random_Hajile]

I wish Apple would be in charge of the look of Nintendo Revolution...

As for NDS, wish it had the GCN CPU and GPU.

PSP could have easily just used the PS1 chipsets... but SONY sees this as a battle to win s the upped the ante and made it like PS2+

Bet PSP launches for $149 in the Spring here in the USA

 

[seismologist]

I see the second touch screen on DS as the equivalent of a mouse mat on PC. Only its animated and visual as well.

They created an area for you to work your stylus. Just like you work your mouse on your mouse pad. It works just like that.

They could have made it one screen but its more convenient that they split the screen so you have your singular mouse mat area to mess with at the bottom, and it isn't interfering with the game world screen above.

Advantages of the 2nd screen should be common sense but some people need it spelled out. The real benefit of the bottom screen will come when there's hot spots on for you to touch to cycle through pages of different context sensitive menus. Spiderman 2 had the right idea but they need to place where you touch to bring up the full screen map.
Also you use it get real-time full screen detailed readouts while your in game. handheld screens are too small to do PiP in any useful sense unless you want to go blind squinting at miniature text. That's where the bottom screen comes into play.

 

[Speevy]

Bet PSP launches for $149 in the Spring here in the USA

I certainly hope so. MS wil own the market by launching a year early and Nintendo will have caused Sony to bankrupt itself.

 

[Phoenix]

Christ... do you even know what rival means? Here's a couple definitions for you:

1. One who attempts to equal or surpass another, or who pursues the same object as another; a competitor.
2. One that equals or almost equals another in a particular respect.

They aren't almost equal - one lacking significant capability that the other provides.

And yet again you complain about the fact that they added another screen... it's already improved many games by putting a map down there, or in the case of Mr. Driller you can see further down the puzzle, which makes it a lot more fun.

So, explain hot this would be different if you didn't simply have a larger screen?

 

[Amir0x]

I certainly hope so. MS wil own the market by launching a year early] and Nintendo will have caused Sony to bankrupt itself.

:lol :lol

Oh Speevy, you're so funny!

 

[Sriram]

Im not so sure that many games use dual screens and touchscreen well at the same time but you need two screens if you are using a touchscreen.

That way it can be used either like in metroid (touchpad) or like in wario ware (touchscreen).

So, explain hot this would be different if you didn't simply have a larger screen?

You couldnt have one big screen for this from a design point of view. Can you imagine a handheld that was permanently like an open ds?

 

[Speevy]

:lol :lol

Oh Speevy, you're so funny!

Okay, bankruptcy was an exaggeration, but it could easily hurt them.

 

[Amir0x]

Okay, bankruptcy was an exaggeration, but it could easily hurt them.

Well, looking at it logically... it's hard to imagine that either the PSP or the PS3 will be failures. That said, Microsoft launching a "year" or "six months" earlier than the PS3 is definitely not tantamount to instant success. They have to hope that they don't fall into the "Dreamcast Trap". That is, mainstream consumers holding out for the PS3 for hope that it'll offer a better technological advantage over it. And since PS2 is still the market leader by leaps and bounds, this very well can end up happening again if Microsoft takes the plunge. But Microsoft is smart, and they know how to market their products well. I don't think it'd be exactly the same environment.

 

[Mrbob]

We're presold out until FEBRUARY, as will most EBs be after this coming holiday weekend. I can't believe how many posts there are on this forum about NOT buying a DS, or NOT covering a DS. Sheesh, talk about the ultimate damage control.

Well there you have it. Who cares about the rest of the retailers one EB has sold out shipments until Febuary. Good thing we use EBGAMES top sellers as a sure fire guide to what games are selling great and which ones aren't....

 

[Speevy]

Well, if you consider the Xbox 2 and PS3 to be competitors, then it's inevitable that the Xbox 2 will have a larger userbase at the time the PS3 launches. It's not some fanboy wish, just common sense. The thing won't fail.

Frankly I don't know why Nintendo and Sony are waiting until 2006 to launch their systems. What games could possibly make a PS2/Gamecube purchase in early 2006 worthwhile?

 

[Speevy]

Well there you have it. Who cares about the rest of the retailers EB has sold out shipmens until Febuary. Good thing we use EBGAMES top sellers as a sure fire guide to what games are selling great and which ones aren't....

Do you maybe want the DS to fail? Are you predicting that it will underperform during the holidays?

 

[Deg]

The dumb idiots who talk about the ipod like its selling tens of millions need to maybe check the sales and the time it has taken.

I say ban these people. They are a waste of time. Doesnt matter what you say they will carry on trolling till they get banned.

 

[Mrbob]

Do you maybe want the DS to fail? Are you predicting that it will underperform during the holidays?

Yes.

No. Post Xmas it will. Unless Nintendo drops to 99 bucks by March 2005.

 

[Speevy]

Yes.

.

Why?

 

[CrisKre]

I have the system myself and I will say this:

DO NOT underestimate the appeal of this thing.

It is VERY cool. Once some of you play it awhile you probably will agree with me.

I think its appeal come from both things, the two screens and the touchscreen.
I was kinda reluctant to the whole two screen idea myself, but now having the thing I can say it makes perfect sence and it works. I really love the system and cannot wait to see what new things well see on it in the future (just the prospect of a new castlevania and Jump super smash have me salivating)

I will also add that EVERYONE that has seen me play with it or that has tried it was instantly in love with the concept and execution. Its new, well done and it gets attention. I like it.

 

[soundwave05]

Say what you want, but the bottom line is Nintendo is probably going to sell every DS unit they can make (whether that's 1 million or 2 million) this holiday. It is going to be one of the hottest Christmas gifts.

And they're probably going to sell even more GBA SPs, and more GBA SPs than PS2, XBox, and GCN.

In lieu of Sony's more aggressive pricing, yes, Nintendo will likely have to drop the price of the DS to $99 by next spring. But you know, a lot of people on these boards were saying the DS would be $200 just a few weeks ago.

 

[Mrbob]

Why?

Because it fits Nintendos self serving need to want to save the industry by trying to create a problem that doesn't exist. And in doing so they have also created a technologically inferior product.

Having said that, I'll buy one once it is 99 bucks.

 

[soundwave05]

Because it fits Nintendos self serving need to want to save the industry by trying to create a problem that doesn't exist. And in doing so they have also created a technologically inferior product.

Having said that, I'll buy one once it is 99 bucks.

Lets just give Sony credit where credit is due ... they're pushing the boundary using a pretty insane business strategy, but don't tell me you expected PS2 level visuals from the PSP.

When PSP was announced most people were drooling at the thought of PSOne level graphics on the go because that's what everyone expected.

 

[Mrbob]

Lets just give Sony credit where credit is due ... they're pushing the boundary using a pretty insane business strategy, but don't tell me you expected PS2 level visuals from the PSP.

When PSP was announced most people were drooling at the thought of PSOne level graphics on the go because that's what everyone expected.

I thought this before we knew about the PSP or the price differences. Anyway Sony always did say near PS2 level so we wouldn't we believe them? It'll only get better too. 2nd, 3rd, 4th generation PSP titles will look great. Too bad 3D is going to be assy on both portables. DS has no analog stick. PSP has a crappy nub. And neither have a second stick to rotate the camera. Yes you can use the stylus for that but this isn't exactly the most comfortable when you gotta use the touch pad as an analog stick.

 

[soundwave05]

I'll be honest most casual gamers I know don't even use the fuggin' analog, or if they do they don't use it properly (they just push it down full tilt 100% of the time). Most of them seem to prefer the digital for whatever reason ... I think probably because most gamers were raised with the NES as their first major game system.

I would imagine Game Boy Next will probably have a full blown analog stick, but stuff like that really makes no market difference.

The challenge for Nintendo with DS is getting enough good software that uses the touchscreen and appeals to a more causal crowd. I think they really want to position the DS as the system that you can hand off to your girlfriend or your uncle or whoever and they can still have fun with it, so having more "social appeal" games like Feel the Magic I think is the direction they should be pushing for.

 

[Mrbob]

With the advent of 3D gaming coming to portables having a good analog stick should make a huge difference. There really hasn't been a need to use one before now.

Sony should have kept that nub for camera rotations on the right hand side of the PSP. Now we are basically forced to use the Dpad for 3D games and the nub to rotate the camera. At least that is how I hope things go.

 

[Amir0x]

Well, if you consider the Xbox 2 and PS3 to be competitors, then it's inevitable that the Xbox 2 will have a larger userbase at the time the PS3 launches. It's not some fanboy wish, just common sense. The thing won't fail.

Just like the Dreamcast had a larger user base than the PS2 when it launched. In the grand scheme of thing, launching early is only as important as consumers perceive it to be. And don't fool yourself, mainstream consumers can be patient. If they feel that the Xbox Next won't be able to offer them a comparable experience technologically speaking, then they will have absolutely no qualms waiting for another console from a proven console company such as Sony. It's in this that there must be a balancing act, and it's very much going to depend on how good Sony is at capturing the thunder of the Xbox Next launch. And if Dreamcast is any indication of how Sony plays the game, expecting to be looking at early specs and screens and console designs for the PS3 a month or so before the Xbox Next launches.

Frankly I don't know why Nintendo and Sony are waiting until 2006 to launch their systems. What games could possibly make a PS2/Gamecube purchase in early 2006 worthwhile?

I have no idea what Nintendo stands to profit, but Sony can still manage to hold out for another year as the PS2 is still selling extremely well, and then bring out a console that is superior in every way to the Xbox Next.

Sony isn't dumb, Speevy. They're masters of marketing. Never underestimate them. If you underestimate them, you're just going to keep being wrong with your predictions.

 

[crumbs]

Man, some of the Nintendo fans are thinned skinned. They want to talk about how revolutionary the DS and are then shocked to find out some people aren't buying into this obvious gimmick. I don't doubt that the DS will do well commercially, look at how many people bought the original GBA, and was nearly impossible to see the screen. This Sunday a lot of fools and their money will part, but I guess most have money saved from the games they're not buying for the GC.

 

[Deg]

I'll be honest most casual gamers I know don't even use the fuggin' analog, or if they do they don't use it properly (they just push it down full tilt 100% of the time). Most of them seem to prefer the digital for whatever reason ... I think probably because most gamers were raised with the NES as their first major game system.

Its to do with the design of the PS1 and PS2 controllers. Its a different situation on GC and Xbox.

Man, some of the Nintendo fans are thinned skinned. They want to talk about how revolutionary the DS and are then shocked to find out some people aren't buying into this obvious gimmick. I don't doubt that the DS will do well commercially, look at how many people bought the original GBA, and was nearly impossible to see the screen. This Sunday a lot of fools and their money will part, but I guess most have money saved from the games they're not buying for the GC.

:lol

 

[soundwave05]

Well I found even with the N64 controller a lot of people would naturally try and use the d-pad instead of the analog.

I even try and get my friends who are Gran Turismo nuts to play with the analog, but they just prefer the d-pad.

For sports games I do find that even I prefer the d-pad. I love the analog stick, but yeah sometimes I really wonder how many casual joes even use the thing properly or only use it because they're forced to.

BTW, f-ck the "only Nintendo fans are buying the DS", I'd wager a large portion are probably just casual shoppers that are going to buy the DS.