looks like Sony finally did something right with the PSp...

[JackFrost22]

No just an online converter. But very insightful sparkfirst.

[makuraken]

Well, since I am in Japan and some people are talking about prices and stuff, I will try to clarify things.
For one in a store or similar places, they display the price of the object... then right below it (normally a text size smaller) the price with taxes. So most my friends look at the price, not price with tax. Sometimes it is confusing and there would be only one sticker on an item so then you are not sure if that is the price with or without tax.
The tax is so strange and weird, I have not figured it out yet. However I do know that a 108 YEN bottle of soda (about US$1.08) is really 198 YEN (US$1.98) with tax. So its kinda strange to see that when I am used to prices being more like .99 then tax makes it above $1.00 to the Japanese system.
However, everything here is expensive ( a unused PS2 is about 25,000 YEN or about $250 US). So just like ramen in the states, buy the cheap stuff. Always better for the same fulfilling feeleing you get after eating (if you understand that, go into Japanese language studies, because when translated, a lot of phrases are like that).
Either way, you better believe I will buy a PSP when it comes out here (even though it will cost me more like $200 US) Just because I like everything about it. Not to say that the DS is not going to be a hit but I lost interest in Nintendo when they made a majority of their games appeal to younger audiences.
Just me and my opinions (except the stuff at top about tax and Japan and stuff, thats true).

[···Agent EQzE···]

Well, I suppose this means I'll be getting a PSP... next year, of course. This year, if I can help it, I'm getting a DS. Sony's marketing is really working...

Of course, one has to remember how parents come into play here. Buying a console one year and another one the next isn't going to fly well with younger children, mostly the older teens and adults will want to have both. And the PSP was already adjusted towards adult markets anyway, so it's not too much of a gain, and especially if they're losing money.

Unless a lot of new, original stuff comes out for the PSP, in the early months much of it will just be PS2/PSOne ports, and possibly movies. At that stage the DS will already have had new stuff coming out for a while. People will still have their opinions either way on which one to buy, but I can't see Nintendo getting out of the market because Sony wins, at least not in this generation. Sony is still new to the market, remember, they haven't made (or been able to make) as many mistakes and learn as much as Nintendo.

Of course, I'd just hate to see Nintendo fade out, so remember I'm just a bias Nintendo fanatic. I still feel comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges, but the market surely won't agree with me.

[Gamelver]

Of course, I'd just hate to see Nintendo fade out, so remember I'm just a bias Nintendo fanatic. I still feel comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges, but the market surely won't agree with me.

I personally think that the DS will be more succesfull because I think it has more appealing features than the PSP. First of all, Nintendo has been the leader of the handheld market for 15 years or so. They've got the great games and even if a certain handheld is less powerful than the rest (read: Gameboy vs the other more powerful, backlit handhelds) they always have at least a few great games for their systems. Secondly, the DS has got a lot of cool features which add to the gameplay, such as a built in mic, touch screen, of course two screens, and also wireless gameplay. If the DS is in sleep mode and another DS in sleep mode is within range, the DS will allert you so that you can battle the other DS owner!!!!!!! Thirdly (I think that's a word.....) the DS can play all the GBA games, so it'll immediately have good games for it. Fourthly (hmmm maybe I'm just making up words here.....) the DS's games are much cheaper, ranging from $29.99 to $49.99. Fifthly (hmmm another made up word ) the DS screens can't get scratched up because it can close while the PSP's screen is exposed. Finally, the DS has a much longer battery life than the PSP.

Now, the PSP is going to be a great system too, when in comes to making a console handheld, with the almost PS2 quality graphics, the ability to watch movies, and listen to songs and stuff. I think the main thing that will make Sony not succeed in the handheld market (at least not beat Nintendo) is the battery life (only 4-6 hours? I think gannon's PS2p has 4 hours of battery life....) and also it's games price tags. They are all $49.99 versus most of the DS games being around $30. Also, who's going to want to rebuy their DVDs on UMD discs? surely not I....anyway I think that Sony is going to make a valiant effort at succeeding in the handheld market, but lack of experience and reputation alone could bring them down. also, they're not focusing on the games and gameplay as much as everything else about the system, like playing movies and a usb port and good graphics.......

*yes, I'm also a Nintendo fanatic , but don't get me wrong, I'm not more in favor for the DS because I like Nintendo, it's just that from what I've heard and because I've actually played the DS, I've chosen what I believe to be the better handheld. when the PSP comes out I'll play it and then I can see if I was proven wrong.

[JackFrost22]

I think that the DS will be a fierce competitor but i can only afford one..

[Gamelver]

yeah, really it's all a matter of what you what in a handheld gaming system......I'm probably only buying a DS, but I've gotta say they packed a lot of power into the PSP.......

[JackFrost22]

I dont really care about battery life I mean 6 hours is plenty for me. Thats a long car ride.

[Gamelver]

yeah, and in a car there's always the adapter.....