Reply #21: Thanks for the great info! To me, the real difference between the DS and.... [View All]

[Kutjara]

...the PSP is that the DS has built up a community of modders and enthusiasts, which, in turn, has motivated manufacturers to produce tons of accessories. Nintendo have stood back and let an ecosystem develop around their product, which fuels a large and growing market for the DS.

Sony's closed-shop approach to the PSP (and ongoing attempts to thwart modders by continually "updating" the software to make the latest and greatest tweaks unworkable) has created a sterile platform that does little more than play games. In my case, after the initial glow had worn off, I put it aside for about six months until I got my PS3. At least now I can download some classic PS1 games to my PS3 and play them on the PSP, but that's more of a nostalgia gimmick than a compelling feature. Sony are promising in future that you'll be able to use the PSP as a remote media player for the PS3 (sort of like a handheld Slingbox setup), but Sony's "one day" usually turns out to be "never."

Nintendo, after a couple of dud generations of console, appear to have knocked two out of the park with the DS and the Wii. PS3s and PSPs are stacked to the rafters in my local Best Buy and Fry's, while my enquiries about availability of a DS or Wii are met with laughter. Oh well...