Sony PSP vs. Nintendo DS? Which Handheld Is Better?

Finding the right video game console is not always easy. And with any purchase as expensive as the consoles, spending extra time to understand the decision is important. So the simple question for anyone who is looking at a handheld for themselves or someone else is, "Which is better, the Nintendo DS or the Sony PSP?" Yet, there is no true correct answer for everyone, only the best choice for each individual.

The first question for any handheld is going to be that of computing power. In this case, the PSP is the clear winner. This means that things like the graphics and complexity of the games are better. It also removes many of the limitations on programmers. Yet, while the PSP has the power to create graphics nearly as good as the Playstation 2, this is only one aspect of the gaming devices and less important in many ways than it was in the past.

Higher processing power also comes with a cost. The more processing your device uses, the faster it will use the batteries. The batteries in the two devices are similar, but the PSP's power usage means that it uses that battery faster. This means that if you plan to use this on long trips or other places where you can't charge it easily, the DS is going to be the better choice; with the DS lite being an even better choice, as it claims up to 18 hours battery life on the lowest brightness setting.

When it comes to features, things become harder to decide. The dual screen on the Nintendo is popular among a lot of people and has created a lot of interesting options for developers, but it requires specifically designed games in order to take advantage of it. That said, the clean simple controls of the PSP are far more similar to controls of a typical system allowing more traditional games. This generally means that the PSP is better for hardcore gamers while the DS is better for those who want to play more unique games, which generally includes puzzle games and mini-games.

In the end, the best handheld is based on the audience more than the device. In most cases, younger children and those who play fewer video games will prefer the DS, while those who want the experience of a console in portable version will find the PSP better. It is also important to look at the library of games for each of these devices, because no video game system is better than the games.