Written on Jan 22nd, 2006 by Dave

Posted In: Sony PSP Games, Sony PSP News

Nintendo DS Games vs PSP Games

ButtonMashing has been adding the ‘good press vibe’ thats been heading Nintendo’s way for some time now. On the back of a good year of Nintendo DS game sales, which has seen Nintendo pretty much take over the whole of the Top 10 for multiformat sales in Japan, sales of the DS unit itself have been strong and, apart from a minor blip, been readily available to buy from high street retailers.

The reason for the strong Nintendo DS sales has been attributed to the strength and variety of the available games, soemthing which the Sony PSP has suffered from since its launch, with only one or two titles that can be considered both original and interesting. Whereas Nintendo have looked to creating new material for the DS that appeals to a wide market, Sony seem to have fallen into the ‘it sold well on the PStwo, lets give PSP owners more of the same’ trap that does nothing for the reputation of the PSP.

“It’s quite simple why the DS is burying the competition - it’s the games, stupid! Sure, the PSP has that sa-wheet looking screen, flashy looks and sleek design, but there’s no games!”

PSP owners will probably be nodding their heads ever so slightly to this, because to an extent its very true. Sony need to take a look at what Nintendo are offering its DS owners and come up with an answer in response to it. PSP owners don’t really want sequels to games that have been available on the PSone and PStwo, they want original games that are not only interesting, but actually suit the nature of the PSP itself.

The Sony PSP is a mobile gaming device, therefore it needs games that can be picked up and played on the move without complex controls and the need to devote hours to learning to work out how to play it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my PSP, and few games I’ve got I love playing, but I can see the gap in the market that Nintendo are truely taking advantage of. Without some strong competition from Sony, there would seem to be little for Nintendo to worry about in the short term.

“The DS is outselling PSP across the world.”

Recent figures suggeste that the PSP is about to take over the Nintendo DS in unit sales, and given that the PSP hasn’t been on worldwide release for 12 months yet, it will be interesting to see a comparison for a 12 month period when both units have been available on all markets.