Finally someone speaks with some sense. Cant wait for Nov. 19.

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Tho theres a lot of negativity about the future of the PSP, at the moment its got a fantastic upcoming lineup.

Final Fantasy: CC
Metal Gear Solid: PO
GTA: VCS
Silent Hill: O
Devil May Cry
Gran Turismo
Jeanne d'Arc

If its still getting outsold a lot by the DS when theyre all out, and support drops, then I'll be worried.

Though I wouldnt care too much as the PSP by then would have a fantastic line up of games. Who cares if the DS ends up with millions more sold.

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I don't know what this guy is talking about, and I doubt he does, either. The fact that there are some truly excellent games on the PSP and that it has more AA+ metascored titles than the DS tends to shoot a gaping hole in the notion that the 'hardware is at fault' or that someone 'didn't think it through'.

A few lengthy load times on some games, sure, but that's true of any disc based system. It's the tradeoff for much more complex environments, higher resolution textures, more animation, more audio. I don't think I've played *any* games with 2 minute load times, and other than starting a game up from scratch, 9 times out of 10 I'm straight back into whatever I was playing thanks to a better battery-saving suspend mode than the DS offers (seriously - my DS is dead in a couple of days in sleep mode, while the PSP can last weeks).

I agree the load times and more techie image of the PSP doesn't appeal to kids as much, although my girlfriend's 8yo daughter does like Harry Potter as much as, if not more than, Nintendogs.

The real strength of the DS in Japan is as I've said before - it's not that the PSP doesn't click with them, or that they don't like it. It's that the DS has this almost cultural history behind it, with icons like Mario and all the other characters fueling stuffed toys, books, keychains, collector figures, you name it The DS Lite fits snugly into that stellar pantheon of easily-recognized plumbers, gorillas, princesses, cute animal people and puppies. The PSP (and Sony in general) have nothing to compare.

This 'Mario Effect' doesn't impact the console market in quite the same way, because the home systems cost more and are seen as more of an investment and less of a portable accessory or toy. Think of a Japanese girl bopping home on a train texting on her Hello Kitty cellphone, Super Gals figure tassle tangling and a pink DS Lite swinging from a colorful wrist strap. It just clicks better for that market segment. Doesn't mean the PSP hasn't made a significant impact, nor does it mean it won't ever see good sales in Japan again (wait and see if they manage to converge GPS and wireless internet with a decent folding keyboard - it'll become a train commuter's dream come true).

Either way, it's a fascinating market and an even more fascinating time. Even if the PSP never gains '#1' status worldwide or in Japan, its mark has been made, and I firmly see it as a positive influence on Nintendo's historically rather complacent attitude toward their most dominant market (handhelds). The next gen Gameboy and PSP2 will make for even more interesting fireworkds, I suspect.

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pixelator, if you don't know what this guy is talking about then maybe you shouldn't attack his argument. It seems like he has some valid concerns and if you want to try and pass it off with some psycho-babble about the 'Mario Effect' that just seems a little juvenile. It's always super cute when the PSP apologists (at this point it's more of a religion anyways) attack the kid friendly image of the DS. Why is that a bad thing? Just because it appeals to kids it can't appeal to adults? I like candy, do children? If they do then screw it, I'm out.

In the end all Mr. Ricciardi said is that there were some hardware issues, production issues, and maybe some communication loss between the consumers and the gaming execs. Is that not feasible? Why is pixelator getting stars for wasting our time with this petulant ranting? I want gold stars! Please validate me!

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I think what pixelator was describing WAS the communication loss between the consumers and gaming execs. The PSP is exactly what it claims to be, a portable playstation experience. Some people fault it for that, I for one like it for that.

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what makes the psp weak (optical drive,...etc),is what in reality makes it strong and unique.

and while sales in japan psp to DS may trail 5:1 it still sells as a solid console and stands strong on good games and excellent hardware.
so it needs better or new marketing. whatever. the psp expands handhelds into a market of gamers that would never consider buying a nintendo portable. (i'm one of them)

everybody relax, it's just one mans OPINION!

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"pixelator, if you don't know what this guy is talking about then maybe you shouldn't attack his argument."

As I said in what I posted, I don't think HE knows what he's talking about. I don't claim to be a marketing guru for what makes the Yen flow, but I'd bet my theory is closer to the mark than blaming it all on the PSP hardware.

I guess you're the same winner who included quickly-deleted gay bashing to your previous hysterical PSP forum trolling. If I'm pissing YOU off, then I reckon I'm doing something right, you intolerant little nerd.

FYI, I never said appealing to kids was bad, nor that the DS was somehow diminished for it. ONLY critical thing I said about the DS was that it doesn't last as long in sleep/suspend mode. And here you're telling me to stick to the actual argument! Strawman calling the kettle black?

"I want gold stars! Please validate me!"

Translation: "I want hard d___! Please f___ me!"

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Wow, somebody challenges you, semi-politely I might add, and you respond with the above post which calls ME intolerant (among other things)? Not only that but you accuse me of gay bashing, which I didn't do in case you cared, and then finish off with a sentence that can't not be considered gay bashing. Is anyone else thunderstruck by the irony? And please don't insult our collective intelligence by saying that you weren't criticizing the DS by equating it to "a japanese girl" accessory. We all know what "insinuation" means. I'd tell you to look it up but you seem to have a nice handle on it.

By the way, any experienced public speaker and/or debater knows that a sure sign of someone losing an argument is when they quickly resort to inane personal attacks and childish name-calling. Just so you know, but if it works for you in the real world go with it.

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Oh, and if you're having such terrible reading comprehension problems, maybe you should stop writing things. For example, in your first post you said: "I don't know what this guy is talking about, and I doubt he does, either." Later you recanted and said: "As I said in what I posted, I don't think HE knows what he's talking about." Nice try though. Not that you'll respond to this or anything. If I ever had my shit pwned that bad I'd have facial reconstruction surgery to look like George W. Bush and go on a Christian mission to Iran.

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you see, maybe pixelator didn't answer politely but i KNOW he is just TIRED (just as everyone else here) of reading things that are not supposed to be found on a site named "PSP FANBOY".
Now, I believe what the main point of this is the next one:
-if you like zelda, mario, pikachu, etc.... buy a nintendo ds, it IS a good choice
-if you think the Ds is better, the BUY a Ds and STOP trolling, if you LOVE your games, go play them...
AS for me, I'll enjoy killzone:liberation and the FREE locoroco demo for stress...(XD)
PEACE!!!
(have you realized we've all acted a little bit childish about this?)

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Dude, my first post wasn't critical of the PSP at all. Why does everyone assume that just because you have an opinion on something you're a ________ fanboy/girl? Mr. Ricciardi was just stating his opinion on why the PSP is underperforming and I agree with him. I'm not saying that Sony couldn't work out some kinks in the next generation, but it is what it is.

Read objectively I don't think that anything I said could be considered trolling. Even if I was who cares? PSP guys do it at DS fanboy, Wii guys do it at 360 fanboy. pixelator of all people has no room to bitch. Only Silver R. Wolfe is second to him at trolling DS fanboy.

Anyways, to answer your question, yes, I do think we've acted pretty childish.

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"any experienced public speaker and/or debater knows that a sure sign of someone losing an argument"

Alrighty, Sunshine. Who initiated the ad hominems? Why, that was YOU:
"if you want to try and pass it off with some psycho-babble ... a little juvenile."

"It's always super cute when the PSP apologists (at this point it's more of a religion anyways)"

"Why is pixelator getting stars for wasting our time with this petulant ranting?"

"a sentence that can't not be considered gay bashing"

Nice try. I simply illustrated the subconscious urges most homophobes have. It goes surprisingly well with being a biased fanboy trolling non-Nintendo forums spoiling for a geekfight. The jealousy, the secret desire to share in the 'other side's' fun, I bet you know what I'm talking about. *wink*

As for your other silliness: I said "I don't know what this guy is talking about and I doubt he does, either." - how you figure I 'recanted' that by saying "As I said, I don't think HE knows" is anyone's guess. Tumor, maybe.

"Dude, my first post wasn't critical of the PSP at all."

Lessee - in a previous thread comment, you said:

"Why is PSP fanboy so afraid of people ripping on the PSP? Is it because deep down you guys know it sucks too?"

Or was that ALSO someone else? Come on, let's hear it: "It was my little brother! I swear!"

Dude, you're a troll. Don't point the troll finger at others just because you got your Nintendo fanboy ass a ripped on. You and the other lurking Nintendrones are pathetic. If you really enjoyed your beloved Ninty games half as much as you hate the PSP, you wouldn't have a fraction of the time (or desire) to bash, flame, hate and troll as you have. And yeah, I still say you're the basher.

Just own up to it and move on. It's not our problem you underestimate the abilities of others to see through your flimsy trollboy facade.

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Oh Jack Tretton, I mean, pixelator, you must work in P.R. That was a truly masterful display of sleight-of-hand and misdirection. My compliments. However, let's assume that "context" is our friend and that the subtle art of reading comprehension is useful in understanding an argument.

I said: "Dude, my first post wasn't critical of the PSP at all."
you said: Lessee - in a previous thread comment, you said:

"Why is PSP fanboy so afraid of people ripping on the PSP? Is it because deep down you guys know it sucks too?"

I never claimed that never in my life did I ever write anything disparaging about the PSP, only that in this particular thread my comments were PSP critical free. The fact that you had to go to another post to find something proves this point quite nicely.

I said: any experienced public speaker and/or debater knows that a sure sign of someone losing an argument is when they quickly resort to inane personal attacks and childish name-calling

you said: Who initiated the ad hominems? Why, that was YOU:
"if you want to try and pass it off with some psycho-babble ... a little juvenile."

"It's always super cute when the PSP apologists (at this point it's more of a religion anyways)"

"Why is pixelator getting stars for wasting our time with this petulant ranting?"

At no point did I make, and this is the key, a PERSONAL attack or call YOU anything derogatory. I criticized your ARGUMENT and called you on some flaws. I never referred to you as a "nerdfuck" which somehow you/somebody else edited to read "nerd", which is still a personal attack by the way. pixelator maybe works for joystiq? That would explain the stars at least, nothing you say seems to.

I can see how the apologist comment can be taken out of context, but what I meant to imply is that gaming in general can be considered a religion.

you said: And yeah, I still say you're the basher.

That's it? I hope to God that you're not somehow employed by or affiliated with anything that has to do with our justice system. Evidence? Proof? Any kind of argument to back this up? Let's throw "sense" out the window also, don't want that fucking up your argument. There's far more evidence that you're the basher. With statements like:

The half-assed disclaimer: I simply illustrated the subconscious urges most homophobes have.

The immediate backsliding: The jealousy, the secret desire to share in the 'other side's' fun, I bet you know what I'm talking about. *wink*

Psychology has a word for this. Projection is defined as: a. the tendency to ascribe to another person feelings, thoughts, or attitudes present in oneself, or to regard external reality as embodying such feelings, thoughts, etc., in some way.
b. Psychoanalysis. such an ascription relieving the ego of a sense of guilt or other intolerable feeling.

What does it mean when you say: "you got your Nintendo fanboy ass a ripped on."

"a ripped on"? What?

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"At no point did I make, and this is the key, a PERSONAL attack or call YOU anything derogatory."

This is what most people would call 'a bald faced lie'. I quoted your original ad hominems. You're like the little kid who punches another kid right in front of the teacher, and then cries and loudly denies doing it despite everyone having just seen it.

Saying I'm 'petulantly ranting' is a personal attack. Saying my 'psycho babble' is 'juvenile' is a personal attack. Saying I'm a 'relgious' level 'PSP apologist' is a personal attack.

You then had the unbelievable balls to say your response was 'semi polite' and that you weren't bashing the PSP. Talk about half-assed disclaimers? This one takes the cake. You don't get a clean slate with every new post you make, and your previous comments show your real agenda.

I have zero patience for you Nintentrolls and I'm done with this - go f___ yourself.

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Of course you're done. I'd do the same thing if I couldn't back up a damn thing that I was ineffectually trying to claim. You're absolutely right, "You don't get a clean slate with every new post you make, and your previous comments show your real agenda." Like yours of being a Sony fanboy. That's fine man, just quit trying to come off as neutral. You're as guilty of trolling as anyone else, so don't get all bitchy and out of sorts when you think somebody else is doing it too. I love how you still can't find one anti-PSP sentence from me on this post.

And I disagree that I'm like "the little kid who punches another kid right in front of the teacher, and then cries and loudly denies doing it despite everyone having just seen it."

I'm more like the guy that goads some idiot into fighting him and then kicks the shit out of him in the name of self-defense.

Great sign off, you're obviously above this and oh-so super mature.

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Pixelator-
I think you need to define "AA+" titles. According to Metacritic DS has more games above 90 (PSP has zero) and more games at or above 85 (12 to 10). PSP has more games at or above 80 (32 to 23), but I have yet to meet anyone with 32 games for a handheld system.

It is also obvious to anyone watching the gaming scene in Japan that the DS is not only relying on marketable characters, but is also creating new hits for new audiences. If Brain Training and the other non-games had not come out in Japan, the two systems would probably be about the same. I can't picture Hello Kitty girls buying the English language training or cookbook or much brain training.

So next time you predictably bring up metascores, try to clarify your comments, and feel free to admit that the DS might be doing well because a company thought outside the box for once, actually understanding what the market wants.

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@16. I use the definition most people do (including Gamespot): AA is 80-89. AAA is 90-99. On Metacritic, the DS has 2 games 90+ (90 & 91 - AW:DS and MKDS). True, the PSP currently has none (Lumines used to be over 90).

For AA+/80+, the PSP actually has 31. I deduct Advent Children because it's not a game. The DS has 23 - I count the three Nintendogs games as one because they're essentially the same.

Another Metacritic fact is that the DS has 20 games rated 49 or below. The PSP has 8. So the DS has more bad games and the PSP has more good ones, simply put. The DS has two AAA titles whereas the PSP has none. Frankly, I don't see either Mario Kart or Advance Wars, neither of which really expand their respective franchises, as AAA worthy, but that might simply be my 'ranting PSP fanboyism' talking.

That's Metacritic.

Gamerankings is arguably more accurate, and with the search set at 1 review minimum, gives the DS 22 80%+ games, 3 of them 90%+. Or, if you insist on counting all (4) Nintendogs games separately, 25 total 80%+ games for the DS and 31 games rated 49% or lower. That's also counting Pictochat as an 80+ title, which is a bit of a stretch, but what the hell.

Gamerankings says the PSP has (with same search settings) 33 80%+ including 1 90%+ (Lumines). Only 7 titles rated 49% or lower.

So again, the meta sites say the PSP has more AA+.

As for the character games vs. the brain games, I'm not saying the latter aren't selling, but they're not the main success of the platform. Yes, the girl market is indeed buying English training, cooking and brain games.

As for 'thinking outside the box' - I just don't see the system as THAT innovative. You're welcome to disagree, but I still say those classic franchise characters are the main draw right now.

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