Nothing brings out the drooling, insipid fools like a good old-fashioned system war. Looking at the recent news of Sony's intention to reach six million PSP units, one has to wonder how they figure. There hasn't exactly been a flood of great games on the PSP (Grand Theft Rehash is the only game of any note). Not only that, but you have to buy your movies again to watch them (with a severe lack of any anime aside from a few movies and Cowboy Bebop), the price is obscene, and prospective owners must fork over an additional $100+ if you want to use the MP3 player for more than three songs (or an additional $50 if planning on the $300 giga pack). Compare that to the DS, if you will. It's only $130 without a game, or $150 in the Nintendogs or Mario Kart DS bundles. It has a phenominal library of games native to its own format, and has the only supplimental feature that matters to me, namely the ability to play Game Boy Advance games. The only shortcoming the DS really has is the inability to play Game Boy/Game Boy Color games, but that's a relatively tiny shortfall compared to the PSP's long list of problems. Before talking any further, I would like to make my collection of DS and PSP games clear, so that no one thinks I'm talking out of my rear end. Therefore, without further adeu, I bring to you.... YukoAsho's Handheld Library As of 1:50 AM, on the twentieth day of the month of December, in the two thousand and fifth year of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (By the way, was that melodramatic enough? I might use it in the future) DS games: Super Mario DS Advance Wars: Dual Strike Ridge Racer DS Lunar: Dragon Song Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow PSP games: Metal Gear Acid WipeOut Pure Legend of Heroes Okay, I'll admit that I've only started paying attention to the current handhelds somewhat recently. However, the phenomenal lineup of games coming up has me set to redirect my funds from the home consoles. Therefore, let us look at... YukoAsho's Handheld Wishlist As of 1:57 AM, on the twentieth day of the month of December, in the two thousand and fifth year of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Told you I'd use that again) DS games*: Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time Resident Evil: Deadly Silence Trauma Center: Under the Knife Mario Kart DS Kirby: Canvas Course Metroid Prime Pinball Final Fantasy III Tales of the Tempest PSP games: Popolocrois Megaman Powered Up Megaman Maverick Hunter X Metal Gear Acid 2 (*: Please note that I would put Pheonix Wright in there as well, but certain handicaps prevent me from fully using the voice recognition capacity) Notice how small the PSP list is compared to that of the DS? The reason is simple: The games mostly suck for the system, and show little sign of improving. Why would I want to buy the handheld Grand Theft Auto when the console ones control better? Why would I want a Madden game that has absolutely nothing going for it over the PS2, GameCube and Xbox versions other than the possibility of the system conking out in the fourth quarter because of the miserable battery that it has? Even Resident Evil: Deadly Silence and Final Fantasy III are bringing new elements that differentiate them from their console origins (though admittedly that's not so hard with Final Fantasy III...) What does the PSP offer by contrast? One anime RPG, two Megaman games and the sequel to what is admittedly the most oddball use of a popular franchise in the history of history (though Metroid Prime Pinball does come close... Another subject for another blog, perhaps?). Is there really any comparison to make? The DS, while inferior from a purely technical point of view, is the superior system for video game fans. It has more top-tier titles than the PSP will likely ever have, and is cheaper to boot. It's clear who the winner in this system war is going to be. Before I leave, I have to discuss the whole "DS is kiddy" rant that some have used to justify their allegence to the PSP. Yes, it is true that there are no M-rated games for the DS (Though that is set to change with Resident Evil: Deadly Silence). However, I have to stress that this does not make the system "kiddy." I'll give you an argument I used in a System Wars thread (yeah, I know, I'm insane for even thinking about going there). There is a difference between "kiddy" and suitable for all ages. "Kiddy" implies that there is simply no chance for the game to be enjoyed by someone above the age of 12. Suitable for all ages means that anyone of any age can enjoy the game and be entertained without any reasonable chance of being offended, provided the game is given the benefit of an open mind. Given this distinction, the DS linup is certainly not "kiddy." People who can't enjoy games like Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow or Advance Wars: Dual Strike because they lack blood, breasts and swearing are not gamers. They're simpering, brainwashed mainstreamers putting their money wherever Spike TV tells them to. They are not to be taken seriously, but rather to be pitied for their inability to form complex thought of any kind. To quote Violent J: "I wouldn't trade ten Juggalos for a hundred thousand mainstream fans." I'm sure Nintendo shares Violent J's philosophy.