Nintendo 3DS or Sony Next Generation Portable: Which One is Right for You?

The handheld gaming war will intensify when Nintendo and Sony release the next generation of their handheld gaming systems, the 3DS and Next Generation Portable, respectively. In this article I will look at the pertinent details of each system, so that you can decide which system will be best for you.

First, A Little History

Nintendo has dominated the handheld gaming world ever since the days of the first Gameboy. Sony made a big splash when their PlayStation Portable debuted in 2005, with impressive opening sales numbers. Even so, it could not hope to overtake the juggernaut that is the Nintendo DS and its multiple iterations. Sony did not do itself any favors with the ill-conceived PSP Go, a version of the PSP without a UMD drive. Even with this misstep, Sony has proven itself to be a major player in the handheld gaming market. They look to be upping the ante with the much more powerful PSP2, which is currently codenamed the Next Generation Portable. Meanwhile, Nintendo looks to hold their front running position with the cutting edge 3D capabilities of the 3DS.

Defining Features of the 3DS and NGP


The defining feature of the Nintendo 3DS is, of course, the ability to watch 3D movies, play 3D games, and take 3D pictures, all without the need for 3D glasses. It will be the cheapest and most accessible way to enjoy the current wave of 3D entertainment, which shows no signs of slowing down in popularity.

The NGP's defining features are its power and the dual analog sticks, which will appeal to more of the hardcore gamer demographic. It will allow developers to make games that look almost as good as the home consoles, along with the same ease of control afforded by the dual analog sticks that home console gamers have enjoyed for years.

Release Dates and Price

Nintendo will definitely have the advantage since the 3DS is coming out in March, and the NGP will not be released until the holiday season at the very earliest. Nintendo will also be the clear winner in affordability, as it will launch with a price of $250, and will most likely see a price drop when the NGP finally does release. There has been no announcement of the NGP's price, but anything under $299 looks to be a pipe dream with how much power it is packing.

The Bottom Line

While both companies have blurred the lines as to who their target markets are, in the end the Nintendo 3DS will appeal more to the mainstream market, while the Sony NGP will appeal more to the hardcore gamer crowd. Wherever you find yourself on the gamer spectrum will ultimately guide your decision as to which handheld gaming system is right for you.