Will the 3DS and NGP (PSP2) Change The Way We Play?

Since Sony unveiled their newest model of portable gaming there has been talk in gaming circles about the impact such a device will have on the way we buy store and play games. With its new (?) memory card based game distribution mechanic and advances in small screen graphic displays, the Sony NGP seems to be implying that their “portable console” could outstrip the competition in both hand held and console markets.

The Nintendo 3DS with its brave step into the great third dimension is banking on a as of yet virtually untested technology that by some reports does nothing to enhance its already decent game play and in some cases actually detracts from it. Opinions have been varied as to the useability of the 3D in the 3DS. Reports of potential damage to the development of young eyes have been circulating the web and there are still various complaints regarding Nintendo's lack of ergonomic design in its newest DS.

The big question we have to ask is weather or not ant portable system will rise up to overtake the console crowd who seem on the surface at least, to be completely content with its big screen HDTV and wireless control home entertainment all in one boxes. As a gamer myself I personally think that high end consoles will win the day.

Hardware wise Sony's NGP beats the Nintendo 3DS hands down. The unit simply has more beef. Larger display, more control options and some honest to god advancements in control technology make the PSP2 (NGP) a much more robust offering. Recent videos suggest that while the new 3DS graphics are noticeably better then the current model they are rather pale in comparison to Sony's NGP.

In the end I believe it comes down to functionality. The NGP looks to have more usefulness right out of the box while the 3DS will also function as a camera and media player the NGP interface seems more intuitive in the execution of these abilities. In any case I do not believe that either of these new portables will make much of a dent in the high end console market.