3DS vs NGP: The Comparison

Now that Sony have finally let us in on the secrets of PSP2, or NGP as it's currently known, we thought it was time to line up the two new handheld combatants to see which one deserves more of our love.

Hardware

Normally it would be simple enough to compare the innards of Nintendo 3DS and NGP and pick a winner. NGP has the most juice and even if early claims that it will be able to reproduce PS3 level experiences is hyperbole, it still easily beats out the 3DS. But then there is that 3D factor to take into account. It's the wildcard of the equation and the one factor that makes this category hard to judge.

Another factor that will be important is battery time, Nintendo have announced that the 3DS will require charging after just 3-5 hours (depending on how much of the 3D effect you use) with 3DS software (longer with DS software). Sony have yet to announce the battery time of NGP, and they have a window of opportunity to try and beat Nintendo in a field where they usually come out on top. Early reports state that the battery will last 4-5 hours, but there is still time to optimise this.

Winner: NGP. But Nintendo's 3D tech could ultimately prove the winner here.

Software

There is a lot more software announced for 3DS at this point, including ports of some true classics. Sony meanwhile have been content in lining up the franchises that will appear on the device, out of their own the only ones we miss are Motorstorm, Gran Turismo, Jak & Daxter, and Ratchet & Clank. But we are getting Resistance, Killzone, Uncharted, Hot Shots Golf, Little Big Planet and perhaps most importantly Wipeout. Third party support seems to be there, and if porting current gen games to NGP is an easy task I'm sure we'll start seeing a healthy support from third parties early on.

Call of Duty is confirmed and Sony made a big deal out of that. The folks here at Gamereactor doubt that first person shooters are killer apps for handheld devices, but we have been known to make the occasional mistake. Perhaps Hideo Kojima's cloud gaming project, set to be announced at E3, is the killer app the NGP craves?

So what has Nintendo got in addition to remakes of classics such as Ocarina of Time, Star Fox 64, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, there is original stuff like Pilotwings Resort, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Nintendogs + Cats, Professor Layton vs Ace Attorney, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and Resident Evil: Revelations coming. Other games that have been confirmed are new iterations of Final Fantasy, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Assassin's Creed, Ghost Recon, Super Monkey Ball and Ridge Racer. The fighting genre is also well catered to with both Dead or Alive: Dimensions and Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition.

Winner: 3DS. At least judging by the facts available.

Input

Both competitors have a dizzying array of inputs to consider. Both sport touchscreens, but the NGP also has a rear touchpad. The NGP sports an almost full set of Dual Shock inputs, with dual analogue sticks, d-pad, four face buttons and shoulder buttons (L & R), meanwhile the 3DS has an analogue stick in addition to the standard DS inputs of d-pad, four face buttons and shoulder buttons. Both devices have a microphone and cameras (though the 3DS sports an advantage in being capable of snapping 3D photos). Both devices features gyroscope and accelerometer for motion sensing, and the NGP also has an electronic compass. We doubt anyone will feel the need for more input options with either device.

Winner: NGP. Dual analogues wins the day.

Multimedia

Nintendo and Sony have been known to take different approaches when it comes to multimedia features on their devices. While Sony are pouring on the whole package with things like GPS and 3G (separate SKU), and presumably will be opening up lots of options with PSN such as downloading video content, comics, as well as being able to play Minis, and PSP titles. Little is known about the cameras on the NGP, but we do know that the 3DS cameras aren't really meant for taking photos presented outside of the native 3DS resolution and the NGP will probably have cameras on par with what you see in mobile phones.

Meanwhile Nintendo has an edge by being capable of displaying movies in 3D. It is likely that will we see most if not all 3D enabled movies being released for the device, and in a world where 3D gets a lot of attention this isn't to be scuffed at. Nintendo have also improved the online environment of 3DS compared to DS and streetpass/spotpass and augmented reality features have potential and the inclusions of Miis will make things a bit more personal.

Winner: NGP. Although 3D movies has the potential of tipping the scales.

Design

Looks are important. There is no denying that, and it has to be said that both Nintendo and Sony have taken predictable routes with their new handhelds as they are similar in design to their predecessors. The NGP is looking rather sharp as it is, but on the other hand it is rather large (granted that allows for a stunning screen). Meanwhile the 3DS is sleek once folded together, but folded up it has the same design trappings as the DS.

Winner: NGP. But this was a close one.

Momentum

There is no doubt that Nintendo are carrying a tremendous amount of momentum in the handheld market. Nintendo DS is the most successful handheld product of all time, and the support for 3DS from the developers and publishers is extremely solid. Nintendo are also riding on the current 3D hype, something that will add momentum to the 3DS launch.

Sony has had some success with PSP, particularly in Japan where the device has even rivalled sales of DS for periods. Nonetheless there is no denying that the PSP is and has been dead in Europe and North America for some time and it will be an uphill struggle for Sony to convince those who have abandoned the PSP over lack of meaningful software that the NGP will be different.

Winner: 3DS. Sony need to convince us NGP will do better than the PSP.

Price

The Nintendo 3DS will launch at 25,000 yen in Japan and $249.99 in the United States. Retailers will freely set the price in Europe, but it looks like it will land at £229.99 in the United Kingdom. Rather steep for a handheld, and early adopters will undoubtedly foot the bill for Nintendo's 3D leap. Meanwhile, nothing official has been said when it comes to the price of NGP (we don't even know when it launches). It is only natural to assume it will land somewhere in the same region as Nintendo 3DS, but until we know there is no way to pick a winner in this category. Preliminary reports suggests the NGP could come in at a higher price around $300, but we're likely to have to wait until E3 for the official word.

Winner: None. Pending official price information on NGP.

Overall

The NGP edges out the 3DS by a score of 4-2 (price still up in the air), but that's not the whole truth on the matter. A lot of categories were really close, and these rulings are very preliminary. We do recall a time when most gaming journalists proclaimed the PSP far superior to the DS, and well, things turned out slightly different in the end. Both devices hold a lot of promise and both seem to be getting strong support from developers, which is key for any platform.