Sony recently unveiled PSP 2 New Generation Portable ( NGP) and we should compare between Sony NGP and Nintendo 3DS in terms of features and performance. While Nintendo will revolutionize his 3D feature the handheld world, Sony has the hardware to NGP Power. The graphics performance of the former PSP2 should therefore be in the range of the PlayStation 3. Both the Nintendo 3DS and the new PlayStation Portable include motion sensors.
On the back of the NGP are additional touch pads, which are also used in games. New on Nintendo 3DS is the slide-Pad, which allows continuous 360-degree control. The new PlayStation Portable NGP scores in this respect with two mini-analog stick.
Features
The Nintendo 3DS has an obvious selling point, right there in the name, you can play games in 3D like PS3 Update. A slim barrier in the screen covered in tiny slits fires two separate images out the 3DS’s display. Line your eyes up with those two images, and enjoy a cool tri-dimensionalised effect.
Hardware
The Nintendo 3DS packs some rather tasty gubbins into its clamshell bodice, the 3.5-inch display up top has a resolution of 800×240 pixels (split between each eye during 3D gaming), and a PICA200 graphics processor inside. Then there’s the second touchscreen, Wi-Fi, gyroscope and accelerometer too. In short, it’s a capable little box of tricks.
Battery life
The 3DS’ battery life is frankly pathetic. Allegedly, this 3D gaming powerhouse will only muster up 3-5 hours of playtime before giving up the ghost. That’s not great for a mobile device, to say the utter minimum. We don’t know about the NGP battery performance, but we’d wager it won’t be much better, with a 5-inch OLED display to cater for.
Both Nintendo 3DS and NGP have motion sensors. So that the console is always connected to the Internet, Sony focuses on the 3G function of the NGP. To use the feature, but you need a sim card of a provider.
| Features | Nintendo 3DS | PSP2/ NGP |
| CPU | 2x 266MHz ARM11* | ARM© Cortex-A9 core (4 core) |
| GPU | PICA200 133MHz GPU, 4MB dedicated VRAM* | SGX543MP4+ |
| External Dimensions | 134 mm x 74 mm × 21 mm | Approx. 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth) (tentative, excludes largest projection) |
| Screen | 3.53 in (90 mm), 800 x 240 px (effectively 400 x 240 WQVGA per eye) at 24 bit color, 3.02 in (77 mm), 320 x 240 QVGA at 24 bit color | 5 inches (16:9), 960 x 544, Approx. 16 million colors, OLED, Multi touch screen (capacitive type) |
| Rear touch pad | not available | Multi touch pad (capacitive type) |
| Cameras | 2 Rear (3D), 1 Front camera | Front camera, Rear camera |
| Sound | Built-in stereo speakers, Built-in microphone | Built-in stereo speakers, Built-in microphone |
| Sensors | 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, microphone | Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), Three-axis electronic compass |
| Location | WiFi | Built-in GPS, Wi-Fi location service support |
| Wireless communications | Integrated 802.11b/g | Mobile network connectivity (3G), IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1×1)(Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode), Bluetooth© 2.1+EDR A2DP/AVRCP/HSP) |
| Price | USD 249, EUR 249 (set by individual retailers) | tba |
If you’re undecided and have to buy just one, we think the 3DS is a smart bet. Then, while you’re enjoying Mario’s latest adventure in glorious no-glasses 3D, you can think about whether you have time to save up for Sony’s toy as well.
