PSPgo vs. iPhone/iTouch: Are the Comparisons Warranted
Every gamer out there knows the reasoning behind the release of the PSPgo. It is to make the device itself even more portable and appealing to the person on the go. Many have suggested its to capitalize upon the success of Apple’s iPhone/iTouch and the huge success of their App Store. While this may factor into the equation somewhat, it is not enough to warrant the comparisons that I have seen around the web.
Sony would be foolish to not begin making the shift towards the digital distribution route. They are testing the waters to see how successful this thing will be considering they have never released a fully digital gaming device. Since the rumors have already been flying about PlayStation Cloud and the PlayStation 4 being primarily digital download rather than physical games.
The iPhone has been one of the most popular phones out there for some time now regarding the amount of things it can do. It is a phone first, and a gaming handheld second. To be honest it’s not even that good of a gaming handheld. I have both the iPhone and iTouch and while yes it has a couple titles on it that are fun at times, it by no means is my primary gaming device, not even close.
The titles on the App Store are gimmicks for the most part. If you look at the top 50 apps sold it is littered with pointless apps that are either a waste of money or provide about 5 minutes of entertainment. Don’t take any offense to this either, there are phenomenal apps on the store as well, but it’s just that the ones that typically sell the most are some of the most ridiculous ones. They seem to be ones that immature kids would find funny or entertaining.
Sony’s answer to the App Store titles seems to be it’s new PSP Minis that were launched this past Thursday on October 1st. Some of the games that are on the App Store are already appearing as Minis. Hero of Sparta is just one of them.
The PSPgo is a gaming device first and foremost. It’s primary purpose is to play games on it. All of the other features that it has are just icing on the cake. To ridicule the handheld because it doesn’t feature something the iPhone/iTouch does is ridiculous. It’s a PSP at heart, just more portable. I have actually seen people bash it because it doesn’t have phone capabilities. Well if you want to get technical, it does have Skype, but even so. The PSPgo is not a phone, and it stands for PlayStation Portable, not PlayStation Phone.
19 Responses to “PSPgo vs. iPhone/iTouch: Are the Comparisons Warranted”
i hate gaming on the iphone, civ is the only game i’ve even remotely enjoyed on it, must games suck, and are a royal pain to play.
Oddly enough, if I HAD to choose one, I’d probably get the most use out of an iPhone. This is weird to say since I instinctively hate anything apple, and am a hardcore video gamer at heart. But since I live 5 blocks from where I work, and have a PS3, theres no need for portable gaming in my life. What I do need is a good phone that won’t break… so even then, I’d probably just break the iPhone any way.
You’re right though, it is stupid to compare them. I’ve played the iPhone games and PSP games on friend’s devices… and they are in completely different leagues. iPhone games are like playing the stupid flash games on the web to kill 5 or 10 minutes. PSP games are full fledged games that are handy for killing 3 hours while waiting in line at the DMV. Really anyone comparing these things just doesn’t know what they’re talking about any way.
I agree with BigWoopMagazine, there is no need for portable gaming in my life either…but I don’t plan on ever getting the iPhone or a PSP. I’m just waiting to see what happens when the touch screen on these $400 devices start to fail and you have millions of angry customers because they all jumped on the bandwagon so fast. It really is ridiculous how many people think they NEED an iPhone right now just because it’s the new cool thing, it’s just as bad as Twitter and Facebook…stupid trends that I hope die a horrible painful death.
Well, I do agree with the fact they are very different systems, I disagree about comparing them.
There is a huge reason they should be compared actually, competition is very good for a product. Straight up selling the pspgo with no backing would sell a couple, but if you market it as an iphone killer, people are going to want to see which is really better.
None of this even matters. When it comes to going against apple products the only thing you can do is fight image versus image. Nothing else matters at all against Apple products except for the image. If you’re not cool enough, those pathetic trendy bastards won’t want it just to fit in at their local coffee shop at their college.
@makaiookami
Heres a tip on how to make a good point: Don’t lump everyone that owns an iphone into one group, or call the writer a “pathetic trendy bastard” for absolutely no reason. If you want to be taken seriously you just can’t do things like that haha. Notice how I disagreed with the article without calling the writer a pathetic anything, or calling everyone that buys a psp a stupid loser nerd.
Wow. GREAT comparisons. I really enjoyed the article.
5/5
I have the PSPgo, and I’ve played iTouch games on friends’ devices though I don’t own an itouch/iPhone myself. I do have a Macbook Pro, a random assortment of older iPods and I love MacOS X. Still, I prefer the PSP because it has actual console games. It is a gaming console first and foremost.
And about comparing the 360 and the PS3, comparing something doesn’t mean you say they’re exactly the same, it’s finding out what are the differences between them. Of course people continue to compare gaming consoles, would you rather compare the ps3 to a mango? Having something to say no to helps a decision. If you were hesitant about buying a PS3, but then someone told you all the things it has over a different console, you would probably be more likely to buy it.
Well…. look at it this way, it’s absolutely instinctive to want to compare two products. You do it with everything you buy- tv’s, clothes, even groceries. People arn’t just taking these things and arbitrarily comparing them, they’re looking at the PSP Go and thinking “hmmm so what’s the difference with this and other handheld electronic devices?” and then they’re comparing with the closest thing they can find, or that they know of from advertising.
It’s a lot of money, people want to get the maximum return from a pricey investment, so they compare these things and it’s seriously NOT that absurd. Honestly, you know that these electronic devices can do similar things, so when you/they/one looks at them they/you/one decides what they’re going to be doing more frequently.
So you weigh your priorities, phone over gaming? Music player over hard core titles? The reason they’re compared is becuase they all do the 3 main things, to whatever degree.
Also, isn’t the fact that this is just a comparison of the three handhelds a bit of a red flag? Comparisons are how you make a majority of your decisions, you compare one outcome to others, choose the one you like most. I propose the “Are the Comparisons Warranted” be removed from the title, because it’s just a comparison telling you not to compare things, what the fuck is that.
“So out of the three, which one is right for you?”
The best sentence written in the entire article. People compare because the have to make a decision. It’s a personal preference, and the decision is best up to you.
Couldn’t agree more with this editorial. I have a PSPgo, an iPhone and also an iTouch (obsolete after I got the iPhone). I could not live without the PSPgo and I could not live without the iPhone. PSPgo covers my gaming needs and iPhone covers my phone and appneeds. I mean, I will never ever play a game on my iPhone. I will never ever call someone with my PSPgo. I need them both, for different reasons.
Interesting editorial..
I have a ipod touch and really I am using more than my PSP, because I like to consider myself a semi-casual gamer. I dont want to sit through a 50hr JRPG, and most of the games on the Iphone just fit me. The iphone is an amazing peripheral, if you think of it in that way. I use it when I am on the plane, or a long car ride. My PSP 1000.. is sitting in the table, and I havent touched it since I got the ipod. I regret it sometimes, because I could play something more “hardcore”, but games like Real Racing are too fun addicting. I really hope that Sony could support their services and the Minis should not become AppStore-ish. Sony should regulate the Minis and not add BS games like “Arcade Darts”. I am thinking of getting the Go, because my 1000 is really bulky compared to the ipod and my UMD games (seriously) suck!
How did some of you know?! I got the iPhone to look so cool! Yeah…..what a load of BS. I love the iPhone, but I am by no means rich or snobby. The biggest plus for me was having a phone and music player in one. I know other phones do this as well, but the iPhone is really the best at this (imo). Plus, I find it interesting to go the whole jailbreaking and tweaking route. The PSP/iPhone comparison is unfair. The iPhone is not meant for gaming. Sure, it has some fun games, but nothing compared to the PSP. On a side note, if you have an iPhone or touch and like RPG, check out the game Zenonia. It is a really fun RPG and actually setup and long as heck! The second one is coming out in 2010, so beat it fast if you pick it up!!! By far, the only game I have bought that keeps me coming back for more on a non-gaming device (out of 2 I have bought!
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I think what you said in the article is true. I am not much of a on the go gamer, so the PSP was never in the cards for me. I use the phone a crap load, so an iPhone seemed the way to go (plus, other than that, ATT phones aren’t that great). GET ZENONIA!!! BEST IPHONE GAME THERE IS!!!!!!!
l see no comparison. The psp is for gaming and the iphone is a phone with app games
com⋅pare
Pronunciation [kuhm-pair]
–verb (used with object)
1. to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities and differences.
Jesus christ people, if you think these shouldn’t be compared under any circumstances, read what the fuck comparing means.
This “editorial” is a joke. why would you say you shouldn’t compare the 360 and ps3….why? You wouldn’t compare a PS3 to a dog, you need something similar so you know what suits your needs.
Which brings me to the main point of the article. What the fuck is it? The simple answer to the title is YES they are warranted because they are similar pieces of technology, of course you would compare them if you had any interest in a multi function handheld device. From the comparison you decide what suits your needs…You understand what comparing means now? If you don’t need to compare anything, that means you’ve already decided and you don’t care about the other devices anyway. Any decision you think about before making, is you comparing one action against another, saying you shouldn’t compare similar things is just misinformation.
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nice shot, i like it!
Sincerly,
Sodagod @ Modern Warfare 2 Forums