5 portable gaming consoles compared

By John Falcone, CNET.com on 08 March 2006

Tags: boy | console | ds | dual | game | gaming | lite | micro | nintendo | playstation | portable | psp | screen | sony

CNET compares the top portable gaming systems: Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable), Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite, Nintendo Game Boy Micro (GBM), and Nokia N-Gage.

For all intents and purposes, portable gaming was once relegated to a single product: the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. Nintendo upped the ante with the DS in late 2004, offering a dual-screen touch pad and wireless capabilities. Sony countered with the PlayStation Portable (PSP) in March 2005. Not only does it boast the best graphics of any portable gaming platform, the PSP's impressive video, audio, and digital image capabilities offer the potential to transcend gaming and serve as a portable entertainment device.

Sony's since updated the PSP's firmware to enable Web browsing and with an add-on, remote video viewing. Nintendo, meanwhile, has countered with slimmer, sexier redesigns of its standbys: the aptly named Game Boy Micro -- an update of the old GBA -- and the DS Lite, which is already available in Japan and scheduled to hit North America later in 2006.

Meanwhile, don't dismiss Nokia's much-maligned N-Gage; it's still the only handheld gaming console that doubles as a phone, and it's the only handheld you can get for free -- with a service contract, of course.


Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
Read review



Nintendo DS

The feature-packed Nintendo DS is a worthy successor to the Game Boy Advance.

Click here to read the review.

Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP)
Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP)
Read review



Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP)

The Sony PSP elevates portable gaming to the next level, but its multimedia functionality falls short of its full potential.

Click here to read the review.


Nokia N-Gage QD
Nokia N-Gage QD
Read review



Nokia N-Gage QD

Nokia's N-Gage QD second-generation gaming mobile phone corrects the most glaring mistakes of its predecessor.

Click here to read the review.

Nintendo Game Boy Micro
Nintendo Game Boy Micro
Read review



Nintendo Game Boy Micro

Nintendo's latest Game Boy shrinks the size without downsizing the fun.

Click here to read the review.

Nintendo DS Lite
Nintendo DS Lite
Read review



Nintendo DS Lite

The Nintendo DS Lite is a slimmed-down and stylish version of the original Nintendo DS, with even brighter screens.

Click here to read the review.

Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!

God
27/02/2007 02:19 PM

PSP getting Editors choice? Who paid you off man?

Report offensive content

  • Leave a comment

All fields marked with * are required

What do you think

Your e-mail will not be displayed

You must read and type the 6 chars within 0..9 and A..F

You must read and type the 6 chars.


  • Quantum of Solace filled with celebs

  • Buzz! Master Quiz

  • Fallout 3 unbanned in Australia

  • SingStar Amped track list announced

  • Bungie confirms 'three distinct projects' in the pipe

  • Hannah Montana Music Jam

  • Video game technology gets smarter

  • Professor Layton and the Curious Village

  • Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

More articles »

Find the right game

Brand
  • Multiple options can be selected

    The Explain Series

    • Buzz! Master Quiz

      Buzz! Master Quiz

      Limited multiplayer options and a decidedly shallow single-player side weigh down trivia king Buzz's portable debut.

    • Hannah Montana Music Jam

      Hannah Montana Music Jam

      Fans of Hannah Montana may be able to overlook Music Jam's playability shortcomings, but even they'll become frustrated before very long.

    • Professor Layton and the Curious Village

      Professor Layton and the Curious Village

      Professor Layton and the Curious Village mixes an interesting story, challenging logic puzzles, and exploration into an extremely entertaining package that you won't want to put down.

    • Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

      Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

      Crisis Core is an exciting and poignant journey that every fan of role-playing games should take.

    • James Bond: Quantum of Solace First Look

      James Bond: Quantum of Solace First Look

      We track down Activision and Treyarch's first game based on the James Bond movie franchise.

    More reviews »

    Membership benefits

    Create wishlists

    Create wishlists

    See a product on CNET.com.au that you want? Add it to your wishlist and send a hint to your friends and family. Sign up for a free CNET.com.au membership now!