Japanese Handheld Survey - DS & PSP

[Kamalot]

This new survey in Japan may shed some light on Sony's recent to cut back PSP production. Next-Gen is reporting that a survey of 1000 gamers shows general opinion trends concerning the latest handhelds. (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=210&Itemid=2) Such as the size of the PSP screen being a novelty that wears off quickly.

The survey, published by Otona Fami, is short on hard figures but is a good indication of general opinion trends.

It shows many PSP owners questioning the variety and originality of games. Users often remarked on the number of PlayStation 2 ports and about half had experienced games freezing. Many said the novelty of the wide-screen was a key part of the buying decision, but that wore off quickly. There were complaints about loading times.

[mkelehan]

Novelty? The GBA and DS are widescreen too... it's not so much a novelty as it is the new standard.

[Nintendo Revolution]

Hrm. I'd really like to know what's up with the cutback of PSPs. That's very odd. On a brighter note, the PSP movie sales are doing good, at least here in the US.

It's going to be interesting to see how well the DS does in comparrison to the PSP when Shonen Jump Stars comes out (with the Red DS) along with titles like Mario Kart, Animal Crossing and Mario Brothers. Although, around that time, PSP users can expect Advent Children.

It's going to be a fiesty battle.

[Kamalot]

Hrm. I'd really like to know what's up with the cutback of PSPs. That's very odd. On a brighter note, the PSP movie sales are doing good, at least here in the US.
I don't know how well they are doing. If you compare the number of movies sold against the number of units that have shipped, it turns out to be less than 5% of PSP owners are buying movies. That percentage is based on every UMD sale equating to 1 person, if a single person buys more than 1 movie, the percentage goes down.

I wouldn't think that is a success.

Even Xbox live has somewhere between 10 and 15% adoption rate, and that requires having an internet connection and Live games, configuring your setup and paying a monthly/yearly fee. UMD movies are as easy as watching a DVD.

[Kamalot]

Novelty? The GBA and DS are widescreen too... it's not so much a novelty as it is the new standard.
I believe the article is referring to the size of the screen, not the aspect ratio.

[Nintendo Revolution]

I don't know how well they are doing. If you compare the number of movies sold against the number of units that have shipped, it turns out to be less than 5% of PSP owners are buying movies. That percentage is based on every UMD sale equating to 1 person, if a single person buys more than 1 movie, the percentage goes down.

I wouldn't think that is a success.

Even Xbox live has somewhere between 10 and 15% adoption rate, and that requires having an internet connection and Live games, configuring your setup and paying a monthly/yearly fee. UMD movies are as easy as watching a DVD.

Hmm, well, it will be interesting to see how it ultimately turns out.

[Heretic Machine]

Ya, and the size of the screen never really concerned me. More screen size equates to a larger handheld. Generally a bad thing. The graphics are what impressed me about the PSP, that and it actually having good games in a reasonable amount of time. The DS still has way too few good games out, not even considering the time that it has been out. I mean sure, Animal Crossing is coming up and it's going to have some amazing things... but thats about it. Then again, that's enough for me.

But has anyone else noticed how hard it is to find DS games in most stores?

[Dracula-X]

Talk about selective quoting, and not a peep about the negatives about the DS either (screen too small, games appear unfinished, etc), oh that's right, it's coming from Nintendo DS whoreboy incarnate, Kamalot! What a surprise!

I guess 14% of 1000 random gamers means all 1.5 mill .jp psp owners are unhappy campers.

[Kamalot]

Talk about selective quoting, and not a peep about the negatives about the DS either...
I also didn't quote any of the positives about the DS either, such as...The vast majority of DS users surveyed say they play every day, perhaps reflecting the type of games popular for the machine. Many said they played often in short bursts. The touch pen has proven to be a big hit, with many saying they enjoyed this interface.

People are encouraged to read the article for themselves.

[ChaosDent]

I guess 14% of 1000 random gamers means all 1.5 mill .jp psp owners are unhappy campers.

1000 people is more than enough to ensure an accurate scientific poll. Their data, showing an accurate 25% to 15% DS to PSP owners, supports this. I think the interpretation that the majority of those surveyed are unhappy with their PSP is wrong, or at least unsupportable by the very limited information coming from the poll.

[TrackZero]

Ya, and the size of the screen never really concerned me. More screen size equates to a larger handheld. Generally a bad thing. The graphics are what impressed me about the PSP, that and it actually having good games in a reasonable amount of time. The DS still has way too few good games out, not even considering the time that it has been out. I mean sure, Animal Crossing is coming up and it's going to have some amazing things... but thats about it. Then again, that's enough for me.

But has anyone else noticed how hard it is to find DS games in most stores?

Personally I'm waiting for MP: Hunters, Trauma Center, Castlevania, Advance Wars: DS, Final Fantasy: CC, Katamari Damacy, Lost in Blue, Super Mario Bros. DS, Trace Memory and Viewtiful Joe DS. Which, when I take a step back and think about it, I realize there are far too many games coming out these days for me to even keep up anymore. I still haven't finished Metroid Prime 2 or Psychonauts yet. *sigh*

[TrackZero]

Talk about selective quoting, and not a peep about the negatives about the DS either (screen too small, games appear unfinished, etc), oh that's right, it's coming from Nintendo DS whoreboy incarnate, Kamalot! What a surprise!

I guess 14% of 1000 random gamers means all 1.5 mill .jp psp owners are unhappy campers.

14% of 1000 is only 1.4% (using the 100% scale obviously). Since there's only approx 2 million DS owners in Japan, I don't know what godforsaken numbers you're using to get 1.5 million (the population of the entire country?). Try in the area of 28,000 .jp owners who are unhappy campers.

As to the negative points brought up, there's no surprises there. Personally I wish the screens were a little bigger (like to the size of the black border on the upper screen would be nice). Games feeling unfinished, not so much in my experience. Though I can see a bit of that perception, it'll be gone in a few months once there's a larger library of titles. It could be some people are more used to console games, which take longer to complete. Many portable games are short but intended for lots of repetition/unlockables.

Interesting read though, I wonder how a similar poll would pan out if done in North America.

[mister_slim]

But has anyone else noticed how hard it is to find DS games in most stores?
I haven't had any trouble finding games, but the availability of used games, even poorer ones like Ridge Racer DS or Asphalt GT, is very limited.
Interesting read though, I wonder how a similar poll would pan out if done in North America.
I would guess US owners would be happier with their PSPs, since the American launch was more recent and included more games. I would also expect US DS owners to be less happy with their DSes, since the library isn't filling up as quickly as in Japan.

[Dracula-X]

14% of 1000 is only 1.4% (using the 100% scale obviously). Since there's only approx 2 million DS owners in Japan, I don't know what godforsaken numbers you're using to get 1.5 million (the population of the entire country?). Try in the area of 28,000 .jp owners who are unhappy campers.
Sarcasm? hello? Your sense of scale must be severely skewed when you mention the population of Japan, considering it's about 128 million people. The number of PSPs sold are nearly 1.5 mill, and around 2.5 mill for the DS there. My point was such a small sample is hardly indicative of anything.

As to the negative points brought up, there's no surprises there. Personally I wish the screens were a little bigger (like to the size of the black border on the upper screen would be nice). Games feeling unfinished, not so much in my experience. Though I can see a bit of that perception, it'll be gone in a few months once there's a larger library of titles. It could be some people are more used to console games, which take longer to complete. Many portable games are short but intended for lots of repetition/unlockables.

Interesting read though, I wonder how a similar poll would pan out if done in North America.
When it comes to screens I do wish the DS had slightly bigger ones, but that in my eyes is a very minor gripe, I really don't even care. The library, or lack thereof has been major issue. I'm with mister_slim on the NA poll speculation.

[*Legion*]

I love the idea that a big clear screen is a novelty - and, you know, dual screens isn't.

[TrackZero]

I haven't had any trouble finding games, but the availability of used games, even poorer ones like Ridge Racer DS or Asphalt GT, is very limited.

Shit, I hear that. I went into EB to pick up Puyo Pop Fever the day it came out, they only had 1 copy which was already reserved. They asked me to come back next week when they get their new shipment. So I did, but they still didn't have any copies, then they checked on ordering one for me and it was set as "out of print" in their system. Apparently there was only a single small run of the game by the publisher.

Luckily I did pick up Asphault GT on a recommendation by Adam Blue, it's a great racer.

[TrackZero]

I would guess US owners would be happier with their PSPs, since the American launch was more recent and included more games. I would also expect US DS owners to be less happy with their DSes, since the library isn't filling up as quickly as in Japan.

True enough, though my friends who all purchased PSPs don't play them any more, many have picked up DSes and are playing those instead now, so I don't think the "disappointment" factor with the PSP is completely Japan-specific.

[GunnyMo]

Screen size? Look at the new GB Micro and you know what the Japanese consumer wants. If we leave those decisions up to the Asian market we'll all have Zoolander sized phones very soon. I'd be willing to bet this "survey" was of DS fans rather than a broad spectrum. To say the PSP has a library of only PS2 ports and then not raise the fact that the DS has not only done the same but also has a smaller library to boot would be unfair.

I, personally, love my PSP. It's a system where I can A.) see the goddamn screen. Ever wonder why there were so many aftermarket screen magnifiers for all of the GBAs?; B.) I can use the system without a massive handcramp after 10 minutes of playing because the buttons are so small and close together!; C.) It is a multi-function device that I can tote around pictures of my son, listen to music and watch movies (UMD or MPEG-4). Can you do any of that on a DS? Nope.

Granted, UMDs are way over priced and they have to come down to a more reasonable level if they expect to sell any. Tron just came out and it is $24.99!! Idiotic price point.

To give you an example: I have dozens of traded in DS in my store at any given time. I haven't sold a new DS in months. I sell several PSPs a week and when I have any used ones in they sell almost immediatly.

Now, after that, don't get me wrong. I like the DS (I even have one!) but the games for it are either ports of old Nintendo games or something so ridiculous (Feel The Magic) it's not even worth playing. I am anxiously waiting for Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, and (hopefully) FF3. However, it shouldn't take them a year to put a system selling game on the market. Rehasing Mario 64 and calling it Mario DS is bunk. Nintendo is the worst recycler out there and it's starting to wear them down. Bah!

[mister_slim]

I'd be willing to bet this "survey" was of DS fans rather than a broad spectrum. To say the PSP has a library of only PS2 ports and then not raise the fact that the DS has not only done the same but also has a smaller library to boot would be unfair.

One thing to keep in mind is that they were Japanese gamers. The DS has a larger and more interesting library than the PSP in Japan.

[netcraazzy]

I don't own either of these systems yet and I can't seem to decide which one I like more. DS appears to have a lot of fun games coming out, Animal Crossing, Black and White, Mario Kart but I really like the PSP hardware. I think the DS system looks dumb and would make my big hands cramp up. And for christ sake Nintendo, this isn't 1989 we could use more than 2 buttons, and no the additional shoulder buttons don't cut it. If only we could have Nintendo’s games on the PSP hardware, that would be a match made in heaven.

[TrackZero]

I don't own either of these systems yet and I can't seem to decide which one I like more. DS appears to have a lot of fun games coming out, Animal Crossing, Black and White, Mario Kart but I really like the PSP hardware. I think the DS system looks dumb and would make my big hands cramp up. And for christ sake Nintendo, this isn't 1989 we could use more than 2 buttons, and no the additional shoulder buttons don't cut it. If only we could have Nintendo’s games on the PSP hardware, that would be a match made in heaven.

The DS has four buttons, two shoulders. Are you blind? As for the hand-cramp factor, I've got friends with big hands who have no problems with their DS. Give it a try at a demo station somewhere, don't pre-judge on it's looks, they're deceptive.

[netcraazzy]

The DS has four buttons, two shoulders. Are you blind? As for the hand-cramp factor, I've got friends with big hands who have no problems with their DS. Give it a try at a demo station somewhere, don't pre-judge on it's looks, they're deceptive.

I stand corrected, it does have 4 buttons. You'd think after all the pictures I've seen of the DS I'd remember that. As for the hand cramp factor, I have not held one yet but usually what gets me is the fact that I have to curl my fingers up in order to keep the tips on the shoulder buttons, GBA SP is very bad in this regard, the dual shock controller is a pain for me too. It does not appear that the DS will be any different. The rounded corners on the PSP should make things a little bit easier but I have the same concern with that too. Overall I prefer triggers like on the xbox and dreamcast, they seem to be much more comfortable, but I know that would be hard to do properly on a handheld.

[mister_slim]

I stand corrected, it does have 4 buttons. You'd think after all the pictures I've seen of the DS I'd remember that.
To me, the important button is the big ol' touchscreen, which is the most flexible and intuitive interface ever. Buttons are one of my concerns about the PSP, though. If it is designed to play games of similar style to those of the PS2, the loss of the right analog, along with L2, L3, R2, and R3, is going to cause problems.

[TrackZero]

I stand corrected, it does have 4 buttons. You'd think after all the pictures I've seen of the DS I'd remember that. As for the hand cramp factor, I have not held one yet but usually what gets me is the fact that I have to curl my fingers up in order to keep the tips on the shoulder buttons, GBA SP is very bad in this regard, the dual shock controller is a pain for me too. It does not appear that the DS will be any different. The rounded corners on the PSP should make things a little bit easier but I have the same concern with that too. Overall I prefer triggers like on the xbox and dreamcast, they seem to be much more comfortable, but I know that would be hard to do properly on a handheld.

Ah, yes yes. I too prefer the xbox/dreamcast "triggers" to classic "shoulder" buttons. But I'm interested to see how having both will work out on the 360.