finally got to play a psp

[SpoDaddy]

I can't imagine this being a superior experience to 16-player online SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo on the PSP with full voice chat...which is a game that actually exists and can be purchased today. But hey, whatever floats your boat!

I actually played it today, with that crippl....I mean "simplified" control scheme I can't see how the game can even be called Socom anymore. Even if the analog nub wasn't awful, having to stand still and hold a button just to freelook is retarded and the lockon system strips the stealth element out of the game completely. It's a fun action shooter and all but I was expecting PS2 Socom gameplay. I'm sure when I'm playing Mario Kart online I'll be thinking "This would be so much more fun if I could hear the 13 year old in 5th place calling me a fag".

I'll give Nintendo some credit, at least they're making some attempt (however feeble it is) to get some online games out there for this system, which is much more than they ever did for the GameCube. But they've got a long way before they even approach the (admittedly still weak) PSP online game experience, let alone get any serious consideration for being the "greatest" online play system in the history of video games.

Launching a free wireless Xbox live style network by partnering with McDonalds, one of the most successful businesses in the world, is a feeble attempt at online gaming? For all the points you make about the specifics of your user name, you could also argue that those things are benefits. For as long as we've been using the internet we've had to deal with adding numbers and shit to our handles because someone else already took the one we wanted to use, Nintendo is addressing that.

This is the first game on the network, you don't think any online game will ever use the built in DS microphone? Just last week Nintendo said they were looking into implementing online web browsing for the DS, obviously the network is going to evolve. You're attacking it basically for not having voice support, which one PSP game does that just came out and isn't half the game Mario Kart is.

[Agent X]

When Sony makes a game I actually care about playing on-line I'll consider buying it.

Sony can put plenty of games on-line. If none of them are interesting then what's the damn use. PSP has been on-line ready from the start yet I have yet to hear of a really good on-line PSP game until Socom. Which is 10 months from launch?

Twisted Metal: Head-On was available and online at the US launch, and many people seemed to enjoy that game. But if you don't like it, then you're entitled to your opinion. Likewise, I find most of the DS online gaming lineup (with the exception of Tony Hawk's American Sk8land to be drab and unappealing.

Yeah, because we all know that Nintendo's online approach will never evolve, right?

This is Nintendo's first online title, whereas Socom has had 3 prior releases to get things down pat.

No, I never said that Nintendo's online system would never evolve. I just said that their online system in the here and now is piddling and primitive.

On the other hand, don't you think some people are jumping the gun here, ready to anoint Nintendo the new king of online gaming even before they release their first online title?

Launching a free wireless Xbox live style network by partnering with McDonalds, one of the most successful businesses in the world, is a feeble attempt at online gaming?

The problem is that this doesn't even come close to resembling X-Box Live, and certainly no more so than either of Sony's current game systems do in any case. If you're going to trumpet the virtues of X-Box Live, then consider that N-Gage Arena is closer to the structure of X-Box Live than either the DS or PSP online gaming experiences are. On top of that, it has wider coverage over the cellular network so it doesn't even need to be near a Wi-Fi hotspot to play. Yet, I don't hear you or anyone else here boasting how N-Gage Arena is revolutionizing portable online gaming. Why is that?

This is the first game on the network, you don't think any online game will ever use the built in DS microphone?

No, perhaps someday online DS games will use the microphone. But as it stands now, none of them do.

Again, it seems like you're ready to lead the coronation ceremony for the DS. Doesn't your vaunted X-Box Live use a microphone? Before you start tossing out the grand X-Box Live comparisons, at least wait until the DS online feature set that you're clamoring about actually evolves beyond more than hypothetical "what-ifs" and wistful fanboy dreams.

Just last week Nintendo said they were looking into implementing online web browsing for the DS, obviously the network is going to evolve.

Great. Sony's already implemented Web browsing on the PSP, and the Nintendrone collective slammed them for wasting developmental resources providing trivial non-gaming applications and not focus solely on the gaming market. Now Nintendo says "me, too," and well what do you know, we're all fans of non-gaming apps now, branching out and diversifying and innovating! Joygasm!

You're attacking it basically for not having voice support, which one PSP game does that just came out and isn't half the game Mario Kart is.

You're right, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo on PSP isn't half the game Mario Kart DS is. Rather, it is four times the game Mario Kart DS is.

[Geen]

I love internet discussions where everyone thinks they are right.

Here's the bottom line: All online systems pale in comparison to the pure genius that Xbox Live is (Seriously).
On that note, at least it sounds like Nintendo's online network has some sort of common set up that is familiar for each game.
I'm won't judge intill I actually see it in action, but Nintendo's online system sounds legions better than Sony's online network on PS2 (Which, I'm assuming, is identical to PSP's online network).

As for games, well, if Socom is your cat's meow than go nuts. I couldn't get into it so I'm not going to play it (The only game that's online for PSP that's catches my attention is Wipeout, and I'm not spending $300 on Wipeout). I hope you have a great time though. ^_^

[Finch]

You don't need silly games. Save your money and buy food and pay for rent. If you're bored, buy some paper and a pencil.

[Agent X]

On that note, at least it sounds like Nintendo's online network has some sort of common set up that is familiar for each game.
I'm won't judge intill I actually see it in action, but Nintendo's online system sounds legions better than Sony's online network on PS2 (Which, I'm assuming, is identical to PSP's online network).

You must have missed what I said earlier about having to configure your network connection only once on PSP. Sony doesn't need to have a "common setup" for each game, because the setup is handled by the system itself. The network settings are then saved on the Memory Stick, so any other online game can utilize them. After that, you never have to see the network configuration again. You buy another game, and it immediately recognizes the settings you made previously and uses them.

The only reason that Nintendo has a "common setup" for each game is because their system isn't able to store the settings in a file that multiple games can access. On the DS, you must recreate the network connection each time you buy a new game. I don't know about you, but to me that sounds a lot more cumbersome than the PSP (and also PS2) method of one-time setup.

[Geen]

You must have missed what I said earlier about having to configure your network connection only once on PSP. Sony doesn't need to have a "common setup" for each game, because the setup is handled by the system itself. The network settings are then saved on the Memory Stick, so any other online game can utilize them. After that, you never have to see the network configuration again. You buy another game, and it immediately recognizes the settings you made previously and uses them.

The only reason that Nintendo has a "common setup" for each game is because their system isn't able to store the settings in a file that multiple games can access. On the DS, you must recreate the network connection each time you buy a new game. I don't know about you, but to me that sounds a lot more cumbersome than the PSP (and also PS2) method of one-time setup.

I think you missed my point. After you set up your internet connection on a DS game (And I believe you can have three profiles for different locations), you no longer have to set it up again (And, from what I hear, the set up is cake), but that wasn't what I was talking about when I said "common setup." What I meant by that is that each game is set up in similiar fashons, from what I hear. For example, each game supports friend lists. Each game uses a random ID number to place your name on top of. Basically, the shell of the online structure (Again, I'm not talking about setting up the connection, just the actual in game stuff that you are actually going to use while playing this game) is very similiar between each online DS game, from what I have read about Nintendo WiFi.
From my experience with online Sony games, this is not the case. Champions of Norrath was like going into a gaint IRC channel (And I don't recall any sort of friend list function in there), FFXI had it's own online service that was completely different from Norrath, and EA's games, the closest thing to how the Sony online network should be, was in it's own little world (And, I might be wrong, but I think the friend list was only transferible between EA sport games, right?).

None the less, what this all boils down to in the end is games. If you love the online Sony games, go for it. Personally, I haven't seen anything on PS2 or PSP besides FFXI that has made me get excited and want to play something online. As for Xbox Live, the only online title that doesn't make me want to sell it on eBay after a week of play has been Street Fighter 3 (Although I do want to get the KOF games for Live soon). Nintendo Wifi already has two games coming out in the next three weeks that has me excited to play online (Mario Kart and Animal Crossing), and I'm pretty sure I'm going to be online gaming with those for a long while to come.

[avatar]

Twisted Metal: Head-On was available and online at the US launch, and many people seemed to enjoy that game. But if you don't like it, then you're entitled to your opinion. Likewise, I find most of the DS online gaming lineup (with the exception of Tony Hawk's American Sk8land to be drab and unappealing.

I wil never understand the appeal of Mario Kart Extreme...I mean Twisted Metal.

No, I never said that Nintendo's online system would never evolve. I just said that their online system in the here and now is piddling and primitive.

On the other hand, don't you think some people are jumping the gun here, ready to anoint Nintendo the new king of online gaming even before they release their first online title?

When your right, your right. Nintendo service right now is weak. However the very fact that Nintendo seems to be behind this new service is encouraging. They aren't just throwing it out there just for the sake of it being out there like SOny.

The problem is that this doesn't even come close to resembling X-Box Live, and certainly no more so than either of Sony's current game systems do in any case. If you're going to trumpet the virtues of X-Box Live, then consider that N-Gage Arena is closer to the structure of X-Box Live than either the DS or PSP online gaming experiences are. On top of that, it has wider coverage over the cellular network so it doesn't even need to be near a Wi-Fi hotspot to play. Yet, I don't hear you or anyone else here boasting how N-Gage Arena is revolutionizing portable online gaming. Why is that?

WOah woah. I'll be the first to admit that the N-Gage is doing more for on-line gaming then the DS and PSP combined. However we both know that the N-Gage is going to be the one that leads us into portable gaming nirvana. The guys at Nokia are pioneers in On-line gaming on the go. I'll give them that. Nothing more.

Also while neither Ds or PSP is xbxo live caliber. I'm willing to bet that Nintendo WiFi service will in the end of the day be much closer than the PSP's weak service.

No, perhaps someday online DS games will use the microphone. But as it stands now, none of them do.

And until then we'll wait. Just like I'm waiting for a PSP price drop.
Both guys are dragging their tails. However that said Nintendo Dspeak(sp) sounds much cooler than an ordinary mic. If I have to wait a few months for voice app online browsing, voice chat in games,etc.. I'll wait.

Again, it seems like you're ready to lead the coronation ceremony for the DS. Doesn't your vaunted X-Box Live use a microphone? Before you start tossing out the grand X-Box Live comparisons, at least wait until the DS online feature set that you're clamoring about actually evolves beyond more than hypothetical "what-ifs" and wistful fanboy dreams.

I agree 100%

Great. Sony's already implemented Web browsing on the PSP, and the Nintendrone collective slammed them for wasting developmental resources providing trivial non-gaming applications and not focus solely on the gaming market. Now Nintendo says "me, too," and well what do you know, we're all fans of non-gaming apps now, branching out and diversifying and innovating! Joygasm!

Okay you just lost me. We can't call out Sony for not securing good games for their handheld? The DS has must own games out right now. Knowing that Nintendo will eventually get me all these cool features like on-line browsing, but in the mean time give me good,original and hopefully innovative games
is better than having online browsing now and a bunch of games that a) either don't appeal to me. b) be barebones ports or c) have a few good games that come out about once or twice a year.

You're right, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo on PSP isn't half the game Mario Kart DS is. Rather, it is four times the game Mario Kart DS is. [/QUOTE]
Cute. Watch MK get 2 times better reviews, sell 4 times better and be remebered more than 8 weeks after release

[SpoDaddy]

How can you compare Sony and Nintendo's online plans? Sony doesn't even have a unified online plan, they just build network adapters into their systems and leave it to the developers to do the rest. Nintendo's actually setting up a unified free wifi network, official Nintendo DS hotspots, etc. If you want somebody on your buddy list you just get their code and enter it in, I don't see the big deal with not being able to chat with people or add them to your list from a game. It's Mario Kart. I wish Battle Mode was online and that you got a loss for dropping from a game, but other than that I have no issues whatsoever with Mario Kart's online features.

Most industry people that are currently playing Mario Kart DS to review it next week have gone out of their way to already proclaim it the greatest kart racer ever made (high praise considering the SNES Mario Kart falls into that category). Socom on PSP is a crappy looking version of a PS2 Socom game with awful controls that take away most of what makes Socom Socom in the first place.

I'm still confused about the notion that Nintendo are hypocrites, since PSP lets you browse the internet and in the future the DS will too. Nintendo never trashed the PSP for letting you get on the internet, they trashed it for not having good games and seeming to focus on things like internet access INSTEAD of games.

[Finch]

I want an N-Gage. Maybe Sega will make a Pocket Kingdom for DS.