I'm getting married

Post by **Green Gibbon!** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:22 am

Beyond all hope of wisdom and salvation am I, for I finally gave in to the temptation and bought a PSP. I'd ordered Lumines in anticipation of my eventual purchase of the system, but I discovered, once the game was in my possession, the anticipation became unbearable. My zen is weak.

But damn, it's a sexy little piece of hardware. My DS, like all Nintendo systems, is solid and feels sturdy and crisp. My PSP, on the other hand, is like a glittering gem, beautiful yet fragile. It's one of those things that you always feel bad after holding even though you can't resist the temptation to touch it in the first place. Its gloss is easily fouled by the slightest invasion of dust or fingerprints, yet its beauty, when unsoiled, is unrivaled by all the stars in the night sky. I would put my dick in it if there were a port reserved for that purpose.

It's thinner and altogether smaller than the DS, but it's nearly twice the weight. It's surprisingly comfortable to hold, because it sure doesn't look like it's been designed with ergonomics in mind. The buttons are all solid, but of particular note is the little analog pad. It's like a tiny disc that slides over a larger plate. It's pretty swell, though I can't imagine using it to play any action games. My only complaint with the layout is that the ever-important start button is lumped in with the "extra" buttons, such as those used for adjusting screen brightness and volume. This makes it difficult to pause on command...

The screen, of course, is the star feature. It's a difficult sensation to describe, but for the first time when playing a handheld, it doesn't feel like I'm playing a handheld. Everything on screen is clear and crisp. There's no blurring and plenty of room for everything, plus you can see it easily at arm's length, so there's no hunching and squinting involved. Playing a handheld game has never been this painless.

You have to charge the battery (a two and a half hour affair) before you can even turn the system on to test it, which kind of sucks, especially considering it's hard not to be on the edge of your seat wondering how many dead pixels will turn up the first time you power on. And oh, there are dead pixels - three in my case. I feel a bit silly after all my ill-informed grumbling about this, though, because after seeing the thing in action, I have to admit that the dead pixels are a moot quibble. They're totally invisible unless the screen is utterly black, which it never is in the course of a game (or movie, if you intend such use out of it).

The battery life is probably a significant complaint, but being that I'll never play mine far from an outlet anyway, it's a non-issue for me. Also, regular headphones won't work, you need the actual PSP-branded headphones, and they're the ear-bud variety, which I hate. Still, all things considered, I really do think this is a better piece of hardware than the DS, in nearly every aspect. At least until its version of the Disc Read ErrorÃ¢â€žÂ¢ surfaces.

And then there's Lumines, quite probably the most unique puzzle game I've ever played, which is a feat in a genre that offers very little room for expansion. For starters, the arena is much larger than the genre's characteristic vertical pit... you've got alot of space to work with. The object is to create blocks of connected colors... it's a bit difficult to get used to initially, because your first instinct is to create rows. It definitely isn't as instantly engaging as the Tetrises and Puyos of the world, but once you get into the swing of it, the experience is altogether different from anything else in the genre. The flowing meter that passes horizontally across the screen once every few seconds initiates combos, so there's a constant pressure to make the chains as large as possible before the meter hits, and also to time your block-dropping so as to allow you the longest opportunity to construct these combo trails. Like a rhthym game, the music and graphics change to reflect your performace, so if you're kicking ass and have combos going all over the screen, you get a fast-paced beat and lots of flashing lights and effects, and if you start struggling, the music slows down and becomes as unnerving as a teacher gazing over your shoulder during an exam. You feel the heat from the very start, but when you're rolling it's quite exhilerating. There's a flow and rhythm here that's very unusual for the genre, and while it's not as addictive as something slower paced and more thought-intensive such as Puyo, it definitely has its own thing going, and a wonderful thing it is.

The versus mode is also really unique. Both players work in the same arena, which is divided in the middle by a thin wall. By creating combos, the wall will move closer into your opponent's side of the arena, giving you more space to work with and him less. It's a really interesting and successful way to get the essential tug-of-war mechanic going.

Each stage has a different visual and musical theme, "skins" as they are called. By progressing in the challenge and versus computer modes, you unlock new skins which can be played anytime. It's a really great motive to keep playing, and since each stage looks and sounds totally different (right down to sound effects), it keeps the game fresh as you progress (a solid run can last quite a while). The only problem with this is that I can imagine growing weary of the first couple of themes as I play them over and over and over hoping to achieve higher levels. It hasn't happened yet, but I haven't made it past level 3 yet...

There's also a Puzzle mode which I imagine is alot of fun, except that I haven't been able to figure it out yet. What are you supposed to do, exactly?

So I'm happy with my PSP and happy with Lumines. The only other game that looks interesting at the moment is Mercury. I'm interested to hear some thoughts on that if anybody's given it a whirl. Incidentally, I also picked up Meteos, though I haven't started it yet. I'll post some impressions on that later, after I (eventually) tire of Lumines.

By the way, I'm not really getting married.

Post by **Segaholic2** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:33 am

I want one, but there's really no reason for me to pick one up until there's more games.

Ngangbius · Post by **Ngangbius** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:02 am

I heard that Meteos was better than Lumines based on people who played both games, but I guess you'll be able to judge for yourself. Nice to see you are enjoying your PSP, GG!. I would get one of my own instead of borrowing my brother's, but I would want to wait until a price drop and the release of new colors.

First of all, get some kind of screen cover/overlay. I mean that screen smudges and can also scratch easily and nothing brings disappointment in a person's heart when they spend $250+ on a handheld and a few days later you find a scatch that caused by someone bumping in to it.

Also, regular headphones won't work, you need the actual PSP-branded headphones, and they're the ear-bud variety, which I hate.

Eh? My Sony MDR-W014 sport headphones and Sony MDR-027 headphones work perfectly fine with the PSP with the same sound quality and all. The issue here is that you probably just needed to use any Sony brand headphones to get the nicest sound quality.

About Lumines, I haven't been able to play it as much as I used to on the account of being very busy lately to play video games, but I did manage to unlock the skin that comes after "Shake Your Booty" in Challenge Moode and the second skin in Vs. mode which isn't much right now, but it is a start.

I really hope they release a soundtrack to the game since I greatly enjoy the music. I did manage to obtain 4 song rips so far,(Shake Your Booty LIVE, Shake Your Booty Mix, Shining, and Lights) but it still isn't enough.

Omni Hunter · Post by **Omni Hunter** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 4:16 am

I'll wait until I see a larger game selection for either DS or PSP before I make a decision.

j-man · Post by **j-man** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 5:55 am

See, I was going to post a hearty congratulations and ask if that's why you'd not been on the forum for a bit, but fuck you. PSPs suck on general principle. I H8 U ADN THIS BORD

Neo Yi · Post by **Neo Yi** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 11:56 am

I'm still not getting PSP or DS (although the DS so far is winning on my list of "want its") until I see more games and such. Glad to know you're doing fine with yours, GG.
~Neo

Zeta · Post by **Zeta** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:41 pm

I don't like either, but I'm stuck with the DS due to the siren call of Pokemon.

I got my boyfriend addicted too, so I'll problably end up buying two. Crap.

Post by **Squirrelknight** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:03 pm

I've spent a fair amount of time with DS and PSP (I bought a DS and I've put more hours onto my friend's PSP then he has), and as much as it hurts the Nintendo fanboy in me, I have to say that the PSP is far superior, not just in terms of hardware power and functionality, but also in the quality of games.

I mean, DS has the potential to deliver games that are innovative and exciting, but so far, all of it's unique features aren't being fully utilized-- Games like Wario Ware and Kimishine showed that the DS is capable of some new kinds of gameplay, but all of those innovations have been limited to little, bite-sized mini-games, and it hasn't delivered anything revolutionary. More traditional games on the system, like Mario and Ridge Racer, expose more flaws in the system-- What's the point of having 3d games on the DS if its nearly impossible to control them without proper analog control?

Meanwhile, the PSP doesn't really have any games that are particularly revolutionary, but it does have good, solid games-- It completely accomplishes Sony's goal of making the home console experience portable. Where as in the past handheld games were watered-down versions of their console relatives, PSP can recreate the kind of depth and immersion that one would expect from a console game, albeit in convenient bite-sized portable form. The fact that it plays movies and mp3's only makes all the more convenient.

To put it in car terms, the DS is a Honda Civic while the PSP is a Nissan Skyline-- The DS is reliable, gets the job done and has the potential to be something exciting after some work. Meanwhile, the PSP is instantly sexy, instantly gratifiying, and compensates for my small penis nicely.

Dunjohn · Post by **Dunjohn** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:15 pm

I never had the slightest intention of owning either a PSP or a DS, but my sister got me a DS for my birthday two days ago. Which is pretty damn neat. No games, but I am rediscovering Sonic Advance 2. The only game that even slightly interests me at the moment is Mario 64 and I can't think of anything cool on the near horizon.

Still, most excellent.

Samface · Post by **Samface** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:29 pm

I don't have either, but my flatmate's got a DS and he's let me have a couple of goes on it. I think it's a fantastic little machine. I'll probably buy one eventually, but I think I'll wait for the price to drop a bit.

Post by **Green Gibbon!** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:48 pm

I think the problem with the DS's unique interfaces isn't so much that they aren't being utilized, but that there simply isn't much to do with them in the first place. They're novel, but ultimately gimmicky, I think. It's funny the first time I have to blow on my screen, but it doesn't enhance the experience.

There are still a few things I want to play on it, though, namely that doctor game (there are two of them now, aren't there?) and Another Code. And what's the deal with Electro-Plankton? It looks kinda neat, but what is it?

See, I was going to post a hearty congratulations and ask if that's why you'd not been on the forum for a bit, but fuck you.

I proposed to Popcorn's mom once, but it turns out she's in the public domain.

Post by **Segaholic2** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:49 pm

Or you should wait until there's actually some games for it.

I don't regret getting my DS when I did (since I saved about $80), but I don't play it at all anymore because there's absolutely nothing to play on it. All the games are pretty much terrible excuses to use the touch-screen, and really don't justify the feature at all.

Samface · Post by **Samface** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:54 pm

Green Gibbon! wrote: And what's the deal with Electro-Plankton? It looks kinda neat, but what is it?

Quoting from a preview in NGC Magazine:"it's more of a musical toy than a game". Check out the site - http://www.electroplankton.com to have a look at the thing and get a better idea.

EDIT: It's actually http://electroplankton.com.

Zeta · Post by **Zeta** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 2:29 pm

There are still a few things I want to play on it, though, namely that doctor game (there are two of them now, aren't there?) and Another Code. And what's the deal with Electro-Plankton? It looks kinda neat, but what is it?

Lost in Blue looks like it could be a cool game, too. It's the first thing on the DS that has actually interested me. If they make the mini-game like functions part of a sensible and overall interesting story for survival on a deserted island, you could do great things. I mean, does anybody remember the fantasticly detailed Survival Kids, games? How you had to fashion bows and arrows out of crude instruments and cook your food and find shelter and create machinery to escape the island?

Those were great. Hard as hell, though.

Post by **Squirrelknight** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 2:54 pm

Yeah, Lost in Blue looks awesome-- It's one of the few games that uses the touch screen but doesn't rely on it for some sort of gimmick. Castlevania DS looks cool as well, even though it'll probably be a straight rehash of Aria of Sorrow, except with some forced touch screen segments.

And of course, there's Katamari Damashii DS, though Namco still hasn't shown a single screen or detail about the game. Still, any news of a new Katamari is enough to get me excited.

But yeah, NT's right-- There's literally no reason to get a DS right now. On the other hand, there are at least 3 games available at the moment for PSP that I want to play (MGA, Lumines, and Ridge Racers)...Eh, maybe I'll import Nintendogs. Famitsu gave it a perfect score, after all.

P.S. How do you pronounce "Lumines" anyway? I say it "Lou-mines" but all the other nerds around here say "Lou-min-ess"...

DarkPrime · Post by **DarkPrime** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 3:57 pm

Squirrelknight wrote:P.S. How do you pronounce "Lumines" anyway? I say it "Lou-mines" but all the other nerds around here say "Lou-min-ess"...

I pronounce it like "Lou-Means".

Post by **Green Gibbon!** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 4:37 pm

I hadn't seen Lost in Blue. That does look pretty cool, sort of a miniature Zettai Zetsumei. I never played Survival Kids, but it always looked awesome... I probably have the rom lying around somewhere, I'll need to mess with that one of these days. That was also by Konami, wasn't it?

How do you pronounce "Lumines" anyway?

ルミネス

Ru-mi-ne-su, or "loo-min-ess", short for luminescence, I guess.

Dache · Post by **Dache** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:37 pm

I've got Electroplankton in the post right now. I'll probably end up doing some sort of thing about it on Gamiko when I get it in a few days, so I'll crosspost it here if people care.

The Doc · Post by **The Doc** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:07 pm

Aw, darn. Sorry, Gibb, you said you were getting married, and I thought you were finally gonna get some.

As the kids say these days, my bad.

Baba O'Reily · Post by **Baba O'Reily** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:20 pm

All I have is Twisted Metal, some Gauntlet rip-off, and a sample disk. I need Ac!d like a fat kid needs exercise.

Post by **Green Gibbon!** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:25 pm

I sure wish somebody would explain to me how the Puzzle mode in Lumines works. I did the first round by accident...

Ngangbius · Post by **Ngangbius** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:37 pm

Don't look at me. I didn't have the patience to understand how it works either.

Baba O'Reily · Post by **Baba O'Reily** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:39 pm

I played it once in a fever dream and I understood it. But it faded when I returned to coherence. However, I did end up with a mysterious straw hat that I cannot explain.

Post by **Segaholic2** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:54 pm

These things called games come with things called manuals for a reason!

Post by **Delphine** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:30 pm

...you read the <i>manuals?</i>