Fightclub: 3DS vs NGP

Today we're going to go over the Nintendo 3DS and pit it up against what is known as the Sony NGP, for now. If you didn't get to see the 'Nintendo 3DS Unboxing,' you can head over to HERE.

Now, you're actually not going to find a winner here necessarily, because the NGP hasn't been released yet nor has it even been given an official name, so far as we know, but with what we know so far, we have a pretty good idea of where things are going, assuming that what Sony has out on paper comes to fruition and its really what we expect it to be. So, now that we've had some hands-on time with the unit, we can actually do this, so lets get to it.

First off, President & CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America Jack Tretton spoke out concerning the 3DS and its pretty clear he took a stab at Nintendo. His words were as follows:  "Our view of the 'Game Boy experience' is that its a great babysitting tool, something young kids do on air-planes, but no self-respecting twenty-something is going to be sitting on an airplane with one of those. He's too old for that."

Those were pretty harsh words not only directed at Nintendo themselves, but gamers whom have already adopted the 3DS um... that are my age. So, some feathers are going to get a little roughed up there but, welcome to business 101. No matter which corporation, its all about talking yourself up to make yourself seem bigger and make the competition feel smaller. That's the way it is whether your Don Mattrick over Microsoft Gaming on Xbox 360 or even Reggie Fils-Aime, they all seem to have fun taking a stab at one another. It seems extremely cheap and very unsportsmanlike but welcome to an ever evolving world of change.

Now, I'm going to tell you straight up that I completely disagree with this statement made by Jack Tretton. Most people are going to look at a twenty-something adult playing a PSP, especially if dressed in business attire and wonder why a business man is wasting his time playing video games. It doesn't matter what you play, some people are always going to think its a complete waste of time but it also doesn't matter what you play, so long as it brings you happiness, right? Does this make Sony's competition an angel? Heck no! They had fun taking stabs at Sony right on stage at E3 and Sony Computer Entertainment's President was infuriated by it. So, now that we've got that out of the way.

So lets get down to business then. In the short period of time that I've spent with the Nintendo 3DS, I have without question been impressed. The hardware has exceeded my expectations. The 3D effect is great and the software works extremely well. The graphics are sharp, with a little aliasing as is expected, and the fact that its 3D alone and hasn't had to sacrifice resolution as I've seen anyway and the depth to the 3D is excellent with the occasional image popping out at you. The hardwares great, though it has its cons and I look forward to seeing how it does in the future.

However, the problem is just that. The future. At current, the 3DS doesn't really have much going for it. It has Ridge Racer, which is alright, it has Super Street Fighter IV and it has Pilot Wings and none of the online features promised are usable. Its been a pretty poor launch for the 3DS. Really, the 3DS is a 3D DSi.

Sony with the NGP has pretty much given its entire unit a complete overhaul. It doesn't sport 3D, as the 3DS does, but has chosen to focus more on graphics and a unique style of play to the NGP. Sure it has a touch screen but believe it or not, the differentiation between the two, other than the processing power (which we'll get to in a second) is the rear side of the NGP.

This pad on the rear of the NGP works pretty much like the mouse pad of a laptop. At E3 they had demoed Uncharted, for example, and to climb the vine, you would move your fingers in a climbing motion. It appeared that there could be some depth to the unit if I understand correctly as it seemed when you tap the back, it detects that taping movement almost like its sucking the tips of your fingers momentarily into the unit.

Going back to the processing power of the NGP, so far it seems that using AR (augmented reality), the 3DS still requires the use of AR cards (bundled with the 3DS), much like the PSP had to use for games like Invismals. The NGP has the ability to use augmented reality without the use of those cards which is nice.

Of course, again, we have no idea what to expect from the NGP yet though we should theoretically learn more about it at E3. Sony has a good seven months to really get their stuff together. To try and gain support from third-party developers and remedy the struggling release the PlayStation 3 had and turn it all around and make those who are interested in the NGP firm believers as well as others who may not be. Lets not kid ourselves, the fact is that Nintendo has more third-party support right now than its competition. That's a two edged sword. It works because they can boast most titles and have that support (like shots on goal as well. The more you have, the more likely you are to score and build points.), but it can work against them much like their struggle with shovel-ware on the DSi and Wii. Sony needs some solid release titles and full functionality at the units release, unlike Nintendo that waited to release most of their bigger games during the Summer. So games like Metal Gear Solid 3D, Resident Evil: Revelations, Zelda and Kid Icarus, everyone is having to wait on. If Sony can launch a solid Uncharted game its a bonus. The fact Sony was able to get Activision to do Call of Duty is a big plus, but if Activision maintains a poor record and relationship and lack of faith in the PlayStation 3, that's not going to translate well to the NGP as the two, believe it or not will feed off of each other.

Gamers for the 3DS do have shovel-ware to fear but that doesn't put the NGP as impervious to its own issues. The one thing those who are looking at picking up an NGP are nervous about, is porting. The NGP is unique and it needs to have unique games that compliment the differences that unit has and utilizes those attributes. I was once told by someone that "the gaming industry isn't really interested in trying anything new, because its the same old thing that always sells. The things that's guaranteed to bring them money."

The design of the NGP is masterful. Two analog sticks and a touch screen. The 3DS, it feels like the PSP now, except the analog nub is bigger. It feels like a bigger concave nub rather than an actual stick and the buttons are incredibly small, even for my fingers which are sticks.

Really, all Sony needs to do is focus on a solid launch with amazing titles and outstanding online features. Even trophy support I'm excited for. Nintendo has a good thing going for them with a lot of support from developers waiting at their command. Nintendo had a shaky launch and its going to affect them, especially if Sony can advertise their product right, get everyone pumped for it and again, launch that sucker like they've never done, but Nintendo can redeem themselves with better software offerings and a robust and powerful online service.

We're excited for the NGP and we're loving the 3DS and its possibilities. The 3D alone isn't going to save them just as the NGP's graphics aren't going to save the NGP alone. Much like 'Heavy Rain,' a unique style of play giving gamers a whole new elevated experience will draw in a large crowd. So, the 3DS being the DSi in 3D basically, is going to push Nintendo to really research and explore area's the DSi maybe had never gone. The NGP has a whole new palette to paint with and a larger palette. That's the honest truth. However, contrary to Jack Tretton's statement, the 3DS can be a device the twenty-someold adult will pick up and have fun with, but the NGP can definitely steal its thunder if Nintendo isn't careful. We'll see how things go in the coming months. What more Nintendo has in store for us on the 3DS, and how Sony will combat the 3DS.

For more on the NGP and 3DS and all other things gaming, check back to ThumbDriveXGZ, always keeping you in the Gamer Zone.