[Ironcell]

Steve Jobs made a rather large sweeping statement, when he declared the iPod Touch as the "Best gaming device on the market". Now of course the first thing that comes to everyone's mind is what about the PSP and DS, and how on earth could the iPhone ever compare to those two?

Instead of just saying Steve Jobs doesn't know what he's talking about, lets entertain the idea that the iPod Touch could possibly be the best gaming device on the market.

Lets try to list pros/cons of gaming on the iPod Touch/iPhone vs PSP/DS, I'll kick things off with my biggest gripe about PSP/DS.

Pro, digital distribution of games, no more carrying around stacks of PSP UMDs or DS cartridges, or having to pick and choose which games you really want to bring with you, or even having to constantly switch UMD/cartridges anytime you switch games.

So how about it, is there any strand of truth in Steve's words or is he full of it?

[exca1ibur]

I say he's full of it. Apple making ANY comment about gaming is a good laugh.

I don't know about the DS but I know the PSP already has limited distribution via the PSN and is expanding to more. I prefer hard copies myself, but think options are good and I don't see why both can't coexist.

[Laminar]

What do the other devices offer in terms of updating programs? I'd be interested to see how need for speed's graphics compare between the PSP and the iPod.

[Eug]

The PSP has shipped around 40 million units during its 4 year lifespan. The iPhone has shipped around 6-7 million units so far, after a year and a bit. However, iPhone sales are increasing, and has more potential for an upside in sales. Furthermore, that number doesn't even include iPod touch sales.

Personally I think the iPhone/iPod touch has a HUGE amount of potential as a gaming platform, and may overtake the PSP in the not-too-distant future in terms of unit sales.

All I know is I'll never buy a PSP or DS, cuz I simply don't want to carry the thing around. OTOH, I already own an iPhone, so it doesn't hurt to throw a couple of apps onto it.

[exca1ibur]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

What do the other devices offer in terms of updating programs? I'd be interested to see how need for speed's graphics compare between the PSP and the iPod.

I'm more interested how the gameplay compares.

[- - e r i k - -]

Processingwise it is almost as good as a PSP and about ten times as fast as a DS. Lack of physical controls seem to be the big sticking point for it to be any more than a casual gaming device. Not that I think it should aim for more though.

[Eug]

[dimmer]

I'm just happy that Apple has acknowledged the gaming market on any front (did I mishear, or did Steve actually say the most important application market for iPod Touch and iPhone was gaming?) That's a great step forward.

That it's a device that can run games in addition to being a phone / web browser / text messaging etc. etc. says a lot: as noted above, the market for a dedicated gaming portable is small -- adding gaming to a multi-function device makes a lot more sense.