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Transcript: Buy a Portable Gaming System

Buy a Portable Gaming System
 

Portable Gaming Industry

The portable gaming industry is so massive, it's expected to rake in 9 billion dollars worldwide this year alone. Staggering figures for an industry that's just a couple of decades old. Part of the reason for the big numbers is the wide variety of age groups playing video games and the exciting new games and devices attracting attention.
 

Choices in Portable Gaming

There are three major portable video game players on the market now: Game Boy Advanced SP, Nintendo DS and the Playstation portable.
 

Playstation Portable Gaming System

Let's start with the newest on the market, the Playstation portable or PSP. The Sony PSP brings a 3-D gaming experience to a small, lightweight handheld device. You can see it's about twice the size of Apple's iPod. The PSP plays games specifically made for the Playstation portable on yet another new Sony format, the universal media disc. There are about two dozen games to choose from right now, with plenty more on the way. The PSP also has loads of fun extras, like wireless Internet access and the ability to play feature films. You can also view your photos and play music stored on memory sticks. And, you can communicate with other PSPs without wires, so you can get your multi-player game on. The PSP costs $250.
 

Nintendo DS Portable Gaming System

The Nintendo DS has a different design. It folds in two like a flip-top cell phone. It also has two, 3-inch LCD screens so you can see two different perspectives at the same time. And the really cool feature, instead of just pushing buttons to get to the next level, you can actually play the game with your finger. The DS has a touch screen that allows you to draw your way through the game, and control characters through touch or the stylus pen. The DS has about two-dozen games available that cost up to 50 bucks. But, you can also play 100's of Gameboy games on the DS. Plus, the Nintendo DS has multi-player gaming as well. The cost-about 150 bucks.
 

Gameboy Portable Gaming System

Now, onto the granddaddy of portable gaming, the device that's been around since 1989, Gameboy - and it still has game! The latest edition, the Gameboy Advance SP, is so tiny it will fold up and fit in your pocket! It offers the most games, including some video game classics like Super Mario Brothers. And, the Gameboy only costs about 80 dollars. For the phone-aholic, there's Nokia's N-Gage QD. This device will allow you to not only play games on the go, but you can also call mom. "Hi Mom!" We're still waiting for this little guy to climb the portable gaming ladder. The N-Gage costs about $99 bucks with a new service plan.

If you're debating which system to buy, my advice is to first figure out your budget. The PSP is a little pricier than the Nintendo systems. Also, make sure the games you're most interested in are available for the system you want to buy.