PSP ?

[LeftEyeNine]

...is the way to go when it comes to a handheld console that is functional and versatile to an extent that I can play emulations of old console games ?

Any other option out there ?

[Beskar]

Ninento DS, not PSP.

[pevergreen]

I would gage the reactions of other people before deciding.

N.

[Whacker]

PSP can be difficult or impossible to hack if it's brand new. I was lucky enough to get a 2001 slim back in late 2008 RIGHT on the cusp of having the unhackable mobo/firmware, so I bought a tool battery and flashed it. The emulators work great on it, but they drain batteries big time. The games available for it aren't that wonderful IMO. Crisis Core is worth playing, FF Tactics is a worthy remake, and Jeanne d'Arc is worth at least one playthrough. If you hack it, you can use these tools to make images of your UMDs and play them directly off the memory stick. It's much faster, no noise, and uses far less battery juice.

Nintendo DS has many more games, but the homebrew scene isn't nearly as prominent. You can get flashcarts for it, but most people seem to want them for pirating games instead of older system emus or other homebrew. It's got a much wider variety of games, plus it can play GBA carts as well if you have any.

Edit - I should clarify. You MUST hack your PSP if you want to play emus on it.

[Lemur]

All I know is that everyone who has a DS likes it, and the two people who I know who have PSPs complain about them constantly. Your mileage may vary.

[Xiahou]

I have both a DS and a PSP. I love my DS and complain constantly about my PSP. :beam:

Seriously, in terms of the systems game library there's no comparison. The DS has more great games than you can shake a stick at and many of them are at bargain bin prices. The only reason to go PSP is if you're intent on hacking it. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably save the money and skip the PSP.

[LeftEyeNine]

Why Nintendo DS ?

[Fragony]

soooooooooo many gooooood games on the DS get one

[LeftEyeNine]

Emulation ? Media Player ? Wi-fi ?

[Fragony]

Emulation ? Media Player ? Wi-fi ?

yes no yes. Wouldn't advice against buying a psp but the DS has more going for it. psp is better as a hub, music, movies, and screen to die for. Maybe you should check out the Pandora open