Nintendo announce key dates

Yeah true. It's in Australia september-ish.

Meteos + Kirby + Kart + Metroid Huntes + Dawn of Sorrow + Nintendogs + Sonic Rush = platform of the year (finally!)

True - but how about a rebuttal then? I haven't played much PS2 this year, but it's probably the only competition for that crown.

Almost all PSP games are new levels for games we already have.

- you did notice three of those are racing games didn't you?

That dosn't mean anything about the platform - I still see it as a (only slightly) compomised portable PS2. It's great if you don't already have a PS2, or want your favourite games on an international flight, and money is no problem. But I can't see myself paying $90 each for Ridge Racer, GTA, HSGolf and Burnout - I already have several better versions of those games!

Now Lumines and Metal Gear Ac!d I'll give you.

Now for the 'been there' DS games, most add something signifigant to the property. I wouldn't give a rats about Mario Kart if it weren't for 16 player wireless multiplayer and 'easy as' online. I don't have broardband, but I can go to a uni or starbucks and play DS online (or PSP - are any games yet?)online - great for me!) same for online Animal Crossing.

Sonic, Castlevania Advance Wars: Dual Strike are a bit 'been there', but that's another facet - DS is getting strong traditional games too, maybe the best of their kind for years. I know of a guy waiting outside EB with a DS and a tube of superglue, so he can permanently stick Advance wars in his DS.

Kirby, Trauma Centre, Meteos and Nintendogs are the great totally new stuff. You don't have to like any of them, but they're still games that can't possibly be done on any other platform.
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This is fun! We should discuss stuff like this more often.

Anyway, the most fanboy part about me on this issue is that I've survived with the DS just on promises (and Yoshi!). Right now I personally believe that for joe schmo, neither DS or PSP are worth buying. The fun from both of them is just the fun of a new toy, and the games just show off the new toy, rather then do anything special. But by the year's end, I'll need the DS. Castlevania, Nintendogs, Kirby, Metroid Hunters and Meteos are calling.

It doesn't hurt that you'll be able to get a DS and all five of those games for about the same price a a PSP with just one game.