Spirit Tracks and the DSi Verse LittleBigPlanet and the PSP Go
Posted on December 26 2009 by Nathanial Rumphol-Janc
Entertainment Weekly had been running a special pitting games and machines against each other up until Christmas Eve and coming out with a final verdict. This time around, it was the Nintendo DSi and Spirit Tracks verse the PSP Go and LittleBigPlanet.
“Earlier this year, Nintendo slimmed down its popular DS portable gaming system (grandchild of the Gameboy—remember those?), and embedded two cameras: one on the outside, for snapping pictures, and one on the inside, to be used for motion-capture games. The technology for the latter is still a work-in-progress, but there’s no denying this stylus-totin’ system is the sleekest it’s ever been. And its reputation for cartoonishly fun, unbearably addicting games continues with the recent release of The Legend Of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. This sequel to 2007’s Phantom Hourglass once again has a hesitant Link stumble into an epic battle, this time taking on an evil chancellor who’s trying to unleash a demon onto the world. Of all the franchise’s 15 titles, this one embraces its silliness the most—Link gets around via an ancient train, is haunted by the shrill ghost of Princess Zelda, and finally rocks his woodland nymph-like persona by literally playing a pan flute. And given most of the game’s controls are done by slashing and swinging the stylus, it’s also as fervent a gaming experience as you can get on the small screen.”
And the winner is…br />
The Nintendo DSi and Spirit Tracks. Why did it win over the PSP Go?
“Given the PSP Go requires nearly a fresh start game-wise—it won’t play those UMD titles you inherited from your cousin—it’s awfully expensive; and at the moment, the game selection skews more towards hardcore players. The DSi is a lot more inviting, with titles like Scribblenauts that are a step forward in inventive, interactive gaming. And though Zelda titles are all structurally the same, each feels fresh with new enemies, new levels, and an arsenal of new gadgets. Truly, Link is the James Bond of the video game world.”
