How the Iphone Stacks Up:
The iPhone definitely is the powerhouse of the 3 systems, coming in with the fastest processor at 620mhz, and the most amount of RAM at around 128. It also is the lightest weighing in at only 133 grams. However the PSP has the iPhone beat at the screen size, edging the iPhone's 3.5 inch screen by .8 inches. Although screen size is not the only deciding factor in displays, but resolution as well, that is where the iPhone beats the PSP on the horizontal resolution by 48 pixels horizontal. Wireless access is another winner for the iPhone due to the fact that it has GSM/EDGE and wi-fi, giving the user more options to connect online. Finally, the iPhone is more than just a gaming platform as it also serves as a Smartphone.
Comparison Chart
| Feature |
Nintendo DS
|
Playstation Portable
|
iPhone 2.0
|
| Processors |
67 MHz and 33 MHz |
333mhz |
620mhz
(unofficial) |
| Mass |
275 grams |
260 grams |
133 grams |
| Dimensions |
5.85 x 3.33 x 1.13 in |
6.7 x 2.9 x 0.9 in |
4.5 x 2.4 x .48 in |
| Screen Size |
2x 3 in |
4.3 in |
3.5 in |
| Screen Resolution |
256 x 192 each |
480 x 272 |
480 x 320 |
| RAM |
4 MB |
32 MB + 4 MB embedded |
128mb (unofficial) |
| Storage |
256 kB of Serial Flash Memory |
Memory Stick Duo up to 4GB |
8/16/32 GB internal |
| Wireless |
802.11b/g |
802.11b |
802.11b/g
GSM/EDGE
Bluetooth |
| Input |
Touch Screen and Buttons |
Buttons |
Multi Touch Screen |
| Speakers |
Stereo |
Stereo |
Stereo |
| Media |
Carts |
UMD |
None |
| Media Capability |
None |
Video and Music |
Video and Music |
| Web Browser |
Opera on Game Cart |
Sony Built Browser |
Safari |
Iphone Dev Kit
How easy is it to make games for the iPhone? Since it supports OpenGL ES, it should be fairly familiar to most mobile games developer as it is an open standard. However does not have a dedicated library that caters specifically to game developers. However, as the tools more mature libraries can be used to help in game development.
Distribution of Games
The PSP and DS are closed platforms that require the developer to buy really expensive Game Development Kits that cost thousands of dollars. The apple SDK on the other hand is free and the developer only needs to pay a mere $99 and only if they decide to release on the App Store(Apple's Distribution Platform). Apple will get it's profits from from a 70(dev)/30(apple) revenue split and Apple will not charge for the cost of hosting and credit card billing. This is really great news for independent developers that do not have the cash to pay up-front.
Input
The iPhone seems to be fairly limited by the input options in terms of a traditional handheld. Not having any buttons to use seems like a handicap, but it also forces game developers to invent new ways in interacting with the game using multi touch screen. Also the inclusion of the accelerometer as a control scheme will definitely be put to novel use. Certain types of games like fighting games might have to get creative in the control scheme.
Games
So far there are 3 games announced for the iPhone, which is not that bad since the SDK has only been out for a few weeks. Since the announcement on the iPhone, probably a few more companies have been scrambling to get games on it. However compared to the PSP which launched with 24 titles, and the DS with 12 titles the PSP is not looking good at that department. Granted the main selling point of the iPhone are not games, but the overall package. Add to the fact that there are only a handful of games ported to the Mac.
Appeal:
The iPhone has a more global appeal than the PSP or DS, mainly because it has probably gotten more mainstream media coverage than the other two. Ask anyone out there that has exposure from the Media and ask what the iPhone is and they will surely know what you are talking about. It is also going to be marketed to 62 countries around the world, and from what is currently known, there won't be restrictions to the applications available to the iPhone.
Conclusion:
The iPhone definitely has the hardware to compete or even blow away the current hand held gaming offerings. It will have to rest it's fate as a gaming device to Apple, and the Game Developers to add games distinct to the iPhone, to make the mainstream media classify it as a gaming machine. Until then, I will be content on surfing the web and checking my email.