PSP Question

[Lt. Drebin]

Word is that the "analog" control on the PSP is simply a nub like the ones many of us have on our laptops. Does anyone know if this is true? My god I can't emphasize enough how important accurate analog control is. Having attempted to game with a nub I can say it's not a very pleasant experience. This worries me.

I think this is a bit of an aquilles heal for this system. The touch panel on the DS is simply priceless in MP: Hunters and Mario 64, the only 2 games I have on it, and is incredibly accurate. Hopefully this nub thing works out because gamers don't know what they're missing until it's gone. :|

 

[Psychanalysis05%]

I highly agree - the DS' analogue is the closest you can get to perfect. Being analogue touch screen, you can move exactly how you want and have complete control in any direction. Analogue sticks are still not a grea invention because it's possible to jerk the wrong direction or push too hard.
The freedom of a touch screen makes your aim and movement exactly how you want to move.

 

[v1p3r]

Gamespot have said that the nub, although digital, is so sensitive it's hard to tell it's not analogue

 

[Warbie]

I highly agree - the DS' analogue is the closest you can get to perfect. Being analogue touch screen, you can move exactly how you want and have complete control in any direction. Analogue sticks are still not a grea invention because it's possible to jerk the wrong direction or push too hard.
The freedom of a touch screen makes your aim and movement exactly how you want to move.

I think it depends on the game. Some definately benefit from touch screen (some wouldn't be possible without it ) Others *cough*Mario 64*cough* will always be better on analogue (not that it isn't done great on the DS, it works well, but it was always going to be a compromise - hence Nintendo having to dumb down parts of the game to make it easier) I can't imagine playing a title like Golden Eye using the stylus either.

RTS titles will be interesting, tho. A stylus could easily be better than a mouse

As for the PSP nubbin - i'm not totally convinced (both on how comfortable it will be after prolonged use, if there will be such a thing considering the battery life , or how precise it will be. Time will tell.

 

[lePobz]

I use the analogue control for Ridge Racers, it works fine. It is a lot more sensitive than the PSone/PS2 controllers so it takes a bit of getting used to, but it's fine.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

Hey Warbie, playing Mario 64 with the thumb peice makes life a lot easier IMO...instead of using the stylus. But I'm guessing you probobly already know that. I find it to be just like using the old analog stick. I think the touch screen is genius. It's perfect with MP:H and I think the GoldenEye will be responsive as well. By the way, which controlloer setting are you using with MP:H??

OK, so it is a nub....thats what I wanted to know. And you guys also answered my follow up, the sensitivity issue. Again, thats what I thought the response would be...very sensitive. I don't know about you guys, but the nub is gonna take some serious getting used to. Like I said before, playing a game like HL on your laptop using the nub is not a pleasant experience. I hope it works out though. I just saw a PSP(some fighting game from Japan) in action yesterday and was impressed with how pretty it was. I hope all that power doesn't go to waste because it suffers from a lack of decent controls. Sony has their work cut out anyway as the DS has sold something like 2.8 million by year end.

 

[Warbie]

I haven't tried MP:H yet.

Don't get me wrong, the control methods for Mario 64 DS are fine - just not as responsive and precise as it was on the N64 (which was sublime)

 

[Lt. Drebin]

I haven't tried MP:H yet.

Don't get me wrong, the control methods for Mario 64 DS are fine - just not as responsive and precise as it was on the N64 (which was sublime)

MP:H is very well done..it'll give you more confidence in how they're gonna do Goldeneye on the DS. You move with the control pad and aim and jump with the touch pad...very well done. The touch screen is great for FPS...it's a welcome surprise.

I agree with you on Mario 64. It can be an incredible pain, but it's worth the fight. I think it's responsive enough, but you definitly right on how it suffers from precision. But it's the first game so I suspect things will get a lot better.

 

[Warbie]

Definately.

However, it's the titles designed with the stylus in mind that are getting me excited the most (preordered Yoshi's Touch and Go ages ago, and Kirby's Magic Paintbrush yesterday )

I'm hoping advance Wars will be controlled completely with the stylus. Also, being an rpg stats freak, I'm looking forward to using it when managing my inventory (very sad )

Move aside mouse - you are no longer the rts and rpg control method of choice \o/

 

[Lt. Drebin]

Definately.

However, it's the titles designed with the stylus in mind that are getting me excited the most (preordered Yoshi's Touch and Go ages ago, and Kirby's Magic Paintbrush yesterday )

I'm hoping advance Wars will be controlled completely with the stylus. Also, being an rpg stats freak, I'm looking forward to using it when managing my inventory (very sad )

Move aside mouse - you are no longer the rts and rpg control method of choice \o/

I'm fired up for how the touch screen is going to be worked into the Final Fantasy 3 remake, IMO the best in the series next to FF7. I get goose bumps thinking about it and I think Square is probobly loving it as well. Anyone that thinks Square is going to bail on the DS for the PSP better think again. The touch screen is going to be a rpg players wet dream and the two screen setup is perfect for most rpgs. :cheers:

 

[Warbie]

I'm fired up for how the touch screen is going to be worked into the Final Fantasy 3 remake, IMO the best in the series next to FF7. I get goose bumps thinking about it and I think Square is probobly loving it as well. Anyone that thinks Square is going to bail on the DS for the PSP better think again. The touch screen is going to be a rpg players wet dream and the two screen setup is perfect for most rpgs. :cheers:

Damn straight.

imo FF6 is considerably superior to FF7 - a straight port with stylus control would be enough to guarantee them my cash. Any map/menu used in the other will be a bonus.

 

[Psychanalysis05%]

FF6 is the definition of the word 'epic'.
'nuff said.

Also, MP:H works so amazingly well with the stylus it's hard to think of playing it without. There's no better way to aim. I use the default controls by the way Frank.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

FF6 is the definition of the word 'epic'.
'nuff said.

Also, MP:H works so amazingly well with the stylus it's hard to think of playing it without. There's no better way to aim. I use the default controls by the way Frank.

Indeed. FPS are gonna be great with the touch screen.

I was using the default controls on MP:H, but I switched to the one where you jump and aim using the touch screen. It felt more like an analog controller to me. Looking forward to the finished product.

Also, Square couldn't have found a better Final Fantasy game to redo for the DS....FF3 is perfection.

 

[lePobz]

How can you say FPS will be great using a touchscreen for controls? I played quake, tombraider and need for speed 4 on my XDA2 (touchscreen PDA) and using the touchscreen for controls/mouselook was awful ... Seriously awful.

I can see the DS screen been useful for point and tap games like the sims etc but in terms of constant-contact control it will be awful.

 

[Psychanalysis05%]

You don't HAVE to use the touchscreen at all in those games, it's just if you want to. Personally I can't stand playing Mario with it, I use the dpad and am actually finding it more fun than the original. MP:H though is sublime with the touchscreen, considering you don't touch the screen you're looking at. You use the bottom screen (which only has a map and some selections like morph ball etc.), whilst you look at the top screen to view the action. Lords no, if you had to touch the same screen you were looking at it would be a real hindrance.
And the default controls are the ones you're talking about, Frank.

 

[Warbie]

I can see the DS screen been useful for point and tap games like the sims etc but in terms of constant-contact control it will be awful.

We'll see. Much depends on each game and how well the controls are implemented.

Either way, many games are going to benefit considerably from touch screen. Many others are going to appear that wouldn't be possible on any other system (which is why the DS excites me so much)

Obviously it isn't the best control method for every type of game - it was never meant to be.

 

[Kommie]

I am about to break down and buy a nintendo DS

 

[Lt. Drebin]

How can you say FPS will be great using a touchscreen for controls? I played quake, tombraider and need for speed 4 on my XDA2 (touchscreen PDA) and using the touchscreen for controls/mouselook was awful ... Seriously awful.

I can see the DS screen been useful for point and tap games like the sims etc but in terms of constant-contact control it will be awful.

I can't comment on how well FPS games perform with a PDA's touch screen, but I'll say that from experience, the DS is great for it......far from awful.

The contols in MP:H are extremely well done and incredibly accurate and responsive. As was already said, it's a little different when you using a touch screen that you're not constantly looking at...the game is visible on the top screen.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

We'll see. Much depends on each game and how well the controls are implemented.

Either way, many games are going to benefit considerably from touch screen. Many others are going to appear that wouldn't be possible on any other system (which is why the DS excites me so much)

Obviously it isn't the best control method for every type of game - it was never meant to be.

Meant to be the most innovative F*ing thing on the market.

 

[GhostBoi]

My only gripe with MP:H is that they need a sensitivity adjuster for the touch screen, I think its a bit too low at default.

 

[Psychanalysis05%]

Remember, it is just a demo. If they get enough feedback about a sensitivity meter, it may be implemented.

 

[Psychanalysis05%]

I am about to break down and buy a nintendo DS

The God of Innovation commands you...

Ack, double post, sorry.