Sony Exec Rips On Nintendo's DSi Handheld

Sony Exec Rips On Nintendo's DSi Handheld

Saturday, April 04, 2009 - by Shawn Oliver
Um, what? Frankly, that's the reaction we have after digesting an absolutely absurd -- and borderline comical -- new PR snippet from Sony. Given that April 1st is well behind us, we're left to believe that John Koller's statement regarding Nintendo's DSi launch is completely legitimate. For those unaware, the smallest and most powerful DS yet is launching today in the United States, and rather than just pointing out facts about the PSP's superiority (the ability to play back UMD movies, a long history of downloadable content, an expansive 16:9 display, etc.), Sony Computer Entertainment America's Director of Hardware Marketing had this to say:


"If Nintendo is really committed to reaching a broader, more diverse audience of gamers beyond the "kids" market that they've always engaged, there isn't much new with the DSi to support that. Significant gamer demographic groups are being ignored, and there continues to be limited opportunities for games from external publishers to do well on the DSi. Compare that with the PSP platform, where we have many blockbuster franchises from our publishing partners launching this year, representing a wide variety of genres and targeting diverse demographics. Games such as Rock Band Unplugged from MTV Games, Assassin's Creed from Ubisoft, Dissidia Final Fantasy from Square Enix, and Hannah Montana from Disney demonstrate the commitment that publishers have to the PSP. From our own first-party studios, we're launching unique versions of LittleBigPlanet and MotorStorm, and we're also planning a steady stream of downloadable games -- both new titles and PSone classics -- to add to the content that PSP owners can already purchase wirelessly through PlayStation Store."


Really, John? You seriously have the nerve to bang on Nintendo's approach and its library of titles after it just announced the shipment of its 100 millionth DS system? Need we really remind you that Sony has only sold 50 million PlayStation Portable handhelds? We won't lie -- Nintendo definitely does have loads of titles available for kids aged 12 and under, but choosing that to pick on just screams "sore loser." On top of that, what gives you the right to tell Nintendo that it's missing out on "significant gamer demographics?" As we just stated, the DS has doubled up the PSP in worldwide sales, which does a lot in refuting that very statement.



So, what do you think? Are we being too tough on Johnny Boy here? Maybe we're old school, but we're of the belief that you can only talk smack if you're in the lead, not lagging behind in a distant second.
Via: Wired | News Archive | Tags: Sony, Gaming, Nintendo, PSP, DS, DSi
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Comments

By bob_on_the_cob on Apr 5, 2009

News:
Um, what? Frankly, that's the reaction we have after digesting an absolutely absurd -- and borderline comical -- new PR snippet from Sony.
That's the reaction I have to most of Sonys PRs.

I like the new DSi. I don't own a PSP or a DS though.

By 3vi1 on Apr 5, 2009

The problem with being a PR guy is that they're paid to be biased. :)

I love my PSP, but I use it to mostly as an MP3 player and to run an emulator that plays my old Nintendo GBA games. Everyone else in my family owns a DS, and I wouldn't doubt that the DSi will take off like wildfire.

By mentaldisorder on Apr 6, 2009

I'm not so sure it will take off with everyone.  A friend of mine just bought a regular DS ecause he mentioned the new DSi is not backword compatible.  I think I can safely say that the only handheld gaming device I was ever satisfied with was the original Game Boy.  I own a PSP, but the times I find myself playing it are not when I'm on the rode, when I'm just bored. 

By diemos on Apr 6, 2009

Do you expect him to say DSi is good handheld?

By 3vi1 on Apr 6, 2009

Backwards compatibility wasn't meant to attract customers that already owned GBAs. People who already have GBAs don't need the backwards compatibility (it's not like the console world where it can be a PITA to have a lot of systems connected to the TV). Backwards compatibility was to make the initial DS more attractive to first-time buyers - by giving them access to a huge and popular existing game library.

New users today are walking into a different market: There's now a large selection of good DS games. So, Nintendo doesn't need the backwards compatibility to lure customers to the platform. It makes more sense now for them to use the space for newer features.

So, I can't see a lot of first-time handheld buyers today preferring the DS over the DSi. Even my kids, who own DS's and quite a few GBA games say they'd rather have the DSi and its new features.

By bob_on_the_cob on Apr 7, 2009

But what about the guitar hero game for DS? the controller plugs into the GBA slot.

By recoveringknowitall on Apr 7, 2009

I'm sure Nintendo wouldn't mind if you owned more than 1 version of their portable profit machine.

By jtm55 on Apr 7, 2009

Hi All

Sore Loser. Nuff said.

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