Looking For A Gaming Console, What should I buy ? Options

[Chero]

Hi,

I'm not much of a gamer and thus I lnow nothing about it.
Now my kids want a gaming console and are asking me for advice cause "I work with computers" (doesn't everybody nowadays ?) and because I have a Zaurus (OK, not everybody has one).

Now, from what I found on the www, I could go for (ps1), ps2, xbox, wii, ... but then they are tied to the tele.
I more like Nintendo DS, PSP, ??? (any other choices ?) cause that way they can also use it in the car or while someone else is watching tele.

I keep on asking google some questions and it gives me loads and loads of pages, but what are the pros and cons of these consoles ?
I already found that Nintendo DS plays GBA-roms. Does PSP do this as well ?
PSP's screen has a higher res, Nintendo's screen seems to be better protected (clamshell).

How about the games and their prices ? From what I see the same games seem to be cheaper for Nintendo DS. Why's that ?

Can a PSP play PS1, PS2, PS3 games ? My three brothers own PS1, PS2 and PS3 so it would be nice to play their games ...

From what I know now, balance is going towards Nintendo DS.
Please comment or answer my questions,

From a complete gaming-noob in search for a gaming device,
Chero.

[jpmatrix]

well, i own a psp, so let's try to answer :

PSP or DS, the choice basically depends of what kind of games you're looking for (or your children!)
PSP has much car games (that's the reason i bought it!), and games which are playable with the joystick (fight games, fps games, etc...)
DS has much reflexion & stylus-oriented games, and some says that DS games are much fun to play than PSP games...

people here doesn't seem to know that : since latest firmwares, PSP CAN play some PS1 games ! these games are made available via Sony's web site.

PSP can be used as a movie player (tested in my car with my children!) and as an quick&dirty mp3 player (i used it like that all days in transports!). sound quality is great, although max volume is limited by sony (ear protection they says!)

about battery consumption, i find it correct. and you can use psp charger to charge your zaurus ! you can also charge it via usb cable (but not within usb connector...)

PSP can also serve as a web browser. builtin browser is just correct although some heavy pages cannot be seen because of limited memory device...

about GB emulation, there is not... BUT .... it you .... well ... hack your PSP .... well ... you have then access to so called "homebrew" softwares and then you have GB, GBA, GBC, NES, SNES, and even N64 emulator ! you have also some c64 ou amstrad cpc or zx81 emulators

about screen, the first thing to buy is a protection ! and psp is sold with a pouch which i find good to protect it. and if you want you'll find lots of pouches and cases to customize your device

about price of games, just buy used games. they are usually out quickly after a game is sold.

voila !
but as i said, choice mainly depends of kind of games you're looking for.

[Chero]

well, i own a psp, so let's try to answer :

PSP or DS, the choice basically depends of what kind of games you're looking for (or your children!)
PSP has much car games (that's the reason i bought it!), and games which are playable with the joystick (fight games, fps games, etc...)
DS has much reflexion & stylus-oriented games, and some says that DS games are much fun to play than PSP games...

people here doesn't seem to know that : since latest firmwares, PSP CAN play some PS1 games ! these games are made available via Sony's web site.

PSP can be used as a movie player (tested in my car with my children!) and as an quick&dirty mp3 player (i used it like that all days in transports!). sound quality is great, although max volume is limited by sony (ear protection they says!)

about battery consumption, i find it correct. and you can use psp charger to charge your zaurus ! you can also charge it via usb cable (but not within usb connector...)

PSP can also serve as a web browser. builtin browser is just correct although some heavy pages cannot be seen because of limited memory device...

about GB emulation, there is not... BUT .... it you .... well ... hack your PSP .... well ... you have then access to so called "homebrew" softwares and then you have GB, GBA, GBC, NES, SNES, and even N64 emulator ! you have also some c64 ou amstrad cpc or zx81 emulators

about screen, the first thing to buy is a protection ! and psp is sold with a pouch which i find good to protect it. and if you want you'll find lots of pouches and cases to customize your device

about price of games, just buy used games. they are usually out quickly after a game is sold.

voila !
but as i said, choice mainly depends of kind of games you're looking for.

Really usefull, thanks.
Great, good old c64 ...
I guess (hope ) he won't go hacking during the first 5 or 6 years.
From the reviews I see on the web, and the videos I saw on youtube, I'd still go for the DS. Seems less agressive for an 8 year old ...

Anyone else ?
Chero.