Christmas Console Gifts Round-up 2005

I reckon the best way to get people amenable to gaming is the same as getting them to read books regularly – early exposure. Here’s a run-down of all the handheld games consoles you could buy as Christmas presents this year, in order to suck your nieces, nephews, friends, cousins and anyone else into gaming. Help convert it into a mentionable past-time!

Cheapest first:

GameBoy Advance SP – £69.99
Takes: GameBoy Advance, GameBoy Color and Gameboy cartridges so lots of games to play.
Screen size: 7cm by 5cm (approx).
Size: 8cm by 9cm by 2cm
Advantages: Folds closed so won’t take much damage. Huge back catalogue of Nintendo games. Small. Rechargable battery and charger included.
Disadvantages: Requires Nintendo-socket earphones. Games tend to be older 2D games as it’s not powerful enough to run the newer 3D titles properly. Screen is rubbish in daylight. No analog stick.

Handy for anyone more concerned with gameplay challenges than pretty pictures or pose factor, though the screen is a bit rubbish in daylight. Only buy it if the Micro is too small for clumsy hands and the extra £20 is too much for a DS.

GameBoy Micro – £69.99
Takes: GBA cartridges.
Screen size: 5cm by 3cm (approx).
Advantages: Same power as the SP but substantially smaller. Very clear and bright screen. Huge back catalogue of Nintendo games. Changeable faceplates so scratches don’t matter so much. Takes standard earphones. Tiny. Rechargable battery and charger included.
Disadvantages: Doesn’t play really old GameBoy Color games, if you count that as a disadvantage. No analog stick.

It’s an SP nano (without the screen problems) and at 10cm by 5cm it’s very portable indeed.

Handheld: Nintendo DS – £89.99
Takes: GBA and DS cartridges.
Screen size: 6cm by 5cm for each screen.
Size: 15cm by 8cm by 3cm.
Advantages: Encrypted (WEP and Nintendo encryption) wireless ability for multiplayer in wireless hotspots with a compatible game. New interface (touchscreen, stylus and microphone), Pictochat (wireless chat for other DS), stereo sound, sleep mode, clock and calendar (no date planner function though). Folds closed to protect screen. Takes standard headphones. Wi-fi hotspots around the country to let you find other DS gamers online.
Disadvantages: There are reports of extended Mario Karting being somewhat uncomfortable due to placement of the buttons. No analog stick. Kinda big. You wouldn’t want to put it in your pocket.

Perfect blend of old-school gaming and non-conventional new stuff.

PlayStation Portable – £179.99
Takes: UMDs, Sony Memory Stick Duo.
Screen size: 8cm by 11cm.
Size: 17cm by 7cm by 2cm.
Advantages: Black and sexy. Big screen, D-Pad + analog stick, sleep mode, integrated web browser and encrypted wireless compatible (WEP). Plays UMD movies and stores images. Lots of big PS2 franchise games (GTA, Burnout, Wipeout, etc). Some games have extra downloadable content if you have wireless internet access. Takes standard headphones.
Disadvantages: Included memory stick is not high-capacity. Again, too big to fit comfortably in a normal pocket.

Looks impressive, has some great driving games.

Gizmondo – £199.99 £130
Takes: SD Flash cards
Screen size: 7cm by 5cm
Size: Can’t find online. If you have one, let me know.
Advantages: Has GPS tracking and mapping, Bluetooth, camera (0.3 megapixel), mp3s, text messaging and email functions as well as Gizmondo games. Takes standard headphones.
Disadvantages: Not many companies make Gizmondo games and they’re hard to find in shops. Some reports of poor battery life.

Apparently the GPS satellite navigation features are very good. I haven’t made my way to the Gizmondo shop in Regent Street to check it out for myself yet – too pricey!

And there we have it. Lots of handheld gaming options for all the family! :)

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