OK this is how I feel about both systems - 100% unbiased, I don't support Sony or Nintendo over the other (in fact I have an XBox )
OK, I got my DS about 2 months ago now, on the euro release date. I have to say I love the system, it has some really interesting ways of playing. My main problem with the system is the current lack of games, but Mario 64 keeps me entertained with the mini games (damn they are good)
The PSP, I recieved as a Japanese import a few days ago. I love this system too. There is alot you can do with it and it is a very capable system. Before you say it, the battery life is actually pretty good. And there were no dead pixels (which says more for the PSP than my DS...)
Alot of people slate the "opposite" system, or the system they don't own to justify the purchase of the one they do own. QUIT IT.
Let's look at the prices here. DS = £90. You're getting a pure gaming system, with the potential for pleanty of innovation.
For around £30 more (My PSP was £150 with a game not including P&P, so that's £150 - £30 (for the game) = £120), you're getting a multimedia center aswell as a powerful gaming system, of course for it to be a fully functional media center you need to spend at least another £50 on a high capacity memory stick. Oh yeah and you get a kick ass screen that takes up about 3/4 of the system.
My final verdict would be this - there is no winner. They are both suited to different people (or in this case both suited to me, although I think my Girlfriend likes the DS more than I do). There is alot of hatred going around over "my system is better than yours". Well, for me, if I had the choice, I would chose my PSP because it has all the extra stuff which I do use, bit it would be a very hard decision, and ideally I wouldn't have to chose either. My scores for each system are as follows:
DS
Graphical capabilities 75% (sure they're good but the PSP seems an entire generation ahead)
Sound: 95% - excellent sound
Potential for fun games 95%
Functionality/Features 60% - Sure it has a touch screen, and there is the play yan as an addon, but out of the box it doesn't have a vast amount of features
Battery life - 95%
Controls: 90% (The touch screen has pleanty of opportunity for great games for accurate controls, and is very good for FPS, let's hope for an Unreal Tournament DS.. Only downfall is no analog stick)
Durability - 100% Whoa I swear I could throw this directly at a concrete floor and it woudl still work, but I'm not gonna try.. The clamshell design also helps here, protecting the screens
Portability 90% Ok the system looks big opened up, but when folded its a fairly neat little package
Aesthetics - 75% I'm not overly keen on the looks of the DS, I mean it looks OK I guess, but also a bit cheap.
Value - 95%
OVERALL (Not an average): 95%
PSP
Graphical capabilities 100% (The PSP is in a league of it's own for a handheld)
Sound: 95% excellent sound
Potential for fun games: 95% (This of course depends on the person, just like some people like PS2 some like Gamecube)
Functionality/Features 90% (Can be a little arkwatrd for videos sometimes but overall very good features)
Battery life 80% (The battery life surprised me alot as to how good it was for such a capable system, although it doesn't quite match the DS)
Controls: 90% (The controls are great, and handily it has a little analog nub, which is arkward at first but actually works very well)
Durability - 75% OK this is one of those systems that get a easily fingerprinted and there is no clamshell to protect the screens. I ceratinly would not feel comfortable throwing THIS at a concrete floor. Still it's well put together and probably fairly durable.
Portability - 87% Slightly bigger than the DS, but still fits into your pocket neatly
Aethetics 100% This system is absolutely gorgeous, nice and shiny etc. Proabably the best looking system to date, I even think the Revolution took a leaf out of the PSP's book. The only problem is the easy fingerprinting, but that comes under durability.
Value 95% (I feel like I'm robbing Sony here, they do in fact lose about $50 per system apparently, and for the price you're getting alot, it feels like its worth at least £250)
OVERALL (Not an average): 95%
I was tempted to give both systems 100% but decided that's too nice, neither is perfect.
I think it's also good to point out that the PSP seems far more hackable at a cheaper price than the DS which could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you are and how you look at it. I personally am looking forward to the upcoming SNES emulators for the PSP.
FINALLY - Who will win? BOTH
