PS3 following in the PSP's footsteps?

[Steve 3.2]

Well there are a lot of similarities between the handheld and console gaming wars:

The PSP was supposed to kick the DS to the curb.
The PS3 was supposed to kick the Wii to the curb.

The PSP is a more powerful machine than the DS.
The PS3 is a more powerful machine than the Wii.

The PSP is more than a gaming machine. The DS focused on changing how games are played.
The PS3 is more than a gaming machine. The Wii focused on changing how games are played.

And I think it's that last comparison that has really done Sony in this time. Their machines are a "Jack of all Trades, and Master of None." The average user doesn't care about being able to play a DVD from their PS3 on their PSP at a wireless hot spot. In the handheld space most users want to be able to quickly turn on the machine, play for a few minutes, and then being able to quickly put the machine away. The PSP is a pretty machine, but it doesn't have the battery life and isn't rugged enough to go everywhere. As for the PS3, Sony was a bit behind on their schedule and got forced into the console race early by MS. The machine is just finally showing some life at the end of this year, but the negative public perception of it is already firmly in place.

When push came to shove, Nintendo threw everything they had into the DS and Wii... and they continue to deliver experiences not available on other systems. They've come from 'behind' to really shine in both areas at unprecedented levels. How long that will continue is anyone's guess, but I don't see it ending in this generation for either the handheld or console systems.

Does this all mean that the PS3 is destined to follow in the PSP's footsteps? No, not at all. But Sony's really going to have to pull some rabbits out of their hats if they want to avoid that fate.