1: Patapon 3

All of the Patapon games have been surprising hits and a staple of the PSP platform. Patapon 3 is no exception. As a direct sequel, following Patapon 2, the game play is essentially the same, marching your armies to the beat of a drum; however, new elements, such as Hero Patapons and expanded multiplayer modes, breathe extra excitement into the series.

2: Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy

With success of the original Dissidia, it comes as no surprise that there would be a second. It’s your typical fighting game but with all of the most loved characters of the Final Fantasy franchise. Unlike the original, Dissidia 012 also includes a single-player story mode, giving it some much needed depth.

3: Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection

Just as it was done with Final Fantasy: Tactics as well as the previous Final Fantasy installments, Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection is a direct remake of the original, sporting much of the same game play of the 1991 classic but with high-detail CGI cut scenes to emphasize the story.

4: Phantom Brave

Phantom Brave was originally published on the PlayStation 2 game in 2004 and has now been remade for the Wii and PSP. As a tactical RPG with a fun storyline that is still simple enough to put down and pick back up, it lends itself nicely to the portable environment of the PSP.

5: Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

As a recreation of the Super Nintendo classic, Tactics Ogre, this new version gives you the same great tactics-based game play with a rather detailed game world and storyline. If you’re looking for a bit of nostalgia, this is the game for you.

The PSP really does have loads of great titles, and you can view them all in our PSP Games Section. Tell us some of your favorites in the comments below.

1: Pokémon Black & White

Pokémon is one of those games that makes up part of Nintendo’s heart(gold) and soul(silver). Many people bought the DS solely so that they could play Pokémon, and Black & White lives up to the reputation. It’s the same Pokémon experience we should all be used to, but with an exciting graphics overhaul, and of course, all new Pokémon!

2: ­­­Okamiden

As a sequel to the much loved Okami, the DS exclusive Okamiden pairs the colorful brush-based game play with the DS’ touch screen interface. The two truly make a great match, but if you loved Okami, don’t be surprised if a bit of the story is repeated in Okamiden.

3: Radiant Historia

Radiant Historia is a time traveling, tactics-style, RPG offering game play experience reminiscent of Super Mario RPG and Legend of Mana, along with elements from the Chrono Series. It’s hands-down the best RPG on the DS this year.

4: Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation

The Dragon Quest (also known as Dragon Warrior) series has been around for a couple decades now. This version is actually a DS remake of the 1995 original (for Super Nintendo). If you’re looking for an epic RPG that will give you, literally, days worth of game play, Dragon Quest is where it’s at.

5: de Blob 2

As much fun as de Blob 2 is for the Wii, it really finds its calling on the DS. As a light game with fairly uninvolved game play, it really is best suited for handhelds, and paired with the DS, it doesn’t disappoint.

If you would like to see reviews for all DS games, from this year and the past, head on over to our Nintendo DS Games Section. Be sure to sort by alaScore to see which rank the best.

Top Games for the PlayStation Portable

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Unlike the first Metal Gear game for the PSP, Portable Ops, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is a full fledged MGS title, complete with the covert game play the series is known for.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep

Kingdom Hearts was an instant hit when it first debuted on the PS2, Birth by Sleep easily lives up to the impressive reputation, full of familiar Disney and Square Enix characters and some new story lines.

God of War: Ghost of Sparta

God of War: Ghost of Sparta takes all the action from the latest God of War titles and crams them onto the portable screen, without that watered down feel that so many handheld versions suffer from.

Top Games for the Nintendo DS

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

Originally known as Dragon Warrior over in Japan, the Dragon Quest series has lived on as a truly epic RPG title. The storyline really does go on for ages, yet still manages to keep you completely enthralled, something only Dragon Quest can accomplish.

Might and Magic: Clash of the Heroes

At long last, a real time strategy game for a handheld that’s actually good! Clash of the Heroes makes use of the DS’s unique touch interface to create an exciting mix of combat, puzzles, and strategy all while staying true to the Might and Magic series.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

What good would the DS be if you couldn’t play Zelda? Spirit Tracks is a sequel to the Phantom Hourglass and improved on many of its predecessor’s shortcomings, while keeping the game play and storyline true to the Zelda franchise.

Head over to alaTest.com to check out our full Nintendo DS and Sony PSP games lists.

Fear not! Your holiday shopping woes are at an end (for gaming handhelds at the least).

When it comes to handhelds, you have two real choices: the Nintendo DS or the Sony PSP. Here’s what you need to know:

The Nintendo DS Platform

Nintendo has been at the top of the portable gaming totem pole for quite some time (ever since the launch of the original Game Boy), so needless to say, the entire DS series has a lot of offer. Most notable is the DS’ game library, playing host to a very wide assortment of games, with the majority of its titles rated “E” for Everyone. The DS is home to the latest Super Mario titles as well as the extremely popular Pokémon series.

As a portable gaming platform, the DS stands out, but it also offers a few additional features, such as wireless multiplayer for select titles. Some of these titles include “Download Play,” which allows users to play multiplayer titles with only one copy of the game. The newer versions of the DS also include additional features.

You’ll find that there are several flavors to choose from, such as the DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL, each with their own pros and cons. The DS Lite is the cheapest, but also oldest of the three. Many new titles will only run on a DSi device; however, the DS Lite is the only one of the three that is still compatible with Game Boy Advanced games.

The DSi and DSi XL are both very similar, the only difference being screen size. Both include upgraded hardware compared to the DS Lite as well as improved wireless technologies and two small digital cameras. Out of the three, the DSi is generally the preferred purchase, but if Game Boy Advanced compatibility is a must, go with the DS Lite.

The Sony PSP Platform

The Sony PlayStation Portable is significantly more powerful than the Nintendo DS, leading to more advanced games with much more detailed graphics. Many of these games are aimed for slightly more mature audiences, usually rated “Teen” or higher. Of course that’s not to say “E” rated titles don’t exist for the PSP; they certainly do, but there are far less to choose from.

What separates the PSP from the DS is the fact that it’s much more than just a gaming device. Sony created it as an all-inclusive multimedia platform, with a larger, higher resolution screen. With the PSP, you can stream music from online radio, watch movies on UMD’s or downloaded from the PlayStation Network, and of course play the latest PSP titles.

Similar to the DS, the PSP comes in a couple different versions: the PSP 3000 (aka PSP Slim) and the PSP Go. The PSP Go is a smaller device with smaller screen and no UMD slot. Instead of purchasing games at stores, you download them from the PlayStation Network and save them either on the PSP Go’s 16GB internal drive or expandable MS storage. The PSP Slim’s hardware is nearly identical to the PSP Go, except that it foregoes the 16GB of internal storage in place of a UMD slot for games and movies.

The PSP Slim is generally preferred to the PSP Go due to its larger screen and cheaper price as well as the ability to trade games with friends in UMD form.

The Future of Portable Gaming

Oddly enough, both Sony and Nintendo have plans to release new gaming devices shortly after the holidays. Nintendo expects to have the new 3DS available worldwide in March of 2011. The 3DS will offer the same gaming experience as the current DS systems but with the addition of a glasses-free 3D display.

Sony’s plans are much more hush-hush. Only rumors exist currently, but it appears that Sony could be developing a PlayStation Phone, running on the Android Operating System. There is no word of an expected release date; however, it is said that when the device is ready, it will rival the gaming power of an Xbox 360.

It actually comes as little surprise, given the rate at which Smartphones are advancing lately. It’s very likely that come 2011 or 2012, Smartphones will be the pinnacle of portable gaming.