Nuke wrote:
-2 screens
It's only a hindrance if they are used poorly. It's not a requirement to use both screens.
-unadequite D-pad
I think you mean "inadequate". D-pad quality varies, but sometimes the stiff ones just need to be broken in. DS fat has an adequate d-pad.
-Underpowered
Underpowered compared to the latest consoles, but still more powerful than older 16 bit systems. Those handled shmups well.
-Hard to peer at bullets
The DS has a 3" screen, which is one of the bigger handheld screens. Smaller handhelds like the GBC had games with bullets that are easy to peer at, so that's no problem for the DS either.
The PSP doesn't sound bad for shmups. The new model has a better d-pad and the screen is big for a handheld. I heard the TV out doesn't take up the full screen of the TV. Wouldn't that be a hindrance for shmups that don't take up the full screen of the PSP?
Mobile phones are smaller than the DS, the controls are worse, and many of them are less powerful, but they still get more shmups. It doesn't make much sense.