Pimping the PSP

[Shane R. Monroe]

Well, I decided to go get my hands on one so I can intelligently bitch about it.

First off, there is no where NEAR the shortage of these things as what is being sold by the media. My local GameStop (that carries next to no stock) was out of them. Target had PILES of them. Best Buy had PILES of them (this is Phoenix, folks).

What amazed me was how HARD they are pimping the PSP at Best Buy. They must have a piece of the action - I was almost ASSAULTED on the way into the store - they had a BIG area roped off for pimping them. The guy almost wouldn't let me leave without buying one, almost tripping over the table to put one in my hands.

What makes it GOOFY AS HELL is that they had TONS of product all over the place, but YOU COULDN'T PLAY ANYTHING! NOT EVEN THE SPIDERMAN 2! What kind of goofy crap is that??? Instead, they had a 'video trailer' UMD in it that you could watch VIDEO clips of the games! And video clips. Yeah, I was sooo blown away. Needless to say, the reiteration that this thing is focusing on video playback and not gaming is just more and more stuffed in my face.

So .. I got to hold it in my hands .. no chains or anything.

The screen is nice. Is it the second coming of Jesus its being pimped as? Hell no. Its bigger - but the quality of the screen doesn't scream "I'm so much better than the DS you must buy me". In fact, the video disc I looked at .. the video was almost SMEARED (you could blame that on the encoding process - but dayom, that's not what you use to demo the unit!)

They weren't kidding about the fingerprints .... The demo dude wiped it off before handing it to me (nice slight of hand there). After playing with it, it looked like a public demo unit that hadn't been washed in weeks.

The analog stick is HELLA uncomfortable. People bitching about playing analog simulations with the DS touch screen - I want to hear you bitching about this too.

The games all looked standard. I poked through the boxes and watched the movies. The dungeon crawler Champions of Norrath style game even looked tired (and I'm a complete SLUT for that stuff).

The PSP is no more 'pocket friendly' than the DS .. so I don't want to hear any more about that.

I also didn't care for the interface. Its like web pages that use straight pictures with mouse overs that don't totally help you figure out where to go ... I'm sure you could get used to it - but I must say I expected more.

The volume is almost non-existant - its a HEADPHONE ONLY system I see.

I will say this - it feels solid over all. Doesn't feel flimsy as I expected it would. Its a packed up little unit.

I actually allocated $250 in my accounts - hoping I'd be impressed enough to HAVE to have one. With Target having like 100 of them, I could have walked off with one. But honestly - its not for me. I own and play a PS2. And I do like some stuff. But do I want this? Nope. If the units go down to $179 with no extra crap ... if the pixel stuff is fixed ... Yeah, I might give it a go - but right now, I have Yoshi T & G to play ... kthx.

[jamcat]

Yeah, I hear a lot about smudged screens, but what portable game system doesn't get smudged screens? I'm sure 3rd party companys will probably be making PSP system "condoms" to protect the screen. Not a big issue.

[Darksol]

Sometimes I wouldn't mind playing PS2 style games on the go. However I'll wait a little bit longer until like Shane says they fix their dead pixel policy and it drops a little. I would rather buy the DS first. Mobile Gaming hasn't been so exciting since the Gameboy, Game Gear, and the Lynx were going at it.

[jamcat]

I still want to see if Nintendo will be bringing out a next-gen Game Boy by the end of the year.

They might confuse & fragment the market, but if they see it as taking market share away from Sony, they might consider it a good thing. Who knows.

[DaMenace]

I just wanna see some sweet RTS games that we're all hearing about now for the DS man... and Another Code looked neat as well

Still, if and when the PSP comes down in price without the lame memory stick and other crap I'll prolly take a look at it

[Lento]

I like the concept of the DS though. When you think of it, the DS could almost replace the PDAs. If there only was a basic operating system for it with a browser, notepad, mail, calendar (or is there already?) etc and it could connect to wireless internet hotspots, I'd consider buyin one. For now I will stay idle though and watch what happens maybe I'll change my mind in half a year.

[jamcat]

Or it would be cool if the next-gen GBA was a "PolyStation" DS with GBA guts. Minus the second screen and touchscreen interface.

Of course they would have to make the buttons the same size as they are on the GBA, As it is, the buttons on the DS are TOO SMALL.

[DaMenace]

It has a calendar built in along with chat IM support (Pictochat).. The DS's OS upon bootup first displays a warning on flashy things that cause seizures (you know, for people who cant stare at blinking lights) then it displays the current date, time, and even your name upon bootup on the top screen where as the bottom screen gives you the options to:

[ Start DS Game ]
[PictoChat][Download game]
[ Start GBA Game]
[Light] [Options]
Options allows you to set your birthdate, time, etc.
Light lets you turn on or off the backlight (there's no button for the light like on the GBA SP)
so in reality it already has a couple of things the PDA has.
I believe there are more productivity items in development, including one "game" that uses Pictochat, and big N does have its own movie player that uses SD cards..
People also have gotten the DS to be recognized on their wireless networks.

My one complaint is having to reboot the DS after every stinking change on options and/or when done using Pictochat..

The DS buttons to me are just about as big as on the GBA sp Jamcat, makes no difference to me in gameplay at all..
I still dont understand why people do not like the touchscreen! WTF is the problem with it?!?!?!? You only have to use it for a select few games and even in those where it's use is small it's more easy to use than hitting multiple buttons for the same effect or going to a status screen..

To me the DS is more of a technical marvel than the derivative PSP

[jamcat]

The DS buttons to me are just about as big as on the GBA sp Jamcat, makes no difference to me in gameplay at all..

To me, when I frst check out the unit, they seemed slightly smaller than the buttons on the GBA. And too close together as well.


I still dont understand why people do not like the touchscreen! WTF is the problem with it?!?!?!? You only have to use it for a select few games and even in those where it's use is small it's more easy to use than hitting multiple buttons for the same effect or going to a status screen..

For the most part, the touchscreen has been a gimmick. Strategy games may put the touchscreen to good use, but for the other games it really isn't needed. The Atari Classics collection on the DS proves to me what a joke touchscreen control is for games like that. Gameplay was totally bastardized by the touchscreen. They should have stayed with digital only control like in the GBA version of Atari Anniversary Advance.


To me the DS is more of a technical marvel than the derivative PSP

I wouldn't consider a second screen or a touchscreen interface that much of a "technical marvel" over the PSP.

[Darksol]

I wouldn't consider a second screen or a touchscreen interface that much of a "technical marvel" over the PSP.

And what would you suggest ? Seems like you have all the time in the world to figure that out.

[sci]

The DS is this generation's Virtual Boy. Nintendo should stop bragging about how they are the most innovative dev on the block and actually come up with the goods.

[jamcat]

And what would you suggest ? Seems like you have all the time in the world to figure that out.

Compared to the touchscreen, a micro track/rollerball would have been the most innovative thing to add to a portable game system. Short of that, Sony was smart to offer a analog nub.

[Darksol]

The DS is this generation's Virtual Boy. Nintendo should stop bragging about how they are the most innovative dev on the block and actually come up with the goods.

I don't think the Virtual Boy sold nearly as well as the DS so that comparison is flawed even as a metaphor.

[jamcat]

The DS is this generation's Virtual Boy. Nintendo should stop bragging about how they are the most innovative dev on the block and actually come up with the goods.

Gotta agree with you there. The only thing that will save the DS is if they focus on making the DS the system for strategy games. Total Annihilation DS, Ground Control DS, Dark Reign DS, Earth 2140 DS, Earth 2150 DS, or CyberStorm DS would totally rock. If Nintendo brings out more strategy games and less of this Wario, Yoshi, Nintendogs, and Electro Plankton crap, the system will do fine.

[Shane R. Monroe]

I still want to see if Nintendo will be bringing out a next-gen Game Boy by the end of the year.

They might confuse & fragment the market, but if they see it as taking market share away from Sony, they might consider it a good thing. Who knows.

It won't happen ... they've already said that was just a rumor.

[jamcat]

It won't happen ... they've already said that was just a rumor.

You never know. If the PSP ends up dominating the market share near the end of the year, Nintendo will have to do something to take the spotlight off the PSP. If not, Sony might just might take the handheld market crown.

That's another good reason to wait, to see how both systems pan out. And see which will be getting the most support.

[lion2]

Just used my cousins PSP yesterday, and here are my impressions. The screen is AMAZING! I watch Spiderman 2 the movie on it for a couple of minutes and was amazed a the quality. After that I wanted to try out some games. My cousin had bought Twisted Metal and Darkstalkers. Played Twisted Metal first and the Intro video was again very impressive. Then went on to gameplay. Graphics weren't anything to be impressed about and the gameplay was decent. Didn't like the analog pad, but I guess its something that you would probably have to get used to. Im not much of a twisted metal fan, but I did enjoy twisted metal over a LAN back when I was in college.

Now I went and tried Darkstalkers, graphics and gameplay were just like the arcade, however the PSP dpad seems to work horribly for those types of games. It feels a little too soft, and I couldnt get the moves out ever time I wanted to (Which I can on console versions of the game).

So my initial PSP experience wasnt good. I especially cannot recommend to play it for 2D fighting games. It has a solid sports lineup but I dont play sports games. Would've love to try out Lumines cuz I've heard really good things about it, and I also would love to try out some multiplayer gaming on it.

[yuckymucky]

You never know. If the PSP ends up dominating the market share near the end of the year, Nintendo will have to do something to take the spotlight off the PSP. If not, Sony might just might take the handheld market crown.

I don't think that it is physically possible for the PSP to dominate the market by the end of the year. There are what, 24 million Game Boys sold to date? I'm pretty sure that is the number I last saw.

I just don't see the PSP becoming the next GameBoy but I also don't see the DS as it either. They both have their flaws that are holding them back to what I can see.

[JamesJoell]

Will not buy PSP...regardless of what anyone says. Why would I want to play PS2 games on the move? No reason at all, ive taken on board everyones comments but I was put off with Sony trying its arm at the handheld market simply because I know it would be bad business for the industry if Sony were which they wont take over the handheld market. The DS which i played was good, I didnt go too much on the small buttons, yea its a handheld I know but I found it hard getting used to them when quick button tapping was required. Warioware was good fun Super Mario 64 DS, i prefer to play it on the N64 mainly because of the loss of nintendo's vibrant colour. The PSP has to live up to one thing, its durability...it hasnt been out long enough to see how much the unit can with stand. The only handheld I've owned is a game gear lol.

[jamcat]

I don't think that it is physically possible for the PSP to dominate the market by the end of the year. There are what, 24 million Game Boys sold to date? I'm pretty sure that is the number I last saw.

I just don't see the PSP becoming the next GameBoy but I also don't see the DS as it either. They both have their flaws that are holding them back to what I can see.

Be funny if Nintendo comes out with the next-gen Game Boy and it ends up out-selling both the DS and PSP. That would be something.

Well, the Game Boy proves you don't need the latest & greatest features to sell a gajillion systems. Heck, the Game Boy stayed 8-bit for a LONG time and people didn't care and bought tons of 'em. The system was inexpensive, and battery life was long. Though I didn't get into the Game Boy until it went color.

I wonder if the 32-bit Game Boy Advance will have just as long a life as the 8-bit units did?

[Demolition Man]

I wonder if the 32-bit Game Boy Advance will have just as long a life as the 8-bit units did?

It will have a good shelflife that is for sure. Between the huge game library, backwards compatability with even black and white Gameboy titles, and how cheap the GBA is right now ($80 is really good) I see it staying around for a long time.

I prefere the DS myself for obvious reasons, but the GBA still has a good place in the market.

[Forcefield58]

Shane is right. The local Best Buy in Norther Va. had tons of them. $250 each with the Spiderman movie and a demo disk with games. All the games wer $50 (ugghh!!). Didn't see anybody buying any and they wouldn't let me play with one (double ugghh!!!!!). I think I've convinced myself to get the DS as well, at least until the PSP comes down in price.

[Shane R. Monroe]

At least our Best Buy put one in my hands to 'see', even if they were dumbasses and didn't put anything USEFUL in it.

Honestly, I believe they didn't put a game in it, because they didn't want people to realize the load times, etc.

Let me help you justify that DS...

Sony PSP + 1 game + a decent sized memory stick to make it useful: $350ish

Take that $350 and get:
Nintendo DS $150
Mad Catz Pack $30
Touch Screen Protectors $5
Yoshi Touch & Go $30
Super Mario 64 DS $30
Tiger Woods PGA $40
Wario Touched $35
Feel the Magic $30

... A DS with every GOOD-to-GREAT game they have, plus the accessory kit and screen protectors.

Or you could skip some of the games, and get a GBA Flash Cart and consolidate your GBA games into a single cart to bring with you.

Shrug - its simple math to me.

[sci]

the value pack is 299$ and contains an AC adapter, battery pack, 32 MB Memory Stick, earbud headphones with remote control, soft case and hand strap a demo disk (with videos) and Spiderman 2. A screen protector is about 10$, and the games are around 30-40$ each.

You are between 15-25.. the demographic for the psp

Tony Hawk Pro Skater Underground 2 online with your friends or.. Yoshi Touch And go?
that untold legend game .. Super Mario 64 DS?
Tiger Woods PSP or Tiger Woods GBA
Twisted Metal or Wario Touched?
Luminee or Feel the Magic?

.. and that pretty much ends the list of vaguely decent DS titles.

Can anyone compete with Wipeout Pure? Ridge Racer PSP? .. Nope. People wont mind paying 150$ more for games that actually appeal to them, a big screen, and online out of the box

The DS is crippled. This is why the GBA2 is coming. And even there, the damage will be done. This is the n64 all over again. Have you seen all the articles saying how sony is bringing handheld gaming to adult? Same thing happened with the n64.. Now they are a far distant third in the console race worldwide.

Thread over.

[jamcat]

Wow, let the battle of the portable system fanboys begin! In the DS corner we have Shane R. Monroe. In the PSP corner we have SCI. Round 1.. FIGHT! :p

Currently, software-wise, NEITHER system is impressive at the moment.

The DS has NOTHING worth playing until the strategy games start coming in good quantity.

And the only decent game for the PSP at the moment is Lumines. But I'm not going to rush out to get a PSP and pay $250 just to play 1 puzzle game. Who knows, a GBA version of Lumines could come out, so I'd wait for that.

As for Wipeout Pure or Ridge Racer PSP? Who cares. Tony Hawk? Not into white trash skate punk games. Tiger Woods? Boring! Twisted Metal? I'll stick to playing Battle Wheels on the Lynx.

When Sony brings out PS1 collections for the PSP, or Midway, Namco, Atari, and Activision bring out their classic collections for the PSP, then I will be interested.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Wipeout sucks. Ridge Racer sucks. Tony Hawk .. loved it the first 3 times I played it. Untold Legends .. its getting fairly crappy reviews ... I'm ALMOST interested, but not for $300.

Obviously, people DO mind paying ... MOST media outlets are calling the PSP 'luke warm'. Which it is. People are confused. And, they when they are confused, they don't spend $250 on an impulse item.

The PSP release is pretty much what I expected it would be.

[yuckymucky]

Currently, software-wise, NEITHER system is impressive at the moment.


For once since you joined here I agree with you. :-) I'm sure there is something else that I agree with you on also but this is easy.

sci is obviously so in love with his psp so much that he isn't going to admit anything at all is wrong with it or anything negative towards it at all. I like the idea of the DS but I just have yet to get one because it needs something more. When Mario Kart hits with 8 player wireless I am very sure that I will have a DS. Plus I have a crapload of GBA games that would boost the want for the DS.

If the PSP can manage emulation and we see some good emus for it, AND the price drops to $150 or less I will probably also get one of those.

Right now paying $250 for a handheld is just plain absurd to me, unless it came with a bunch of games or had some crazy magic feature.

[sci]

And, they when they are confused, they don't spend $250 on an impulse item.


You mean kinda like the iPOD?

[Darksol]

You mean kinda like the iPOD?

The PSP is an ipod. I knew it all along!

[davykelly]

It all comes back to the convergence thing - it is hard to get one device to do more than 1 thing as good as , never mind better than, specific devices...the PSP is up against personal players and the Gameboy. A convergent device hasn't been successful yet - Sony may yet pull it off - hard to say.

I would like to see the real battery life and if load times are an issue before passing judgement. Gaming on the go (at least to me) is all about quick, accessible play - not watching a battery-sapping progress bar.

[sci]

Some Japanese weekly numbers from Famitsu

PSP 50.645 551.688
PlayStation 2 36.284 573.162
Nintendo DS 25.275 460.182
Game Boy Advance SP 12.934 236.582
Gamecube 3.810 71.926
Game Boy Advance 698 6.722
Xbox 229 3.912

The second number is the amount of units sold since jan 1st 2005

[yuckymucky]

Those same numbers from gamegossip

PlayStation Portable: 43,644 (Annual: 580,120)
PlayStation 2: 40,270 (Annual: 602,316)
Nintendo DS: 22,446 (Annual: 429,545)
Game Boy Advance SP: 11,013 (Annual: 197,776)
GameCube: 3,357 (Annual: 70,016)
Game Boy Advance: 477 (Annual: 6,253)
Xbox: 345 (Annual: 4,606)

I have no idea what you are trying to prove but here are some more of them.

[jamcat]

I have no idea what you are trying to prove but here are some more of them.

SCI is probably trying to show the PSP out selling the DS.

But why give a $#!t about Famitsu and what sells in Japan? I live in America, not Japan, so I don't care what is selling over there. Let's see what the sales numbers are in America where it counts.

[Forcefield58]

I haven't bought either the PSP or DS yet and it looks like we're into round 3 of the fight between the two. I still think if you go by games that are available, the DS is it. Both have limitations. I just read a review of a couple games for the PSP in one of the mags. Metal Gear has you picking cards to determine what you do....good grief...all that power and you can't even control the main character in FP mode. The price really turns me off. I was thinking which of all the games for the DS or PSP I'd play if on vacation, waiting in the car, whatever. There are none. Where are the RPG's for somebody other than a 6-year old??? I'm waiting for the final round!!!

[jamcat]

I will say Sony has one creative TV ad for the PSP. I like how it's showing the gamers playing the PSP as if there was a camera looking out of the screen at them. And the choice of Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" fits the ad perfectly. Again, very creative ad that shows the PSP as hip, edgy, and cool.

[Shane R. Monroe]

The Nintendo DS commercials blow ass. I love my DS; but frankly, its amazing they managed to sell as many as they did with their crappy GAME? ads.

I tell you what .. you put my ass in charge, and I'l double their sales in 30 days.

[chrisbid]

I will say Sony has one creative TV ad for the PSP. I like how it's showing the gamers playing the PSP as if there was a camera looking out of the screen at them. And the choice of Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" fits the ad perfectly. Again, very creative ad that shows the PSP as hip, edgy, and cool.

a one hit wonder band that has been overmarketed, overplayed, and overexposed to death is only hip edgy and cool to other marketing execs

[chrisbid]

on CBS's newsbrief, the top story was that PSP's initial 1 million unit shipment has sold out. Of course that's total BS, they are just reading sony's press release verbatim, as good press for sony, is good business for sony, in turn good business for CBS. The numbers they quote are most likely what was shipped to retailers, and not final sell-through numbers

Yo Chuck! They must be on the pipe, right?

Don't believe the hype!

[sci]

SCI is probably trying to show the PSP out selling the DS.

But why give a $#!t about Famitsu and what sells in Japan? I live in America, not Japan, so I don't care what is selling over there. Let's see what the sales numbers are in America where it counts.

Dev companies care about that. Whats the point of developping for a dead platform?

Also saying that japanese support is non important is a foolish thing when it comes to Nintendo. Was there a decent westerner-made game for the gba?

[Darksol]

on CBS's newsbrief, the top story was that PSP's initial 1 million unit shipment has sold out. Of course that's total BS, they are just reading sony's press release verbatim, as good press for sony, is good business for sony, in turn good business for CBS. The numbers they quote are most likely what was shipped to retailers, and not final sell-through numbers

Yo Chuck! They must be on the pipe, right?

Don't believe the hype!

Those are definitely sold to retailer numbers. There are still lots of places where you can pick up a PSP.

[paulk]

I live in NJ and run a huge full department pharmacy/variety store in a rural area with all chain stores 6-10 miles away.
I do carry video games and suppport all formats including the DS & PSP.
I own and sell both and from a retailer perspective remember that Spring Summer is not the HOT time for consoles or video games. After we get thru FALL/WINTER 2005 watch the PSP's fly off the shelf, I love Nintendo, Yoshi, & the DS but portable console is collecting dust on the shelf post Christmas.
One positive note is that all the DS games are selling even the crappy Robots and Yoshi & Warioware has sold tons of units.
P.S. Consoles are sold at a $5 profit and video games are only marked up 15% the big chains get a 15-25% advertising allowance which I dont get .

[Demolition Man]

Obviously, people DO mind paying ... MOST media outlets are calling the PSP 'luke warm'. Which it is. People are confused. And, they when they are confused, they don't spend $250 on an impulse item.

The PSP release is pretty much what I expected it would be.

Indeed people are confused. I've gotten customers at my store thinking the PSP is the following:

- A portable DVD player (confused look comes when I explain that no it is not and that the PSP uses its own propriotary format)
- A portable PS2 (I get owned like a lhama when I get through explaining that its not)
- A iPod clone/ripoff/whatever (repeat confused look)

And that's just three examples. That is indeed not a good sign if people are that confused over what the PSP exactly is when its barely on the market. Then again we got fools out there with iPods and not a single song on it so what do I know....

[Demolition Man]

I live in NJ and run a huge full department pharmacy/variety store in a rural area with all chain stores 6-10 miles away.
I do carry video games and suppport all formats including the DS & PSP.
I own and sell both and from a retailer perspective remember that Spring Summer is not the HOT time for consoles or video games. After we get thru FALL/WINTER 2005 watch the PSP's fly off the shelf, I love Nintendo, Yoshi, & the DS but portable console is collecting dust on the shelf post Christmas.
One positive note is that all the DS games are selling even the crappy Robots and Yoshi & Warioware has sold tons of units.
P.S. Consoles are sold at a $5 profit and video games are only marked up 15% the big chains get a 15-25% advertising allowance which I dont get .

I disagree with you paulk. The DS sold very well at my store this last holiday season. Keep in mind that there was not a big lineup of games out at the time yet it sold very well. Sure DS systems might be "gathering dust" at your store but the DS will still sell well this upcoming holiday season now that there will be a stronger game lineup.

[Galaga will never die]

shows the PSP as hip, edgy, and cool.

Speaking of cool, gentlemen check out this sexy white PSP (http://ebessan.livedoor.biz/35ee31a7.JPG) from Sony, rumored to be released later this year...

ice, ice, baby... love the transparent buttons

[Demolition Man]

I don't know about the rest of you but that thing looks anything BUT sexy. Ugly comes to mind in fact.

[Shane R. Monroe]

The white is to hide fingerprints I reckon. I agree; the black looks better.

[Demolition Man]

I wonder how long it will be before Sony has blue, red, green, yellow, and most importantly... pink colored PSP units? ;)

[DaMenace]

It's neat looking to me but to say it's sexy makes me wonder..
Only Women are given the adjective sexy to me :-)

How the heck do people listen to Ipods without a single song on it?!?
They dont have radios built in like some other mp3 players that I know of..
Makes no sense at all to me!

[yuckymucky]

I wonder how long it will be before Sony has blue, red, green, yellow, and most importantly... pink colored PSP units? ;)

They demoed them in Japan, I think that there are pictures of them on Gamespot or one of those sites.

[jamcat]

What would be cool would be a tinted black transparent PSP. Now that would be sexy.

[jamcat]

a one hit wonder band that has been overmarketed, overplayed, and overexposed to death is only hip edgy and cool to other marketing execs

You crazy! :) Franz Ferdinand KICKS MAJOR ASS! They are the ONLY decent band among this sea of crap audio garbage like Rap, Hip Hop, Rock, and Alternative.

[TheGrandPubaa]

Yeah, it's decent music for a decent commercial. I'll probably pick up a PSP once the price drops to a more affordable range. No big draw for me right now. Man, I need a lot of pockets...

[Bloodcat]

Bleh. The PSP has nothing I want. The DS doesn't have anything I want.. YET, but already has a ton of games I would like announced and coming out soon. Why I didn't wait till at least Advance Wars DS was released I dunno, but oh well.

[Demolition Man]

You crazy! :) Franz Ferdinand KICKS MAJOR ASS! They are the ONLY decent band among this sea of crap audio garbage like Rap, Hip Hop, Rock, and Alternative.

To be honest Franz Ferdiand hasn't impressed me much at all. Sure their one big hit is decent, but I've listened to their album a few times and it hasn't really done much for me.

[RetroZelda88]

Greetings Shane and all Retro Gaming Radio Fans. I'm new to the forums and I enjoy the Retro Gaming Radio shows.

Here are my thoughts about PSP. I'm not going to start a PSP vs. DS fiasco.
Just my Thoughts and Rants about SONY's New Device on the market.

I've already seen ads about the PSP and everytime I keep thinking?
Is this really designed for games? Nah. I don't think so. Why?
Some of the ad copy I saw on those ads is to something like:
"WI-FI HI-FI SCI-FI" , this means that the PSP is capable of doing those things. Why can't they include FUN-FI?

The ads themselves just slapped on a screenshot of some 3D game running on the PSP screen. Putting a screenshot of a game on some hardware and including "WIFI HIFI SCIFI" doesn't draw me in because first I don't like convergence raping any game system because it ruins the main purpose of "playing games".

So that means PSP does WI-FI, yes DS does too, but thats secondary to the DS because its WI-FI interface is used for multiplayer linking, no more cables to deal with. PSP's WI-FI may be used mainly for downloading outlook messages. I don't want to see my email messages from work on any game system. It's a game system, not a work system.

HI-FI? Ok. Theres the iPod for that and countless CD-players and whatnot. Why would I want to blast MP3s of Dishwalla or "Insert your Favorite Artist" on a PSP while playing Final Fantasy "XX whatever # they're upto". For me, that just ruins the illusion of playing a certain game I like. I'd rather listen to the music & sound from the game itself or play in silence if the soundtrack is awful.

Lastly, SCI FI, please, If SONY is going to call PSP a "SCI FI Device". I must be in some alternate universe because there is nothing innovative about this device at all per se in the "GAMES" dept and its other plumbings.

Games on Sony's PSP are ports from Sony's PS2. That's all a different argument. The Nintendo DS innovates in the "GAMES" Dept. because they're including touch screen input and other new inputs into the game engine of DS games. Yes, there is Mario 64 DS, but that was re-worked on to have DS capabilities. The DS isn't a convergence device it is a "GAMES" device.
Just has new methods of input and new ways to play games.

Convergence maybe "SCIFI", but to have a web browser screen on my washing machine or to have a video phone attached to the flush knob on my toilet is convergence, but why do I need to watch UMD videos on a PSP if I can watch them on a DVD player or my favorite VHS player?

Ok. My email contacts to the PSP? If there is one. Perhaps there is.
See when I play games on a portable system, I don't want to look at "work" things. I like to "play" things. If the PSP is used to download excel spreadsheets and other my so-called "WORK" files, then there is no point in promoting this as a "GAME" system. "Work & Play" don't mix. There's a time for work and a time for play. Man, When I turn on my GBA SP. My thoughts about "WORK" are gone because the Gameboy is a device that plays "games"
and only games.

To sum it all up, WIFI HIFI SCIFI is a step towards convergence and PSP is convergence possessed. Convergence to me is confusion of things that don't fit together. If I want a game system. I'd buy a game system. As a gamer, I like to play games, not to watch Spiderman 2 UMD movies, not to listen to iTunes, and not to surf the internet on some PSP device. As a gamer, I like innovation in games, challenge in games, and lastly, when playing portable video games or any console system - I just like to play video games the FUN FI way and nothing more.

:mad:

P.S."P" - If there is an Cloanto version of "Amiga Forever 6 on UMD Format" maybe I'll buy a PSP just to run Workbench 1.3 and some Amiga games.

:)

- Tim Remo
Retrozelda88

[Darksol]

The PSP can do IRC now . Look!

http://www.maxconsole.com/content_img/pspirc2.jpg

Screw Pictochat!

[Forcefield58]

There's alot of "sexy" talk around here lately. I don't get it...none of the portables, consoles or games are "sexy" to me!!!!

...hey, for that matter...how about jet black with a metallic finish and pearly white buttons!!! I think I may be sick.

[RetroZelda88]

Is convergence "sexy"? thats a thought.

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

i can see convergance for some people being 'appealing' but as for sexy i just cant splooge about a peice of plastic.