Sony PSP Black Console
- Processor: 333 MHz MIPS R4000
- Display: Widescreen TFT LCD
- Platform: PlayStation Portable (PSP)
- Console Type: Handheld
- Gaming Type: Online Gaming Multiplayer Gaming
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Sony PSP: Version 2.7 Firmware Update Adds Flash, Podcast, AAC compatibility!
Pros
Beautiful graphics, MP3 and movie playback, analog control, PS2 knockoff titles
Cons
Costs $250!!! Included 32MB memory not enough, short battery life, PS2 knockoff titles
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
If you can afford it, the PSP is a panacea; if you're just looking to play games, something a little more basic is the ticket.
Update 04.25.2006: See the Show Your Support section for information on the new version 2.7 firmware upgrade
Nintendo has dominated the handheld market since, well practically since the handheld market was created. Over the years, pretenders to the throne like Sega's Game Gear or the Neo-Geo Pocket have risen, but none had the reach or the market dominance of Nintendo's Game Boy dynasty. Yet, if we rewind to the late 90's, we would find Nintendo in a similar position in the console market, riding high on the wave of success of their NES and Super NES systems.
Of course, we know what happened to Nintendo's console supremacy. A dark horse called the Sony Playstation hit the scene and quickly established a superiority that continues today. And now, Sony is poised to do the same to the handheld market with the sleek, sexy, and sophisticated Playstation Portable, otherwise known as the PSP.
Handheld Hardware
If you've seen a PSP, you know what a beautiful piece of equipment it is. A slick black slab of gaming goodness, it's slightly larger than a pack of cards (about 7" x 4", wider than it is tall) with a screen engulfing the face. It's really one of the most attractive gaming platforms sever seen, thanks in large part to the monstrous screen, set up for widescreen presentation and measuring more than four inches diagonally. Set to the right and left are four face buttons, a directional pad, and an analog stick that's more of an analog stump. There are also two shoulder buttons, and at the bottom of the unit are the start and select buttons along with miscellaneous functions, like volume control and a "home" button. The control takes a little getting used to, especially the stump, but quickly becomes comfortable for gaming.
Underneath the skin, the PSP is basically a pocket-sized PS2. The guts of the two systems are very similar, which means that the game quality is very similar as well. At launch, some games didn't seem quite as smooth and sharp as those on the console, but that's expected to improve as time wears on and more improved titles are produced. What can be said is that the PSP's display is crisp, and once developers iron out the programming kinks PSP games will easily be the best looking portable games seen yet (if they aren't already).
For storage and playback, the PSP used two formats: the UMD is the tiny optical format for games and movies, and the system also uses Sony's proprietary Memory Stick technology to store game saves and other data (see below). The UMD's hold a massive amount of information for their small size, so unlike Nintendo's cartridges PSP games are expected to boast similar lengths and audio/video qualities as their console counterparts. Also unlike cartridges, the optical medium introduces some loading times.
One advantage Nintendo seems to have with the GBA SP and DS is a clamshell design. Because Nintendo's handhelds fold shut, the screen has an added level of protection. The PSP's screen is exposed, as was the original GBA's, which any parent can tell you became scratched very quickly. A protective hard case or some other way to safely store it when not in use is a good idea, different models of which retail from $30-$50.
What's in the Box
What do you get with your PSP? The $250 box includes the handheld (of course) with wrist strap, an AC adapter that doubles as a battery charger, the battery pack, a 32 MB Memory Stick, headphones, and a soft carrying case. While this is everything that's needed to get started, most people will find themselves spending some extra cash on additional hardware -- more on that near the end.
Show your Support
One of the more interesting features of the PSP is 802.11b Wi-Fi support. Many games are multiplayer, and the wireless connectivity supports up to sixteen players (though the actual number depends on the game). You can link up with anyone who has a PSP and another copy of a game, or find a Wi-Fi hotspot and play with people around the world. Unfortunately, the PSP does not have one-game multiplayer features like the DS, where for some games only one player needs an actual copy of the game; for the PSP, each player needs to buy a copy for multiplayer gaming.
A firmware v2.7 update further updates the PSP's abilities, adding Macromedia Flash 6 support to the web browser, the ability to save podcasts to a memory stick, support for AAC audio files, and enhancements to the RSS reader and LocationFree TV player.
A firmware v2.6 update now available in North America adds a host of small changes, most importantly including compatibility with .WMA (Windows Media Player) audio files. This means that you can now rip music using Windows Media Player and play it on your PSP. It also adds support for RSS feeds in the web browser and closes some security holes. In bad news for PSP homebrew enthusiasts, it further prevents running of homebrew apps, though it's only a question of time before workarounds appear. See the end of this review for download information.
A firmware v2.0 update previously available in North America further enhances the PSP's features, most notably by adding web browser support. The free download also adds wireless picture transfer and new desktop backgrounds, but may not be such a boon for PSP hackers; the firmware update blocks a loophole in the previous version that allowed pirated games, emulators, and homebrew apps to run from a memory stick.
Gaming is Draining
One of the biggest concerns for any portable is battery life. It's not much fun when the system dies on you in the middle of a plane ride or on the subway, is it? The PSP is a bit lacking in this area, which is understandable because not only is the screen large and bright, but there are also mechanicals involved in the operation of the UMD media. It seems that everyone is encountering different battery times, but my experience is this: when playing games or listening to music, I get about 5-6 hours of time from the battery, which is disappointing; when watching movies, I get more than the 2-hour battery life many were expecting, but not much more as I can't watch two movies in a row before having to charge the sucker. It takes about two and a half hours to charge a battery -- about half the time it takes to drain it.
This is the second biggest drawback for me (right behind the high price). I want to use the thing, not constantly charge it. I'm also concerned about the batteries wearing out with so many charge cycles, but thankfully I haven't seen any problems on that front. Right now, the inconvenient solution is to buy a spare battery pack for $50, but hopefully Sony will work on a high-capacity replacement.
More than Button-Mashing
The real draw to the PSP is the fact that it's not just a gaming handheld. Sony has hit the market hard, trying to position this unit as a multimedia warehouse for not just games but also movies, music, photos, and anything else you can fit on a Memory Stick. If you've been paying attention to TV commercials and magazine ads, movies that are hitting shelves are now on DVD and UMD for the PSP. The system is already integrated to play a variety of media, including music and video, right from the box.
Transferring music files to the PSP is fairly straightforward: just make sure you have enough space on your Memory Stick and connect the system to a PC via USB. The PSP shows up as an external hard drive and files can be easily copied. Video playback is possible too, if you have for example some TV shows or free porn in a video format on your PC, but the setup is a bit more complicated. In either case, the 32MB Memory Stick included is inadequate, and a larger one is a good bet at $50-$100 a pop (depending on capacity).
This multimedia aspect of the PSP is the main selling point, but for myself it's just not a draw. I realize Sony is trying to reach out to a more mature demographic, the customers who have grown up on its Playstation console and are now in their 20's and 30's. But it just doesn't seem to work. The UMD movies cost up to $30, and often don't include all of the bonus features found on DVD. Also, while the screen is large for a handheld gaming system, it's a bit small for watching movies, so overall I'd prefer to watch on a portable DVD player, many models of which retail for well below the PSP's $250 asking price.
Music playback is a nice feature, but once again cost rears its ugly head. In order to store any significant amount of music, a big Memory Stick is necessary. However, for the price of a 128MB or 256MB memory stick, you could just get a comparable flash memory MP3 player -- maybe even for less. Sure, the PSP can do all of these things, but when you ring up the total you may reconsider whether or not you want it to.
De Games, Boss, De Games!
That's right, I almost forgot this thing plays games! I've already said it, but it bears repeating; the PSP's display renders games beautifully. Shortly after release the library wasn't too large though the selection is decent. The original Game Boy showed just how popular a handheld can be when a good puzzle game is available on release, and the PSP followed up with Lumines, a truly addictive puzzler with some impressive audio and visual effects. Sports games are well represented, from traditional NBA and NFL titles to Hot Shots Golf and SSX.
Many of the PSP's titles are versions of the PS2's most popular hits. The Metal Gear franchise gets a unique makeover for the handheld, though fans of the series are split on its appeal due to card-based gameplay. Ridge Racer, Wipeout Pure, and Midnight Club 3 make a nice start to the PSP's racing games, and a version of Gran Turismo has been promised but is still in limbo. The hugely popular Grand Theft Auto gets an original installment with Liberty City Stories.
Action games are well represented too, headed up by an impressive handheld version of Spiderman and a decent FPS, Coded Arms. Tony Hawk continues his takeover of every single gaming platform ever created with Tony Hawk's Underground 2. Fans of Capcom's 2-D fighting games will find plenty to love in a beautiful and smooth Darkstalkers title as well as Street Fighter Alpha 3. Daxter, half of the Jak and Daxter team from the popular PS2 action/platform series, makes a notable solo appearance.
The PSP is a role-player's mecca, and the selection of RPG's far outclasses the Nintendo DS (though the difference in quality is debateable). Tales of Eternia, Breath of Fire, Ys, and X-Men Legends are all excellent, and it seems like a new RPG comes out for the PSP almost every week. They're not all winners, but there's a little bit for everyone, from old-school fan to tactical RPG junkies.
While the game lineup is good and has been expanding rapidly, Sony's plan to make the PSP a mobile PS2 may be going too well. Some of the titles are near-direct ports, and others are so similar to their PS2 counterparts that you'll swear you've played them before. And that's the real problem; why pay $40 for the games if you've already played them at home? This is compounded by the PSP-specific games being released later on the PS2, like GTA: Liberty City Stories. What could be a system-selling game is shipped off, giving PS2 owners no real reason to get the PSP.
The (not so) Final Word
While the PSP is cleanly designed, boasts a number of features and functions, and has a decent library of games shortly after launch, it has one major sticking point: the price. The console itself costs a whopping $250 (compared to $150 for the Nintendo DS and $80 for the GBA SP), and will undoubtedly run you a chunk more if you actually want to use it as intended. Add the cost of a backup battery, a bigger Memory Stick, and a protective case to keep it all safe and you've easily pushed $400 without buying a single game or movie.
Sony has aimed the PSP right at a key demographic, though. Trendy 20- and 30-somethings will find it an excellent compromise; instead of carrying around an MP3 player, portable DVD player, and gaming handheld, one swanky unit does it all. Fans of conspicuous consumption will love it as well, as it carries all the panache of an Apple iPod. As soon as you pull out your PSP, expect to see necks craning to catch a peek and jealous stares of the unworthy boring through your skull.
Regrettably, for those who just want to play games, the PSP is overkill and over expensive. It feels delicate and the screen is very exposed to damage, so parents are cautioned that it may not survive a trip to school in a child's backpack -- if it doesn't get stolen first. For those who like to have the newest, shiniest tech (or those whose egos are wedded to their material possessions), the PSP is a hot ticket. For those who just want something for gaming on the go, the best bet is probably still a GameBoy Advance SP, at a much more affordable price and with an already established library of great games.
Final Recommendation
Perfect For: Techies, Sony Fanboys, Metrosexuals
Not For: Pokemonaholics, Cash-Strapped Renters, Luddites
To download the latest firmware updates for your PSP, go to http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP.aspx?id=softwareupdate and follow the download instructions
Nintendo has dominated the handheld market since, well practically since the handheld market was created. Over the years, pretenders to the throne like Sega's Game Gear or the Neo-Geo Pocket have risen, but none had the reach or the market dominance of Nintendo's Game Boy dynasty. Yet, if we rewind to the late 90's, we would find Nintendo in a similar position in the console market, riding high on the wave of success of their NES and Super NES systems.
Of course, we know what happened to Nintendo's console supremacy. A dark horse called the Sony Playstation hit the scene and quickly established a superiority that continues today. And now, Sony is poised to do the same to the handheld market with the sleek, sexy, and sophisticated Playstation Portable, otherwise known as the PSP.
Handheld Hardware
If you've seen a PSP, you know what a beautiful piece of equipment it is. A slick black slab of gaming goodness, it's slightly larger than a pack of cards (about 7" x 4", wider than it is tall) with a screen engulfing the face. It's really one of the most attractive gaming platforms sever seen, thanks in large part to the monstrous screen, set up for widescreen presentation and measuring more than four inches diagonally. Set to the right and left are four face buttons, a directional pad, and an analog stick that's more of an analog stump. There are also two shoulder buttons, and at the bottom of the unit are the start and select buttons along with miscellaneous functions, like volume control and a "home" button. The control takes a little getting used to, especially the stump, but quickly becomes comfortable for gaming.
Underneath the skin, the PSP is basically a pocket-sized PS2. The guts of the two systems are very similar, which means that the game quality is very similar as well. At launch, some games didn't seem quite as smooth and sharp as those on the console, but that's expected to improve as time wears on and more improved titles are produced. What can be said is that the PSP's display is crisp, and once developers iron out the programming kinks PSP games will easily be the best looking portable games seen yet (if they aren't already).
For storage and playback, the PSP used two formats: the UMD is the tiny optical format for games and movies, and the system also uses Sony's proprietary Memory Stick technology to store game saves and other data (see below). The UMD's hold a massive amount of information for their small size, so unlike Nintendo's cartridges PSP games are expected to boast similar lengths and audio/video qualities as their console counterparts. Also unlike cartridges, the optical medium introduces some loading times.
One advantage Nintendo seems to have with the GBA SP and DS is a clamshell design. Because Nintendo's handhelds fold shut, the screen has an added level of protection. The PSP's screen is exposed, as was the original GBA's, which any parent can tell you became scratched very quickly. A protective hard case or some other way to safely store it when not in use is a good idea, different models of which retail from $30-$50.
What's in the Box
What do you get with your PSP? The $250 box includes the handheld (of course) with wrist strap, an AC adapter that doubles as a battery charger, the battery pack, a 32 MB Memory Stick, headphones, and a soft carrying case. While this is everything that's needed to get started, most people will find themselves spending some extra cash on additional hardware -- more on that near the end.
Show your Support
One of the more interesting features of the PSP is 802.11b Wi-Fi support. Many games are multiplayer, and the wireless connectivity supports up to sixteen players (though the actual number depends on the game). You can link up with anyone who has a PSP and another copy of a game, or find a Wi-Fi hotspot and play with people around the world. Unfortunately, the PSP does not have one-game multiplayer features like the DS, where for some games only one player needs an actual copy of the game; for the PSP, each player needs to buy a copy for multiplayer gaming.
A firmware v2.7 update further updates the PSP's abilities, adding Macromedia Flash 6 support to the web browser, the ability to save podcasts to a memory stick, support for AAC audio files, and enhancements to the RSS reader and LocationFree TV player.
A firmware v2.6 update now available in North America adds a host of small changes, most importantly including compatibility with .WMA (Windows Media Player) audio files. This means that you can now rip music using Windows Media Player and play it on your PSP. It also adds support for RSS feeds in the web browser and closes some security holes. In bad news for PSP homebrew enthusiasts, it further prevents running of homebrew apps, though it's only a question of time before workarounds appear. See the end of this review for download information.
A firmware v2.0 update previously available in North America further enhances the PSP's features, most notably by adding web browser support. The free download also adds wireless picture transfer and new desktop backgrounds, but may not be such a boon for PSP hackers; the firmware update blocks a loophole in the previous version that allowed pirated games, emulators, and homebrew apps to run from a memory stick.
Gaming is Draining
One of the biggest concerns for any portable is battery life. It's not much fun when the system dies on you in the middle of a plane ride or on the subway, is it? The PSP is a bit lacking in this area, which is understandable because not only is the screen large and bright, but there are also mechanicals involved in the operation of the UMD media. It seems that everyone is encountering different battery times, but my experience is this: when playing games or listening to music, I get about 5-6 hours of time from the battery, which is disappointing; when watching movies, I get more than the 2-hour battery life many were expecting, but not much more as I can't watch two movies in a row before having to charge the sucker. It takes about two and a half hours to charge a battery -- about half the time it takes to drain it.
This is the second biggest drawback for me (right behind the high price). I want to use the thing, not constantly charge it. I'm also concerned about the batteries wearing out with so many charge cycles, but thankfully I haven't seen any problems on that front. Right now, the inconvenient solution is to buy a spare battery pack for $50, but hopefully Sony will work on a high-capacity replacement.
More than Button-Mashing
The real draw to the PSP is the fact that it's not just a gaming handheld. Sony has hit the market hard, trying to position this unit as a multimedia warehouse for not just games but also movies, music, photos, and anything else you can fit on a Memory Stick. If you've been paying attention to TV commercials and magazine ads, movies that are hitting shelves are now on DVD and UMD for the PSP. The system is already integrated to play a variety of media, including music and video, right from the box.
Transferring music files to the PSP is fairly straightforward: just make sure you have enough space on your Memory Stick and connect the system to a PC via USB. The PSP shows up as an external hard drive and files can be easily copied. Video playback is possible too, if you have for example some TV shows or free porn in a video format on your PC, but the setup is a bit more complicated. In either case, the 32MB Memory Stick included is inadequate, and a larger one is a good bet at $50-$100 a pop (depending on capacity).
This multimedia aspect of the PSP is the main selling point, but for myself it's just not a draw. I realize Sony is trying to reach out to a more mature demographic, the customers who have grown up on its Playstation console and are now in their 20's and 30's. But it just doesn't seem to work. The UMD movies cost up to $30, and often don't include all of the bonus features found on DVD. Also, while the screen is large for a handheld gaming system, it's a bit small for watching movies, so overall I'd prefer to watch on a portable DVD player, many models of which retail for well below the PSP's $250 asking price.
Music playback is a nice feature, but once again cost rears its ugly head. In order to store any significant amount of music, a big Memory Stick is necessary. However, for the price of a 128MB or 256MB memory stick, you could just get a comparable flash memory MP3 player -- maybe even for less. Sure, the PSP can do all of these things, but when you ring up the total you may reconsider whether or not you want it to.
De Games, Boss, De Games!
That's right, I almost forgot this thing plays games! I've already said it, but it bears repeating; the PSP's display renders games beautifully. Shortly after release the library wasn't too large though the selection is decent. The original Game Boy showed just how popular a handheld can be when a good puzzle game is available on release, and the PSP followed up with Lumines, a truly addictive puzzler with some impressive audio and visual effects. Sports games are well represented, from traditional NBA and NFL titles to Hot Shots Golf and SSX.
Many of the PSP's titles are versions of the PS2's most popular hits. The Metal Gear franchise gets a unique makeover for the handheld, though fans of the series are split on its appeal due to card-based gameplay. Ridge Racer, Wipeout Pure, and Midnight Club 3 make a nice start to the PSP's racing games, and a version of Gran Turismo has been promised but is still in limbo. The hugely popular Grand Theft Auto gets an original installment with Liberty City Stories.
Action games are well represented too, headed up by an impressive handheld version of Spiderman and a decent FPS, Coded Arms. Tony Hawk continues his takeover of every single gaming platform ever created with Tony Hawk's Underground 2. Fans of Capcom's 2-D fighting games will find plenty to love in a beautiful and smooth Darkstalkers title as well as Street Fighter Alpha 3. Daxter, half of the Jak and Daxter team from the popular PS2 action/platform series, makes a notable solo appearance.
The PSP is a role-player's mecca, and the selection of RPG's far outclasses the Nintendo DS (though the difference in quality is debateable). Tales of Eternia, Breath of Fire, Ys, and X-Men Legends are all excellent, and it seems like a new RPG comes out for the PSP almost every week. They're not all winners, but there's a little bit for everyone, from old-school fan to tactical RPG junkies.
While the game lineup is good and has been expanding rapidly, Sony's plan to make the PSP a mobile PS2 may be going too well. Some of the titles are near-direct ports, and others are so similar to their PS2 counterparts that you'll swear you've played them before. And that's the real problem; why pay $40 for the games if you've already played them at home? This is compounded by the PSP-specific games being released later on the PS2, like GTA: Liberty City Stories. What could be a system-selling game is shipped off, giving PS2 owners no real reason to get the PSP.
The (not so) Final Word
While the PSP is cleanly designed, boasts a number of features and functions, and has a decent library of games shortly after launch, it has one major sticking point: the price. The console itself costs a whopping $250 (compared to $150 for the Nintendo DS and $80 for the GBA SP), and will undoubtedly run you a chunk more if you actually want to use it as intended. Add the cost of a backup battery, a bigger Memory Stick, and a protective case to keep it all safe and you've easily pushed $400 without buying a single game or movie.
Sony has aimed the PSP right at a key demographic, though. Trendy 20- and 30-somethings will find it an excellent compromise; instead of carrying around an MP3 player, portable DVD player, and gaming handheld, one swanky unit does it all. Fans of conspicuous consumption will love it as well, as it carries all the panache of an Apple iPod. As soon as you pull out your PSP, expect to see necks craning to catch a peek and jealous stares of the unworthy boring through your skull.
Regrettably, for those who just want to play games, the PSP is overkill and over expensive. It feels delicate and the screen is very exposed to damage, so parents are cautioned that it may not survive a trip to school in a child's backpack -- if it doesn't get stolen first. For those who like to have the newest, shiniest tech (or those whose egos are wedded to their material possessions), the PSP is a hot ticket. For those who just want something for gaming on the go, the best bet is probably still a GameBoy Advance SP, at a much more affordable price and with an already established library of great games.
Final Recommendation
Perfect For: Techies, Sony Fanboys, Metrosexuals
Not For: Pokemonaholics, Cash-Strapped Renters, Luddites
To download the latest firmware updates for your PSP, go to http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP.aspx?id=softwareupdate and follow the download instructions
