PSP... is it worth it now?

[mattk]

I have searched a lot for this. Besides the fact that it is super annoying that i can't search for PSP in these threads b/c the search string is too short, i searched through google but could only find comments from March of 07 back before the PSP had a lot of the recent games.

Back then everyone was ragging on PSP owners/considerers and telling them to get a DS. People were talking about the played their PSP for a little while and then it has collected dust.

Well, now with some fresh Christmas dough in my fresh Christmas pocket i was really considering getting a psp. The playing games is not the single most important reason - i lost my last ipod nano video (the darn thing was too freaking small and thin, it slipped right out of my pocket when i had gloves on) - so i figure i can buy a 2 GB stick for $30 and be able to play my music in my car again. That coupled with the game play (i'm really eyeing BF2 RS), wifi, podcast playing, video playing - it seems like a good value and with the stick and a game it's only $30 more than i paid for my last iPod. And i won't accidentally drop the PSP and not know it... (still a little bitter)

I was considering the DS lite... but the lack of music playing doesn't really help me out

Any input is welcome - thank you.

[andyaldrich]

I had a PSP and it died due to overuse. I also had an ipod nano (1st gen) and out of the two I would much rather just own an ipod than own a PSP.

I did enjoy playing emulated games on my PSP and I also enjoyed LocoRoco, Ridge Racer, Worms and Lumines, but other than that I can't think of many games, off the cuff, that I would buy for the PSP. If you want to buy the PSP because it's more versatile than an ipod then consider the size of the PSP - it's too big to fit in a trouser pocket and you definitely need a case of some sort which makes it even larger.

I do not rate the PSP highly as a mobile web browsing machine, it's too slow and the interface is a little cumbersome. If you're into audio RSS feeds then the PSP is pretty good, but if you're willing to download them at home you can just listen to/watch podcasts on any of the current ipods. I would like to add that I was not overly impressed by the PSP's audio-out.

I would say that if I were you, if I don't find the idea of emulated games enticing, don't bother. There are some great media players out there. If I were you I would consider just how much I want to watch video podcasts on the go, as opposed to audio ones and also consider if you just want something that's a downright decent personal stereo. If you just want a decent personal stereo, avoid the PSP, it's too big and heavy (IMO).

If you want to play games on the go then I would suggest going to a games shop or asking a PSP/DS owning friend to let you borrow theirs or to play it at their house and ask them how many games they wished they owned if they were to own that console.

<rant> portable gaming died when you had to use sleep mode in order to complete a gaming session. Keep 15 minute races to tv-based consoles. </rant>

[satori]

Without writing a book, here I'd say that if you want straight gaming get the DS, if you want something in the way of a multimedia handheld including gaming get the PSP, especially if you have a PS3. If you just want a gaming device with music and that's it get a DS and a cheap MP3 player.

[MaxTheSilent]

I've found mine very useful.

On a windy day I can just wedge it under the door and keep it open.

Thanks, Sony!! :D

[satori]

I've found mine very useful.

On a windy day I can just wedge it under the door and keep it open.

Thanks, Sony!! :D

what a well thought out post, way to add clarity with your witty reply. Maybe later you can explain particle physics in 1 sentance or less.

[mormonrage]

There are loads of good games out for the PSP. I'd say get it. I play mine at least as much as I play the DS.

[deegraww]

Coming from someone that has all three devices that you are talking about (PSP DS and iPod touch) I don't know if I could say anything that would help you out much. I use my ipod for music, podcasts and Web access when I'm waiting to start shows. I use my DS for when I want to play nintendo games and my PSP when I want to play more adult games. You should know what each product can do then find the one that suites what you want the most and get it.

[satori]

good points, it is a fairly subjective thing to choose. The DS sells more because it is more targeted to the masses, where as the PSP has specific people that it's going after. In my case I prefer the PSP, but if I was buying for my son or my nephews I'd probably pick a DS.

[mattk]

Thanks for all the input guys. I've been debating all day and gone back and forth. One thing is for sure if i want to buy this week it looks like the PSP is the only option as the DS is sold out everywhere around here locally.

After trucking to a few stores and playing with it a little bit, i think i'm back leaning towards the PSP if not only for the fact that I will never have a 360 or PS3, I have a Wii and feel like if I ever want a more console like experience - the PSP might be my only shot. I dunno, i guess i'll keep reading, watching videos, and see if impatience wins out.

Thanks again, and if anyboyd still wants to add their 2 cents, i welcome it.

[njshadow]

I say the PSP is definitely worth it! I use mine for a ton of reasons ranging from homebrew, to music, to internet, to just plain gaming. I think it's the ultimate prtable gaming system. Plus, they just added internet radio in their latest update! I say go for it! :D

[taozoo4u]

i've had a PSP mainly because of the games like the GTA's but then my Ipod video got stolen, so i used it for music and after 2 years i get a new iPod so now im hacking the hell out of this PSP and seeing what fun stuff i can put on it. get it for the homebrew its a good buy but game wise get a DS

[ryudo]

Game wise there is so much more to choose from in variety on DS.

if you are totally against the idea of just having a separate mp3 player then yeah go for PSP...otherwise you just can't go wrong with DS for games overall.

[iccanui]

Just buy a console. I have faith in your ability to get one.

Hey i just had a vision....

Its you

http://www.psxextreme.com/images/ps3_winner2.JPG

[lsman11]

it would be great if it was easy to play SNES/NES ROMs on the PSP. i have a psp, and did use it to watch some podcasts (after converting them to psp format), and will pickup final fantasy tactics soon

i am interested to see how the latest psp handles (i believe its lighter?)

good luck w/your decision! at the end of the day i am happy with my psp

:cool:

[njshadow]

it would be great if it was easy to play SNES/NES ROMs on the PSP. i have a psp, and did use it to watch some podcasts (after converting them to psp format), and will pickup final fantasy tactics soon

i am interested to see how the latest psp handles (i believe its lighter?)

good luck w/your decision! at the end of the day i am happy with my psp

:cool:

Oh trust me, it's VERY easy. Check out either PSP-Vault.com or PSP.QJ.Net for tutorials, programs, etc. I run Sega Genesis roms on my PSP as well as PSOne games and I LOVE IT!! :D

[wraith]

If you were having this argument a year ago, the DS would have hands down been the easier of the handhelds to reccommend. I have both handhelds and suprisingly find myself playing the PSP far more than my DS. It really depends on what type of games you are drawn to. There are great examples of almost every genre on either platform. Both have great puzzle games, racing games, FPS games, JRPGs, and just about everything else. The main gripe with the PSP is the lack of a second analog stick, which does seem problematic in a lot of the 3D games. Generally you end up using your shoulder buttons to rotate the camera(similar to how it was done in many 3D games on the Dreamcast). The memory stick on the PSP allows for some great extra content to be released as well. Wipeout Pure got a lot of extra downloadable tracks and ships, and Killzone got an entire extra campaign chapter with full voice acting with its multiplayer patch. The main difference is that with some (notable and growing) exceptions, overall the DS games seem geared towards a younger audience, whereas the PSP games are often targeted more towards people in their late teens/twenties, similar to the games that were published for the PS2. The platform really is a "PlayStation Portable" in that quite a few franchises from the PlayStation are on the system, e.g., Metal Gear Solid, Grand Theft Auto, Daxter, Ratchet and Clank. There are some remakes of classic games with graphical updates that make them look stunning. Megaman Powered Up, Maverick Hunter X, and Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles are all great examples of these types of games. There are some unique, quirky games as well such as Loco Roco, or Patapon, which is coming out in the US soon. The DS has quite a few more of those types of games however.

The real area where the PSP shines is after it is hacked to run homebrew. There are great emulators for the NES, SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, CPS Arcade systems, Additionally, the PSP can play almost any PlayStation 1(PSX) game after it has been converted to PSP format, and most games play flawlessly this way. There is a lot of great homebrew games that are being worked on as well.

Looking to the future, the PSP looks like it's going to continue to have some more excellent releases with some big franchises in the mix. God of War, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, Final Fantasy - Dissidia, a Kingdom Hearts Prequel are all slated for a 2008 release. The PSP Store just debuted as well, promising exclusive games that seem really great, like Echochrome, and Calling All Cars is rumored to be headed to the downloadable store as well.

Both the DS and the PSP are great systems, either of which you'll have a lot of fun with, these are just some ideas of what you can expect if you get a PSP. The last few omnths have brought a lot of great games to the system, and there are quite a few games to look forward to in the next year. Just wanted to show the sytem isn't as bad as it seems from some of the comments in this thread. ;)

Here's a couple links for further reading if you're interested.

www.pspfanboy.com - despite the name, the site does present a well written account of what's going on in the more "official" PSP world.

pspupdates.qj.net - a great resource for all the homebrew scene news. They allso have a great downloads section where they host a lot of the files you'll be looking for, such as emulators, homebrw games, etc.

[satori]

While I probably game on my PSP about twice a week I use it almost daily for streaming podcasts. I so wish they had of made it easier to put movies on, but it is possible, and I'll tell you right now, being on an airplane with a PSP is a joy.