The PSP arrived into the world with the critics prophesising the downfall of Nintendo but the DS has quietly managed to reign whatever ground may have been lost. Soon Nintendo will also be releasing the littlest Game Boy brother of them all, GBM. The exciting thing is that full picture has yet to emerge. Now that a worldwide aspect can be brought into the equation, let’s take a look at the competitors in the new battle for the handheld crown.
PSP
The Machine: A portable beast like never seen before. A blend multifunctionality and processing power that would be laughable unless you saw it first hand. But the fact is, the PSP is easily the most powerful handheld system ever created. Based off PS2 technology, this little monster can process as fast as it chews up battery power. In all the who-ha that has been Nintendo finally going online, the PSP has been readily available for Wifi and wireless play for a while now.
But playing scaled down PS2 titles isn’t the only thing the system can do. You can listen to MP3’s, make slideshows and watch UMD and homemade movies. Now thanks to the latest update that will come pre-installed on “PAL” systems, you can play even more music and movie formats, trade pictures wirelessly and even browse the net.
The Playstation Portable
Control Layout & Aesthetics: A simplified PS2 scheme. You lose a pair of shoulder buttons but you retain an “analog nub”. It can’t be used as a button but it will definitely be a blessing for 3-D games. In the couple of games that I’ve played, I found that the d-pad was still favourable due to its precision, though I wonder if people will be clamouring for a second one, after they realise the camera and FPS control limitations. It’s also placed a little low for comfort, but the d-pad, face and shoulder buttons are all in good order.
The look of the PSP cannot be faulted. The huge screen alone is enough to mesmerise and pull in unsuspecting gamers. It’s slick, smooth and very well constructed.
Games: Traditionally, this is where a handheld system will either make or break. The latest casualty, the Ngage primarily failed because it didn’t really offer players an experience different to what they already know from console or PC play.
This is the biggest danger for the PSP. It has the looks, it has the moves but does it have it where it counts? While there are good and very good games available and on the way, are they any good at being “portable” games? Watered-down console titles will not cut it in the long run. Unless the PSP can justify its existence by providing proper handheld games, it will not succeed.
Harness the power
However, the games seem to be built for longer trips. Finger-tapping load times and sophisticated gameplay obviously won’t bode well on a 10-minute bus trip down town. Though on plane trips, longer car trips and for people who commute long distances, this just may be what they might want. While not necessarily portable for all occasions, it’s more worthwhile than most handhelds released before it.
Cost: $400 Australian. The Australian price dropped $30 just befor launch, so all PAL prices are fairly equivalent. Thankfully the price is for the value pack, which includes a few necessary accessories (namely the memory stick). However, people wishing to connect to the PC will be required to fork out for a USB cable, though that’s only five smackers.
The contents of the value pack
However, most concerted PSP owners will probably find themselves forking out for at least a larger or additional memory stick, possibly a spare battery or much sturdier casing. Regrettably, these costs will add up. So unless you have the funds to sustain your machine, there is doubt as to whether this system is for you. UMD Movies will retail at around $25Au. However, practicality is likely to be taken ahead of the cost.
Thankfully, sanity has prevailed with the game prices: $80Au, 30UK and 50Euro. This is more than has ever been paid for a Game Boy title (though I once spotted Sonic Advance at $90Au). Some will be for a bit less. Though one may argue that the titles are decent value for the price you pay, primarily because there is obviously more effort has been put into a PSP title than a lot of other games out there.
Portability: The PSP is not exactly a system that you’d lug on your short bus trips. While it’s slick, it’s fairly sizable as well. Thing is, if you’re like me and you like pants with many sizable pockets, you may be alright. Otherwise, you won’t be pulling it out of your pocket while waiting for the bus. Though pulling out of a briefcase while waiting for a transit flight is much more possible.
However, I don’t think too many people will be using the PSP to replace their I-pod minis anytime soon. It’s a bit heavy as well.
PSP next to an iPod
Battery Life: It’s actually not as bad is it may have been. Depending settings and usage, you’ll get 6-7 hours out of the system off a full charge (based off personal experience). That’s still a decent amount of gaming, especially if you take the portability aspect into account. The only factor that would dramatically decrease this is Wifi play. Sure you can buy extra batteries or larger external batteries, but I doubt this will happen outside of the concerted owners.
Durability: The system is surprisingly sturdy. The screen is entirely encased and quite difficult to scratch and the UMD drive doesn’t open far enough to cause any impedances. However, it still retains the feeling that you wouldn’t want to dropping or throwing it around. I guess there’s an obvious reason why it comes with a wrist-strap.
UMD Disc
Current Market Effect: The PSP had an excellent sales start in the US and Canada, when it was released in March of this year. Since then, sales have been constant but nothing spectacular, probably due to the slightly stagnant flow of games.
In Japan it has faired reasonably well. Since its release in December 2004, it has not been able to keep up with the DS (or PS2), but sales there have been steady. The amount of games available in Japan is much greater than anywhere else and most of them would easily appeal to those who already own PS2’s.
Despite this, the PSP has yet to fulfil the prophesies of overhauling and dominating the handheld market. The UMD movies have sold surprisingly well in the US but have failed quite miserable in Japan (even with the pornography). But Sony is trying quite hard, even though they almost forgot about it at E3. You’d have to be blind and deaf not to see how much effort is going in letting people know that the system exists.
PSP Launch Night in Japan
Future Outlook: Despite all the multifunctional revelations, such as Internet browsing, movie watching and music playing, the make or break department is in the games. Unless the PSP can justify its portable existence with good quality and well-conceived games, it will not succeed. I don’t think they can be relying too much on the UMD movies or UMD music either. However, the fact that this machine is so much better than any other handheld system (outside of Nintendo) ever released, might just be able to pull it through.
What's happened recently?: Hmm... ultra successful PAL release? On September 1st, the PSP finally became global contender. It even over took the DS as the UK's most successfully launched system. However, all is not well in the homeland as the new white console and Winning Eleven 9(Pro Evo 5) failed to reach expectations. Though with Liberty City Stories and many other titles on the way, we'll just have to wait and see.
Why I chose a PSP: The PSP to me represents a sort of conventional growth and sophistication for handheld gaming. I don’t like gaming experiences that are short, as with most DS and GBA titles. I like to be immersed and to play hours on end, not in 10 minute bursts. I prefer something to explore and something to develop over a period of time. Puzzle titles are fun but bore me unless they are part of a large, comprehensive game. This is the experience promised by the PSP. Sure, the UMD movies' necessity is subjective, but I don’t have to buy them. I’ve got an MP3, MPEG4, game and image player in one. It’s actually a bit of an investment. Though conventional, a bit safe and even though not many companies have realised how to harness this beast, I have faith that the system will eventually flourish on its own accord, even if it doesn’t takeover the handheld market.
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