New PSP coming in March 2007?

PSP News | But will it be the PSP2 or simply a PSP Lite?

According to the latest issue of US Playstation Magazine, Sony will release a new PSP early next year. Possibly inspired by the sales boom of the DS since its recent facelift, it's not entirely clear if the new PSP will be a simple re-design (PSP...SP?) or semi-new handheld. The magazine is citing unnamed sources for the leak, but while they are not confident of the details, they are confident that the news is true.

The new PSP will still play UMD games, and, "From all indications, the next PSP will have the same graphic and sound capabilities of the current system." However, unlike the DS Lite, which was a purely cosmetic re-design, the next PSP will apparently have quite a few new features. PSM claims the new handheld will feature:

8GB of internal flash memory, produced by Samsung
Thinner and lighter design
Some kind of built-in camera
A re-designed slot loading UMD hatch which more closely resembles a cartridge port

The biggest unknown is whether or not Sony will add a second analogue stick to the re-design, which many feel the system needs. PSM points out that the PS1 "gained not one, but two analogue sticks during its lifespan, and it only made the system better in the end", and most games that used the sticks remained playable on the old digital Playstation controller.

However, if more input options were added, it introduces the possibility that, while basically the same machine, at some time in the future there could be software released that will not be 100% compatible with the old PSP model, or may be missing features, ala the Game Boy after the Game Boy Color launched. As PSM says, "If it's done, this does create problems for owners of current PSPs, since games requiring two analogue sticks will obviously be released for the newer hardware. It's for this reason that we at PSM still feel that this addition to the PSP spec may not happen".

We'll keep you updated as more information comes our way.

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38 Comments

wobbler

5 years ago

The addition of a second analog stick would make me seriously consider buying a PSP (for racing games of course) and if they don't introduce one there is no chance I will ever own a PSP. Having a second analog stick would not be a major problem, as the original PS didn't have analog at all but it didn't cause a riot in downtown Tokyo when Sony introduced the dual analog controller. There were a few games that you couldn't play without the dual analog (ape escape is one I remember) but most of the newer games could still be played in some sort of way.

Wyvern

5 years ago

If they made it with a second analog stick, then every one who has a PSP now would have to throw it away.

wobbler

5 years ago

^And Im sure you will be made to cut your wrists as well. How do you come to that conclusion? Perhaps I have to throw away my PS2 once the PS3 is released because there will be games that I won't be able to play, yet the PS3 will be able to play all of them. the second analog stick would give users an option to use it , and if there are games that require a 2nd stick, so be it and think yourself lucky that you will still be able to play most game that are released. platformers could be given the option to use the 2nd stick to move the camera instead of shoulder buttons, racing games could be given the option to use the 2nd stick for acceleration and brake instead of the buttons (although most people would still use the buttons anyway). If you feel you need to upgrade than thats your choice as alot of people did when the DS lite was introduced (for no added functionality) but no one is making you.

Wyvern

5 years ago

Think about it, if people made games for a PSP that has two sticks, how are you supposed to play on the old one. With the first PS, you could have just gone out to buy a dual stick controller. You can't do that with the PSP.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

I think he means for the PSP2 or whatever. I think Sony really need to put more thought into the controls this time around, those analogue nubs suck terribly.

Wyvern

5 years ago

How long has the PSP been out? Doesn't it seem a little bit early for a PSP2? I think it's just going to be a redesign.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

Zero.EXE wrote

How long has the PSP been out? Doesn't it seem a little bit early for a PSP2? I think it's just going to be a redesign.

But the PSP is being totally trashed by the DS right now. Sony really need to get the price of the PSP down, by either making the manufacturing proccess smaller, or accepting a (bigger?) loss on each system sold. Probably banning ports for the short term to get original games on the system would be a good idea too.

That or bring out the PSP2 with "Mini Blu-Ray" and mobile Cell chip.

ugh the boot

5 years ago

It would suck hard if they released a new version of the Psp with added controls or anything that is a requirement for future games. All the latest games should be playable on Psp1 and Psp2.

I'm ok if they bring one out that has only changed asthetically.

I agree they should stop mucking around with ports for a while and concentrate on some new software. I've currently got interest in Ultimate GnG, Silent Hill Origins and Earthworm Jim...some more would be nice.

ultracrazy1

5 years ago

They need to make an external controller. Problem solved.

Can they use the USB port for different controllers? I sure hope so...

Karai Pantsu

5 years ago

A slimmer, lighter PSP with a more solid UMD loading bay would be nice - but it wouldn't solve the problem of it being a clunky and annoying portable system because of all the (console length) loading times.
If they were to add onboard memory like that, would devs be able to utilise it to minimise loading times etc. like with the xbox? That would be one of the only things that would make me interested in it.

iorkara

5 years ago

I think PSP2 is a great idea!
I would buy iy straight away if it comes with 8GB and in built Camera.
But i really want a better battery!!!!

GooberMan

5 years ago

ultracrazy1 wrote

They need to make an external controller. Problem solved.

Yep, problem solved. Holding an external controller as well as the console itself while out and about is a much better solution. Even if it was an attachment meant to fit around the unit, it would just make the unit clunkier to hold (can you imagine trying to access the shoulder buttons with an external attachment?).

I doubt we'll get a second analog stick. The flash memory would be a decent way to replace those awfully slow memory sticks, but how much would that drive up the price? It'll also be interesting to see how old games handle flash memory instead of a memory stick for saving purposes.

LeonJ

5 years ago

Big surprise there. This was always going to happen. 8 gig memory is tempting though....

Man, what are we suppose to do with our clunkly PSPs?

Zarnoss

5 years ago

ugh the boot

5 years ago

^ hey they're even copying Nintendo down to the cracks!

Now that's authentic!

Spanca

5 years ago

ugh the boot wrote

^ hey they're even copying Nintendo down to the cracks!

Now that's authentic!

The Brett

5 years ago

You didn't even list this as a rumour!

It seems that Gamespot have actually done some research by BUYING the magazine and found out that the aforementioned article is, in fact, entirely speculative. Nothing is sourced, and everything they mention is only based on what they assume the company will do.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=24944970&sid=6156840

Perhaps a little research wouldn't hurt?

Zarnoss

5 years ago

A revised edition of the PSP is inevitable as tomorrow.

The Brett

5 years ago

Reporting it as "news" is a bit of a pull though.

Zarnoss

5 years ago

lol, it was news to me...
First I've heard that an updated PSP maybe in the works.

The Brett

5 years ago

NO.

I'll repeat, this ISN'T news. PSM merely had an article speculating on what Sony might do in following Nintendo's strategy of updating their handheld. It is not based on anything they were told by Sony, it is 100% COMPLETELY MADE UP.

Infested Jibbs

5 years ago

Brett, notice the question mark after 'new psp coming in March 2007?'......it's not a typo mate.Oh and gamespot have it listed it under their news column too-'PSM unveils two-thumbstick, 8GB PSP?'

So what's your point again?

Anyways, i think it's a wise move for Sony as long as they follow a few standard rules-as long as they make the thing backwards compatable(the gameboys legendary backwards compatability has almost made it a necessity for all handhelds to do the same) and for it to have better battery life.

It's a such a shame that the one thing holding back the psp(among other smaller things) is a decent battery.Technology is racing ahead nowadays but battery tech is still in the dark ages-Li-on is good but as soon as you add a moving part in there that requires power even it is redundant.

Zarnoss

5 years ago

So it's just from their own minds what they want in a revised PSP and no info from SONY at all?
oh..
Well... I could speculate too that the people at PSM are smoking way too much crack as to even bother with such an article just to get people to buy the mag.

The Brett

5 years ago

Yeah, that's why it's lame. They just totally made it up.

Jibbs: If you actually ever read Gamespot, you'll see it's listed under their "rumour control" which is a piece whereby they affirm or dispel internet rumours. You'll see that they've listed this item unconditionally as "bogus."

Contrast this with PALGN, who also have a rumour section, but have listed this as FACT.

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