Hands-on with the PlayStation Portable

So it's still six more days before the PlayStation Portable makes its debut in Japan (and many, man more days than that before we'll see it over here), but Play-Asia managed to get their hands on one already courtesy of an online auction Sony had to benefit victims of the Niigata earthquake, and of course, they've written up a review (and posted tons of videos and pics). They ended up paying nearly $1,500 for the privilege of being able to play with one a few days early, but there was at least one person who bid about $3,200 for theirs. They don't seem to say anything about the PSP's battery life, but the good news for anyone thinking of sucking it up and flying to Japan to buy one, is that when you turn on the PSP for the first time it asks you whether you want to set the interface for Japanese or English.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

I was lucky enough to get one of these reserved. One time I actually felt lucky living in Japan. If anybody wants me to pick one up and send it to you, leave a comment.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

how much are they?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Well that's another unit that has appeared and I still can't decide between the PSP or the DS!


Looks very nice, the videos are a great added feature for a review, especially as it shows you some of the games in action.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Adam,
I would like one, if you can pick one up on the launch day and send it to me,. that would be great.
my email is [e-mail]. Kindly email me so that we can discuss as to how to do this further.
Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Very nice to see this, if the PSP launches at the extra cheap price we've all been hearing I may just end up getting one..


Too bad there's no word on battery life. That's the real clincher, I think.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Arg! What a rip off! Those poor suckers shelled out $1500 and they didn't even get a playable game demo! I wonder if the official Japanese release will suck as bad too? Come on Sony, throw your users a bone! At least the DS comes with a playable demo of Metroid.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Adam,
I would also be interested in one, if you could email me at [e-mail]
Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Hey Adam, can you pick me up on from Japan?
my email is [e-mail]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Add me to the deperate fools list :)
[e-mail]
Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Adam,
That would be great if you could pick one up.
If there are too many that you are getting already let me know.
Please email me at [e-mail].
Thanks!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Adam,

If at all possible, I'd like you to pick up a PSP for me too. Let me know if its too late.
[e-mail]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

I caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan't wait to get my hands on it........ should be in my hands by next week.........

Adam - which list are you on? A cousin of mine got on one, and then got bumped off from the "random" pick list, so she can't get one now for a while. Seems there is a waiting list for 2 million units off the bat.

It costs $260. Each game costs $50 (of which there are going to be 7 or so released with the PSP on the first day), according to the Fax pages I received (from my connection) has the list of the games and their screen images, as well as the games expected to be released in the next 6 months, which includes Metal Gear Acid.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

I'm geting one from japan, am I stil abel to buy games in europe for it when it releases there? Just whant know...sins the article above sugests that it's just the interface that's free of region.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Can't decide wether to buy a PSP or not....of course the gaming system looks great....(even with the short battery life)....but I can't seem to find out much about the other features. For example, can you transfer music & pictures from a mac,or only from a pc ? How many songs/photos could you store in it ? Do you have to shell out alot of extra $ for a decent sized memory card ?
Any help anyone could give me would be much appreciated....thanks!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

Can anyone provide me with an English translation for PSP Ridge Racer / Metal Gear Acid / Vampire Chronicles?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 12:07AM]

I would very much like to have English translations of 'minna no golf', 'lumines' and 'ridge racer'. Has anyone found any kind of language menu translations, tutorials, faqs etc?