PlayStation Portable review roundup
by Peter Rojas 
posted Mar 21st 2005 at 1:19PM
You are still going to have to wait three more days to get your hands on yours, but Sony's been sending out review
units of the PlayStation Portable to journalists, so
we've thrown together this little roundup of all the reviews we could find (even though you've probably already made up
your mind about whether or not you're going to spring for this bad boy):
Reviews of the new North American PSP
No doubt we missed a few, so if you see any that aren't listed here, send 'em our way.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Optimus Mind @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
Good site nycnyc. Thanks for the heads up about the games. I already found a few from reading your site that I'll pass by. Good impressions by an honest person not completely consumed by hype.
Based on your articles, I think I'll hold off on buying a handheld until Nintendo shows us the online card at E3. Looks like playing online with the PSP isn't really there yet.
cuaghe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
nycnyc, that thing you're talking about is called a glare. It applies to every display under the sun...
mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
As I expected.. no one is gonna drop an iPod for this..
Of course, Sony knows jack squat about UI or software, and they forgot to build a machine that would actually fit into your pocket... oh well.. it fits in your backpack.. close enough.
Typical. Stupid analysts thought there was an iPod killer in this POS are gonna have to wait a few more years to announce the sky is falling.
PS. Although I don't have a DS, I might pick up a PSP for the games, but not until I play with DS's online features.
It's worth noting that Sony is taking on three companies at the same time with this... so failure is a given
MS--WMA, All the Windows Media Devices which are getting spanked by the iPod
Apple -- iPod will kill this thing in sales and the Sony Connect store will NOT announces sales figures, of course.. too embrarrassing
Nintendo-- rolling out free online service for DS.. Revolution to be free online as well.. the DS has more marketshare (big time) as well as a much better input/functionality for online interaction. Graphics on DS in between 64 and GC.. really quite good, especially on the the small screen
n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
not true, cuaghe. Some screens that are transflective do well in sunlight. And FWIU the PSP doesn't use a transflective screen (dunno about the DS) and it makes glare worse because the front of the unit is very glossy plastic.
Anyway, who wants to play outside? Give me a dark room and a powerplug and I'll play all day in my room :)
I'm not feeling the hype either though -- mostly because of price of the unit and the games. I'll wait until I see some real-world reviews of some great games, and when I see that hardware and firmware issues are fixed. Not like I was with the PS2 -- I got at midnight the first day. That shows you that either there is less interest in the PSP or that I've just gotten too old for this market..
mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
Anyway, who wants to play outside? Give me a dark room and a powerplug and I'll play all day in my room :)
---
*cough
playstation PORTABLE
amiga_tone @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
#13 This over-the-air firmware upgrades may mean very little control over the PSP. What if you don't want it to upgrade? Typically you have a requester asking you to confirm this, however IIRC, recently there was the leaked firmware upgrade that stuffed up alot of PSP's already out there - doesn't sound like a good function to me.
I don't know why the first review says the DS doesn't have "peer-to-peer wireless gaming or, if within range of a separate WiFi access point" because Nintendo already have plans for that. It may not come ready with this functionality but thats not to say it cannot be done.
Philip Wesley @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
I will end up getting one eventually. *points to his box of portables* I played it at E3 and a bit after that when the Japanese ones came out. I could care less though and I honestly believe that -game wise- the PSP is a pathetic waste of $250. It can play movies and music, but does neither very well, especially with the way this thing processes sound. The screen is bright, but it's hard to say it's gorgeous when I've seen OLEDs in action. I think that -if you want one- buy one. Go for it. The PSP is -to me- an insult to portable gaming. *holds up NGPC* This had less than 30 games in the USA, but almost all of them were better than the current launch line-up of the PSP. The PSP doesn't deserve any of the success it has.
That said, I think the best selling titles for the PSP will be movies because the movies are the least expensive titles. Although they've done nothing to court the audience that WATCHES movies on the go: Children. It bears note that the best selling GBA Video titles are all geared at kids. Aside from Spider-Man 2, and Pirates of the Carribbean, none of the other UMD titles are really aimed at mass market (read: children) viewers. Most of the more "mature" gamers view Sonic X, Pokemon, Kim Possible, Spongebob, and Kids Next Door with some sort of contempt, but those are the types of titles the PSP would need to hit a real mass market with the PSP. Game wise, there is nothing here for casual gamers, children, or the REAL audience the PSP needs to truly succeed. Oddly though, a majority of PSP owners will buy UMD Movies and maybe one or two games over a span of a month or two. It's a shame that the PSP's SOUND capabilities are nothing to write home about.. oh, well. end rant.
jj @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
i am thinking of trading in my sucky DS not delivering nothing most of its game sucks too.goodbye DS helllo PSOP
Neanderthal @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
All you PSP hataz out there: Stay home the 24th. More for me! (Joke). Seriously, I would be saying exactly the same things that you skeptics have, except that I've seen it and played it. And that's why the hardcore gamers are WAY into this, and the general public is clueless. It's not a system that anyone gets pumped on from specs alone. I'm sure all those people who think this won't be an Ipod killer wouldn't have predicted the success of the ipod, which all skeptics will tell you is an over-priced overstyled mp3 player and all the popularity is hype. The simple fact is that the ipod is more expensive for less storage and power than competitors. There is no "logical" reason why the ipod is king, it's just that it's so damn sexy. Well, consider yourselves on notice. The PSP is all that and more. It's the sexiest thing since the ipod, and the games look gorgeous on it. It's not something that you can tell from a screenshot, or a review. It's the screen. You have to have it in your hands and play it. Trust me on this one, as soon as the units deliver on thursday, every kid in america will play their buddy's. And every gaming fan will see and play one. And then it's a gotta-have item. It takes portable gaming OUT of the kiddie-purple-pokemon-lollypop-rainbow-land, and puts it squarely in kickass online multiplayer Grand theft Auto online land. Who will play portable? It depends on how good that portable is. THIS is the machine to toss out your console for.
Neanderthal @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
All you PSP hataz out there: Stay home the 24th. More for me! (Joke). Seriously, I would be saying exactly the same things that you skeptics have, except that I've seen it and played it. And that's why the hardcore gamers are WAY into this, and the general public is clueless. It's not a system that anyone gets pumped on from specs alone. I'm sure all those people who think this won't be an Ipod killer wouldn't have predicted the success of the ipod, which all skeptics will tell you is an over-priced overstyled mp3 player and all the popularity is hype. The simple fact is that the ipod is more expensive for less storage and power than competitors. There is no "logical" reason why the ipod is king, it's just that it's so damn sexy. Well, consider yourselves on notice. The PSP is all that and more. It's the sexiest thing since the ipod, and the games look gorgeous on it. It's not something that you can tell from a screenshot, or a review. It's the screen. You have to have it in your hands and play it. Trust me on this one, as soon as the units deliver on thursday, every kid in america will play their buddy's. And every gaming fan will see and play one. And then it's a gotta-have item. It takes portable gaming OUT of the kiddie-purple-pokemon-lollypop-rainbow-land, and puts it squarely in kickass online multiplayer Grand theft Auto online land. Who will play portable? It depends on how good that portable is. THIS is the machine to toss out your console for.
Lars Cosh-Ishii @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
I shot this video, at link below, last October when Sony launched PSP here at the Tokyo Game Show. I remember thinking the screen image quality was fantastic, and would be great for more than 'just games'. I boldly predict it will be sold out the first day in U.S just like in Japan.
http://www.wirelesswatch.jp/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=924
Neanderthal @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
Your prediction doesn't matter to the skeptics here, Lars. If the PSP doesn't outsell the DS, these folks will say that they told us all so. If it does, they'll say it's because it's overhyped. They're far more concerned with "being right" and having "predicted the trend" than with whether or not they want to buy the unit. After all, much cooler to think You and You Alone have the pulse of the whole videogaming populous than to, you know, buy a machine to play games on.
semi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
psp hataz are all apple fans :D
haha...they just sad that psp is holding the headlines than ipods
w800- mobile walkman
psp - mobile gaming+video+photo
apple can never compete with the might of Sony.
(inshallah,it will never die)
sony will churn out product after product and one will be better than the leading product!
Long Live Sony!
jacbo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
First off,
Until Sony matches manufactureing rates, comparing unit sales with the DS is just plain dumb.
_
2nd
The PSP is meant for gaming, anywhere you are.
With other people.
Anything else it can do is a bonus.
Don't expect it to make a perfect cheese and tomato sandwich for you.
Instead of trying bring everything down, wait and see what the market decides.
Give it time, you'll all see what the impact of portable gaming is.
I very much doubt it's what any of us expect.
NYCNYC @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
thanks for the positive comments about the blog--nice to know it's being read!
i really, really like the psp--it's an impressive piece of technology that fits in your hands, some of the launch games are a lot of fun, and damnit, it's soooooo sexy. it does have its own share of problems though and i wish there wasn't this whole psp vs. ds or psp vs. ipod mess because you really can't compare the 3 devices. each offers its own unique take on entertainment, each has its own really good qualities and each has its own really bad qualities.
the psp won't replace my ipod because a 512mb stick can't compare to 10gb of music in a smaller package. the psp won't replace my ds--despite having a lineup with lots of hokey titles that don't take full advantage of the technology, the ds offers a unique (and fun!) take on gaming--the touch screen gives you a sense of urgency and immediacy that you don't get on any other platform.
more comments on the psp when i post the review though. i'd like to share my experiences with it before the 24th so that people who are on the fence get another perspective. just keep checking the site i guess...
http://seatbackupright.blogspot.com
Anthony @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
I think the same thing that jacbo is saying. the PSP is first a portable gaming piece. the picutes movies and music are just added capabilities the psp can do. i think people are overlooking the gaming and trying to kick the psp where it is not strong, the movies and the music. the games that will come out for this unit are going to be awesome with the capability to play someone around you wirelessly. this thing is going to take off first with the hardcore gamers, then when people start seeing them on the street, its going to create a buzz...ie Ipod. 300 dollars for an mp3 was steep when it came out, but as the trend started and people started seeing other people have it, it snowballed. the gaming of the psp should be reviewed as the strength of it. the music and movies are just an added feature, and i am sure most of the psp owners are going to take advantage of those features.
Anthony @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
I think the same thing that jacbo is saying. the PSP is first a portable gaming piece. the picutes movies and music are just added capabilities the psp can do. i think people are overlooking the gaming and trying to kick the psp where it is not strong, the movies and the music. the games that will come out for this unit are going to be awesome with the capability to play someone around you wirelessly. this thing is going to take off first with the hardcore gamers, then when people start seeing them on the street, its going to create a buzz...ie Ipod. 300 dollars for an mp3 was steep when it came out, but as the trend started and people started seeing other people have it, it snowballed. the gaming of the psp should be reviewed as the strength of it. the music and movies are just an added feature, and i am sure most of the psp owners are going to take advantage of those features.
BallofOdd @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
added my review a while back along with lots of other psp info
www.ballofodd.co.uk - everything PSP
longlivethefunk @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
#17, I can see the screen on my GBASP perfectly outside in the sun or in the shade.
Timmay! @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
I think NYCNYC's on the right track. All of these devices are meant to bring something different to the table. The iPod's purely music, and it does it's thing well. The DS's touch screen is definately something new for handheld gaming, but I'll admit that so far I haven't seen much that truely takes adavantage of it and does something different.
The PSP is gaming with a bunch of multimedia options. You've got a lot of different options in one fairly small package.
Trying to compare these things to one another isn't fair, because they're all meant for something at least a little different.
BTW, I'm not feeling the hype on the PSP either. I just can't seem to get into it, and it feels like Sony is trying to hype it as a full on multimedia device instead of a portable gaming system with mutimedia extras.
Omat5e1 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
Is the PSP overpriced or overhyped? Gee, I don't know... maybe it would be if it competed directly with the GBA, except that it's been like 4 years since the GBA came out, and the graphics on it SUCK. They were high-end back in 1994. The DS is better, and I'd be all over it, except that the games SUCK. I've played all the good games on it, and I can personally testify that it's all a gimmick that will be forgotten in 10 years (assuming the games actually use the touchscreen, which most don't).
Another thing you people are forgetting is that not only children play portable gaming devices. That might have been the case 10 years ago, but not anymore. Those children that grew up with a gameboy are now 25 year olds with jobs that may require an hour-long commute and a carpool. Guess what you do in the car while your friend drives... Or maybe you're on break at work, or you're camping, or you're at a friend's house while he's playing his console, or... god, there's a thousand times that you could play, but most of you think adults wouldn't play it because "it's a kid's toy". Yeah, and 15 years ago ANY video game was a "kid's toy" that adults wouldn't be interested in. Pinheads.
PMB960 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
I am very disappointed with the PSP. Tretton said that the device cost so much because people will buy it anyways because its a Sony device. You dont just say that to people. The reaction to the price hasn't be good. I dont know anyone who wants one be cause you need to shell out $300 to get one with a game. Then they will take out the one good thing in the value pack, SPider-man 2 and still charge us $249 because peole will still pay that much for it. Its better to just get the slimline PS2 a portable screen and a game that get a PSP. Plus its probably cheaper.
Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
It's probably only me, but I am just not feeling the buzz on this. For all the hype it's supposedly getting in the press, I just don't hear a lot of people around me talking about it. Nobody I know has preordered one or is in a rush to get one. I'm holding off myself; I don't feel like I'm missing anything.
I'm sure the system will sell out initially, but I am just not feeling it.
chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
I think the buzz in the gaming community here is that everyone wants one. I have already pre-ordered mine and impatiently waiting for Thursday. I just EB Games does a midnight launch!!
Schmitty @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
PSP - The gay uncle of the gaming industry. Everyone in the family knows he's gay, but they don't go around telling everyone about him.
:-P
iomatic @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
...
Ack.
...
Dunno if I can pore through all those reviews; but here're some specific, somewhat obscure questions for the in-crowd:
1) How's it do as a PDA? Probably not too well, I imagine, without a touchscreen.
2) How's the Mac connectivity for that purpose? Seamless? Kinda? Can it show up as a volume via WiFi?
3) How many movie titles are out for it, and what kind of distribution is there, besides sales (e.g., rentals)?
4) How's XLink Kai work out on this?
Thanks!
F. Villa @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
My local Gamestop had 430 pre-orders as of Thursday, March 17. But if you talk to non-gamers or nontech people, they know nothing about it. Some saw the bus stop ads, intrigued, but not much interest. I think we have to wait till they see a real one.
kevin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
1) How's it do as a PDA? Probably not too well, I imagine, without a touchscreen.
It is not meant to serve as a PDA. It is an entertainment device, not an organizer. But actually, some people got some leaked firmware a while back which hinted at a calculator, word processor, web browser, and other handy features.
2) How's the Mac connectivity for that purpose? Seamless? Kinda? Can it show up as a volume via WiFi?
Mac connectivity is fine. There are two mac PSP apps out as of now, iPSP being the top seller. Both apps however allow the PSP to make use of iPhoto and iTune's functions and have video conversion functions.
3) How many movie titles are out for it, and what kind of distribution is there, besides sales (e.g., rentals)?
There will be 20+ titles by release (March 24th) and over 100 titles in development as of this time. So content will definately not be a problem.
4) How's XLink Kai work out on this?
Great =]. It's a great way to play non-online enabled games online and works smoothly.
kevin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
1) How's it do as a PDA? Probably not too well, I imagine, without a touchscreen.
It is not meant to serve as a PDA. It is an entertainment device, not an organizer. But actually, some people got some leaked firmware a while back which hinted at a calculator, word processor, web browser, and other handy features.
2) How's the Mac connectivity for that purpose? Seamless? Kinda? Can it show up as a volume via WiFi?
Mac connectivity is fine. There are two mac PSP apps out as of now, iPSP being the top seller. Both apps however allow the PSP to make use of iPhoto and iTune's functions and have video conversion functions.
3) How many movie titles are out for it, and what kind of distribution is there, besides sales (e.g., rentals)?
There will be 20+ titles by release (March 24th) and over 100 titles in development as of this time. So content will definately not be a problem.
4) How's XLink Kai work out on this?
Great =]. It's a great way to play non-online enabled games online and works smoothly.
Desert @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
Sounds pretty good. Now, why does Sony insist on this shiny coating they put on all their monitors, laptops, and now PSP? I guess it's the joe blow consumer is attracted to shiny things even though it makes the actual screen image suck because of glare and such.
Optimus Mind @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
Reviews I read at Kotaku.com say you CAN NOT use the thing outside because of glare. He also has the device freeze on him sometimes, so bad you have to remove the battery.
This won't show up as a volume over Wi-Fi. You have to plug it in. There is no USB cable in the box. This isn't a problem for us (on Engadget) but for many it will be a critical issue.
Kube @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
These reviews don't impress me. I'm no longer excited about this. :/
ghewitt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
There is no doubt that this thing is the best handheld console out there. The questions is, will in ultimately succeed.
This is aimed at the late teen, early adult crowd. They do not use portable games that much and focus on the consoles. The handheld console are still primarily bought by parents for their kids (pre-teen) to keep them out of their hair. Will these parents pay $249 for a console with $50 games, when a GBA and $30 games will do?
Adults and teens generally spend their gaming time at home with a console. You hardly ever see this group playing games on a PDA, cellphone, or GBA. What about the PSP will make them start?
Every game magazine writer and game industry person will buy one, but what about the Wal-Mart parent who's kid loves the crappy Pokemon games for the GBA?
ghewitt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
There is no doubt that this thing is the best handheld console out there. The questions is, will in ultimately succeed.
This is aimed at the late teen, early adult crowd. They do not use portable games that much and focus on the consoles. The handheld console are still primarily bought by parents for their kids (pre-teen) to keep them out of their hair. Will these parents pay $249 for a console with $50 games, when a GBA and $30 games will do?
Adults and teens generally spend their gaming time at home with a console. You hardly ever see this group playing games on a PDA, cellphone, or GBA. What about the PSP will make them start?
Every game magazine writer and game industry person will buy one, but what about the Wal-Mart parent who's kid loves the crappy Pokemon games for the GBA?
Alric @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
Like I said before. It would really take off if there was UMD write devices...
nycnyc @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
It's true--it's really, really, really hard to see the screen when you're outdoors. I tried playing Ridge Racers outdoors one day and the screen's visibility was almost down to 0%. I moved to stand in the shadows which made it a little better, but only barely.
Everyone will react to the PSP differently--honestly, I've played my DS just twice over the past few weeks that I've had a PSP. Not to say it's better, it's just different.
In case anyone's interested, I'll be posting my mini-review tonight or tomorrow:
http://seatbackupright.blogspot.com
Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 12:12AM
I may be really smoking some good stuff here but apparently this thing can do over-the-air firmware updating, which would make it at least theoretically possible for the multimedia functions to be improved. Thing is, there's no money in it for Sony so I doubt they'd try. Still, if they gather all the feedback and come out with an killer UI upgrade, that'd be cool. Like I said, this is good stuff.