PSP Plus awkwardly unites PSP, DualShock 3

With only one analog nub, the PSP can't seem to nail down a comfortable first or third-person shooter control scheme on its own, but a new tech called "PSP Plus" will allow users to pair the handheld with the PlayStation 3's more genre-capable SIXAXIS or DualShock 3 controllers. Sony announced PSP Plus at the Tokyo Game Show today but didn't provide much info about how it works, so we're not sure if it's the same technology that was patented last year. We do know there's a pretty outrageous catch: you'll need to connect your PSP to your PS3 to use the controller. With only one game supported (Resistance Retribution), we prefer just about any homemade hack to this solution, and if you're at home with your PS3, why not play Resistance 2 instead? It's what Kratos would do.

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 9th 2008 2:38PM]

Yes, because now you can sacrifice portability for control or sacrifice your TV for a 3" screen.

[Metal Geario 360 @ Oct 9th 2008 6:11PM]

When keepin' it L337 goes wrong....

[sam @ Oct 9th 2008 6:58PM]

man, you are so right. connecting to the ps3 and then playing is just useless. i mean on a road trip i want to play the psp or the ds. but if i want a to use the dual shock 3 or the six axis for the psp i would have to bring the ps3 along. BULL CRAP. THEY SHOULD JUST LET US USE THE SIXAXIS WITH THE USB CABLE

[ZaxCG2 @ Oct 9th 2008 2:42PM]

Uhg. I knew it was too good to be true...

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Oct 9th 2008 2:43PM]

This absolutely must be the worst "feature" I have ever seen. It is so borderline useless, I can't imagine how this could have been any more poorly implemented.

RESISTANCE FAIL.

[Papercutninja @ Oct 9th 2008 3:11PM]

No, it isn't borderline useless. It is ABSOLUTELY useless.

[Extinction @ Oct 10th 2008 10:51PM]

You kidding? I've been begging Sony for this feature. It's extremely useful for those using TV out

[htd @ Oct 9th 2008 2:43PM]

how about full screen display from psp to the TV? that would be rather nice approach to play some games, though UMD still sucks.

[required @ Oct 9th 2008 2:55PM]

The PSP already outputs to TV or did you mean something else?

[Jarhead2012 @ Oct 9th 2008 7:44PM]

Think of how terribly awful it would look. The resolution would be too scary to imagine...

[rhcpsfan @ Oct 9th 2008 8:26PM]

That might actually be possible. since i would imagine this controller thing is all done through remote play on the ps3, you could possibly use video out cables to display the game on a bigger screen. Just a theory , of course , but i dont see any logical reason why it wouldnt work( Unless sony blocks the feature).

[Extinction @ Oct 10th 2008 10:52PM]

UMD rules, it's a vast improvement over cartridges.

[Eddie @ Oct 9th 2008 2:43PM]

Bleh indeed. I was considering getting a psp...but now the impulse has worn off XD

[ZaxCG2 @ Oct 9th 2008 2:49PM]

Nah man, it's still good if you can get used to your thumb joints killing you. :D

[Kyle @ Oct 9th 2008 2:51PM]

Cubs suck.

[Eddie @ Oct 9th 2008 3:54PM]

@kyle :'(
I am a true fan here. Thats part of the appeal...and the reason why I cry myself to sleep at night.

And more on topic when it was just when I originally heard about this I was all like "ooh I want a psp" but now that its a hassle to use my ds3...meh lol.

[zavw24 @ Oct 9th 2008 2:45PM]

Sony really has screwed up the PSP big time. It has a lot of potential, but somehow Sony manages to totally mess it up. They should open it up for applications like Apple did with the iPhone, and allow people to create their own games and apps. It's not that hard.

[ZaxCG2 @ Oct 9th 2008 2:50PM]

That's why hacking and home brew is NECESSARY for the PSP. If you don't have custom firmware the machine is basically a doorstop.

[ZaxCG2 @ Oct 9th 2008 2:51PM]

...and a crappy doorstop at that.

[required @ Oct 9th 2008 3:05PM]

The Iphone is a joke, one that you pay a big monthly fee for. The fact is the PSP has more software, more features, more functions, more everything for a lot less money.

[Dave @ Oct 11th 2008 12:47PM]

WTF? PSP dev is not closed, you can buy a dev kit (since 2004) and build an app if you want.
Why don't you go start your own dev house and develop an app? Oh, that's right, you're just all flappy lip ...

[gabe @ Oct 9th 2008 4:03PM]

i have to say even with CFW the PSP is a fail.

its a very boring system. the missing analog stick is such a bummer - ratchet and clank, metal gear, etc. all could of benefited big time. Only game i love and still play are the GTA's and tekken.

nintendo DS all the way.

[Kevin PSN: Keviseg15 @ Oct 10th 2008 7:42AM]

custom firmware....

[Zorque @ Oct 9th 2008 2:53PM]

I almost feel sorry for Sony, they actually paid people to design, program, and implement this feature.

[required @ Oct 9th 2008 2:54PM]

"With only one analog nub, the PSP can't seem to nail down a comfortable first or third-person shooter control scheme on its own" this is utter bull****. Just because you Sam have a hard time learning different control schemes doesn't make it so. There have been a lot of titles that have proven that the PSP can and does do this very well. Heck even the GBA pulled this off very well.

[required @ Oct 9th 2008 3:01PM]

for example http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/166/166406p1.html

[a @ Oct 9th 2008 3:03PM]

We shouldn't have to re-learn. Let's not undo the last 10 years of dual analog sticks, shall we?

The PSP should be built into a dual shock 3, with a flip out screen. The thing is too big for a pocket anyway, why not make it a proper controller? Then remote play and TV out would effectively let you BRING your PS3 anywhere in the world with you... Stream the video... It would lag a bit...

I'll probably be bashed by readers, but I'm actually hoping that M$ comes out with a portable. I think they would do a better job. (I have 2 PSPs, a ps3, 2 360s... so I'm not hating on Sony or loving on MS, but Sony hasn't been up to my expectations).

[required @ Oct 9th 2008 3:10PM]

"a" one might be under the impression you are unrealistic and/or a bit nutty having two PSPs, one PS3, two 360s and some dots. The fact is most games require that you learn. Seldom are controls standardized. You should know this based on the odd abundance of contemporary systems that you say you have. Maybe you don't have any actual games.

[a @ Oct 9th 2008 3:28PM]

Hey man, I'm just being fair. Dual analogs are the way to go for FPS. This is basically a fact.

I'm frustrated with Sony. They could be doing better with the resources they have. And I point out that I own their hardware to hopefully avoid being accused of being a Microsoft lover. That's all. And here you go "......".

[Amz @ Oct 9th 2008 6:46PM]

"Hey man, I'm just being fair. Dual analogs are the way to go for FPS. This is basically a fact."
That's just your opinion actually. Dual analogs suck for FPS.

Actually, controllers suck for FPS, period.

Keyboard and mouse is the way.

[JimReaper @ Oct 9th 2008 3:00PM]

Supplement incapable portable tech with our unportable tech for unportable incapable gaming fun!

[farfisa @ Oct 9th 2008 3:00PM]

I have both systems, and might get Retribution, but this is really f@cking impractical.

[required @ Oct 9th 2008 3:15PM]

If and when you do get this game and if you do try this one games feature, let us know if you think it's wrong. Until then you sound awkwardly angry.

[Viaono @ Oct 9th 2008 3:01PM]

They are planning for a PSP Wall hanger and a table kickstand case.

[Lowdown @ Oct 9th 2008 3:02PM]

Retarted much. Sony seems to be getting all wrong now a days... If this worked on your PSP via a wireless hook up you can use on the plane, awesome! connect to your PC worthless.

[required @ Oct 9th 2008 3:11PM]

Retarted?

[Christian @ Oct 9th 2008 3:03PM]

Why can't they have a proprietary bluetooth attachment for the PSP for the SIXAXIS to connect? or maybe an attachment for the PSP to have such 2nd analog joystick?

[required @ Oct 9th 2008 3:12PM]

Why doesn't the DS phat, lite, or DSi or Wii do these things?

[Dave @ Oct 11th 2008 12:43PM]

HELLO????
FTB2 is an awesome shooter for PSP!

[required @ Oct 9th 2008 3:20PM]

fyi: http://www.pspfanboy.com/2008/10/09/infect-your-psp-with-resistance-2-and-retribution-connectivity/

[EdgeOne @ Oct 9th 2008 3:37PM]

Why can't Sony just put another analog stick on the other side and support it through software updates? They had every chance with the new 3000 series. Seems you have to upgrade the OS every time you put a new game in anyway...

I was so excited for the PSP and have had it since it first came out. Had some good times, made some memories, but like a flawed ex-girlfriend, every time I try to have fun with it now it just reminds me of what could have been.

Also, both my ring and pinky fingers (the ones that hang off the end of the PSP when playing) now go numb on me once in while after sleeping, which is nice. Its like waking up with Homer Simpson hands. I mean if it was just one entire numb hand, then that could at least be useful.

[BigD145 @ Oct 9th 2008 3:44PM]

It's easier to sell an existing $400 controller.

[Ron @ Oct 9th 2008 3:39PM]

The only way this will be useful is if your is connected to your T.V. All this feature does is prove that Sony has to have Dual-Analog on it's next PSP. This feature will appeal to people though. Honestly I'm not too enthused about it though. I would much rather Sony get to work on a completely new PSP, one with things in there that we actually want.

[wako @ Oct 9th 2008 3:40PM]

WOW! WTF?!


Just make a PSP2 and put another analog stick on the right side!

[Nathan @ Oct 9th 2008 3:54PM]

The PSP has a mini USB port. The Sixaxis & DualShock3 have mini USB ports. Am I missing something or would hooking those up be the easiest solution ever and a heck of a lot more convenient than this contraption. I want to be able to hook up my PSP to a hotel TV and play with a dualshock. It cannot be that hard seriously.

[Mr.Ironic @ Oct 9th 2008 4:10PM]

I don't know, honestly. You'd think.

There's some thing about this which isn't quite Universal Serial Bus. Can't think what.

[Mr.Ironic @ Oct 9th 2008 4:11PM]

I don't know, honestly. You'd think.

There's some thing about this which isn't quite Universal Serial Bus. Can't think what.

[Mr.Ironic @ Oct 9th 2008 4:13PM]

I don't know, honestly. You'd think.

There's some thing about this which isn't quite Universal Serial Bus. Can't think what.

[Necrotix @ Oct 9th 2008 3:54PM]

Yes, add another goddam nub already! Epic Failure Sony! BTW I had PSP traded it in for DS because of the lack of games on it and I am equally fed up with the DS lack of a pair of analog nubs/sticks whatevers. I'm American. I don't want to scribbleon a touch screen. I want to blow shit up in FPS! I don't want to run around in 3rd person anime picking flowers in crappy Japanese RPG's...
So ya, let's hope M$ makes one with a portable Halo or something. It would be the last portable I would have to buy.

[Mr.Ironic @ Oct 9th 2008 4:14PM]

I give up. It keeps commenting under the wrong person. I checked the name. It's still posts wrong.
No delete. :(