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RealView's V-Screen for PSP review
The PSP may be a lot of things to a lot of people, but it's not capable of pumping out images in 3D -- cross your eyes all you want but nothing's going to leap off of that LCD. We'll have to wait for at least another iteration of portables before we can start expecting any miracles in that department, but until then there's the V-Screen! It's a big, silly-looking attachment that pledges to add depth to your PSP games despite the system's distinctly two-dimensional screen. Is it magic? Is it sorcery? Is it complete bull? You might be surprised.
Sony's PSPgo sells 28,000 units on first day in Japan, physical media points and laughs
Remember the "platform sales boost" that Sony was tauting after the PSPgo's release in the US? The question on everyone's minds was of course how much of that boost was buoyed by the new kid on the block, and while Sony still hasn't given us any domestic figures (nor will it ever, probably), we now know that the thing sold 28,000 units on its first day of availability on its home turf in Japan. That's certainly better than the measly 1,000 units moved in Australia over the same period, but hardly encouraging when you look at its predecessors. According to Media Create the original PSP sold 171,963 units in a day in Japan. The PSP-2000? 130,000. UMD may be hated by everyone, but it seems to still have legs.
Here's that second PSP analog stick you wanted
Tim Magoolaghan is quite the modder and has made a Frankensteinian PSP. Aside from the second analog nub he slapped on this custom PSP-2000, he's also added a built-in camera, 32GB of Flash memory (eliminating the UMD slot) and a dedicated charging port that allows USB charging no matter what the handheld is currently doing. In the video interview where he shows off his creation (video past the break), there's also some emulation stuff going on due to the custom firmware, but we don't condone that kind of thing.Tim's whole motivation behind this custom PSP is that he wants to show consumers the older model can do wonderful things that the new PSP Go cannot. He says Sony's new device isn't very consumer friendly and while we think he has something there, it's overshadowed by the fact that he's sitting next to the most annoying woman on the planet. [Thanks, Robin!]
Video: a brief history of game console teardowns
Granted, none of these are teardowns we haven't already seen ad nauseam, but seeing every Sony and Microsoft console ripped to shreds and placed side-to-side in a series of glass cases is still a sight to behold. Peruse the display yourself, found at Tokyo Game Show and shown courtesy of the Museum of GAME Science, in a video tour after the break.
TGS 08: PSP Wi-Fi Store opening Oct. 15 in Japan; all future first-party titles to be downloadable
Sony has announced that all future first-party PSP games will be available through download in Japan, beginning later this year via the Wi-Fi Store. The store is scheduled to open in Japan on October 15th with the firmware v5.00 update. Games to be sold by direct download include Secret Agent Clank (11/20), Patapon 2 (11/27), and LocoRoco 2 (12/4) (these titles will also be available on UMD).There is currently no date for the release of the store in North America or Europe. We're also wondering how downloadable games' pricing will compare to standard UMD retail prices (considering that direct downloads save on packaging, shipping and a slew of other costs). We'll update as soon as we hear anything.
PSP-3000 screen head-to-head with the PSP-2000: oh, that's what improved means
Looks like Sony wasn't foolin' when it said that the new PSP-3000 has a noticeably improved screen from the PSP-2000 -- check out this comparison shot of the new rig vs. the old. Man, our first-gen unit is starting to look like a real clunker -- anyone else feeling the need to upgrade?[Via PSP Fanboy ]
Sony said to be prepping PSP-3000 with built-in mic
There may not have been any word of a new PSP out of E3 as some had suspected, but it looks Sony may have a bit of a late surprise for us, at least if these tantalizing pics from PSPChina are to be believed. Apparently, this new PSP-3000 model remains mostly unchanged from the current PSP-2000, with the notable addition of a built-in microphone and a somewhat less notable PlayStation button in place of the usual Home button. As you can see in the picture after the break, the signature steel ring on the back of the PSP also appears to have been trimmed a bit (there's a pic of the inside of the case as well, for the curious). Not exactly the DS Lite sort of upgrade that'd make everyone ditch their old PSPs to be sure but, as we've seen with the PSP-2000, it would be about par for the course for Sony.[Via Joystiq, Khattab]
Logitech launching PlayGear Pocket Slim next month
One of the most popular and best-reviewed PSP cases is the Playgear Pocket by Logitech. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit the PSP Slim & Lite. Logitech is about to change that with the launch of the PlayGear Pocket Slim next month. It seems to be the same exact case, except sized to fit the PSP-2000. It comes with a skin template that allows you to create your own custom skin. It is still made out of polycarbonate and you still don't have to take it out of the case to use the PSP. It even fits the larger 2200 mAH extended-life battery. It might a little less sturdy though, according to the Logitech site, the original case came with a 2 year warranty; this new one comes with only a 1 year warranty. Will you be picking this up when it launches in August for $14.99?
PSP-2000 Traveler Case discovered
Original PSP owners can frequently be seen with a hard case, such as the ones made by Logitech. However, the slimmer PSP-2000 series do not fit in those cases. What's a PSP-2000 user supposed to do, then?They can pick up the Traveler Case, a hard PSP case which will store the system, Memory Sticks and UMDs -- all for $20. We spotted them on sale (with discount) at both amazon.com and buy.com. The case will be available at the end of the month.[Via PSP GadgetZ]%Gallery-22632%
Sony's PSP Skype headset finally arrives Stateside
If you've got a PSP-2000 and a hankering for some VoIP on the run, Sony has finally brought its Skype-friendly PSP headset to US retail. Unfortunately, it won't work with those original fatty PSPs, and at $30 you've gotta ask yourself how much you'll really be using it for -- the original price was set at $20. That said, it's undoubtedly the easiest way to get up and running with Skype and in-game voice chat on the PSP, since it used to require two separate accessories to pull it off. Oh, and if you're Skype curious, be sure to check out the how-to guide over at PSP Fanboy.
PSP enjoys 'Monster' success in Japan
And it would have outsold all of the competition combined if it weren't for that pesky Xbox 360 contributing 1,547 units to the tally. The number the other systems had to defeat was 129,986, the number of PSPs sold in Japan last week according to the compulsive counters at Media Create. Nintendo's DS occupied the second place in the chart with 58,916 sold -- less than half of that managed by the PSP.The system's monster success arrives hand-in-hand with Capcom's Monster Hunter Freedom 2 G, which sold 880,468 copies in its first week. Capcom revealed earlier this week that it had already shipped over a million units of the PSP expansion in an attempt to satiate the demand for "epic battles with giant monsters."
The God of War PSP bundle looks like this
Click to enlarge We consider packaging to be quite effective when you can tell at a glance just what awaits you inside of it. Take this God of War Entertainment Pack, for example. There's the "Deep Red" PSP, the Superbad UMD, the critically praised God of War: Chains of Olympus and ... well, there's also a PSN voucher for Syphon Filter: Combat Ops, which isn't pictured. To be fair, that's simply due to the lack of excitement incurred by a piece of paper with some obscure code on it.Also not pictured is the price tag of $199.99 and, perhaps most importantly, a disappointing label which reads, "Not for sale until June."
Retrospective: Three years with the PSP
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/playstation/50_of_the_biggest_moments_in_PSP_s_history'; Today marks the third birthday of Sony's PlayStation Portable. Our sister site PSP Fanboy takes a look back at the 50 biggest moments in the platform's history. From the worst marketing disaster to what sold 77,777 copies on its first day, everything is covered.
Sony announces the creatively-named PSP Cradle
It's been a while since the PSP Slim got all up on your TV, but Sony wasn't going to leave you hanging forever without a slick docking solution -- say hola to the new PSP Cradle. Apart from some of that old-time Sony design flair, there's not much else to it: you dock your PSP, images show up on your TV, and you control things with the included remote. On sale April 24th in Japan for ¥4,800 ($46), or ¥6,500 ($62) bundled with a D Terminal AV cable.
Japanese PSP brandishes bronze bundle, cradle
As tempting as it'll be to import Japan's latest PSP-2000 when it releases on April 24th (for a limited time), we simply won't stand for Bronze triumphing over brains. Debuting in a new Matte Bronze Value Pack priced at ¥23,800 ($228) , the third-place color will finish in matte "for the first time for PSP." The bundle will include an AC adaptor, battery, pouch, handstrap, cloth, D-Terminal AV cable and a why-even-bother 32MB Memory Stick.Expected to launch on the same day: A ¥4,800 ($46) cradle and charger for the PSP-2000. It's the ideal device for those 1Seg watchers and mediaphiles who would prefer to interact via the included remote whenever the PSP's hooked up to a relatively distant television. The cradle will also be available in bundled form, with a ¥6,500 ($62) package tossing in a D-Terminal AV cable.Read -- Matte Bronze Value PackRead -- Cradle
Sony cuts PSP dev tools cost in half
Sony subsidiary SN Systems has cut the cost of the PlayStation Portable dev tools in half, effective today. The announced price reduction, in conjunction with a new Tuner performance optimizer, is hoped to increase the appeal of developing for the PSP. Support fees for current licensees will also enjoy a 50% reduction.Sony made a similar move last November when they halved the price of its PS3 dev kit to a reported $10,250. Sales of the PSP, while still trailing the DS, have received a sales boost in recent months thanks to the handheld's redesign.[Via Gamasutra]
Sony delays Skype, microphones for PSP in Japan
On the eve of its January 24 debut in Japan, Sony's PSP Skype service and microphones have been delayed. According to the press release, "it was found that the microphone did not meet the Skype specifications in part to obtain certification." Doesn't that seem like a problem that should have been dealt with before launch week, possibly before a release date was even announced?No new date has been given for either the microphone or Skype service. Our sister site Engadget had a chance to check out the new service earlier this month at CES 2008.[Via Engadget]
Capcom announces new Monster Hunter PSP
It wasn't too long ago when Sony and Capcom partnered together to release a limited edition Monster Hunter 2nd Summer PSP bundle. Well, it looks like they're at it again with Monster Hunter Portable 2G. Called the Hunter's G Pack, the limited edition bundle will hit retail shelves on March 27 in Japan for 25,800 yen and will include the PSP, Monster Hunter Portable 2G, a carrying case and limited edition wrist strap, as well as the AC adapter and battery.The system's model number is PSP-2000 ZN, so don't worry, you will be able to Skype with it. Admittedly, the new bundle looks a lot like something from Zelda, but we're not complaining because it looks darn sweet![Via Official PlayStation forums]
Japan's getting a Mint Green PSP, you aren't
Sony's been quite liberal with its color options for the PSP over in Japan so far, and it doesn't look like things are switching up much with the PSP-2000 "slim." This time Sony's busting out a rather appetizing "Mint Green" PSP to the expectant hordes that haven't already gone broke buying the endless iterations already answered by the company. Of course, there's no word or expectation of an US release, so we're off to the art supplies shop for another set of acrylics.[Via Joystiq]
Be envious of Japan's new green PSP
On February 28th, the Japanese PSP-2000 is set to arrive in yet another fresh new color: Mint Green. This subtle and unnervingly attractive addition to the rainbow riot going on over there will cost ¥19,800, or roughly $181. Its qualities can likely be analyzed for several more sentences, but we don't want to make it too obvious that this simple news story is in desperate need of filler text. Best we end it off quickly with another play on the "Mint Green" name. Will this PSP color become available in America? Don't hold your breath. [Via PSP Fanboy]
