Psp2000
Latest
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.
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 ]
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
PSP phone hints dropped in Sony magazine
If the test we performed during Podcast 37 was any indication, the Skype feature which was recently made available to PSPs, while neat, probably doesn't cut it when it comes to your main form of mobile communication. However, we can't be expected to carry around our cell phones and our PSPs. We only have one pair of multi-pocketed cargo pants, and, well, they really don't do much for our figure.We might be in luck -- a recent issue of Sony Magazine has stoked the fires of a finely aged rumor that a PSP phone is currently in the works, possibly under Sony Ericsson. One article briefly mentions that a "PSP-style phone is apparently in development," and that the device could hit retail "as early as February." While it wouldn't be the first time Sony released a handheld upon an unsuspecting public with little to no fanfare, we would think we'd hear about something like this more than a month before it hits store shelves. We mean -- part gaming device, part mobile phone? The world's never seen anything like this before!
Student hospitalized after suffering leg burns from pocketed PSP
This past month has seen the addition of a number of useful features to Sony's underdog handheld, such as its Skype integration and the soon to be imported GPS functionality. However, a story from a Michigan middle school recently broke the news of a heretofore unannounced ability of the PSP -- instantaneous superheating, with possible leg disfigurement.Apparently, a student had the system turned off and in his pocket in the middle of band practice when, all of a sudden, it melted through his jean pocket, sending him to the hospital with second-degree burns on his leg. Sony has yet to comment on the incident, though their website reminds PSP owners that using third-party batteries and charging equipment is likely to cause such an accident -- as will playing the trombone within a 5 foot radius of the system, apparently.In a beautiful showing of coincidence, the game occupying the system at the time of the meltdown supposedly was, you guessed it, Burnout Dominator.
New Japanese PSP-2000 commercial doesn't suck
Wow, what's this? A PSP commercial that's pretty straightforward and doesn't leave us scratching our heads or just completely embarrassed? Apparently so, as the first Japanese PSP-2000 TV commercial is making its rounds.The commercial zeros in on the new PSP's TV-out capabilities, which seems to astonish the elderly man. Sony also cleverly uses the setting to not only promote the PSP-2000 and Monster Hunter Freedom 2, it also features an entire fleet of Bravia TVs. We gotta hand it to ya, Sony. Nice one.
Dave Perry: PSP Lite a 'head in the sand' move for Sony
Shiny founder Dave Perry has been very vocal about consoles as of late. After estimating Wii's death clock, the Earthworm Jim designer has set his sights on Sony's PSP. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Perry refers to redesign as a "head in the sand" move while saying that Sony should "restart the PSP program" and specifically calls for the removal of UMD in favor of digital download. Perry also suggests that the transition to an UMD-less PSP would be relatively painless, asserting that it would be easy to create software to authenticate and re-download for free titles you already own. While we agree that digital distribution is on the rise, we're not sure if there's financial benefit for the consumer. A 1.0 GB memory stick can cost over $30, and then you still have the buy the titles (which may not drop in price should they go download). If you want to carry more than a few games around, you're going to need multiple memory sticks. If Sony does heed Perry's advice (and we see no evidence as to why they would), maybe they could replace the UMD slot with a decent hard drive, instead.
UK hardware sales: Xbox 360 roars, PSP whimpers
Thanks in no small part to a price drop and a new model, Microsoft's Xbox 360 scored a 260% sales increase in the United Kingdom from two weeks prior, according to ChartTrack (via MCV). The Elite model was released in the territory August 24 for £299.99, while the Pro and Arcade models received price drops to £249.99 and £179.99, respectively. The momentum is also likely to be helped by a certain Covenant-crushing behemoth set to deploy later this month.Though Microsoft may be having its (VH1) Best Week Ever, Sony's PlayStation Portable had its worst. ChartTrack is reporting the PSP had its worst week of sales since its launch September 1, 2005. Both SCEE and ChartTrack blame the sales drop-off on the impending launch of the PSP-2000 model, coming September 14 (sans ceramic white) and believe the redesign will boost the PSP's sales.Chart-Track did not provide specific numbers for either console's sales.Read -- 260% sales jump for Xbox 360Read -- SCEE looks forward after worst week ever for PSP
White PSP Slim delayed in UK
They're definitely not available today in the United Kingdom, but on September 14 the PSP Slim will be released into the wild. Not appearing on launch day, however, is the ceramic white model.Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, a Sony representative refuted claims from a CVG article that said official TV cables for the portable will make launch, but confirmed rumblings that only the black model will be available on next Friday.British gamers looking for a lighter-shaded PSP Slim will have to wait until October, according to the spokesperson.
LGC07: European PSP Slim launches with new colours
Yes. Colours with a "u." Some specially designed PSPs will be available only within Sony Europe's territories when the 2000 models launch on September 5th. In "Simpsons Yellow" and "Spider-man Black and Red" flavours, these new designs are clearly geared towards movie-buffs but also make a more colourful alternative to the current selection of black, silver and white. Americans will be able to choose from "Darth Vader White," black and silver -- if you really want a garish yellow PSP Slim, you can always import.
Ample details on slimmer PSP
MTV News' Stephen Totilo managed to snag a plethora of details on the PSP 2000 (that's what they're calling it internally) from SCEA's head of marketing for the PSP division John Koller. All future PSP titles from Sony will utilize the upgraded 333MHz clockspeed, reportedly without a hit on battery life, said Koller. A second thumbstick was considered, as was (briefly) a built-in hard drive instead of Memory Stick. Both ideas were ultimately turned down.The upcoming PSP title Echochrome was originally going to be downloadable via the PSN, but Koller said they went with UMD because it was a "very rich game." Original, downloadable PSP titles should be coming in the next six to eight months, he said.The camera may get some specification changes before its North American release. The GPS attachment is expected to hit US shores in the next 10 to 12 months. As for the TV tuner, there are no plans for release it outside of Japan.Check out Totilo's article for more information, including Koller's assertion that Sony had nothing to do with famed hacker Dark_Alex's retirement.[Via PSP Fanboy]
Three extra colors for new PSP
In announcing the new PSP-2000 model for Japan, Sony revealed that the Land of the Rising Sun would also have six different colors to choose from. Rose Pink, Lavender Purple and Felicia Blue all join the previously-announced shades black, white and silver. Here's a screenshot of the new PSP palette. Notice how, unlike the Nintendo DS models, none of these colors are very bright or prominent.No word on if these colorful models will be released outside of Japan. The new model PSP is due out in September, whereby the old model will have to seek refuge as it's phased out.
PSP-2000 Japanese street date is Sept. 20
Sony has given the PSP-2000 (you must be joking with the name) a Japanese release date of Sept. 20. The handheld will release for ¥19,800 ($162) in six colors (black, white, silver and three pastels). If you'd like to know more about the gooey innards of the machine, feel free to check out what we learned from the manual. The PSP Lite PSP Slim PSP-2000 units will cost $199 in the US for an entertainment pack and $169 for the stand alone, they'll replace the original PSP model the same way the DS Lite replaced the phat.What's with the awful names being banged around? Seriously, did nobody at Sony realize that the year 2000 happened seven years ago and calling the system the PSP-2000 seems just a tad counter-intuitive? Whatever, maybe it's just the Japanese name, although David Reeves seems to clearly say it's PSP-2000 for the Europeans as well. We'll find out soon enough when we get the North American presser with a release date.Update: Yes, PSP-2000 is the model number (as PSP-1000 was the original). However, it is being referred to by Reeves (check the link above) and in widely reported articles as the PSP-2000 like that's the name. It will still be officially known as the PSP, as Sony is not rebranding the unit to differentiate it in consumer's minds. So the choice of Sony executives, instead of giving it a sexy name, is referring to it as the PSP 2000.
