PSP Rant

[The_Divided]

"Just becuse something CAN be done, doesn't mean it SHOULD be done."
- Some guy

I know that the above is a quote from someone inportant, but I can't remember who. While credit would be nice, it is the setiment that I want to focus on here.

First off, I want to say that I love my PSP. From a hardware stand point, I don't think there is a whole lot that I would change (other than adding another analog nub). The sofware, however, is another matter. I don't think developers really understand the market for this handheld with the exception of Q! interactive. I came to this conclusion after playing a session of Smash TV on my 360.

Here I have the most powerful game console on the market, and I'm having a blast play an arcade game from 1990. They I played Geometry Wars, Zuma, and Hexic. In fact, my wife is even involved and gaming brings us closer together. Then I had to go to work and thought "Why arn't these games on my PSP?" Is it really that difficult to make a Zuma, or a geometure wars. WIth smash TV you can you the xyba button to choose the direction you are firing. That type of layout would be perfect for a hand held.

The most unappealing thing about the PSP is the fact a most of its library is based around console ports. Yeah, like that is what I want to do, sit at home and play my little psp in my big home theatre. I, like many people i would imagine, don't have much time outside of home to play games. If I'm waiting at the doctors office, or for a sandwich, I want to whip out my psp and get a few moments of action in. I don't want to save liberty city, or kill terrorists. I just want instant, easy to learn hard to master, action. Give it to me now. That is my point.

If Sony really wants to do something great for thier PSP sales, they would develop a system (similar to XBL) that would allow these arcade games to be stored and played from your memory card. Lord knows, but if MS comes out with a handheld, support these arcade games would go along way helping them secure a place in the handheld market.

That is all.

THe D.

[Porphyria Plan]

Good rant. I don't have one but I'm pretty sure I know what it can do and what games there are for it.

If anything, I'd get one around a year from now and make an awesome, portable, emulation machine. I know it can be done but I honestly have yet to do the research. So I'm not to sure of any issues if there are any.

[Nitereaver]

Great Rant!

First off I would like to say I would buy a psp if they had a good game selection. Right now though, here is my stand on it...and you can quote me!

Why would I want to drop over $200 on an OVERSIZED MP3 player, UNDERSIZED movie player, that wants to Pretend its a game system?!

When the PsP finally starts getting quality (fun) games then I will look into getting one. Until then,I'll stick with my Nintendo DS and the stack of 12 games (and growing) that I own and love to play! :smt023

[ZenReaper]

Why would I want to drop over $200 on an OVERSIZED MP3 player, UNDERSIZED movie player, that wants to Pretend its a game system?!

This is exactly the reason I traded my PSP for a DS. There weren't enough GAMES to keep me going.

[soul embrace]

divided i give you a simple solution, trade you PSP in and get a DS with warioware touched. if you are unsure what warioware touched is, it is a bunch of 5 second mini games that are really addictive. from what it sounds like the DS will be perfect for the kind of handheld system you are looking for. there are a lot of games like this for the DS that can be picked up and play for a short amount of time.

[tanner]

Why would I want to drop over $200 on an OVERSIZED MP3 player, UNDERSIZED movie player, that wants to Pretend its a game system?!



Ands that why i decided NOT to get a PSP, instead going to look more into the DS and getting games like Animal Crossing or Wario Ware...

[RoninRacer]

i agree that it's all about the games and that the psp is weak in that department. it's why i don't have one yet. also why i don't have a 360 yet.

i disagree with the comment that it needs a library of emulated old games. i personally don't need to be playing atari games on a $200 handheld. i understand the appeal, but i still find it funny to see people using their $400 360 to play atari games.


anyway, it appears that there will be an initial D game for the psp coming out in japan. maybe this will be the killer app for me to get a psp.

[grumpyshrapnel]

I agree that the PSP got off to a slow start on games but over the past couple of months some really good games came out. XMen II, Socom, Burnout, GTA are a few examples.

Myself I'm with Ronin I dont really care to play old games so I enjoy the console ports. While suffering at my inlaws during Xmas vacation I played quite a bit of my PSP. I finally finished XmenII and Socom single player. Its amazing how much some of these games feel like you playing an Xbox/PS2 on a mini TV.

I'd imagine most new multiconsole games now will include a PSP version (ex. King Kong, Prince of Persia) so there's plenty of new stuff coming.

[Pointg5]

I didn't get a PSP until September, but I have had plenty of fun games to keep me busy. Currently playing Burnout, Socom, Kingdom Of Paradise and Prince Of Persia, all very fun. Mortal Kombat comes out in February with Pursuit Force and Splinter Cell in March, plenty of excellent games.

[Nitereaver]

I didn't get a PSP until September, but I have had plenty of fun games to keep me busy. Currently playing Burnout, Socom, Kingdom Of Paradise and Prince Of Persia, all very fun. Mortal Kombat comes out in February with Pursuit Force and Splinter Cell in March, plenty of excellent games.

My problem with the above list, as well as the comment about the multiconsole ports comming over to the PsP, is that if I want to play those games I will purchase them on the home console to plaly on a BIG SCREEN with surround sound. I know they throw in a few little extra's but that is not enough reason (for myself) to purchas the game basically twice. The great thing about the DS is that about 90% of the games are original titles designed specifically for the system. You might disagree with me but this is my opinion :smt003

[grumpyshrapnel]

My problem with the above list, as well as the comment about the multiconsole ports comming over to the PsP, is that if I want to play those games I will purchase them on the home console to plaly on a BIG SCREEN with surround sound.

True but its a pain in ass to carry a big screen on the bus ride to work, but I agree with you. When I'm home I rarely play my PSP but on the commute to work its nice. I'm mostly a multiplayer junkie so I would almost rather have some great single player port for PSP when I dont have an internet connection handy.

[Nitereaver]

True but its a pain in ass to carry a big screen on the bus ride to work


:smt005

I can just picture a guy luggin around a 36" tv with a 40 mile extension cable. Hell, they should make a commercial for a handheld gaming system like that :smt005
I play my DS at home as its the only time I have to game. So having a handheld system with ports from a home console doesnt make sense. They just need to get some more original titles that are GOOD. Right now I have 14 DS games that I actually play and ENJOY! There is also 5 more titles I really want to pick up at the moment as well with more on the way. I probably couldnt find an HONEST person to say that about the PsP. Infected (or whatever) looks interesting to me, but thats about it. GTA is getting to be a been there done that type of game now. Once they start making fun and original titles (and lower the price to 150 lol) I will pick one up. Til then, my double screen bundle of joy will be my gaming platform while the wife watches the big screen..

[Pointg5]

I do not play my PSP on the go, I mainly play at night before bed or when my wife is watching TV at night. I can HONESTLY say I love playing the games I have for it, Burnout, Prince of Persia, SOCOM, and Kingdom Of Paradise(original game). Most are ports and they are fun to play. I do not have an XBOX 360, so the PSP is my primary console right now. Even when I get a 360 I will still play the PSP, Pursuit Force looks like it is going to be an excellent game. I think it's all a matter of preference and no one is right or wrong.

[Gennataos]

If the discussion is about PSP software (or lack thereof), I'd say good stuff is starting to come out, and more is coming. I wouldn't trade in a PSP for the DS unless you just HAD to have a handheld system and none of the PSPs games right now are compelling to you. What did the Xbox have aside from Halo for a looooong time?

If the discussion is about the PSP vs. the DS, then...well...shit, it shouldn't have started. It's apples and oranges. The DS is an upgraded GBA. The PSP is a multimedia machine. If anyone would like to tally up the number of consumer electronics I'd need to have along with a DS to do all that the PSP can.... Not everyone is interested in all of that, but I am. I've watched full-length movies from my memory card on the PSP (and it's not undersized..it's PERSONAL), listened to music, browsed the web, played online games at wi-fi hotspots, saved home movies to show friends. I've even used it as a USB flash drive.

I'm not saying the PSP is better than the DS (yeah I am), but it's just different. It really is a spectacular device...a terribly underrated device right now.

[edit]-I do think the DS is pretty damn cool, too. I just can't sit idly by while people bash what is, IMO, one of the most versatile and innovative electronic devices to come along in a long time.

[Nitereaver]

I just can't sit idly by while people bash what is, IMO, one of the most versatile and innovative electronic devices to come along in a long time.

I'm not bashing the PsP..well ok I kinda was, but here are my points (all my opinion of course)

-Its to small to watch a full length movie on...yes I tried, on my friends.
-Its to big to be a viable MP3 player.
-Although there are some comming out, there are not enough quality titles out and it has been out for a year now.
-It's overpriced if you look at it just for games.

Yes, the PsP blows the DS out of the water in the graphics department. Yes, the PsP does more than just play games. Yes I think the PsP has awesome potential. But I have owned the DS for about 2-3 months now and have 15 games (bought another one yesterday :smt003) Meanwhile my friends that have the PsP have 2-3 games and have owned it for a year!! To me it seems like they push it more as a media player first, a gaming system second. When they step up and start making alot of games I will get one, and hopefully it will drop in price by then. I'm not a DS fanboy, just a gamer that wants to play games..not movies/tv shows/mp3's.

I'm just speaking my opinion, and know others dont feel the same way, and thats cool. My friends have PsP's, I dont hate on em' for it.Its up to everyone to get what they like. :smt023

[Gennataos]

TO WAR!!! :p


Its up to everyone to get what they like. :smt023

Yeah, couldn't agree with that more. But if people are going to talk about what the PSP isn't, I'll talk about what it is. :)

[ZenReaper]

I have owned both the PsP and the DS. As for multimedia, it's PsP, hands down. But if you're in it for the games then DS is the way to go. I loved my PsP when I had it but I could never find any games that were worth a toss. Now, the DS has those games in spades. I do miss the MP3 player that I lost when I traded in my PsP but I've gained a gaming system with my DS. So... I'm happy with my decision.

[Nitereaver]

Well to keep myself from being labeled a DS fanboy (too late? :smt003) I had an offer from a friend of mine to buy his PsP. He sold it to me without any games for 100 bucks so I am now a PsP owner. Now I just gotta work on getting a few games. :smt023

[soul embrace]

so I am now a PsP owner.

trader!!!

j/k :smt003

[Gennataos]

Well to keep myself from being labeled a DS fanboy (too late? :smt003) I had an offer from a friend of mine to buy his PsP. He sold it to me without any games for 100 bucks so I am now a PsP owner. Now I just gotta work on getting a few games. :smt023

:smt042

[Nitereaver]

so I am now a PsP owner.

trader!!!

j/k :smt003

:smt005

Yah, I mentioned above I would get one if they dropped the price..well 100 bucks is a big price drop :smt003

At least now I got two handheld systems so if my wife wants to play the DS I have something to use myself.

[All4Fun]

I own both the PSP and the DS and they both have their obvious strengths. I have to say that I find myself picking up the DS more to play Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing. Simple and fun online games that allow me to have my quick gaming fix within my busy life without me having to be very astute with the gaming controls. On the PSP (and consoles for that matter), gamers can make me feel very inadequate very quickly. I guess my ego bruises easily. :)

As beautiful and capable as the PSP is, I always feel like someone is going to run up and mug me for my PSP when I'm out. For whatever reason, I don't feel that way with my DS. And, if I'm going to play my PSP at home with the console ports, then I might as well play them on my console and big screen TV. So, I now have a PSP which I don't use very much.

I'm just speaking from real personal experiences with both. I love them both but from a simple gaming perspective, the DS allows me to have that quick fun fix. They truly are 2 different machines targetted at different types of users IMHO.

[DavidNDC]

i agree that it's all about the games and that the psp is weak in that department. it's why i don't have one yet. also why i don't have a 360 yet.


Ditto. :smt045

[The_Divided]

divided i give you a simple solution, trade you PSP in and get a DS with warioware touched. if you are unsure what warioware touched is, it is a bunch of 5 second mini games that are really addictive. from what it sounds like the DS will be perfect for the kind of handheld system you are looking for. there are a lot of games like this for the DS that can be picked up and play for a short amount of time.

I have a DS too! I bought it at launch. I own a couple of games like Warioware, Metos, and Mario Cart. I like when I'm in the mood for something diffent, but the buttons seem too small.

Don't get me wrong, I love my PSP! I rely on it more than my cell phone; I just wish developers will treat it like a high powered handheld and not a home console. I use it for all my entertainment when I on the road. I like the comment that was made about it being an oversized MP3 player and an undersized video player, but the fact is that this is all of that in one device, plus I can check my email without booting up my laptop (something I really appriciate when doing onsite training). I just wish it had a mic and a skype client, then I could ditch my cell phone!!

I always watch full length movies on it. I'll tell you nothing beats it when you are sitting in coach on a cross-continental flight.

The D.