Sony PSP Pro's/Cons [Archive]

bobcat

08-29-2005, 02:57 AM

Hi Everyone,

I'd like an unbias review...........hmmm they don't exist coz everything is bias to some point.

Basically I wanna get a PSP because they look amazing and have great features............from a games perspective there is absolutely nothing that interests me. Is it worth the $400 AUS??

It launches here in AUST on the 1/9/05 finally. The screen is so nice, and the visuals are amazing.........but usually when I buy things for their graphics, I find them boring after a few months.

Be quick coz 1/9 is not far away and I'm on the verge of buying one. Stupid Sony advertising isn't helping me either. It's shoved in my face everywhere I go. EB even have a countdown calendar going >_<

Jonbo298

08-29-2005, 07:59 AM

From an unbias view of my own who doesnt own one quiet yet but will eventually if emulation keeps alive

Pros: Nice large screen. Its Sony, expect big names to jump aboard for games eventually. Graphics look nice. Tons of potential besides gaming (ie: Video, Music, etc..).

Cons: A little pricey, IMO. PSP is still waiting for that big "Killer app" that makes everyone want it no matter what. I've heard its a hassle sometimes to get external videos to work with converting (but if you dont plan to, it doesnt matter). It runs off a CD so battery life won't be as great unless you find a 3rd party battery that will last longer. Having to re-buy any movies you own for the PSP only and the prices I've seen sometimes are higher then their mucho better DVD counterparts.

But dont think that because my con list seems larger that I hate it because I dont. Ijust want the price below $200 before I consider one even more

Dyne

08-29-2005, 01:52 PM

Well I picked it up with an unglamorous look towards the game line-up, but I've learned to like it. Hot Shots Golf is right up my alley, Lumines is really addicting, and Ridge Racers is adrenaline-pumping. Anyways, you wanted this in pros and cons, so here goes.

Pros:
1. All-in-one media player PLUS game player. I've used every aspect now so far - downloaded shows like Conan and the original Zelda cartoon, listened extensively to mp3's in the minivan when I had to drive it, worked out in several convenient places via Bas Rutten workout mp3's (blasting the sound without speakers/headphones, it's a decent volume), browsed the internet in a heck of a lot of places just to catch up on things when I didn't feel like packing up my laptop, and - dear god - played the games for hours on end.
2. Emulation. God knows nobody's played the entire library of SNES games or Genesis games already, and having them on the go is the definition of convenience.
3. Dead sexy.

Cons:
1. It's not a phone.
2. You have to pick either emulation or browser. Last I checked, the unofficial browser sucked. But I could be wrong. It's better to upgrade officially though, because it has animated gif support and all that.
3. There's not TOO much on the horizon in terms of games, but I'm sure you'll find something you like. I sure did.
4. Stupid goddamn scratchable screen. And then I bought the Pelican screen protector and now the screen's got glare-protection all over it, ruining the quality. I guess it's still playable though.

GameMaster

08-29-2005, 03:54 PM

Pros: Everything looks great on it; games, movies, pictures. A few fun select games. I've only played Wipeout thus far. The machine itself is beautiful too.

Cons: A battery life that has trouble keeping up with the concept of portable gaming. The PSP is delicate, too delicate for the casual gamer. Every game session will leave behind unsightly fingerprints and if you're not very careful, scratches will easily find their way onto the PSP.

Closing Thoughts: If you have some extra pocket change, get yourself a PSP. It's a fun gadget to have. Just play it safely so you won't ruin it's external beauty.

Dyne

08-29-2005, 05:00 PM

Well, unless you play literally all day with maximum volume and maximum screen brightness, you'll be fine.

You'll get about 6 hours with maximum everything while playing a game. For movies it's a bit less. For music it's a lot more. It's all acceptable battery life; so it's not that major of a con as people make it out to be.

bobcat

08-29-2005, 06:01 PM

ok thanks guys! much appreciated. I'll let you know on my decision after sept 1

Crash

08-29-2005, 11:13 PM

bobcat

08-30-2005, 06:33 AM

I have a PSP and DS:

Pros: freaking awesome design.... very powerful, great graphics, huge brilliant/sharp screen. You couldn't make it better. Built solid, and it feels like you have something of value. Movies look great on it!

Cons: coolness wears off.... movies and games are too expensive, not very useful for listening to music because a good size (1 gig) memory stick is over 100 bux. No good games out right now. I feel like I am going to break something if I drop it though.

currently, I play my DS much more!! and the DS is a beast. Ugly yes, but sturdy as hell.

Overall, yeah, I'm glad I own one, just because. If I had less money to burn, I'd have waited for a good price drop. Without the Emulators, I wouldn't have even 6 hours logged in gameplay. New ones CANNOT be used with emulators... only version 1.5 or less.

That's my main worry......buying it only for it's screen and visuals...........then having it gathering dust. I wanna have fun with it. And i'm SURE there are gonna be some great games on it in the future......like FF and stuff.

How do you upgrade the PSP version? So they stopped the emulation with the later versions?

Also is the US PSP made in China or Japan?

And I think I'm gonna have to buy a huge Memory Stick for it.......like 1gb

bobcat

08-30-2005, 08:02 AM

Ok well I've had an indepth look at the reviews from the PSP from IGN and Gamespot, and there isn't much atm that can persuade me to purchase the PSP from a gaming perspective.

I'm nearing my decision not to purchase one...........especially when comparing to the Nintendo DS games, such as Advance Wars DS, Nintendogs and Meteos.

I'm so confused >_<'

I want a PSP, and I don't know why. I think it's the screen.........it's so pretty

Jonbo298

08-30-2005, 08:20 AM

Remember that old saying "Dont judge a book by its cover" ;) :p

bobcat

08-30-2005, 08:39 AM

I know but I can't fight the feeling..............

$400 is a lot of money...........but I think I may give in and purchase one.

Probably because it does so much..............I like that idea......it's a whore of a portable

Dyne

08-30-2005, 01:36 PM

I went through what you're going through, bobcat. You probably saw my thread about my giving in. It was kind of tough the night after but after that I started seeing its functionality and I just began to love it.

P.S. All the parts are made in different countries. It has it on the back of the box. Some parts are made in China, some are made in Japan, some are made in Vietnam.. it's pretty detailed.

Null

08-30-2005, 01:54 PM

i still think both thier current linups suck. but then again i've never been a handheld person.

some games im looking foward to on PSP tho... (ones coming out at the end of this year)

SSX (same version the consoles will be getting -mario of course)
Socom
Battlefield 2
Virtua Tennis
(was a couple others but i cant think of them)

to correct crash on a couple things.... 1gb memory card is around $80, not over $100. and its still falling all the time.
and new VERSIONS cannot be used with emulators (AT THIS TIME) new psp's are still being sold at 1.5. i dont think tho they're being made at 1.5 now, so its only whats left from older shipments in stores. and theres much progress being done on programs that can downgrade and upgrade newer versions of psp's to 1.5 and back.

its a very handy little device, very nice on a plane, set it on the tray and watch a tv show, or movie. or play a game. I always keep a handfull of music / videos on it. games as always will come out later, it would be rether silly to think psp/ds will never get great games.

bobcat

08-30-2005, 05:59 PM

ok thx.

Final question......is there any accessory you recommend to purchase additionally to the normal psp pack? Like a particular screen/psp protector or something?

Null

08-30-2005, 06:14 PM

screen protectors are a waist imo. plus they look horrible. get a good case and everything is great.

best case i've seen (the one i use) is the logitech playgear pocket.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2362,CONTENTID=10181

very sturdy, strong, protects the whole PSP, and has access to shoulder buttons, wifi switch, power switch, headphone plug, and power plug While the case is closed.
flip the lid and the psp is easily playable while in the case (i actually find i like it better that way, gives you more to grip onto)
then the flip lid can flip all the way back and become a stand for the psp, so like i do, on a plane, flip it back, set it on the tray and watch a tv show. :)

it only holds the psp, however i have like a bag (carrying case) that i can put that into and all the games, headphones and things into while psp is still in that case. dont have to worry about anything then.

DeathsHand

08-30-2005, 06:43 PM

I'm with Null on the Logitech case... My PSP just feels so safe and sound whilst inside...

Dyne

08-30-2005, 06:52 PM

I use a leather case myself. It's as sturdy as the logitech and it smells neat. It also has a purse-like strap add-on that makes me feel like a woman. I haven't used it much.

Yeah, like I said before, I don't recommend the screen protectors. They're just ugly when you have it on. And that flippy-lid thing you can buy, too, just looks stupid. Just be careful and keep it in a good carrying pack.

GameMaster

08-30-2005, 06:55 PM

Wow, that Logitech case looks swell! I'm going to buy one today!

bobcat

08-31-2005, 07:23 AM

cool .......... looks real nice too........

I may have to buy that.........but unfortunately not straight away. I guess there's no way to keep your psp scratch/fingerprint proof.

If only they made the body of PSP with the non fringerprint type material (like the DS)

Null

08-31-2005, 09:06 AM

your thinking its a bigger deal then it is. you get finger smudges around the buttons but thats it. you shouldnt have any scratches or finger prints on the screen unless your careless and touching it all the time. and the cloth that comes with the psp quickly wipes away anything like that anyway.

bobcat

08-31-2005, 09:19 AM

yeh it's all good either way. I normally take care of my stuff pretty well either way.

It's official I'm buying a PSP tomorrow.

$400 AU

Null

08-31-2005, 11:29 AM

if your getting any games. i personally highly recommend Lumines, and Wipeout as my 2nd choice.

Dyne

08-31-2005, 01:24 PM

If you're just getting one game, don't get Lumines. That's my advice.

I'd go for Hot Shots Golf for just one game. It's good, it's long, and it shows off the screen pretty well.

DeathsHand

08-31-2005, 04:51 PM

If you're just getting one game, don't get Lumines. That's my advice.

I'd go for Hot Shots Golf for just one game. It's good, it's long, and it shows off the screen pretty well.

I second the Hot Shots Golf motion... If you're a fan of the series, or of similar games like... Well I think Mario Golf was pretty similar...

Lumines is also very fun, but I dunno I'm not a huge fan of puzzle games so it wore off kinda fast for me...

Wipeout is another good game, if you're into racing games that and Ridge Racer are supposed to be very good...

And of course, if the PSP you buy does happen to have Firmware Version 1.5, then the flood gates are open for all the portable emulators you've (maybe) always dreamed of...

Edit: Videogames.com says that the PSPs in Europe and Australia will come with 2.0... Sadly there will be no emulation fun for you (not right now at least) :<

But hey, you get a portable web browser!.............

Crash

08-31-2005, 06:08 PM

it's nice to have fingerprints sometimes, because it gives you a good feeling to clean it and polish it (like polishing I gun I guess)

I like twisted metal a lot, not a big fan of wipeout though.

movies are great to watch on it.

I like the screen protector I got, $10 for two, keeps it nice and safe, that way, I can carry the PSP in my pocket where handhelds belong.

bobcat

09-01-2005, 06:21 AM

Ok I bought it! IT's upstairs charging now......

I bought Wipeout and ordering Lumines from Ebay!!

Impressions so far:- Nice packaging, huge screen.........that's about it.

Oh and Null I bought the Logitech case too.

GameMaster

09-01-2005, 02:48 PM

Congratulations, now give us your first impressions of the other items that came in the box.

MuGen

09-01-2005, 02:59 PM

The PSP is still working great for me. I'll download anime onto it, and tv shows and my music. I play Twisted Metal, like all the time, and Coded Arms has to be one of the funnest portable FPS' I've played. Kinda hard w/ one analog, but you know how it is...

We had to go on a lil trip, but I wanted to watch some new episodes of anime series that came out. Downloaded it to the PSP watched it on the car ride... good fun.

I don't think I ever play the PSP long enough to the point where it's dying.... the battery life is highly underrated. Most I've used psp was for like 3 hours for watching a movie and playing games.

Dyne

09-01-2005, 04:22 PM

Congratulations, now give us your first impressions of the other items that came in the box.

Well I'm pretty sure no one uses that stupid white wrist strap. Aside from that, there's nothing else in the box except for the headphone setup and the shammy.

GameMaster

09-01-2005, 05:15 PM

Well I'm pretty sure no one uses that stupid white wrist strap. Aside from that, there's nothing else in the box except for the headphone setup and the shammy.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

Can I ask you what settings you use on your washer when putting the cleaning cloth in?

Dyne

09-01-2005, 05:18 PM

Well it's just a glasses cleaning cloth, so you'd never wash it. It's way smaller than a sock. It'd get lost in the wash.

GameMaster

09-01-2005, 05:19 PM

Well it's just a glasses cleaning cloth, so you'd never wash it. It's way smaller than a sock. It'd get lost in the wash.

Geez, I didn't know you never wash it. I better be really careful not to get it dirty.

Dyne

09-01-2005, 05:27 PM

That's why you keep it folded up. The outside can get dirty, but you just open it up to wipe every time.

bobcat

09-01-2005, 07:37 PM

ok these are FIRST impressions, so don't go bashing my opinion.

negatives (this may seem a little analytical, but meh):-

*The instruction booklet is a little ordinary to look at.

*The UMD software upgrade was easy, but I was a bit scared when it said
to plug in AC power while updating (it didn't say that on the UMD disk).

* The white strap thingo for your wrist is weird. Why is it white and not black!??!?

* Um..........the battery is difficult to take out, and it's difficult to close the battery lid first.

* The load times are frustrating, especially after playing the DS....this will take some time for me to get used to.

* The unit is heavy!

* Wipeout is great to look at, but the fun factor is already wearing off

positives:-

* Nice looking console
* Eye candy visuals
* Amazing sound
* UMD's are nice to look at
* Interface is snazzy and presented flawlessly
* The ability to add a wallpaper and customise the theme is great!
* The unknown features/capabilities I have to learn about!

Overall I'm very impressed. It's great to show off, but games wise it's nearly already worn off. I've taken Null's advice
and am getting LUmines as we speak (also getting Meteos and Nintendogs on DS!). Time will tell which console I'll be
playing more.

THanks for all your guys help! But yeh I'm sure in the future it will be much better for games.........one can only imagine of what's to come!! FF anybody!?!?

Dyne

09-01-2005, 07:49 PM

DeathsHand

09-01-2005, 08:49 PM

FF anybody!?!?

I know they're making an action-RPG set in the Final Fantasy 7 universe... But I think that's all that they have announced so far...

But you know Square's gotta release SOMETHING else... Wether it be a new game or some sort of compilation of old ones...

So far the big upcoming killer app seems to be, surprise surprise, GTA: LCS...

bobcat

09-01-2005, 11:39 PM

Well I advise against getting Lumines. It's nice to have on the side but it's clear you need a good, solid, fun game instead.

Get Hot Shots Golf. Especially since you're getting Meteos. There's no point in getting two puzzle games. Lumines' appeal wears off pretty quickly too.
Hmm yeh I needed a good game for PSP, and I don't really like racing games, so I opted for Lumines. Too late, I can't get the golf game now.....

DH what's an action/rpg set? You mean a series of those games?

I want classic RPG FF!! That would be the ultimate. Or maybe Castlevania! Now that'd be cool