PSP = Purchase of the Year

[Glockstar]

I told you I couldn't hold out for much longer. Monday I folded (more like snapped) and bought the PSP. And boy am I glad I did! This thing is sweet!

I take it with me everywhere I go. And I play it all the time. I play it at night in bed; I play it when I'm watching TV (*cough* NBA Finals); you know I take it with me when I have to "do some thinking"; but I also take it to work (to the bathroom at work); and even take it with me when I have to run an errand. The Sleep feature rules!

This thing can do so much too! Of course, I gotta buy a special USB connector to download music, pics, videos, and whatnot, and I definitely gotta buy a bigger Memory Stick. And those things are pricey! Yikes!

People have been complaining about how times are lean for the PSP, new-game-release-wise, but I just don't see it. Especially not when you consider it's launch. I've already got three games for it. Forget about the fact that that's three games in one week for me personally... the system isn't even 3 months old, so figure it out that way! That's better than a game a month, and that's pretty damned good.

When I looked at the upcoming games for it, that was the clincher for me getting a PSP over the NDS. Midnight Club III, Death Jr., Namco Museum Battle Collection, Midway Arcade Treasures Ultimate Collection, and Advent Shadow are all coming out by years end. But I'm also looking forward to getting a couple of movies for it too (Napoleon Dynamite for sure).

What I got now:

Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee - I think HSG3 was better - because it was deeper, bigger, and longer (there was TONS of stuff to unlock and collect) - but the fact that I can now take the game with me anywhere coupled with the cool features of the PSP has me loving this game just as much as that one. This is the quintessential PSP game, as far as I'm concerned; this game alone justifies my purchase.

Lumines - It's no Tetris, but it's a good puzzle game. This is my second favorite PSP game right now, but the distance between 1 and 2 is quite vast. But I'm still trying to figure this one out. This is a real sit-down game; it takes a lot longer to play thru a game of Lumines than it does HSG. I can tell you right now already tho' that I don't like some of these skins, and I'm starting to get sick of a couple of the songs.

Wipeout Pure - I like the fact that I can use either the d-pad or the nub and that you can completely customize the button controls - this is important to me, because I (still) can't get a good solid comfortable grip on my PSP for these more complex fast-action games (it's a concern I have over MCIII too; and this is why I'm eschewing Dynasty Warriors) - now I just have to find the right one and stick with it. This is a good game and a great purchase; the gameplay is solid game and it's a title that's jam-packed with features: cool game modes like Zone), online play, downloadable content, and most of all, a hidden "web-browser" (which I haven't gotten to work yet dangit). Wipeout 64 still blows it away tho'.

I didn't think the case that came with was going to be worth a damn, but it turns out I like it. Like I said, I take my PSP with me everywhere and I really don't see a need to buy any other case right now. Maybe one that holds everything (charger, headphones, games, memory sticks, etc) together, down the road but for right now this one works just fine.

I thought the 32MB Memory Stick that came with was going to last me a looooong time (after three different game saves and one "Gamma Pack" download I still had around 30MB left on it) but now, after the PSP Version 1.51 Update I'm suddenly down to 12MB. #@$%! :mad:

Haven't used the hadphones yet.

I Like that little cloth wiper thing they gave me tho'! You know I'm grateful for that.

I'd like to get a better wrist strap tho'. One that I could cinch around my wrist. This one here doesn't do much for me.

The only peripheral I've bought for my PSP system is this $6 Nyko UMD case. It's a little plastic clamshell case (with a clear cover) that holds 3 UMDs. I like those UMD snapcases but I don't want to lug them around with me everywhere, you know? And this case is cool too; it holds each UMD snug - you can shake it and they won't move. It's perfect for me right now.

Haven't played any game online yet either. But it's not for a lack of trying. I don't know if it's because of this #@$%ing router of ours, or if it's because there's nobody playing these games online, or if it's just bad timing on my part...?

[Gadfly2317]

Cool, Glock, you bought my favorite 3 games on the PsP. The system has, in fact, become my golf system. It's funny how often we end up on opposite side of things when most of the time we have such similar game tastes.

I don't think times are lean exactly, for the PsP, but your future want list. . . I mean, come on, the Midway games AGAIN??? Hey, I love Robotron as much as the next guy, but I just got my midway fix so big with I and II released for all 3 consoles that I'm not exactly jonesing for a PsP verison.

Sounds like all the locations you use portable are about like me. But as far as sneaking in a bathroom break at work; sorry, unless you are willing to feign "office king of constipation" those load times just don't work. Now, knocking out a quick round of Warioware Touched is about right.

Anyway, you already know I like the DS better, so I won't go getting in to handheld wars here. Congrats on your new PsP. From the sound of the handheld gaming your doing, and the locations, you'll get hooked on what this form of gaming is now offering. I was not at all a serious fan of the GBA/SP, but the absolutely refreshing originality of what's happening on the DS, combined with the the graphical intensity of the PsP, and the freedom to game anywhere, anytime. . . . .. .maybe you'll also become a multi-sys handheld gamer.

Enough of that. I'm glad you cracked and bought one of them. I haven't found another message board with a more enjoyable bunch of miscreants, and since I'm now a handheld junkie, I'm glad when another one of you guys succumbs to the sickness.

[Aylmer]

In this month's PSM there is a full page ad for a couple of PSP accessories from Nyko that look like they just may be in the 'must-have' category. They look like (largish) hard eyeglass cases that snap open and closed with a clamshell design. One is called 'Chargercase' and has a built in rechargeable battery for the PSP that adds five hours of play time. It looks like it's brushed metal, solidly built, and may be just the ticket for road trips and the like.

But the other case, the 'Theaterexperience', is what grabbed my eye. It has a different design, and also adds an extra 5 hours of playtime, and also is a brushed metal case, but it's for watching movies. With it, the PSP is tilted upwards almost perpendicular to the case floor (when the case is open) and it has two decent sized speakers built in that flank the PSP. It is quite a bit larger than the first one but still would fit easily in a backpack/briefcase.

There were no indications of price in the ad nor on their website.

[theWacoKid]

I told you I couldn't hold out for much longer. Monday I folded (more like snapped) and bought the PSP. And boy am I glad I did! This thing is sweet!

I take it with me everywhere I go. And I play it all the time. I play it at night in bed; I play it when I'm watching TV (*cough* NBA Finals); you know I take it with me when I have to "do some thinking"; but I also take it to work (to the bathroom at work); and even take it with me when I have to run an errand. The Sleep feature rules!

This thing can do so much too! Of course, I gotta buy a special USB connector to download music, pics, videos, and whatnot, and I definitely gotta buy a bigger Memory Stick. And those things are pricey! Yikes!

People have been complaining about how times are lean for the PSP, new-game-release-wise, but I just don't see it. Especially not when you consider it's launch. I've already got three games for it. Forget about the fact that that's three games in one week for me personally... the system isn't even 3 months old, so figure it out that way! That's better than a game a month, and that's pretty damned good.

When I looked at the upcoming games for it, that was the clincher for me getting a PSP over the NDS. Midnight Club III, Death Jr., Namco Museum Battle Collection, Midway Arcade Treasures Ultimate Collection, and Advent Shadow are all coming out by years end. But I'm also looking forward to getting a couple of movies for it too (Napoleon Dynamite for sure).

What I got now:

Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee - I think HSG3 was better - because it was deeper, bigger, and longer (there was TONS of stuff to unlock and collect) - but the fact that I can now take the game with me anywhere coupled with the cool features of the PSP has me loving this game just as much as that one. This is the quintessential PSP game, as far as I'm concerned; this game alone justifies my purchase.

Lumines - It's no Tetris, but it's a good puzzle game. This is my second favorite PSP game right now, but the distance between 1 and 2 is quite vast. But I'm still trying to figure this one out. This is a real sit-down game; it takes a lot longer to play thru a game of Lumines than it does HSG. I can tell you right now already tho' that I don't like some of these skins, and I'm starting to get sick of a couple of the songs.

Wipeout Pure - I like the fact that I can use either the d-pad or the nub and that you can completely customize the button controls - this is important to me, because I (still) can't get a good solid comfortable grip on my PSP for these more complex fast-action games (it's a concern I have over MCIII too; and this is why I'm eschewing Dynasty Warriors) - now I just have to find the right one and stick with it. This is a good game and a great purchase; the gameplay is solid game and it's a title that's jam-packed with features: cool game modes like Zone), online play, downloadable content, and most of all, a hidden "web-browser" (which I haven't gotten to work yet dangit). Wipeout 64 still blows it away tho'.

I didn't think the case that came with was going to be worth a damn, but it turns out I like it. Like I said, I take my PSP with me everywhere and I really don't see a need to buy any other case right now. Maybe one that holds everything (charger, headphones, games, memory sticks, etc) together, down the road but for right now this one works just fine.

I thought the 32MB Memory Stick that came with was going to last me a looooong time (after three different game saves and one "Gamma Pack" download I still had around 30MB left on it) but now, after the PSP Version 1.51 Update I'm suddenly down to 12MB. #@$%! :mad:

Haven't used the hadphones yet.

I Like that little cloth wiper thing they gave me tho'! You know I'm grateful for that.

I'd like to get a better wrist strap tho'. One that I could cinch around my wrist. This one here doesn't do much for me.

The only peripheral I've bought for my PSP system is this $6 Nyko UMD case. It's a little plastic clamshell case (with a clear cover) that holds 3 UMDs. I like those UMD snapcases but I don't want to lug them around with me everywhere, you know? And this case is cool too; it holds each UMD snug - you can shake it and they won't move. It's perfect for me right now.

Haven't played any game online yet either. But it's not for a lack of trying. I don't know if it's because of this #@$%ing router of ours, or if it's because there's nobody playing these games online, or if it's just bad timing on my part...?

Delete the updater file, and you'll get the memory back. The games you bought don't support online play. You can try downloading some content for Wipeout. Also, here's another tip, shut off the powersave function for wifi. It increases your signal strenght. With my wireless router setup, powersave on was a hit and miss affair, with it off, no problem connecting.

Also, I dumped the soft case. It was scratching my screen believe it or not. I replaced it with a microfiber carry pouch.

Wait until you get a decent sized memory stick and you can program your own material. Right now, I have some naughty pics in my picture folder, a full pat metheny album in the music folder, and five cartoons along with a Fawlty Towers episode in the movies folder. That reminds me, I have to do some more ripping off my dvds tomorrow.

Hot Shots golf here as well along with Lumines. Had wipeout, traded it in. Still have ridge racer along with MVP baseball. I'm considering midnight club 3: Dub edition.

Psp game to watch for later this year. Pursuit Force from sony europe. We're talking next gen handheld here. Screw hijacking a car, try jumping from a motorcycle on top of a car, landing on the hood and blasting your way in.

[trebor]

I heard that the PSP isn't compatible with Mac computers...anyone know if this is true?

I'm planning on getting one in the next year or so (after they come out with a HDD model :cool: ) and if I can't link it up with my Mac I won't be able to use any multimedia functions.

[Glockstar]

Recent gametime suggests that the PSP is my new favorite system. Granted I've only had the system for little more than a week... so maybe it's just because it's "new" to me, you know? But I do love this thing! I play it everyday. I play it all the time.

- - -

But as far as sneaking in a bathroom break at work; sorry, unless you are willing to feign "office king of constipation" those load times just don't work. Now, knocking out a quick round of Warioware Touched is about right.

No way, dude! HSG is perfect for the potty. Load times? Pfffft. I can easily get a complete game of Putting Challenge in. And if I'm good, a whole round of Challenge Mode 9-hole Matchplay. Heck, I played three complete holes of a Tournament during one of the commercial breaks of last nites NBA Finals game.

WarioWare may lay claim to having the "microgames", but who plays just one 3-second microgame at a time - turning the machine off and on inbetween? I only have the very first WarioWare game... so I don't know, maybe the new ones have a Pause/Sleep feature... but going by what I do know, I say HSG is better for "micro-gaming" than even WarioWare Inc.

Lumines too. Those Time Attack modes are positively john-erific!

-
I don't think times are lean exactly, for the PsP, but your future want list. . . I mean, come on, the Midway games AGAIN??? Hey, I love Robotron as much as the next guy, but I just got my midway fix so big with I and II released for all 3 consoles that I'm not exactly jonesing for a PsP verison.

I think MAT and NMBC are going to be great for the type of portable gaming that I do. ;)
And I am very much looking forward to them.

I had the first MAT but traded it away. It's not just because there were only a couple of games in the collection that I liked either, it actually had more to do with the fact that playing these simple little games on my Xbox just felt like a waste of time. These old-school games were - and are - totally out of place on such powerful home consoles. Now I know that the PSP is a powerhouse too, but the nature of the gaming performed on it is different, you know? And it's not just of matter where and when, it's also a matter of control. As hi-tech as the PSP is, because of its size, it's going to play like an old-school system. Why just look at it, but for "the nub", it's almost identical to the SNES controller. ('Cept, somehow, even less grip.) I think these old-school games will be right at home on my PSP.

- - -


Wait until you get a decent sized memory stick and you can program your own material. Right now, I have some naughty pics in my picture folder, a full pat metheny album in the music folder, and five cartoons along with a Fawlty Towers episode in the movies folder. That reminds me, I have to do some more ripping off my dvds tomorrow.

I haven't gotten into any of that stuff yet, but I will. And it's because of these things - in addition to the great gaming - that has me calling the PSP the POTY.

-

Hot Shots golf here as well along with Lumines. Had wipeout, traded it in. Still have ridge racer along with MVP baseball. I'm considering midnight club 3: Dub edition.

Psp game to watch for later this year. Pursuit Force from sony europe. We're talking next gen handheld here. Screw hijacking a car, try jumping from a motorcycle on top of a car, landing on the hood and blasting your way in.

You traded in Wipeout? Why?!
Didn't you get into the browser-thingie?

I'm liking Lumines a lot more now. The gap between 1 and 2 has gotten a lot smaller recently. I said before that Lumines is no Tetris? Well I take that back. The other day I was having a conversation with a coworker, when my mind started wandering while listening to him... and out of nowhere I started picturing Lumines blocks. And then, in my mind, I started rotating and stacking them! It only happened the one time so I'm not about to cry out about attacks of "the Lumines-monster"... but that's the stuff of Tetris, boy! I am going to go ahead and call Lumines the third greatest puzzle game ever right now.

I played MCIII for the Xbox... it's a good game. And I can tell you, that with the way the game is structured, it is perfect for the "microgaming" that I was talking about earlier. The PSP version is supposed to be a perfect port of the console game(s) too. The only thing I question then is how they'll make it work with "the nub". I've got my copy reserved (and already paid for) but I'm going to wait to hear what the word is on this before I collect on it. If it controls like ATV Offroad Fury... then I'll be passing, thankyou.

Pursuit Force? Hmmmm... well this part...

"The first project from Evolution's "Devolution" studio BigBig (staffed by former members of Codemasters' TOCA and Colin McRae teams, and funded by coding house Evolution Studios), this project is an original title for the PlayStation Portable, combining character-based action and high-octane action on the road."

...certainly sounds interesting.

- - -

More comments/impressions on the bundled-peripherals...
*I do not like the way the AC Adapter thing plugs into the system. It doesn't ever feel like it's in, you know? There's no "click". The thing feels like it could slide out at any moment. It works good, but I hate it.

*The headphones click in though. So why can't the charger?!

[theWacoKid]

I heard that the PSP isn't compatible with Mac computers...anyone know if this is true?

I'm planning on getting one in the next year or so (after they come out with a HDD model :cool: ) and if I can't link it up with my Mac I won't be able to use any multimedia functions.

There are shareware programs like pspware that making syncing to itunes and iphoto a breeze. The psp shows up on os x as a removeable drive. The psp file system is a bizarre one, though. Don't hold your breath for a hard drive, there's simply no room for a hd in the design.

[trebor]

There are shareware programs like pspware that making syncing to itunes and iphoto a breeze. The psp shows up on os x as a removeable drive. The psp file system is a bizarre one, though. Don't hold your breath for a hard drive, there's simply no room for a hd in the design.

Cool, I can live without the HDD as long as I can get MP3's on the system. Guess I would have to invest in a 1gig memory stick, though.

And speaking of the HDD, there have been a LOT of rumors floating around that there is going to be a new revision of the PSP by holiday time. Whether that means a HDD, a barebones system, or a system with improved battery life, I can't tell you.

[theWacoKid]

Cool, I can live without the HDD as long as I can get MP3's on the system. Guess I would have to invest in a 1gig memory stick, though.

And speaking of the HDD, there have been a LOT of rumors floating around that there is going to be a new revision of the PSP by holiday time. Whether that means a HDD, a barebones system, or a system with improved battery life, I can't tell you.

Keep in mind, the music has to be in mp3 format. The default setting for itunes is AAC not mp3. AAC is better, it takes up less space, mp3 files are fatter, but AAC won't work on the psp.

A barebones system, yes, and before the holidays. Sony is already selling all the value bundle accessories separately. An upgraded battery will be released, when, who knows. They're going to be releasing a quick charger which cuts down on how long it takes to fullly recharge a psp. The hdd is something you just won't see with this design. Sony makes good coin off mem sticks and adding an hdd would add considerably to the cost structure of the unit. To compete with the DS, they need to bring costs down. And right now, nintendo is giving away super mario ds with every ds purchase, looking to build up their installed base.

[T.Tashi]

Get a Hori screen protector as soon as you can and avoid the one made by Pelican.