To PSP or not to PSP

[Greg]

DS emulators are out so that's out of the question.

Now, PSP can play music apparently. How much? With what ease? Depending on the memory stick size would it make an ipod quiver and moreover, do I need to buy attachments to get stuff off my comp onto the card?

Are the MSN browser programs safe to use?

Anything else I need to know?

I tried looking online for honest and mature reviews but most of what I got was along the lines of:

Psp ROXORS!!!!!!111 NintENNdo DS isdW Where the "S' STnds for SHITYY!!!1111

So yeah.

[Xephon]

Well first of, about the music. . .

When you first buy the PSP all you get is a 32MB memory stick, which basically sucks. A good 1GB will set you back £60 if you get a good deal. To transfer files from your comp to your PSP you do need a cable yeah. . .I think it's a firewire type. But I just used the one from my digital camera so check to see if yours is compatible.

The browser is safe to use as far as I know, but. . .It does have a cache so you'll need to clear a lot, as my friend says his got chewed up easily. I don't really use the browser.

Overall, the PSP is a great piece of kit. Expensive, yeah but it is the best handheld IMO.

[Demon Days]

I wouldn't say it's the best, but it's ok. Graphics are good, but i've heard less-than promising things about the battery life.

[Xephon]

@Demon:

I wouldn't say it's the best, but it's ok. Graphics are good, but i've heard less-than promising things about the battery life.

Hmm I haven't actually had anything to complain about the battery life now that you bring it up. The charge time can be a little long, but heck play something whilst you're waiting, eh? :laugh:

I got one complaint though: The screen gets dirty easily. >.<

[Makoiryu]

To answer your topic…

NOT PSP

[KatanaJon1.1]

DS has Jump Super Stars.

Sorry there.

But seriously, I have no idea.

[The Dude]

The older version of the PSP can play emulators. The new ones can't. That automatically made my decision.

[Greg]

To answer your topic…

NOT PSP

While the input is appreciated, that's not really what I'm looking for. If not, why not? I really don't even have money for a PSP right now while I do for a DS but since DS emus are out AND PSP can play music (for mp3 playerless me a wonderful thing) it's looking pretty good not to mention that it can do wireless Messenger (providing the network is open so I hear).

Negative feedback is great, like the battery life thing. See, I don't intend to carry the thing around with my face in it and I have pleeeeenty of down-time for charging so what may indeed be negative for some is great to hear since it may or may not be a negative aspect for me.

With the new systems coming out relatively soon I'll prolly want to save some money for at least a PS3 so to PSP or not to PSP is a huge dilemna.

Even if I decide it won't be anytime soon but ya know, an important decision to be made nonetheless.

OH!!! Is it possible to play foreign games?

[Irresistiblement]

I am still very interested in getting a PSP. My friend has one, and its basically attached to him at all times. He hasn't complained about the space being too small for music, and the picture quality for movies (one of the things that attracts me to the PSP) and games is amazing. The only thing that was bad about the machine was that a pixel was burnt out on the screen, so he always has a white dot there while he is using it. But I'm sure that was just a fluke… or have others had this problem? At any rate, I'm sure its covered by the warranty.

And yes, it can play regional games... which is another big plus.

I'd say go for it, if you have the money to spend. I would.

[oceanizer]

@omae:

OH!!! Is it possible to play foreign games?

I was surprised to see Bleach PSP game (Fry's) at my local electronics store when it was first released.
So yeah, you can play it ~.~

[wolfwood]

how could a DS emulator work on a psp ?
almost all games on the DS makes use of the touchscreen and have the usage of touchscreen integrated in the gameplay so most of them simply would be un-playabel without it so that would make a large amount of games on the DS un-playabel on a PSP.

i for one dont plan on getting a PSP cause there hasnt IMO been any games worth buying and for all the other features i have superior products that do the exact same thing(with way better battery life i may add).

oh and xephon buy a PSP screen protector they are fairly cheap and one of those should help alot with your dirty screen

[Bounty1Berry]

The problems with the PSP:

-It's expensive

-Since it's Sony, they insist on those damned memory sticks, which are expensive for their size compared to CF or SD cards.

-While it does many things, it does many of them only passably (is it really a good interface for web browsing? I doubt it)

-Battery life.

-I'd expect loadtime to be an issue also, but can't say for sure.

The last portable I had was a Game Gear.

As far as a MP3 player goes, you can get a 256M or 512M flash-based MP3 player for not much more than the same sized memory stick for the PSP. The advantadge: It will be a lot smaller and lighter and probably do better on batteries when you just want MP3s.

[KatanaJon1.1]

how could a DS emulator work on a psp ?

He meant PC DS emus.

I'd assume you use the mouse for the touch screen.

[Demon Days]

The memory sticks DO cost quite a bit of money. I last checked and they were around £37, whereas the DS saves on the cart.

[Greg]

-It's expensive

-Since it's Sony, they insist on those damned memory sticks, which are expensive for their size compared to CF or SD cards.

That I'm ok with. I can use the same sticks in my digital camera and as a result, I already have two 128 Mb sticks.

-While it does many things, it does many of them only passably (is it really a good interface for web browsing? I doubt it)

That I imagine but have you tried it out yet? I'm interested to see how well it works.

-Battery life.

-I'd expect loadtime to be an issue also, but can't say for sure.

I'm cool with both of those. Most games these days have load times.

As far as a MP3 player goes, you can get a 256M or 512M flash-based MP3 player for not much more than the same sized memory stick for the PSP. The advantadge: It will be a lot smaller and lighter and probably do better on batteries when you just want MP3s.

I see your point but I've got a few sticks already. I'm not worried about weight but I am concerned about interface. Is it easy to navigate the player and make playlists so I can just put it in my backpack?

Thank you for these points. They're very helpul and region free is also a HUUUUUUGE plus.

[warp]

sorry to go off topic but what is a ds emaltor thingy

and on topic

not to psp

why because…250 is ridculous when u could buy a almost 2 ps2.

[wolfwood]

well 250 thats just for the PSP then its memory stick and if you wanna use it as anykinda of media player i suggest you get atleast 1 gb and then its atleast one game and a screen protector so the screen doesnt get all messy,

my friend who bought one has poured atleast 450 dollars(thats like 3 x-box and a GC!!!) into his PSP and it still isnt complete XD i tell ya sonys gonna get filty rich(er) from all the extra stuff thats needed.

but once again i state that the biggest downside the PSP has is its crappy battery life but knowing sony they will probably release a sulotion to that to (and you know its gonna be expensive^^)

oh yeah an emulator is a piece of software that you can use to play console games on your comp,
thought the experience is usualy pretty much crap IMO i prefer to play console games on consoles.

[Caracal]

I had heard of DS emulators. I sometimes work with sprites so I hope people "rip sprites" from JSS (I'd love to make gifs of Luffy, Ichigo and Yoh).

Anyway on the topic of the PSP, I personally judge a machine by the games it has. So far Darkstalkers, Lumine, MGA and Mercury interest me. I've heard Street Fighter Alpha 3 will be released in the future and I'm pretty sure there's one or two more games I'm interested in but can't think of off the top of my head. Based on that I've decided I want to get a PSP (though not any time soon).

I am aware of the battery life but I did read of a third party item which comes with a backup battery and allows you to charge it outside of the PSP. This allows you to charge one battery and use the other to play then switch. It is almost certainly an excellent idea around the problem and one I'll probably invest in. Alternatively I may just plug the PSP into the mains when I'm at home to try and save battery life.

[Greg]

thought the experience is usualy pretty much crap IMO i prefer to play console games on consoles.

My experience with emulated games has been nothing short of fantastic really.

why because…250 is ridculous when u could buy a almost 2 ps2

I've got one of those.

About the price tag, let's forget that. There's only like one game I wanna play on it now anyway and recall I already have memory sticks. So about the internet interface and how easy it is to use as a mp3 player.

[Zio]

For me, it doesn't matter if a console can play music, dvds, emulators or not. All I care about is what kind of games are on the sucker and if any of them are good, what time I can get them.

For the PSP, Infected and Lumines look good, but that's just two games. Everything else doesn't interest me or is a port from the PS2. If I wanted to play a port of a PS2 game, I'd just get the PS2 version and save money.

[Forbidden Toast]

Heh. I'd love to get a PSP, the only problem is I lack the money to get one. To be honest, my PS2 plus a game and plus a memory card cost me less. I might get one eventually, but it wont be for several years until the price goes down.

If I wait a while, there will be more games available, too. =3

[Greg]

For me, it doesn't matter if a console can play music, dvds, emulators or not.

Well, I'm not too concerned about DVDs or UMDs. UMDs are so awful. What a terrible idea. And emulators, I'm talking about computer not anything PSP can do. Now for music, for someone without a mp3 player still stuck with a clunky CD case, that's a big plus.

Yeah about price, think it will come down next year?

[wolfwood]

@omae:

Now for music, for someone without a mp3 player still stuck with a clunky CD case, that's a big plus.

Yeah about price, think it will come down next year?

well its not that much of an improvment really the psp is pretty big and clunky too,

and on your second question id say no,
knowing sony the current price will stay for a long time of course given that they dont get into a price race with Nintendo which is higly unlikly right now.

[Greg]

well its not that much of an improvment really the psp is pretty big and clunky too,

Well yeah but I can't play Metal Gear on a mp3 player ^_~ There's no games I'm SUPER psyched about or anything but still some pretty good ones seem to be here and there. Not to mention that FF7 game if it ever comes out.

AND Suikoden 1 and 2 on one disc holy crap. That alone almost made me sell my soul for one the other day before I calmed down.

[Minzara]

I love my psp, greatest thing ever, i have no issue with it. ^_^ I say buy it! lol

[Greg]

I love my psp, greatest thing ever, i have no issue with it

How's the browser interface?

What about using it as a player? Will it do playlists or continuous etc?

[Minzara]

@omae:

How's the browser interface?

What about using it as a player? Will it do playlists or continuous etc?

Browser interface is fine, music i dont know, i usally dont play music on the go, i just play games, or watch a movie, but i am sure its good.

[Forte EXE]

Considering buying one here.
Still unsure about which games are good and how the quality is.
I've played Spiderman 2,Dynasty Warriors and FIFA on my friends PSP and I'm rather dissapointed.
Any suggestions,omae?

[wolfwood]

Medival is the only game i can recommend,

all the others have disapointed me utterly.

but i suppose that more games will drop in in the near future.

[Bulba]

Eh Dont buy PSP it just brokes all the time… Buy Gizmondo XD

[Greg]

Any suggestions,omae?

I really dunno. I mean I love Metal Gear so I wanna play Acid, plus I LOVE Suikoden 1 and 2 but that's about all I can think of.

[wolfwood]

@omae:

I mean I love Metal Gear so I wanna play Acid,

as do i but to me this acid crap is what the survivor series is to resident evil.

and thought i havent got a PSP myself and would never consider carrying a Mp3 player that wont fit in my pants i have to say that the audio is excellent.

[rice-a-roni]

@omae:

AND Suikoden 1 and 2 on one disc holy crap. That alone almost made me sell my soul for one the other day before I calmed down.

Wait… your telling me that Suikoden 1 and 2 are coming out in one disk????!!!???!!? NO FUCKING WAY!!!!!!! OMFG!!!! sorry I just love suikoden expessially 1 and 2. and on one disk you say... man I wasent gonna buy one but now I guess chrismas is comeing up. If I ask for it it will proboly be the only thing ill get... BUT SUIKODEN 1 AND 2!!!!!!!

[Forte EXE]

Suikoden and Metal Gear Acid eh??
I'll think about it..

[Xephon]

@wolfwood:

as do i but to me this acid crap is what the survivor series is to resident evil.

I have AC!D, it's a really different game. It might put you off, or it might not. Just don't expect Tactical Espionage Action it's more like Tactical Turn-Based-It's-Time-To-Duel Action.

But I like the originality of it, that alone for me makes it worth playing. Plus the story ain't too bad and Kojima has put some good ole MGS humour in there too.

A game for the PSP I recommend is Wipeout Pure, pretty sweet game if you're a fan of the series.

[wolfwood]

thats just the thing that bothers me that it isnt MGS anymore its some crappy spin-off,

and the story doesnt impresse me that much especialy not if you compare it to MGS 1:s incredible story line.

[Greg]

http://www.teamxtender.com/

wow…this keeps getting better.

[wolfwood]

whats is the fucking point in buying a portable console if your just gonna use an adapter to make it into a stationary ?

jesus christ why not just buy a PS2(or better yet 3 ex for the same price as a PSP+all the other crap you need to run it ) its basicly the same thing cept that it doesnt run outta batterys….

[Greg]

Um…it's just a system. No need for teh h4t3

And I think it really increases the value of it since you can actually watch movies or even play games on a real TV, not that tiny screen. From the start I've never been interested in the game aspect in so much as what else it can do and how well. I don't just want something for games. I want something I can really use.

Either way it doesn't matter at the moment. I got enough money for a PSP and FF11 with a year of play recently from work but instead I opted to get my girl a Tiffany necklace. So the vacillating continues.

[wolfwood]

sorry my Leet speak is a little rusty whats that h4t3 supposed to mean ?
if it is about that i sounded way to pissed off in my last response then yeah i know sorry bout that.

and sure thats great and all but when i buy a portable console i dont want to sit in front of my tv and play it(for that i have my stationary consoles) and if you wanna sit in front of your tv and watch movies and play games why not just buy a PS2 that does all those things the PSP does only better and cheaper.

btw nice choice girlfriend always comes first^^

[Greg]

h4t3 = hate

and if you wanna sit in front of your tv and watch movies and play games why not just buy a PS2 that does all those things the PSP does only better and cheaper.

Well see, I have a PS2. I also have a DVD player. However, my chances of lugging either around with me are slim to none. Yet this handy contraption (if it works) can make a weekend stay at a hotel room a game or movie room. I don't even think its the fact that it needs so many options but because it at least offers them in one form or another it makes for a convenient thing. The option of choice is a mighty powerful weapon in retail and if I find I've got some money to blow on myself in the not to distant future I'll just go with what offers me the most choices at a decent quality.

[Myoti]

If you're more interested in simply having a whole bunch of features and crap thrown together, then PSP, probably (I've yet to play one, but my friend owns both handhelds and seems to enjoy the PSP as well).

If you'd prefer just good, unique gaming, then the DS is the way to go.

[Greg]

If you'd prefer just good, unique gaming, then the DS is the way to go.

Back to the first post, this isn't DS VS PSP. There's a DS emulator available online so that negates the purpose for that system entirely. The question is whether to blow the money at all or save it for something like saving the world or defeating cancer….or something.

[Bulba]

My suggestion is to buy gizmondo. You can watch movies , listen to music , it has an camera , GPS and lots more!

[wolfwood]

touche omae it might have some uses to you then.

but since you dont seem to big on the gaming aspect of the PSP(which is its only strong side really IMO) might i suggest that you consider getting a good mp3/media player instead which offers better Video,Audio and storage capabilites and is more portabel.

its about the same price range probably a few bucks cheaper but not much.

EDIT btw bulba do you own a gizmondo ?
id really like to hear an owners opinion about it.

[Himizujin_Eternia]

My suggestion is to wait a bit on it; with Nintendo's DS raking in the cash (and for good reason, being the better gaming handheld; I highly doubt the experience would be the same on an emulator. In fact, I should look into that; I wanna try JSS,) I bet the PSP will drop in price around the time the PS3 gets released. By then, the PSP should have more games as well, and you'll get your MP3/Movie player at a slightly lower cost as well. Frankly, it seems to do what you want, so I'm not going to dissuade you from ever buying one. Hell, the price drops and some good non-port games come out, I might get one.

That said, where might one get a DS emulator, Omae? I'm curious now, I want to see if they're worth it.

[wolfwood]

really is there a price drop coming up ?
then i might start to consider getting one as well since my main reason for not buying a PSP is that i refuse to pay top dollar for semi good merchendise(sp),

but what i really would want is a PSP stripped of all this semi-quality multimedia crap theyve put in and just kept the gaming aspect with better battery life and way lower price probably wont happen but man can dream cant he.

[Yoska]

@omae:

There's a DS emulator available online so that negates the purpose for that system entirely.

I don't know about entirely - unless you will carry your PC everywhere you go. And from what I have tried out an emulator of DS and the actually DS, the real thing is far more fun to play with.

Now, I think PSP can be a well worth investment, especially if you will buy PS3 too and there probably will be plenty of good games as time will pass but I wouldn't buy it - but that's just me as I don't do much with a MP3 player or with the movie applications. I don't even have a mobile phone, you know…

[Himizujin_Eternia]

That's mostly my prediction of course, but it's based on the DS outselling the PSP 4 to 1 in japan.

Right now, I haven't heard too many positive comments on the gaming aspect of the PSP. Guy at the local Gamestop said he was highly disappointed in that respect. When I see more 4 times more movies available for the PSP than I do games, I feel sad for the system.

I HAVE seen people watching fansubs on the PSP. That might be cool.

[Greg]

I don't know about entirely - unless you will carry your PC everywhere you go.

Well, I really don't care about games on the go ^_^; I stopped zoning out society around me to play video games a while ago.

As for the D emulator I just typed it in Google and found a couple. I'm not sure why it wouldn't be the same experience. It's double screen, no need for a stylus, just the mouse and with a USB control pad you're all set. I've been playing games emulated for a long time, esp. handhelds since I don't feel like playing video games when I'm actually outside. I can't see the downside. It'd be like saying the GBA Player is useless when in fact it was one of the greatest experiences I can recall combined with the SNES-style GC remote.

And as far as just getting an mp3 player, I know I'm not focussing on games, but it's not like I wouldn't want to play them. I dunno a mp3 player I can play Dynasty Warriors or MG on. I'm not even gonna say they're great games because I have no idea ^o^ It's just simply another thing it can do.

Thank for the idea on the gizmondo. I never heard of it but I'm not big on GPS and with my two cellphones and Konica I've got cameras up to wazzoo :laugh:

Either way given my purchase mentioned above I've opted to hold out on getting anything, esp. a psp for a while. I've not heard anything neccessarily negative about it that would deter me from getting it but then again, I haven't heard any of the positive aspects of the features I'm interested in simply because no one seems to know ^_^;