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PSP
Score: 99%
Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
Device Type: Console



Function:

How many times have you been sitting somewhere (on the bus, on your lunch break, at the library, waiting for a table) bored out of your skull when you thought, ?I wish I was playing my PS2 right now?? Well, through the amazing strides of Sony?s Lilliputian technological wonder, you can take that experience with you ? with a widescreen gaming experience that fits in the palms of your hands.

Not only does the PSP play PSP games, but it (like its older brother, the PS2) can play full length movies and music. Unlike its predecessor, however, the PSP uses a new type of media, the UMD and a Memory Stick Duo, allowing you to use it as a portable personal gaming system/MP3 Player/video entertainment system.


Performance:

My initial observation is that PSP games look very much like a PS2 being played on a widescreen. This in and of itself is quite amazing. The colors are crisp and the picture is very nice, even in full motion. Games like Wipeout: Pure and Tony Hawk?s Underground 2: Remix showcase the beautiful graphics the PSP has to offer.

As many times as I refer to the PSP as looking like a PS2 on a small widescreen, it makes sense that I?m starting to hear the question, ?Is that enough for the PSP to make it?? True, the newest PS2 is small, but the PSP is small enough to carry in your pocket. Plus, it does a lot more than play PSP games.

The PSP?s UMD format allows for games, music, and video, including full length feature films. The included rechargeable battery and headphones make it portable and personal, allowing you to enjoy a game or a movie in a car, on a plane, or even at the library, without disturbing others. There are portable DVD players, but they are at least twice the size and use more energy to spin a larger DVD disc. Additionally, the PSP doubles as a pretty nice MP3 player. You can turn off the screen by holding the screen button down for a few seconds, and without the power requirements of the screen and the graphics processor, the PSP?s battery will last for quite some time.

Built-in WiFi means you don?t have to connect up to another person?s PSP to play multiplayer games. This greatly simplifies playing multiplayer games on a portable. The WiFi can also be used to connect to the internet via wireless access points. Depending on the game you?re using, this could allow for different sorts of online content and additional multiplayer options.


Features:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 6.7? (W) x .9? (H) x 2.9? (D)
  • Weight: .62 lbs (including battery)
  • Storage:
    • Main Memory: 32MB
    • Embedded DRAM: 4MB
    • UMD drive (read-only)
    • Memory Stick Duo (32MB stick included)
  • Display: 4.3? 16:9 widescreen high-resolution TFT LCD, 480 x 272 pixel, 16.8 million colors
  • Brightness: Three selectable brightness levels (can also be turned off for MP3 playing)
  • Sound: Built-in stereo speakers, included headphones with integrated remote control
  • Communication: WiFi (IEEE 802.11b), USB 2.0, IrDA, IR Remote
  • Power: Included 3.6v 1800mAh rechargeable Lithium ion battery pack, AC Adaptor (for recharging/AC powered play)
  • Plays: UMD (Games, Movies, Audio), Memory Stick Duo (Games, Movies, MP3s, images, downloaded game-related content)

Drawbacks & Problems::

One of the big features pushed in all of the games is the multiplayer aspect. Your personal experience with the multiplayer aspect, however, depends on finding friends with PSP's. So close to launch, that may be difficult for some. Given some time, more of the people you know will have PSP's, and more of the online possibilities will be explored, allowing you to play against and meet more PSP gamers around the globe. Of course, part of the mainstream?s rush to get a PSP is tempered by the pricetag. The system is priced a bit high for the mainstream consumer ? at least based solely on its gaming applications.

As for the unit itself, I have nothing to complain about. I?m very impressed with everything I?ve seen so far. The thing to bear in mind is that the launch titles look really good, and things always get better in the second wave of games when the developers start learning to really work the hardware. I am very excited, indeed, of the things to come.


-Geck0, GameVortex Communications
AKA Robert Perkins

Sony PlayStation Portable Screen Armor Sony PlayStation Portable AC Adapter

 
Game Vortex :: PSIllustrated