been thinking about getting a laptop for some on the go gaming but could save a lot of money if i go with a psp so for any owners out there what do think about them i was afraid the games might be a little boring but never played one thanks for any advice

I'm probably not the target audience for the PSP as I'm a little older.... That said, I do own one. It's not bad. The games look better than I expected. Not sure that the control schemes of most games tend to favor the PSP. Original games work well, but most of the ports are hindered because they've been developed with a different type of controller in mind. I've had a very hard time finding games that I'm interested in. Lack of a software library is and continues to be a problem with the PSP. It works well as a video player but codecs and resolution is limited. It's a bare bones audio player but it works if you don't like a lot of hands on interaction with your music and device. One of the selling points of this thing was it's promised interaction with the PS3. Well, that hasn't happened yet and I'm not sure it's ever going to. Shame because the PS3 could become a hub to video and audio content for your tv and for a portable device.

All in all, it's not the worst device I've ever bought.

I've had a PSP since launch. It's come a LONG way. The library has grown, and there are some really nice games out,(R&C Socom, Daxter, Syphon Filter) and coming out for the PSP (did someone say God of War for the PSP.???) The MP3 player is basic, and does a decent job, web browsing can be done so long as it's not a huge web page. RSS for audio podcast works great, you can save them as an MP3 and listen when you have the time. Video...the latest update increased the resolution the PSP would support, but the Memory sticks are really the biggest factor here. I personally dont like to carry around 2-3 2 Gig memory sticks with video and music, pictures, and game saves. And Im too cheap to buy an 8Gig stick...at least right now. So I dont fool with video on the PSP anymore. There are other things like Location free player supports the PSP, and (cross your fingers) the Remote play with the PS3 would be great once they enable true wifi hotspot access with wake on Lan. I carry and use my PSP everyday. Not a latop but not a bad unit...
Btw..im 34

I'm probably not the target audience for the PSP as I'm a little older.... That said, I do own one. It's not bad. The games look better than I expected. Not sure that the control schemes of most games tend to favor the PSP. Original games work well, but most of the ports are hindered because they've been developed with a different type of controller in mind. I've had a very hard time finding games that I'm interested in. Lack of a software library is and continues to be a problem with the PSP. It works well as a video player but codecs and resolution is limited. It's a bare bones audio player but it works if you don't like a lot of hands on interaction with your music and device. One of the selling points of this thing was it's promised interaction with the PS3. Well, that hasn't happened yet and I'm not sure it's ever going to. Shame because the PS3 could become a hub to video and audio content for your tv and for a portable device.

All in all, it's not the worst device I've ever bought.


Did you update your PS3 to firmware 1.60? And have you tried "Remote Play" on your PS3 with the PSP? I'm curiuos to know how it is. I too was looking to buy now the price drop happened, but I'm more interested in streaming my music and videos from the PS3 to it. From my understanding "remote play" is what allows this.

Did you update your PS3 to firmware 1.60? And have you tried "Remote Play" on your PS3 with the PSP? I'm curiuos to know how it is. I too was looking to buy now the price drop happened, but I'm more interested in streaming my music and videos from the PS3 to it. From my understanding "remote play" is what allows this.

I haven't played around with this yet. Streaming is nice, but if the PSP could sync music and video from the PS3 and PS Store... that's what I would like to see. I've also found quite a few PSP demos on the internets, but there's virtually nothing available on the PS Store. Sony is missing a huge opportunity with these devices. I hope it improves.

[QUOTE=ndskyz]I've had a PSP since launch. It's come a LONG way. The library has grown, and there are some really nice games out,(R&C Socom, Daxter, Syphon Filter) and coming out for the PSP (did someone say God of War for the PSP.???)
i like fps also but was afraid after playing them on the ps3 and 360 that the graphics might turn me off how do those games look on the psp and i'm also in the middle age group being 29

I've had mine since xmas 05.It gets occasional use.I've played a bunch of games for it,but only owned 4(street fighter alpha 3,Lumines,Burnout Revenge,Ultimate ghouls and goblins).I also own a DSLite,which has gotten more use over the past 8 months.The psp is a good device,and it does have a few really good games on it,but most of it's games are either ports or spinoffs of existing franchises.Few games that I can think of that exist solely on PSP,or at least were created first for PSP.

I love the PSP. They key is finding a few games that really pull you in. I think there are more than enough games. For me, I don't like the complicated stuff or most of the sports games that require you to know what every button does. I like simple, addictive stuff. Hot Shots Golf, though, was very good.

I owned one since a few months after launch.....and sold it recently with all its games. I'd wind up buying games, and not playing them. It just got most of its use as a gigantic MP3 player for me....so I moved it on. No, I didn't travel much....but when I did I usually had my laptop so...<shrug>.

I found the device poorly designed ergonomically...the "analog nub" was absolutely useless (and I don't have big hands either, I would literally get hand cramps within a MINUTE or two of using it, so I'd have to keep shifting the device around in my hand to control via dpad, or control via Nub, etc)...that had a huge impact on the fun I'd have with the thing. So basically the controls killed it for me. Going back to playing games with a D-pad wasn't always fun. I found the device actualy UN-comfortable to use.

Great concept, but it needs a redesign...and the fact that new games come out for the system to infrequently made me lose faith.

I own one, and honestly I never use it. The thing is awkward to hold, has a short battery life, and just doesn't seem well designed for gaming. I used to use it to watch transcoded movies, but these days I mostly just convert them to DVD format and watch them on my home theatre instead.

I had 1 mostly to run emulators/isos but sold it. Its a nice handheld if you downgrade and use custom firmware since you can d/l the games off the net for free and run them off mem stick.

Get the PSP. Why? Two words: Puzzle Quest.

i like fps also but was afraid after playing them on the ps3 and 360 that the graphics might turn me off how do those games look on the psp and i'm also in the middle age group being 29
The FPS on the PS3 look great for a hand held. Dont expect PS3 or 360 graphics. But I have said wow...impressive for a handheld with some of the titles I've played. As for the controls. It takes a few mins to get used to the camera controls or using the analog nub. I have big hands (big enough to palm a basketball) my hands dont cramp while playing. Battery life. isnt an issue for me, as I have the Nyko Theater Expeirence case that will charge the PSP battery back up.

Remote play with ps3. it streams music just fine, and videos to. It wont play BD or DVD movies via remote play or any games or demos. Remote play works fine so long as you are on the same LAN network the PS3 is on.

I've derived a lot of pleasure out of the device but still think it's has one of the worst input methods I've ever seen on a device. The d-pad, analogue nub, and shoulder buttons are useless, so what does that leave you with?

Depends on the game.. I have no problem with the "D" pad when playing Tekken 5. works just fine. The Analog nub worked fine while playin Ratchet and Clank, along with the shoulder buttons for camera controls...but there are some games where that the Devs just didnt get it right. I rent a lot of PSP games via game fly. I know within the first 5 mins of playing a game if it will be worth it. I own about 10 games for the PSP. those are the ones where the Devs got the controls correct.

I had to sell Street Fighter alpha 3,I simply couldn't execute the moves with either the analog nub or the d-pad.

I really want to play MGS: Portable Ops, but I don't want to buy a PSP before the redesign. I'm hoping they port it over to PS2.

Traded mine for a DS and haven't looked back. It tries to be too many things and isn't good at the main one(games). If you hack it to hell for emulators it's fun.

Get the PSP. Why? Two words: Puzzle Quest.
DS version > PSP version :)

Homebrew + psp = best. There are a million things you can do, playing old PSX games on your psp is a ton of fun, or watching DVDs etc over the system link from your PS3

The new FF tactics, MGS portal ops and a slew of new games comming out this year = win.

Get the PSP. Why? Two words: Puzzle Quest.

You mean Five words: Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core

I have both a DS and PSP and love my PSP. When I travel on long flights, the PSP is perfect as I can watch a movie, play some simple games like Suduko and/or listen to music.

While the DS is great and has lots of games, on a 5 hour flight, I like to choose different things without always having to go to my bag and swap my DS for my IPOD, which has a smaller screen, and for me SIZE matters. The PSP isn't bad for watching movies, but the IPOD is just to small.

Having said the above positives, the downside is the battery life ain't great (luckily I have 3 batteries), it could do with better games (simple games are always welcomed. Don't like thinking too much on the plane) and memory cards need to last longer.

The remote play intergration that they added for the PSP to talk to the PS3, let's just say, that I could never watch a movie from the PS3 with the quality it offers today.

PSP isn't for everyone, but if you are looking for a gaming machine first, then you may want the DS.

If you want a device that does a bit of everything and I must say it does a decent job at all of its tasks, then the PSP would work for you.

I'll second the above post regarding travel. Great device on long flights, stuck in the airport, or outside of the country. Can always communicate via wifi in airports, public parks and internet cafes. As a media gadget, it has the Nintendo DS beat, hands down. The game selection is not as strong as the DS, but it was designed to be more than a portable video game console from the beginning.

Some great games are Killzone: Liberation, Puzzle Quest, Wipeout: Pure, and Madden '07

I've had one since a few months after launch and I still play it often. Great way to game on the go. Plus with a 4 gig memory stick (now selling for under a hundo), you have about 20 hours of video for those long trips.

Games I'm currently playing:

MLB: The Show - fantastic graphics, very realistic

Ace Combat X - awesome gameplay, again - fantastic graphics

Socom : FTB 2 (better graphics than Socom 3 for PS2, btw) 16 player online matches are a lot of fun

Tiger Woods - this one gets played the most by me and my friends on road trips

Burnout - every bit as entertaining as the console version

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories - it's amazing they can cram this much into a handheld game

I'd say that's a pretty healthy rotation of great games.

I don't get the battery life critique either. I travel often and it's never an issue for me.

If you like more japanese-y type games (where you're pretending to raise puppydogs, save princesses, take exams, etc.) you might want to look at the DS.

I've had one since launch. luv it. much more portable than a laptop and plays all your videos, music and surf the web.

All that was very handy during Katrina and now as I travel for work. I have the 8 or 4gb with bat pack. Throw an anime series & some music on and ready to roll. Also have 2 2gb sticks with vids and music.

I just got Rachet & Clank which is a blast.

I own one, and honestly I never use it. The thing is awkward to hold, has a short battery life, and just doesn't seem well designed for gaming. I used to use it to watch transcoded movies, but these days I mostly just convert them to DVD format and watch them on my home theatre instead.

Blah blah blah! Short battery life? How short? My factory battery holds an 8hr charge :rolleyes:

OP - the remote feature is great, it allows you to connect to PS3 20gb/60gb model over your WiFi network, and you can pretty much use your PS3 trough the PSP.

Listen to music, view photos, videos, and browse the net using the PSP trough the PS3.

Games are great, think of it as a PS2 in the palm of your hand ( hardware wise ) so the games can only improve, plus SONY is the process of introducing a 8gb flash memory model.

Oh there is a great selection of games.

Killzone Libiration
MGS Spec Ops
Syphon Filter
Daxter
R&C Size Matters
Race Car Driver
Ridge Racer
Katamari
and so on! It is a great system especially for 170 now. When the price goes down, it will be even better.

I've had mine since launch... It's basically my portable emulator machine.

At launch, it's library was superior to the DS's...

I use mine pretty frequently.MLB 07 is great,you will not get better portable baseball experience.I usually put episodes of Entourage on there for work when I have some spare time.Now with the price break I think it is a great bargain and is only getting better.GOW for PSP will be awesome....

I'm sold. I will be picking one up in the very near future

I put mine on the shelf. with 1.5 fw. waited 2 years. then haxed the crap out of it.

now I never have to pay for a game. and i have like all of them.

w00t!

Also get the analog nubs from Nyko.The make the analpg nub resemble the PS2/3 analog sticks more.Also feels alot better.$5 gets you a black,blue and white nub.

I just checked buy.com really quick.

A 4 gig memory stick is now $75.

Like I said, that'll get you approx. 20 hours of video. So this whole "no memory" arguement is getting weaker and weaker as time goes on. And this was just me checking one website, I'm sure there are slightly better deals out there if you poke around.

I like the PSP...it's good for travel and such but these arthritic hands (I'm only 31 - don't crack you knuckles!!) can only take so long before the odd configuration of the buttons get to me.

i use my psp about 6 hours a day.

on the bus on the way to work, i use it to listen to mp3s.

at work, i use it to play old Playstation 1, Super Nintendo, and Genesis games

on my lunch break, i watch downloaded tv shows/movies on it.

it can do sooo many things, and the screen is great.

i recommend buying the "Nyko Theatre Experience" case for it...it has decent speakers, a good layout, is very protective, and adds another 8 hours to the battery life.

best thing i've ever purchased (besides my Humax Tivo/ DVD burner)

I had the PSP since Nov 05 and it has changed a lot. At first I thought it was basic and boring since there were no games out on it, but now it is a lot better after I hacked it. The web browsing still sucks but the remote play is actually pretty cool. With the newer games out and the upcoming ones, it will only get better.

I think there will be new colors this fall along with maybe another price drop to 149.99. I am waiting for FF Crysis Core and God of War!

I've toyed with the idea of getting a PSP. I'm a little older also, and I don't really game a whole lot, but would use it for video and MP3 playback in my Car. The video could entertain my daughter in the back seat, and maybe I could listen to recorded TV news programs while driving to work.

I'd really love it if it had a GPS add on with mapping software. That would tip me over, but I heard this isn't really available outside of Japan. Unless, someone knows something about this here.

There are a few tings that bother me:
-Screen size is only 4.3 in. wide from the specs.
-The video play back is only in that goofy MPEG 4 format or AVC. (Why no wmv or mpg?)
-Control. (no remote control features)
-Sorting of Audio and Video files
-You need that goofy sony media stick, (SD cards won't work)
-Battery life, (3 hrs with continuous video play?)
-Ergonomics

Scren size "only" 4.3" thats pretty big for a hand held. Most PMP's arent even that big.
Remote control. Wired remote for volume next track etc is available with the adapter (it doesnt come with the PSP anymore)
Goofy Sony mem stick..yeah it's a sony product. of course they are gonna promote their own format. LOL
Battery life 3hrs..where are you geting that from. Thats WAY too low.
You sound like you are more in the market for a PMP that a PSP. go check out Creative Zen or the MS Zune.

how could you not want these.

http://www.ultimagame.com/psp/foto_f160006.jpg

http://www.ultimagame.com/psp/foto_f160005.jpg

http://www.ultimagame.com/psp/foto_f160003.jpg

http://www.ultimagame.com/psp/foto_f160004.jpg

Crisis core = win

I love my PSP!! It makes all other portables look pretty childish. This is the ultimate travel companion too. I use ever function on this thing and I like to use the remote play on my PS3 so I don't need to max out my memory cards for music. I haven't regretted mine one bit and I don't need an Ipod with this baby. The music sounds great, but use better earphones than what comes with it. I went with the higher resolution ear buds with the built in mega bass and they can thump for earphones. Just my 2 cents.

-The video play back is only in that goofy MPEG 4 format or AVC. (Why no wmv or mpg?)
mp4 is better than both cause its a smaller size file and still good quality... Like I said in my post I put a full 25+ ep anime series on a card. you can still read the subs clearly. LotR trilogy EE still looks great...

Scren size "only" 4.3" thats pretty big for a hand held. Most PMP's arent even that big.
Remote control. Wired remote for volume next track etc is available with the adapter (it doesnt come with the PSP anymore)
Goofy Sony mem stick..yeah it's a sony product. of course they are gonna promote their own format. LOL
Battery life 3hrs..where are you geting that from. Thats WAY too low.
You sound like you are more in the market for a PMP that a PSP. go check out Creative Zen or the MS Zune.

No, I don't think I want a personal media player, (To expensive!, and the screen is a little to small for me still, 3.7 in). Also, I already have a PDA, which does allows me to do every thing that a Portable media player would do for me, ( play video files, music, ), but with much more functionality. So I'd never get one.

I like the PSP because of the gaming, media playback functionality, though not exactly the way I'd like, and its ability to interface with my PS3. As far as the size, honestly there is a happy medium. You don't want the thing to be to big, (loose some of the portable facets), but you don't want it to be to small either, because it will make it less enjoyable t use. What does one expect, huh? :o

Apart for the thing being a really cool thing to have, If you are a big gamer, you'd proably have a home system so you probably wouldn't use it at home. Its great for people who have time while on the go, (using on the bus or train or being driven on your way to school or work), while while traveling (on plane or in a car).

Apart for the thing being a really cool thing to have, If you are a big gamer, you'd proably have a home system so you probably wouldn't use it at home. Its great for people who have time while on the go, (using on the bus or train or being driven on your way to school or work), while while traveling (on plane or in a car).I use mine at home every day. It's a nice little unit to just pick up and play for a few minutes during commercials or while I'm taking a break from work, rather than firing up a console.

I love my PSP for all the reasons mentioned so far in this thread, but here's a few more:

The built in browser gives me access to the web front end of my home theatre, giving me a completely wireless solution that can be used to control the system from any room and plenty of screen real estate for viewing and setting up playlists.

IR functionality for use as a completely programmable universal remote.

The ability to play PS1 games.

The browser is also handy for those times when you want to quickly look up something, but don't want to turn on the computer or get out of bed just for that 5 second look up.

If you run unofficial firmware you can load multiple games onto a single memory stick. This not only means you don't have to carry around a bunch of UMD discs, but you'll also get faster load times and much longer battery life. Turning off the screen when listening to music and putting it in standby (flick the power switch up once) when you're not currently using it will also make the battery last a lot longer.

Overall it's a good system with multiple uses, making it a nice compliment to the one trick pony DS.

ok i've been gone for a while but i think you sold me on it maybe i'll pick one up tomarrow thanks

I think PSP owners are pretty cool.

My experiences are similar to many of the folks who have already commented here. Over the first several months, the PSP went from neat toy to paperweight because of the lack of decent games. Then I bought a DS and played a ton of stuff on it, both DS native and GBA titles such as the Zelda and Metroid games for it. I definitely love the DS for multiplayer stuff with my wife, e.g., Clubhouse Games, UNO, etc., when we're sitting in line for a movie or whatever. Also, Nintendo really does make some amazing games. I definitely wouldn't call the DS a "one trick pony". In many ways I prefer it to the PSP. Having said that, I just picked up a set of newer games for a long business trip (two weeks in Ukraine): Medal of Honor Heroes, GTA: VCS, and Ratchet & Clank. Additionally I brought along Tiger Woods to play with the folks traveling with me. I'm enjoying the PSP again for the first time in a while. However, I still don't understand why they didn't put two analog nubs on it. Every game has to compromise significantly to work worth a damn with the camera. I just don't think I'll ever feel 100% comfortable playing a game that has a free camera on this thing. Regardless, I'd recommend one for games and for media now that you can play Divx in full res from a memory card.

The new Tiger Woods game - can mulitple people play at the same time against each other? The previous two versions only allowed 3 hole skins and 3 hole playoffs. No 18 hole matches using one PSP.

Is that different now??

I think they did it to force people to buy another copy of the game and play via ad hoc. That's great if your friends have a PSP. Mine don't.

I think PSP owners are pretty cool.
I see someone took the thread topic literally ;)

I see someone took the thread topic literally ;)
Now that's funny! :p ;) :D

well i picked one up today installed update 3.4 so i could buy psone games from ps store also got star wars because thats all wallmart had that looked remotely good but i will get to best buy and get some others and i think it came with a atv game and movie lords of dogtown so i will be trying it out here soon a post my impressions does anyone have any suggestions for games to download in ps store