stinkypitz reviews the PSP

[stinkypitz]

I?ve been a PSP owner for a few years now, and I have seen a lot of clashing opinions about the system. Some say it?s a fantastic piece of equipment, while others say it is an overpriced, over-flashy, and game-lacking handheld. I wanted to give an in depth review of my experience with the PSP, and let you decide if it?s worth your money.

Hardware: No matter who you are, you can acknowledge the PSP is a sexy looking system. It?s got a big beautiful screen and shiny plastic all over, looking very stylish. However, it is a portable system, therefore a few compromises have been made. For one, there is a left analog nub, and no right analog nub. This was a poor design choice, because it really alienates FPS games on the system. Publishers work around the issue and are a bit successful, but it can be a bit frustrating using face buttons to aim. Other than that, the only hardware complaint personally is a few dead pixels, but there is actually a free remedy for them that has had some positive results. Overall, this system looks and feels solid.

Software: The game library for the PSP, at a glance, is so-so at best. If you?re looking to play UMD games only, you might be disappointed. There are a few mentionable games like Syphon Filter and a remake of Final Fantasy Tactics, but the good titles are few and far between. So where are you going to go for games? Homebrew my friends. It is the PSPs saving grace. There are full speed emulators available for anything from Snes to N64. Countless hours of entertainment can be had with old classics. Also, sony released their own Ps1 emulator. Its perfect full speed, and with a little know-how, you can play any ps1 game you own (or don?t own) on the go. That had me jumping for joy to know that I can play FFVII on long plane rides. Take a look around the homebrew community, and you will find tons of useful applications and fun games for your PSP. Its best to have at least a 1gb card to carry your games and such around, and it wont cost much. The possibilities made by the homebrew community include instant messaging, controlling your computer with your PSP, and even using it as a remote for any TV. So overall, the PSP has a weak official software library, but the thriving community more than makes up for that.

Value: Overall, the PSP will give you bang for your buck. Make sure you get a PSP that can be downgraded for your homebrew pleasure. With technical know-how, you will be playing all your favorite classics on the go for a reasonable price. I give the PSP my recommendation, Buy it.

 

[JimboG]

I bought a PSP a while back. I played it for a bit, playing it again each time a game worth my attention came out and then stopped. The PSP, for me at least, has nothing worth raving about. If I want to access the internet, I use my computer. If I want to play a console game, I use the PS2, which has dual analogue sticks (something sony really should have included).

The build quality of the PSP is questionable also. After but a month of TLC, there had emerged a crack in the corner of the screen, which cast a shadow across the screen. This had also caused the battery to somehow start draining power. After a replacement battery, it worked fine, but it's something I shouldn't have to pay for.

Another aspect of the build quality is the UMD drive. It's flimsy, and sticks out by about 8mm when closed. It makes an annoyingly loud sound when loading, and the PSP will always start up the UMD when turned on, making you wait to go back to the main menu.

I won't start about the games, but they're more of the same from the PS2, without clear visuals or a decent controller with 2 analogue sticks.

I can honestly say that, for all the joy it has given me, it was not worth buying. I regret spending my money on it.

Homebrews: I tried downgrading the PSP; it worked, but the software available was either uninviting or it didn't work. If you want to play games like that, get a GP2X.

 

[stinkypitz]

True. Mine was not as bad but there was slight cracking near the triangle button.

As you said, alot of people feel its not worth the money. Personally, the appeal of playing emulators and ps1 games is very great, and worth compromising a few things for.

 

[zardosbacon66]

I bought a slim when the Star Wars pack was released, though I bought the Daxter one over it, because it came with a gig stick instead of no memory at all.

I'm very impressed with the little hand held over the wasted money of my DS. I recently had it modded to be able to play CSO's and emulators. Along with good DVD burning software, I can compress any movie I want and watch it at my leisure.

My experience with the PSP has been great and feels well worth the cost, but I can see where other people might not like it.

 

[hickwarrior]

If i look at the arguments given, it seems that the psp is only for those knowledgeable of software and know how to deal with it... Unfortunately, i use mines as an MP3 player. An oversized one at that too.

And i dunno, i did had some fun with tekken and gitaroo man but i don't see many games that do seem worth it, really... I think it's because some of the better RPGs or other kinds of games, are just kept in japan or something... But the latter is me rattling.

 

[squirrelman42]

I decided aeons ago that I would never own a portable system NOT made by Nintendo. I still am a hardcore Nintendo fanboy, but I saw a couple of decent looking games on the PSP recently and if they keep repeating that anomaly then I might actually have to get one for myself.

 

[njsykora]

Wrong.

The PSP's game library is rather excellent I think. Stuff like Final Fantasy Tactics, Disgaia, Metal Gear Acid and Wipeout Pulse make it well worth the money and the ability to hook it up to your TV means that more meaty games are now a much more feasible option. When you combine that with the stuff available on the Playstation Store like Syphon Filter, Medievil and Beats its become the case that downgrading the firmware and running homebrew is now locking you out of a lot of great gaming.

And JimboG, go into the system settings and you can set the machine to boot to the dashboard rather than the UMD. Makes life a lot easier.

 

[stinkypitz]

I can still play new games with custom firmware. Yes there are plenty of gems in the PSP library, but they are all amidst an ocean of suck. Metal gear solid: PO and Tekken are some top notch psp games.

 

[Alanicor]

Spot on stinkypitz.

I bought my PSP in a hungover impulse buying moment. That day I found out it can be hacked with mere software tools and I got stuck in.

That was about a year ago and i still use it for Mp3s, Mp4s, psp games, ps1 games, scumm games, Snes blah all the emus and apps for youtube viewing etc Also, it does stunning 3d GPS satnav, Guitar effects, and coming soon, skype. And thats just a drop in the ocean of all the crap you can run on it.

The real winner for me has been the Ps1 games. Reliving all the classics. I find the little screen does justice to the old games because the blockiness is less apparent.

I could bleed on about it, and i agree with a lot of the criticisms, but its really a matter of personal usage. If it wasn't homebrew enabled, I'd have had to deal with purchase guilt as well as a hangover that day.

 

[chronicdog]

Well the ability to use it as a GPS and as a phone with SKYPE for PSP2001 owners is awesome!

Overall Im very happy with the unit, I have 2x 4GB memory cards so I use it an my MP3 player.

My favorite games are Pirates!, Sega Genesis Collection, Salamander Collection (Life Force), Ace Combat, and Burnout Legends.

Also, the ability to stream PS1 games from the PS3 is really, really cool.

I dont use the hack firmware as it bricked an earlier PSP of mine; if I want to play NES/SNES games I have a GBA.