First of all, I would like to say that this is not a gaming console, as much as it is a multi-purpose multimedia machine, with the function of playing extremely high quality. Anyway, the machine is exceptionally playable, as I think most people have at one time or another played on a playstation, and this is a playstation, a portable playstation. So, we are all familiar with the Square, Circle, Triangle and X of the Playstation, and here we have it, anywhere we want. So, it is very playable, as the screen is very large, (4.3" although it appears bigger), and of a high resolution, giving crystal clear images, and large buttons mean easy game play, and many reasons to not put it down!
The console is immensely enjoyable, well, the thing is, that, it is slim, and has loads of features, so you can listen to your favorite songs, and look at a photo slide show of your last holiday. You can watch a short clip, or even a UMD film. As the PSP plays all MP4 files, you can with ease watch any videos you want, or buy a UMD, (Universal Media Disc, which is what the games, and movies are stored on). But your MP4 files, (and pictures, music etc), are kept on a Memory Stick Duo, (Pro compatible). Which means infinite storage for pics and stuff, if you have enough duos.
Other enjoyment factors come from the games themselves, because of the graphics, and incredible frame rates that make them so smooth. The games are easily played, as the analogue stick and selection buttons are so well known, and the fact that, the games that I've played have all been well explained by the manual, and by in-game instructions also.
Other enjoyment features come from the sound quality. Whether its music or Game noise, the sound is incredible for a hand held console. The music can be played at maximum volume through the built in speakers, and still give enough clarity to hear all the notes and at a rather loud sound level. Through the headphones the quality of the sound is enhanced further, adding deep bass, and treble clarity to the already quality rich sounds coming from the machine itself. Also included in the Value pack is a remote control similar to that as the one from the older Discmans, (round, with volume on the side?). The sound is definitely one of the key features that add to the enjoyment of playing on this machine.
Addictiveness Well, this machine can only be described as, very addictive. The games themselves seem to be all fairly well made and addictive, but just playing on the console itself, as in pictures and music and stuff is so irresistible as the shiny black surface and incredible screen just beckon for you to come and play on it.
So, the games are addictive on their own, and once you've restrained yourself from those, your body starts to want to just play with the PSP anyway.
So, I could say through my own experience, very addictive.
Originality Well, this is quite a difficult question to respond to, be the PSP original?
Well, of course it is, in the sense that it is one of the first hand held computer entertainment systems to incorporate so many features, such as Wireless Internet, and all the functionality such as Picture Viewing and MP3 and 4 players. So, I would say, yes, definitely, the PSP is very original.
But, then there is the argument, that Sony have stuck to their same old, Square, Circle, Triangle and X console, and it is just another branch of their already huge and still growing Playstation family. So one could say that the PSP is not original, and that it is yet another version of the original Playstation. And with the PS3 announced, it would seem as another thing into the past for Sony.
But, in my opinion, the PSP is completely original; a new era of portable gaming is upon us. After Nintendo's huge monstrosity of a console, the DS, ( never quite understood the point, utter flop in my opinion), the PSP just appears as an ultimate machine, setting the standard for all new Handheld devices to come.
Graphics As already mentioned, the graphics are one of the key points of this console, being such incredible quality, and of such smoothness provides incredible game play, and menu systems.
Here's the un-miss able 'techie' part of my review, (you won't escape it), as to how the console is on top of all others, and why the game play, and menu systems are so smooth. The PSP runs on a solid CPU clocking at a frequency of
1-333Mhz, which for a handheld console is pretty incredible, and is backed up
4mb of DRAM, and 32mb standard memory. This power coupled with a 4.3 inch 16:
9 wide screen TFT LCD with a 480 x 272 resolution with 16.77 million colors, give out the most incredible and best performance from a handheld console to date, (for those people that didn't understand that, don't worry, basically, its very good, and fast.) Sound The sound is another incredible feature of this console, there isn't really much you can say about it, except that there are two stereo speakers, that really do give out stereo sound, at a very high level of clarity and loudness, and are not 'tinny' at all, and are actually extremely good.
The sound is enhanced when using the PSP headphones that were included in the value pack, (but as the machine is using a simple 3.5mm jack, you can plug in pretty much any pair of headphones into it.) The Console itself, Versions, Included Stuff etc.
The PSP console itself is very solidly built, it is constructed of nice plastic, not tacky plastic that creaks, but solid well built materials, and the front and screen cover of the console is glossy, like say an iPod. It looks extremely good, and is well built. It has on the front the screen, controls, and small analogue controller, volume, home and start/select buttons. There are also buttons for the brightness, (and turning off the screen), along with a button for the EQ of the music, (also used for muting the sound). There are also display lights for Memory Stick activity, Wireless LAN activity, Power, and Hold.
On the top of the console there is not very much going on, just a USB 2.0 port, which is where camera accessories, and other things can be plugged in.
There are also the R and L buttons on the top. On the sides here is not much at all, on the Left there is the Memory Stick Slot, and the Wireless LAN switch, on the right there is simply the On/Off switch which is also used for hold. On the Back there is obviously the UMD tray where the games and UMD Movies go. The speakers are located on the bottom, and also on the front of the console.
The main features of the PSP are as follows, (at the moment), UMD Games and Movie players, Photo viewer, (slide show functionality), Music player, (which plays music clearer than my iPod by the way), and a video player. There are also Wireless functions using the 802.11b/g wireless LAN card integrated into the console, which can be used to browse the internet, (on the game: Wipe-out Fusion), but also it is expected that Sony will bring software updates to use the internet etc. Also, the console can be used on its own as a controller for the PS3 (via Wireless LAN), so you could have a long-range wireless controller.
The system specs are:
Dimensions Approximately 6.7 in (W) x 2.9 in (H) x .9 in (D) Weight Approximately 280g / .62 lbs (including battery) CPU PSP CPU (System clock frequency 1 - 333MHz) Main Memory
32MB Embedded DRAM
4MB Display
4.3 inch, 16:9 Wide screen TFT LCD, 480 x 272 pixel, 16.77 million colours Sound Built-in stereo speakers Other IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi), USB 2.0 (mini-B), Memory Stick Duo, Infrared Port, Disc Drive, UMD Drive (Read only), Memory Stick Duo Slot, USB connector, DC IN 5V connector, Headset connector Wireless communications IEEE802.11b, Infrastructure mode, Ad hoc mode (connection up to 16 consoles) PSP Value Pack supplied accessories AC adaptor, Battery pack, Memory Stick Duo (32 MB), Headphone with remote control, Soft case and cloth, UMD In-pack Sampler and Hand Strap.
Battery Life The battery life is very impressive from this machine. It will easily last 10 or so hours solid gaming, and at least 11-12 listening to music. Tested, it will last through the whole film of Spider Man 2 (on UMD) two and a half times.
The battery life is a great bonus that is unexpected from such an incredible machine. So well done Sony, very well done.
Value for Money The PSP is a very good machine, and for that, there is obviously a cost, now, if you were to wait until the launch in the UK, which is estimated at around September or October, you will pay an Estimated price of 179.99. If you were to import one now, you will pay around 140 + ~50 import tax, so if you want to save a tenner and a lot of complications, wait for the UK launch. The best way to do it though, is to buy one when your abroad. Say, you have a friend that was visiting china, (this is my situation), and you ask them to buy you one there, which is what I did, you can get the cheap original price tag, (130-140), and pay him/her back. This is by far the best method, and is what I did.
But anyway, the point is, that I think that the PSP is extremely good value for money, because it is not just a games console, (and if it was, it would still be good value for money), but it does so much more, DVD quality movies, MP3 and MP4 players, I mean, basically it is a multi-media machine, that happens to be able to play games that have better graphics than a lot of PS2 games!
So I would definitely say that the PSP is good value for money and is worth every penny, as you can do so much with it, so many people think that it is just a games console, but it is so much more, and really worth the money.
Definitely good value for money.
Final Things I have to Say:
The things I'd like to say about this console is that, it is going to get better and better, first of all, the next wave of games for it are going to be, incredible. The prototypes have been tested by many people and supposedly have better graphics than the final first ones! (Which is very good because Prototypes are usually bad graphics, for those of you not in the know!) And added equipment has already been spotted such as cameras, IE explorers etc.
So get ready for much, much, much, much more from this little machine.
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